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Black Label Society are currently touring the USA in support of their latest album, "Mafia." The band has been touring non-stop since early March and will continue their trek across the country until November 20, when they end their nine month tour in San Francisco at the legendary Fillmore West.
Black Label Society have recently had a line-up change in the band. They have brought back bass player John "JD" DeServio to replace James Lomenzo. “JD” as the fans know him , is no stranger to BLS. The energetic bass player toured with BLS in 1999. He has also toured with Ritchie Kotzen, Lita Ford, and Drill.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting JD, when BLS rolled into New England. In this exclusive interview, JD talks about his return to Black label, his favorite bass hero’s, and life on the road with one of the top bands in music today, Black Label Society.
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Tell me, how does it feel to be back in BLACK LABEL SOCIETY? Last time I saw you perform with BLS was in 1999 at the Station in RI. How long did you tour with BLACK LABEL?
It's awesome to be back!! Zakk's my bro from forever, so it's like coming back home again. I did the first BLACK LABEL tour in '99. It lasted the whole year. We had a blast!!
What has the favorite part of the show been so far for you to perform? I love the Dimebag tribute. Did you know Dime?
There's a little piece before In this river, that Zakk basically wrote live onstage. It should be called a song for Dime. That's my favorite. I only met Dime briefly once in '92 when I was playing with Vinnie Moore. I spoke to him a couple of times on the phone with Zakk, but unfortunately that was it. Dime was a huge KISS fan and a Dallas Stars fan!! I'm sure we'd been bros.
After you left BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, was DRILL your first band with a record deal that you performed with? Were you disappointed that the record company dropped the band in such a short time?
Actually DRILL was after PRIDE & GLORY and before BLS. We had a record out, toured with like MARILYN MANSON, STABBING WESTWARD and other industrial bands. We had our second record done which woulda been cool, but the record company went under. Nobody bought the masters so it ended.
 Who are some of your favorite bass players? Are you a big Steve Harris fan? I wish you played Ozzfest this past summer, IRON MAIDEN was on the bill Did you get to sew Ozzfest this summer?
Steve Harris was one of my first biggest influences. I learned the first four records note for note!!! I met Steve when I was 15 at the Palladium in New York!!! Beast on the Road tour!! I was wearing a 3/4 sleeve concert shirt and I drew the 'Killers' cover on it!! Steve signed it and I thanked him for making we switch to using my fingers instead of a pick!!! It would a been great to show him it and have him sign it again!!!! Geezer Butler, James Jamerson, Jaco Patorius all changed my life, as well as Randy Rhoads.
How long have you been playing bass? How did you get started in music?
I been playin bass since birth actually!!! I saw a picture of Kiss and knew right then what I wanted to do!!
Now JD are you from the New Jersey area? How did you meet Zakk? Jersey has some great musicians.
Yeah, we knew each other from Jersey, before Ozzy and everything that followed!!! Jersey's got a ton of great musicians. NYC is right there so you gotta step up!!
JD, Any advice for the any aspiring bass players out there?
Just quit!!! LOL. Nah, just go for it as hard as you can. Listen to all kinds of music and have an open mind. Practice everyday and take your vitamins!!!
JD, What show stands out from all the rest. I know you have performed quite a few. You have been touring non-stop for so many years.
Playing Madison Square Garden was ridiculous!!!
for more on BLS check out www.blacklabelsociety.net
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