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Does the name Daniel MacMaster bring back memories for any of you Glam-Metal heads out there? For those of you who can’t remember, (which is most likely due to the 80's) or simply you just don’t know who he is, I’ll be happy to tell you. Daniel MacMaster started out singing in a Canadian band called Scorcher, before he joined forces with Jason Bonham in the band, Bonham, back in the day.
MacMaster co-wrote two very successful records with Bonham during the late 80's, the first titled “The Disregard Of Timekeeping,” and their second album titled, Mad Hatter.” Not only did MacMaster fit the “Glam-Metal” image of those times, and drove all the girls crazy, but he could also sing his ass off! Unfortunately in the mid 90's, Daniel faded out of the music scene almost as fast as he emerged.
Glam-Metal recently caught up with singer\songwriter Daniel MacMaster to see what the hell he’s been up to, and as it turns out, he’s up to quite a bit! He’s currently working on putting out a solo CD in the very near future, and is working with Reality Management on a cool project which is similar to the reality show “RockStar INXS! Daniel also shares some cool stories from back in the day, so break out those old Bonham albums, crank em’ up and enjoy reading what Mr. MacMaster has to say! Enjoy!
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Daniel MacMaster, How are you man?
I’m good man!
What have you been doing with yourself these past few years?
I’ve been doing the family thing for quite a while. The kids are getting a little older now, so...my son, he’s five now, and my daughter is three. They still keep me pretty busy at that age, and I’m trying to keep up with em! (Laughs) Also, I did a CD with my original group Scorcher. We put that out in our own little small circle.
When was that?
I think that was in 1994 when it came out.
I understand that you’re doing something similar to the reality show “Rock Star: INXS” with Reality Management. First, would you tell us a little about “Reality Management,” and how you got involved with them?
Sure. Bruce Calwell runs it, and we’ve been friends for years. It’s kinda funny actually, because when I first started out with Scorcher, I had replaced the singer, Steve Gramn, and we used to play this local rock bar where everybody went, and when I first came out as the new singer for Scorcher, they were all booing me! They were used to the other guy. So, he thinks that’s pretty funny now. (Laughs) I’ve known Bruce since back in those days, and then he got into the management, and we’ve tried a couple of times over the years to get something going. The hardest thing for me, was trying to get guys committed enough to get something going, and to do it long enough to get some notice globally where people have heard of me, and know that I’m out there doing something, and not just putting a tune out every once in a while, you know? That was a really tough goal, and I tried doing it as a band member, and not doing the solo thing. After a while, with us banging our heads against the wall for that, and having people being unreliable, and not that committed, I couldn’t really nail people down to do any one given thing, and to do it long enough to have it do anything... ah regardless if it goes anywhere or not. But, that’s kinda how we got together, and this is our third crack at it, and we just thought, lets do it this time as a solo artist. I’ll get a studio band together for the recording and whatever we need to do, and once that’s done, try to get some guys together for the tour and stuff. I’m really hoping to get guys that will commit to touring.
Ok, I’m curious how this works. So basically, people will send you music, and you write lyrics to the music?
Yes. People can send in anything they’ve got, like on a MP3 format, and Bruce puts that up on the site. At the moment, the Daniel MacMaster.com site is under construction, so he’s just kinda throwing stuff up on the other site for now. He’s looking for a guy to work with that does more web design and all that kind of stuff. Anyways, The idea basically, is that people can send it tunes, and we’re gonna pick three of the best, and what we’re gonna do is, as we finish them, he’s gonna put them up for people to vote on for the songs they like the best, and then take the three best and put them on the CD. Also, if anybody’s committed to possibly even coming in and doing studio stuff with the album, and showing some kind of commitment to coming out and touring. I’m looking for people that wanna go out and play music full time. That’s pretty much it as far as the idea goes, we don’t know how it’s going to work out, but we’re getting lots of music sent in.
So, you’re looking to find a band out of this project with Reality Management?
We’re trying to capture the same kind of thing, but in reverse. The singer looking for the band. My hopes aren’t up, because I know how difficult it is to find a band. I also understand that it’s tough to find a singer, that’s not easy either. It’s definitely not something that happens over night. Take Ozzy for example, he had his Randy Rhoads, and has his Zakk Wylde. If I could find a great guitarist to work with for eons coming, I’d be all set!
There’s a bunch of great guitarists out there that want to play.
Yeah, but at the same time, I wanna try and survive radio. I don’t want to be self indulgent, I’ve done that. I’ve seen what the first Bonham album did, and what songs people as a whole were into man. I want to try and do a CD with songs that people like as well, not just because I like them, you know? I can’t do that. I think that’s really selfish, but at the same time I want to be recognized for what I’m doing.
You could put like an all-star band together or something man.
That would be cool! I’m kinda leery that way, just because those guys are usually really busy and they usually have something going on, and you end up losing them, you know? I wanna make a mark, so when people hear it, they know it’s me. I look at guys like Rod Stewart for example, and bands like Kiss, that have survived over all these changes. I wanna get good at being able to retaliate to that, and to try and survive, and try to do something similar and keep that fan base going, because you lose em so fast, eh? After playing with Jason, I want a drummer like that! I want that big drive behind me, because now I’m used to that, I’m used to standing in front of that, and hearing that. I want like the big bass, I pitch off of it, I’m a trained singer, and all that crap, I love it! I want my ribs vibrating, you know what I mean?
How many songs have you got so far for this reality project, and what are the song titles?
There’s a couple on the site right now that I’ve done with a guy named Terry Baker from Ontario. There’s one called “Tyme,” and another called ”Faith.” So, there’s two demo’s up on there right now.
Any idea what you’ll call this solo record?
This will be called “Never Ever Done.” So, three of the songs that are voted on, will be on this record in addition to the songs I’m writing.
How would you best describe your new material?
I think it’ll still have that commercial edge to them, but at the same time, there’s gonna be a rock element there. I think people will like the songs.
What’s a couple of your personal favorites from the new stuff?
I’m pretty partial to the song “Faith.” It’s kind of a ballad type song. There’s a song that I did with Scott Kerr, called “Real,” and another song called “Wednesday” that I really like. It’s kinda like Chris Cornell kinda stuff. I’m trying to reinvent myself, but at the same time, I’m not going to stray to far from where I started from, because I don’t wanna freak anybody out. (Laughs) I don’t want people walking away with a bad taste in their mouths, you know? I like the song “Tyme” quite a bit as well.
Where does your inspiration for writing songs come from?
Ah...I get this buzz always. I’ll hear this music idea in my head, and I’ll sit down with a guitar player and say, “This is what I hear,” and we’ll kinda put it together. Same thing we did in Bonham, each guy came to the table, whether it was Jason, Ian or John, with an idea, and we built it from that. I guess I have that sorta inbred in me. I’m still writing the same way, I’ll get this buzz, where I’m like, I’ve gotta do this right now. It doesn’t matter if it’s 3:30 in the morning, or whatever, and I’ll waltz down stairs in my slippers, and try and get it done. That’s cool, because then I don’t feel old. It’s like a young boy having a buzz about something that you think is really cool, and that’s never gone away for me thankfully.
When you do go out and tour in support of this record, are you going out as a solo artist, or will you have a band name?
I’m pretty much going out as a solo artist. At this point right now, because I don’t know if I’ll be able to hang onto guys long enough to actually have a group name, you know? It’s like forming a baseball team, and hoping everybody shows up. (Laughs)
I understand man. You’ve gotta have people that are committed to being out on the road for months at a time.
Absolutely man! The whole deal. Some guys only wanna do session stuff, and not go out on the road.
When was the last time you performed in front of an Audience Daniel?
About a year ago. I’ve gotten up and done a few songs like “Tyme” and “Faith” in clubs around the Toronto area, and a few Bonham tunes.
Are you stoked about touring and performing again?
Yeah! I really wanna push the Canadian market. I wanna try to get received as an artist kinda thing, and I want people to understand that I’m coming out as a solo artist now. I really want to be careful about sticking around, and while I’m on tour, I want to really focus on the second release and getting that out there, and hopefully being able to stay in the game.
Have you done anything else musically since Bonham?
Well, as I said, just the one CD that I did with Scorcher. I’ve collaborated some with a guy named Scott Kerr. He’s an amazing musician, a really phenomenal guitar player, and he’s got some great ideas. We’re actually working together right now. We’ve got probably about ten demos that we’re looking through for this CD. I don’t wanna take to much time, I want to get this release out quick, so I can focus on the next release, because I still have material that’s unreleased. I broke away from it for a year and came back home and kinda hooked back up with the family, because that was kinda falling apart while I was doing this. I missed my daughters first birthday, and was away for like ten months, and things were a little rocky between me and the Mrs. I had to come back and patch that up and reconcile, and keep my family in order, because I needed to be grounded eh? I’ve experienced the highs of rock and roll, and been through the drug and the drinking thing, and where people kinda put you on this pedestal kinda thing, which you’re not any better than anybody else, you’re just an average Joe like anybody else, you know what I mean? I’ve been through all that, and I’m really grounded now, and I know what I want now, and where I wanna be.
When was the last time you talked with Jason?
I haven’t talked with him for a while. I talk to Ian quite a bit, and he kinda relates back to Jason what I’m up to and stuff. There’s no animosity between us, we’re actually one of the few groups where nobody hates each other. (Laughs) I think the world of Jason, and John and Ian. They’re an experience of my life that is why I’m where I’m at now, and why I’m going to be able to be as good at what I’m trying to capture this time around, and it’s through working with people like them along the way. I’m thankful for every moment spent.
What are a couple of your favorite songs off the two Bonham records?
After we started touring for the first record, that tune “Just Another Day,” was really cool live, it just took off, and everybody was really into it.
You guys toured with quite a few bands back in the day. What band did you particularly enjoy touring with the most?
Motley Crue, Tesla, Ozzy. The Cult was an amazing experience! Metallica over in Europe was great as well.
Was there any particular band that you enjoyed touring with the most?
Motley Crue was really cool. When we were writing, like even in the states, we were in the same place at One On One studios there. They were like right beside us, so we’d hang out and stuff. It was really cool to be in the same circles and hear what everybody else was up to, and we’d listen to each others stuff, and everybody was just really into what everybody else was doing at the time.
That was a great time for music back then dude.
Yeah it was! There was a lot going on, and a lot more acts out there.
Touring with Bonham back in the day must have been a blast! Care to share a crazy story or two with us? Something that really sticks out?
I remember our first show with The Cult in Halifax was kinda funny. We got there alright, but none of our gear showed up! (Laughs) We were out renting equipment, everything from guitars down. We had nothing man! We were scrambling to get stuff together to do the show. We pulled it off, so that was cool. Another time, I think in Texas, we were playing this show and I invited everybody up on stage, and our manager at the time Phil Carson, got really pissed off at me. (Laughs) People started walking off with stuff, like one of Jason’s stares, and stuff. We all kinda laughed at that, it was no big deal, it was just the moment, and we were still playing. The crew and everybody was losing their minds, scrambling to make sure everything’s cool and make sure people didn’t walk off with all our equipment. (Laughs) We just kept rocking on, and we were all buzzing, and young and experiencing the popularity and everything. We had lots of good times man! One of the shows, I think it was Fort Meyers, or Gainsville, or somewhere, we were monster trucking after the show, and Jason was driving this truck, trying to get it over this hill, and I wouldn’t get in the truck, because I thought, oh man, somebody’s gonna get hurt here, but Ian jumped in the back with this huge toolbox that weighed about three hundred pounds or something, and he jumped out just in time as Jason finally got this truck over the hill. Thankfully Ian jumped out in time, because this toolbox came flying back at him! Jason broke his hand. We got in a lot of trouble during that tour, doing this and doing that. Management’s never happy about stuff like that though, you know? (Laughs)
Oh, so that’s how he broke his hand. Next time I see Jason, I’m gonna give him a little shit about how to drive a monster truck! (Laughs)
(Laughs) Yeah, that was really unfortunate that that had happened. What it was, the guy didn’t have any torsion stuff on the front for the wheels, and the wheels spun on him coming down off the hill, and his hand was inside the wheel which broke it back.
Speaking of Jason, he is known to be quite a prankster, what crazy shit did he pull with you while on the road?
Well, we always messed with the guy who passed out first! (Laughs) You might wake up with no clothes on, or your nose would be colored in black, or something crazy.(Laughs) Oh yeah, you never knew what was going to happen with Jason! Him and I got in a lot of trouble with Sharon Osbourne. She wasn’t putting up with our antics, and would have people find us and keep an eye on us...
Oh, I learned something new today, I didn’t realize that Sharon Osbourne was your manager. Was that during both Bonham records?
No, it was in between the first and second albums, just before the release of “Mad Hatter.” I think Phil Carson had decided he’d had enough of us I guess, (Laughs) so Sharon came aboard. That was when she was still managing The London Quireboys, and Ozzy. Shortly after, she decided she was going to solely manage Ozzy. We clashed and stuff, but I really liked her. I got shit for a lot of stuff I did. Even when I was home in Canada on a break, and I was out touring with another band, she’d have a photo and call me into the office, and there would be Ozzy. He’d be like “It’s just my wife man, just tell her to fuck off man!” (Laughs) “Don’t take any shit man!” (Laughs) She could put fear in ya though, you don’t upset Sharon, you know? She will get you! I was laughing about the Iron maiden thing recently at Ozfest, where she turned off the power. That’s just like her, you mess with her, and she will get you. (Laughs) We never had problems like that with her, because Jason and I got along great with Ozzy. We’d take off and go out with Ozzy, and then we’d be in the office the next day. (Laughs) She’s be like, “don’t let him influence you, and don’t get him going, and stuff like that. I remember her saying to us, “I don’t need another Ozzy Osbourne!” (Laughs) She really kept us under wraps man. But she’s great though, best manager I ever had.
(Laughs) So you got to hang out with Ozzy then huh?
Oh yeah, we spent a lot of time with Ozzy. We’d be out drinking with him and stuff, and listen to his stories and stuff. It was great man!
Do you have a funny Ozzy story to share with us? Something you won’t get in trouble for that is. (Laughs)
One time, we were out with the record label, and Jerry Greenberg was there, and at that time, he was the head of WTG on the side of CBS, just before it changed to Sony and stuff, and a few other department heads, and of course Ozzy and Sharon , and the Bonham band... anyways, we’re all sitting down, we were having dinner at this really swanky Italian restaurant, and Ozzy was saying stuff like, “You’re all just a bunch of fucking assholes,” and Sharon kept trying to tone him down, and he was like “Fuck them, I’m Ozzy Osbourne man!” (Laughs) All the record label people were just pretending it wasn’t happening. (Laughs) I couldn’t stop laughing, and Sharon kept giving me the evil eye, but I couldn’t help it man, it was so Ozzy, you know? The waiter would come by, and Ozzy would take a bite out of his arm and stuff. Just normal Ozzy stuff, I loved it! (Laughs) He’s entertaining. It’s not like he was trying to entertain people there, he was just entertaining himself! I thought it was hilarious!
That’s cool you got to live that man. Hanging with Ozzy, it don’t get much better than that!
You know what? I’m really thankful that I got a chance to be around some pretty amazing and fantastic people. It’s not every day that you can get anywhere near these kind of people, you know?
Touring and hanging with Jason Bonham, did you ever get to meet any of the Zeppelin guys?
Oh yeah! I remember Robert taking me around at his daughter’s wedding, and he had all these different types of bands playing. He had Indian bands playing, and a bunch of different types, and he said to me, “ You gotta check out this type of music, and think about putting lyrics and vocals down on stuff like this,” as he was walking me around the whole place. It was really cool! Here I am walking around with the guy that’s like my idol! As a writer, your in awe, because this guy is taking time out to give you some pointers, and say hey, try this and try that.
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Cool! How about Page?
Yeah, at shows and stuff, usually just to say hi and stuff. He’s always so busy.
Who were your biggest musical influences growing up Daniel?
Definitely Robert Plant. Freddie mercury, and a lot of Motown stuff like Sam Cooke. I like a lot of the Delta Blues stuff also, like Robert Johnson. I actually play in a local Blues band up here to. We rehearse like every Wednesday, and we do a lot of old songs, some of which I’ve never even heard before. (Laughs) It’s pretty cool, it’s really different, and you realize where all music kinda came from.
Music has changed quite a bit since the 80's and 90's. What new bands of today do you like, if any?
I like Train. I like Audioslave. Ah...honestly man, I’ve kinda given up on radio. Matthew Good is cool, ah...half the time I don’t know who the hell it is I’m listening to! (Laughs)
(Laughs) Dude, I hear that!
I’ll hear something cool, and I have to ask somebody who it is. Then again there’s that “being old” thing that comes in! (Laughs) It doesn’t necessarily mean I’m old, it’s just that bands are coming out like water now, you know?
Absolutely!
I like Nickelback, I think they’re awesome. I know they aren’t new now, of course, but as far as new now, I don’t know. I rarely watch any music videos or anything man. I’m in the boonies here man! (Laughs)
Is there anything that I didn’t ask that you’d like to mention?
Mainly, just anybody out there who’s remotely interested, I’d like them to at least get the chance to listen to the music I’m putting out, so they can decide for themselves if they like it or not. I think the hardest part is the distribution aspect of it, to place it in peoples homes where they can hear it. I think about day to day life, like my fan life and stuff, and think how would my neighbor hear this tune, you know? If it’s a case of only when you’re in town, and when you’re gonna play a show if the radio might put on three of your tunes. (Laughs) It’s like, how do you get around that, you know what I mean?
Anything you care to say to your fans out there in Glam-Metal world?
Just that I really miss everybody, and I know that I’ve been away for quite awhile. It’s as much of a disappointment on me as it is on anybody who would care to see me out there playing. I’m really trying to make up for that, and really get out there and tour every year. I’m really trying to bring it to the table where I’m out there, you’ve got the option to check out Dan if you want, or at least you can hear him on the radio. I’m really disappointed for the lost time, but at the same time, it’s not time lost, I’m still alive. (Laughs) I’m still kickin! (Laughs) I feel like I’m on top of the world right now, because everything’s working! I think that attitude is what’s gonna get me through everything.
You’re gonna put on a kick ass rock show, huh?
Oh yeah! I’ll be doing diaries as well. I always had a computer on after a show, and writing in my thoughts, what could be better, and how to make it better, and that kinda thing.
Thanks Daniel for talking with Glam-Metal, and good luck with your project.
Oh, that’s great! Thank you! I hope nothing but the best for it all to, and I really appreciate you taking the time out to talk with me.
Oh thanks man, but I appreciate your time my friend. This is what I do.
For me, this is a given. It’s what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s not a job for me, it’s just letting people know what I’m up to and stuff, so thanks!
No problem Daniel. Have a good one man.
Ok, you to! Later.
Anyone interested in learning more about Daniel MacMaster, can check out his website at www.danielmacmaster.com
Also check out www.realitymanagement.ca
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