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 Although vocalist/songwriter, Daniel MacMaster hasn't been in the public eye for a few years since his day's with Bonham, it doesn't mean that he hasn't been busy. MacMaster has literally been locked up in his basement, writing song after song for the past decade, and is now ready to emerge from his dusty basement with some great new songs! We at GlamMetal.com are very happy to support and announce the return of Daniel MacMaster to the world!
Just to refresh your memories, Daniel MacMaster co-wrote two very successful records with Bonham during the late 80's and early 90's. The first titled “The Disregard Of Timekeeping,” (1989) and their second and unfortunately last album before Bonham disbanded titled, Mad Hatter.” (1992)
Daniel MacMaster currently has two kickass cd's out, one titled "Rock Bonham...and the long road back," and his latest masterpiece "Stone," which features some great songs such as "Season Of The Witch," "Outside Your Door," and "Faith." MacMaster has recently recruited Bassist/songwriter Billy Childs of the power band Britny Fox! Billy is a huge asset to the band, and only good things can come from this collaboration!
We at GlamMetal.com are happy to have Daniel MacMaster back on the site for the second time to talk with us. The singer seems to have some interesting things going on currently, and he'd like to get the word out, so here he is, the very talented Daniel MacMaster! Enjoy!
Daniel MacMaster, welcome back to GlamMetal.com How the hell are you man?
Hey Doobie thank's for having me back, and I'm good! Things are moving along well, I really can't complain. I've got great management, Bruce Calwell of Reality Management out of Toronto, and Sweet Lou Hetzer of GlamSlam28 Management out the U.S.
First I've got to say, you performed two great shows at the Rhythm House Cafe in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago with Quiet Riot, Jackyl, the BulletBoy's and Ron Keel. You totally kicked ass! How'd it feel to be part of that event, and how'd it feel to be back out playing live again Daniel?
It was great to be playing with these bands as they are true professionals, real top shelf, and to be out playing and promoting the new records was indeed a great opportunity. It felt like having focus and vision for me, somewhere to go in direction of the new music.
What was the highlight of that weekend for you Daniel?
Well I'd have to say meeting up with you Doobie, and Sweet Lou. If not for your belief in what is happening here with the band, and myself, we'd be still waiting it out back home in Canada. You have to value and respect those who put you there man, and I do.
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It's been quite a while since you've been out and about Daniel, how long has it been since you've actually toured man?
Whoa!!! This'll show some age! Well ...the way I figure it, around fifteen years, give or take a few. Too long my friend! I should have re-surfaced perhaps ten years ago maybe...but there you are.
Your new band kicks ass man! Please introduce the current line-up, and tell us a little about how you found these guys.
I'm excited to announce BILLY CHILDS (Britny Fox) as our new bass guitarist. As you know, he was introduced by none other than the DOOBSTER himself! All thanks to you for introducing him to the band, as he's a real gem, and a great person. We are looking forward to new shows together. NIALL MELLORS, our man at drums was found through my manager Bruce Calwell as they had worked together prior. TERRY BAKER and LISA EWING, come together literally, as they are an item and play together. Terry on lead guitar, and Lisa on key's. Terry and I go back a ways to the SCORCHER band days. We just sort of fell in together as was pushed for by a lot of people, perhaps the time became right. JODY MACMASTER will be joining us in January, he'll be on rhythm guitars and vocals. Jody and I are family, so brothers we be of the pure sense, we have worked together writing over the years and have always figured that we would be in a band together at some point, and the time seems to be right now...so there you are! A really great group of people to do this with...the hard part will be keeping them together for a spell.
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You've been a busy guy since we last talked. You've got a couple of new records out, or coming out very soon. One is titled "Rock Bonham...and the long road back," and your most recent solo album is titled "Stone." Ok... first, let's talk about "Rock Bonham...and the long road back." When is the official release date, and tell us a little about this record, and what people can expect from it.
Well this record is going into pressing this coming Monday, and I do not have a release date from SUNCITY RECORDS, as yet, but you can purchase the cd off from my website at www.danielmacmaster.com although the artwork is different, but DAVID MOORS from Suncity assures me the time is very soon. It is a compilation of tunes done over a span of years, some with a band called SCORCHER, some a solo effort with TERRY BAKER and I, as well as a few tracks from the BONHAM days that were not released, strictly done for the avid BONHAM fans, as I thought they would like to have them, so a good diversity there.
Same question for your latest release, "Stone."
This record is out now and available at my website www.danielmacmaster.com
We are currently seeking distribution for this record "STONE." It is my latest solo effort of which I have written song's with various musicians to make this record the best that I could do right now. It was produced, mixed, and mastered by NICK BLAGONA. The players on this release are: NIALL MELLORS drums, BRAD WILSON guitars, and KEVIN GOWAN on bass. Unfortunately it didn't work out with our former lead guitar player, so Nick brought in a studio guitarist, and his name escapes me...I never even met him, as I was finished recording and left for home by the time he came in. My good friend Terry Baker is currently in the band as lead guitarist now, and we plan to kick some ass! This record as well has a true diversity of music, in that all songs are quite different from each other.
 Which label's did you sign with, and do you have any idea where these records will be released first?
"Rock Bonham...and the long road back," is through Suncity Records and is a worldwide global distribution of that release, perhaps David from Suncity will read this an give us a release date. For "STONE," it's still up in the air, as we are awaiting an opportunity for a label to go with distribution, and as well tour support, so that I can get out there with the band to promote both records...believe me, all we want is to be out playing man!
What's a couple of your favorite tracks off of "Stone" Daniel?
Myself I really like "Outside Your Door," and "Faith," and yeah... I'm being safe on that one, but I have to, I need to remain out there and I'm very driven to get radio play, so I try to write in my own way of meeting those needs. My dark side where I spend my days is with "Season Of The Witch." I'm a fall person, or autumn if you will, I like creepy, dark, and morbid, and if a song has an eerie feel or mood about it, I tend to lend myself to that every time.
Are you totally happy with how the songs turned out, and how has the live feedback been so far?
Yes Doobie, I could not be more content, and the gratification that I get from the fans on playing them the music, is just plain fucking magic man! It really is. I need more of that live stuff for a few years to come before recording again, or perhaps I'll record along the way as always...whether a fan is from the Bonham era or not, they have had great things to say about the new songs, and know how to go about getting the new releases, which is grand to me.
What's the writing process like for you, and do you write all of your own material?
Yes, I have always written my own material, hence my slow rise to success, but I am stubborn in that I try to improve on that as the songs come about. However, I do collaborate with either a guitar player, piano player, or just myself, when only I can get my vision out, as it is difficult to get your ideas across the board at times, for the most part, one of the guys may send me a music idea, or we'll come up with one, and build on it. I really prefer to be alone with my works, and what I bring to the music, as I bury myself in my basement at home to build on the songs , then I bring 'em out when I'm satisfied.
After being absent from the music business for a few years now Daniel, how difficult has it been for you to break back into the biz, and get your name back out there?
Ahh...I'd have to say very difficult ...as support in what you do does not come easy, or for that matter last when it does. It generally takes people who will first listen to what you are currently doing with some measure of interest, the right time and place is something hard to grasp a hold of, as usually something great can happen when you are unaware too... for the most part I want what most people do, to work with a great bunch of people in faith of the vision of what can be made to happen out of belief, know how, and action at hand... we will be out there ...period!
I'm sure that the music business has changed a lot since the Bonham days, what are some changes that have taken place over the years?
For the most part I believe the independent labels are showing the majors up, especially at the award shows, which is a good thing for an artist, as a pre-fab makeup lends itself back to creativity for the artist with a greater chance for success. Simply, you will find people who believe in what you are doing that have the connections and make it happen for the artist. Another big thing is the bands providing a finished complete cd for only the label to distribute, this is good as the artist has control over the makeup of the music and direction as they should... fewer people around the boardroom table, wasting valuable time, and dollars, which should go directly into marketing the release out the door, not spent up from within.
Has there ever been any talk of a Bonham reunion? What are the chances of that ever happening, and would you do it?
These questions get fired at us by the media all the time. There is always the possibility while we're around. It would most likely take us all getting together to discuss it, but for the most part as things only come about if the fans want it, and if they indeed are many, and it generates revenue for all involved to make it a reality ...so is this likely to happen? Yes, it very well could, especially as each of us move along in our own music careers, but I honestly do not know at this point.
Speaking of Bonham, did you catch any of the episodes of Vh1's "SuperGroup" with Jason Bonham on there, and if so, what did you think of that show, and seeing Jason on there?
Yes I did, and Jason was great on there man! Was he happy about the line up? Who would be? But, it's great promotion for him, and puts him out there, but you know how we feel about drama Doobie! (laughs) It's quite amusing how the television and music people, still figure that they can package up a group presto, changeo, and have it be successful in a matter of weeks.
If you could put together a so called "Super Group," with any artist you'd like, who would be in your band?
I would never do it! I cringe at the thought of the term "super group," as only ABBA comes to mind... it's just plain wrong ...I like the chemistry thing, but how a band becomes who they are, is by hard work and dedication, spanning over years... but to humor you further, we'll say Steve Lukather, Jeff Beck, Flea, and you can pick a drummer Doobie, and throw me into the mix on throat, and we'll call the band KRAMMED DINNER... just like a Kraft dinner box... the super, stove top, microwavable band...ready in minutes! (Laughs)
When was the last time you spoke with Jason or any of the Bonham guys?
Actually, I speak to Ian Hatton all the time by phone or e-mail. Sad to say, but haven't talked with Jason or John for years, as John is down in spain, lost and out of touch. I hear that Jason now lives in Florida somewhere. It would be good to speak to all of the boys again though.
Do you have any hobbies aside from writing or doing music Daniel?
Mostly trying to keep up with my kids Kaleb and Aryanna, and my wife Tina. It's the race to see what does Daniel in first, it's crazy town I gotta tell ya, drives me nuts and I already was man...The hobby is the family, and how they all suck the life out of each other, complete and utter madness...did I mention that I bring a lot of that to the table?
What's a couple of your favorite Glam-Metal bands from back in the day?
Ratt, Motley Crue, and Aerosmith if they count as a Glam-Metal band. Ozzy Osbourne is one of my all-time favorites as well, but I don't think he would be considered "Glam-Metal. Actually, there are so many, as there were some great bands of that era with damn fine tunes man.
What is your major goal for the upcoming months Daniel?
To be out playing, PERIOD! In case you haven't noticed, I'm just not getting the radio play that I need. We really need our friends at radio to play our tunes...this comes in no order of importance either as it is all very important...MEDIA, MEDIA, MEDIA, our voice to the good people out there as to what we are up to, and where we are at playing. So yeah, my goal is to get these new songs out to the world, and get out and bring it live!
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In closing, is there anything you'd like to say to all of your fans and friends out there Daniel?
I really look forward to meeting everyone, and playing live shows, and introducing these great new songs that I have to offer. I hope to see you all real soon, whether it's a small club venue, or as an opener for an established band in a huge venue. One way or the other, I look forward to seeing you soon...I know many of you may not remember me whereas I've been out of the scene for a few years, but I'm back, and please come visit me at my website: www.danielmacmaster.com and www.myspace.com/danielmacmaster to hear some of my latest songs, and to say hello!
Awesome! Great songs, and great shows. Thanks so much for talking with GlamMetal.com again Daniel. Good luck with the new records, and the tour!
I'm honored that you've had me on again Doobie! On behalf of the band, all members and myself, and our management, thank you GlamMetal.com for all your belief and hard work in keeping us out there! GlamMetal.com ROCKS!
I'd like to say, I've personally seen Daniel Macmaster's new band perform, and they kick ass, and his new cd's, "Stone," and "Rock Bonham...the long road back" have really great tunes on there, so as Daniel mentioned, go to his site and listen for yourselves!
Anyone who wants more info on Daniel MacMaster, can go to www.danielmacmaster.com and www.myspace.com/danielmacmaster
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