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 Black Label Society are known for their skull crushing guitar work featuring guitar virtuoso Zakk Wylde and Nick Catanese. But BLS also has a powerful rhythm section, which consist of JD on bass, and Craig Nunenmacher on drums.
JD, is no stranger to the Metal Scene. In the past, the established musician has performed with Ritchie Kotzen, Lita Ford, and Drill.
Black Label Society will be embarking in a North American Tour with opening act Black Stone Cherry, which is slated to begin October 19 in Sayerville, NJ and end in Los Angeles December 8, at The Wiltern Theatre. The trek will take the band to major cities in the U.S. including a special stop in New York City, October 20 at the legendary Nokia Theatre in Times Square.
Black Label Society recently released “Shot to Hell” on Roadrunner Records.
Black Label Society’s Zakk Wylde will be hosting MTV2’s Headbanger Ball October 21.
JD, who hails from New Jersey, met Zakk in a club in Jersey when they were kids. In a recent interview that I conducted with Zakk Wylde I asked Zakk what makes Jersey musicians so great. Zakk replied,” It must be something in the water."
Welcome to the BLS Glammetal.com chapter. For today’s meeting we have Black Label Society bass player John “JD” Deservio discussing the upcoming tour, the new BLS album, “Shot To Hell,” and what advice he gives his bass students about getting started in the music industry.
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JD, congratulations on the new Black Label Society release, "Shot To Hell." How do you feel it compares to "Mafia?" The production of the CD is excellent.
It’s evolving. I think the songs are getting better and better!! I'd say it's in the” MAFIA” vain, but they’re some old school riffs as well! Zakk's vocals keep getting better! He sang his ass off on this one! It's definitely progressing! The songwriting is killer on the record. There’s some epic shit here! It's like Mafia but there’s also some heavy shit! Zakk's definitely loving the whammy bar on the Randy guitars! Oh yeah. Ever since Barbaranne got Zakk the Randy guitar, he's been dive-bombing severely!
What were some of the highlights of working in the studio with Zakk Wylde on the new release?Everything was a highlight! We had a blast, and it was pretty much musical freedom.
Let's discuss the making of "Shot to Hell." Did the band go into the studio with a certain direction and sound that you wanted to achieve?
No, we just go in and create music. We all have many different influences on ”Shot To Hell.” The new album contains soul music, as well as say Sabbath and Zeppelin.
How do you feel about the all of the ballads that appear on "Shot to Hell?” I love the melodic edge; it really shows the band's diversity in musical style. Do you agree?
I Love the ballads. We like so much music that is why it is so diverse.
One of my favorite tunes on "Shot to Hell" is "Black Mass Reverends." How did you and Craig come up with that rocking bass line and drum groove? I can hear a lot of Rush influences in that song.
I don’t hear any Rush on this one. I hear Sabbath! (ED Note: Yeah, Deb)
Let's discuss the first single, "Concrete Jungle." This song is very radio friendly, and has a great guitar hook. Zakk also performs with that special whammy bar effect that he used on "Mafia." Do you think "Concrete Jungle" is the most commercial song on the CD and would fit well on the FM radio circuit?
I think the most commercial tune on the record is “Blood Is Thicker Than Water.”
Roadrunner Records is one of the most successful labels out there right now. How important a role will Roadrunner Records play in launching Black Label Society into commercial success?
They will have everything to do with it.
Let's discuss the making of the video "Concrete Jungle." Now the band took a different approach in the animated concept. Tell me a little bit about the video of "Concrete Jungle."
It was the most painless video I've ever been involved in. We just played to the tune twice and they did their thing.
What is your favorite tune off of "Shot To Hell?”
”The Last Goodbye.”
How long a time period did it take Black Label Society to write and record "Shot To Hell?” Did Zakk jam on acoustic and then head over to the Marshalls?
Zakk writes the riffs on bass with Craig on drums. The others are written on piano.
JD, you have performed with some of the top guitarists in the music business including Vinnie Moore, Ritchie Kotzen, and Zakk Wylde. What is like to work with so many guitar virtuosos?
It’s fun to play with great musicians. It keeps you focused.
You recently recorded a song for on the new Derek Sherinian album. What song so you appear on? What was it like working with Derek?
The song is “The Monsoon”. I've known Derek for about 15 year now. He’s awesome.
How did the acoustic songs balance with the heavier tunes during your shows in Australia? This BLS Tour will have the both of both worlds for sure, acoustic and electric.
The new set is killing..Australia loved it!
Will Zakk be bringing out the baby grand piano on the fall Shot to Hell to ur? There so many great piano ballads on the new album, it would be great to him them being performed live.
We will be doing some piano songs live again.
How was the BLS Australian Tour? How did the in-store signings go?
The signings were great. There were thousands of fans at the in-store signings in Australia.
Were you shocked to hear of the death of Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin? What was the vibe over in Australia concerning his death?
Yes I was. We loved Steve. He was a Black Label brother to the max. I saw the ceremony they had for him. It was heartbreaking.
Any special highlights from Australia?
Hangin with Kangaroos was amazing!! My tour manager and I went to a wildlife park.
Do you have any special warm up techniques that you practice before the show?
Just pour and stir!!!
JD, you have quite the rock and roll 80's resume. How did you get the gig touring with Lita Ford? What was it like opening for Motley Crue on the Dr. Feelgood Tour?
Sharon was managing Lita Ford at the time. Zakk Wylde got me an audition and I got it. It was a blast doing arenas with Motley Crue.
When did you pick up your first bass? Who inspired you to start performing?
I was 10. Gene Simmons is the soul reason.
Any plans to release a solo bass CD, or bass technique CD.? I noticed that you have some solo bass tracks online.
Yes, eventually I'll have an instructional DVD and a solo CD..
JD, you are a graduate of Berklee School of Music. What bands did you perform with in Boston, while attending college?
A band called "In The Pink” " and “Excape”!!! I played with tons of cats at school though.
When you are not performing, you also teach bass. What do you most enjoy about teaching, and what advice do you give your students?
I love inspiring kids to take it to the next level. I tell them they get nothing for free, it requires tons of hours everyday!
How has the music industry changed since you first began performing?
It still sucks.
Who are some of your favorite bands that you listen to today?
Lots of jazz, funk and reggae. Too many to name.
Both you and Zakk Wylde hail from Jersey. How has the music scene in Jersey changed since the 80's?
There is no scene here anymore.
What can the many Chapters of BLS fans across the country expect to see on the upcoming Shot to Hell Tour?
Devastation!!!!!!!!!!!!!
www.johnjddeservio.com
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