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 Doro Pesch’s career pretty much began back in 1983 when she joined forces with the German heavy metal band, Warlock. Warlock did what every other new band on the planet had to do, and that was to tour the club circuit and hope to get a following. Warlock succeeded in getting a following with ease, and released their debut album titled "Burning The Witches," in early 1984.
After recording four solid metal albums with Warlock, and a successful U.S. tour with Megadeth, Doro decided to go solo because of legalities due to the Warlock name, thus releasing her first solo album titled, "Force Majeure" in 1989.
After releasing several solo albums over the years, such as her self titled album "Doro," (1990) which was produced by Gene Simmons, "Love Me In Black," (1998) and "Fight,"(2002) just to name a few. There is no denying that Doro Pesch is one of the hardest working musician’s on the planet!
The singer\songwriter’s latest album titled "Warrior Soul," is scheduled to be released soon, and we at GlamMetal are overjoyed to talk with the queen of metal herself. You can’t get much more Glam, or Metal than Doro! She was such a sweetheart to talk with, and totally loves her fans. So, with that said, here is our exclusive interview with the very beautiful and talented Doro Pesch! Enjoy!
Doro Pesch, welcome to GlamMetal. How are you these days?
Oh, very good, thank you!
You have a new record completed, and coming out soon, titled, "Warrior Soul." When is it scheduled to be released?
It’s coming out... I think the 24th of May in the states. There’s a limited edition as well, which has two videos on it, one which is from this movie I just did in September, which should be out in October. It’s a great movie, and I’m so excited about it!
Awesome! Which songs are on the movie soundtrack?
The song "Warrior Soul," is the soundtrack, and we put the best scenes into the video, which will be on the limited edition along with a trailer, and two more bonus songs as well.
What’s the name of the movie, and where was it filmed?
It was filmed in Switzerland, and it’s called, "The Way of the Warrior."
Sounds like your kind of Movie. (Laughs)
(Laughs) Yeah, Yeah! It was so great, it is my first movie, and such a great adventure!
What part do you play in the film?
At first I’m a hunter with a bow and arrow, and then I become a fighter, like a real warrior. (Laughs) The guy who is the main character, shows me how to fight with an axe and stuff like that. (Laughs)
(Laughs) That’s cool. I can actually picture you swinging an axe. Are you chopping off heads and stuff in the movie?
I’m killing the enemies with bow and arrow more than chopping with the axe. (Laughs) It’s such a cool movie, and it reminds me of...it’s in between "Highlander," or "Mad Max." It was so much fun, and it should be out in October.
I can’t wait to see the movie. Ok, now back to you’re new record. How many tracks are on the record?
Yes, there are fourteen on the limited edition.
How would you best describe "Warrior Soul," and how would you compare it to your previous albums?
I would say that it’s very much back to the roots. It has great emotional energy, and great melodies and songs. There a lots of anthems on there, like "Strangers Yesterday," "Above The Ashes," and "Thunderspell," that I think the fans will enjoy. Some head banging stuff as well, like "Haunted Heart," which I think it’s more metal than the previous releases.
Cool, so it’s got some heavy stuff on there then huh?
Oh, you haven’t heard it yet? Oh, you’ve got to hear it, it’s the best one in the last ten years. It’s not the new type of metal, it’s more traditional, but still fresh I think.
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No, I haven’t heard it yet, I’m looking forward to listening to it though.
Oh yeah, there is some heavy stuff on there for sure, like "Haunted Heart, " with double bass, and "My Majesty," which is a heavy rock song. There’s a couple of ballads on there as well. On the limited edition, there’s two more ballads, one is called "Angel In The Dark," and the other one is called "1999,"which is an acoustic, and has very nice lyrics. I think it’s killer. There are lot’s of anthems on there as I said, like "Thunderspell," and the first track, "You’re My Family," which is dedicated to the fans. I’m so happy to belong to the metal family.
What inspired you to write "You’re My Family" for the fans?
Something that really blew my mind, was last year we played in Turkey for the very first time. It was called "Rock The Public Festival," and you could see how excited people were, and how much they were looking forward to a rock show. Anyways, there were like twenty to fifty people in the front row that went totally crazy, like with tears in their eyes and stuff. It was one of our best shows last year. Well, some people snuck backstage, and I don’t know how they got in, because it was like really heavy security, but they got backstage, and everybody was so happy, we took photos with them, and had such a great time with them. They were the most passionate, loving, and excited fans, I had met, it was so great. We asked them where they came from, and they said, "You won’t believe it, but we are from Iran." I was like whoa! They aren’t allowed to hear metal in public, and actually put their lives on the line to come out to the show. They spent all their money they ever earned to come out to the show in Turkey, and I thought wow man! I could see that they were the same metal heads as us, and they had the same good hearts when it comes to the music, you know? I thought what a shame it is that there are places in the world that don’t allow certain music and stuff. It’s sad. The people were so great, and you could feel it.
There aren’t really many bands that dare go over there and play for them, it’s really sad. You really are a Warrior Doro!
(Laughs) Yeah, I told them I would come, and I would do everything I could to play for them.
That part of the world is so unstable.
I know, it’s really sad. But, it meant the world to them, and it made me very happy to play for them. Music has so much magic and unites the world, which inspired me to write "You’re My Family."
Very nice! Did you do all of the writing on this record Doro, or did you collaborate with someone?
Actually, I did some of the stuff myself, and some with the band. I have a really good friend whom I love to write with, his name is Gary Scruggs from Nashville, and I always go to him when I start a record. We wrote like five songs on the record I think. The lyrics became more important to me over the years. Back in the Warlock days, they weren’t as important to me, but now I’m a big sucker for good lyrics.
What’s your absolute favorite song on ‘Warrior Soul?’
I love them all of course, but I have three that are really my personal favorite. "Strangers Yesterday," " You’re My Family," and the movie soundtrack "Warrior Soul."
I really dig the title, "Warrior Soul." Was the title your idea, and what does "Warrior Soul" mean to you personally?
Yes. At first, it was the work title, and then when it came down to finishing the record, it became the title. It was really inspired by this movie.
Does "Warrior Soul" say something about yourself Doro?
Yeah, I think so. Life in general I think is really hard, and it’s always a constant fight, and especially to survive in this business. It’s the ultimate fight song. The lyrics for "Warrior Soul," were actually written for the main character in this movie. I read the script and got really inspired by it, and I wrote the song.
Back in 1990, Gene Simmons produced your second solo album, titled "Doro." What was it like working with the demon himself?
Oh, I tell you, he was the best! He was such a great guy, and I was a huge Kiss fan, so for me it was like a dream came true. He was so sweet, and a perfect gentleman. I think he was a teacher before he became a musician, and he had such a great way of teaching you things, and he was super intelligent, and very dedicated to music. I was very impressed. I tell you, when I went to the studio every day, my knees were shaking, every time I was so nervous. (Laughs) We started working in NY, but we did the production in LA where they did the "Hot in the Shade" album. It was just fantastic. He had such a great way in working, all the musicians were highly motivated. I remember one time, they were mixing the song "Mirage," which Gene wrote, and I heard the mix, and I thought, I don’t know man, I had the feeling it could be better, and I was almost in tears, and he said, "You go back to your hotel, and I will see what I can do." I said, "You know Gene, we don’t have much time left." He said not to worry, and he’d see what he could do. So, I went back to the hotel, and the receptionist called my room at 9:00 am the next morning and said, "there is a big tall man here, and he left a package for you." So I went and got the package, and it was the song, and it was the best mix I’d ever heard, and had such a great vibe! Gene sat up all night until 9:00 in the morning mixing that song. He went out of his way to make it great, and he helped me in so many ways. Gene is a great producer, and a great person. I was always a big fan of the music, and the band Kiss, but I became a big fan of the person Gene Simmons is. It was a highlight of my life.
You’ve recently been elected as one of the ten most important rock musicians of all-time by MTV and VH1viewers! How excited are you about this news?
It’s unbelievable! I’m so happy I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that people still remember me from the 80's. It’s super! In the 90's, we did so many records, but they didn’t get released, but the fan base was still going strong. It’s great, and I highly appreciate it.
I understand that you’ll be making an appearance on VH1, when can we expect to see that?
It was shot in LA last Friday. It was like the best forty metal songs I think. So...probably in a couple of weeks. It’s so great to see metal returning!
Yes! Metal in general is back in the spotlight again for sure. You can’t kill metal anyways. (Laughs)
(Laughs) I agree!
You’ve had a few line-up changes over the years, who’s currently in your band now?
My band has been together now for fourteen years. Bass player, Nick Douglass has been with the band for fifteen years. Back during the 80's, I had more line-up changes, but now, it’s the same guys. Nick Douglass on Bass. Joe Taylor on guitar. He joined in 1993. Johnny Dee on drums. Johnny joined in 1993 as well. We had another great guitar player, his name was Mario Parillo, and he passed away in the year 2000. He was a great guy, and he was with us on the Dio tour in the states. He was such a sweet guy, and an amazing guitar player. Later we brought in Oliver Palotai at the end of 2000, and he plays rhythm guitar, and keyboards. So...it’s a steady line-up from 1993 on.
I’m sorry to hear about Mario.
Thank you. At first we didn’t want to replace Mario, but we needed somebody, and Oliver is very good. Mario is always in our hearts.
I noticed on your website that you already have some European shows booked for April and May. Do you have plans to tour the states in support of "Warrior Soul"as well?
Yeah, I think in September. There are some possibilities, but we have nothing confirmed just yet.
Of all the package tours these days, is there one in particular that you’d really love to be part of?
Ozzfest would be great! I’d love to tour with the Scorpions. Alice Cooper would be great as well. I’ve toured with Judas Priest, W.A.S.P., Dio, Megadeth, and oh, it was just great!
Is there a favorite place here in the U.S. that you particularly enjoy playing while on tour?
New York is always super special! On the last Dio tour, we played at the Roseland, and it was so great! After the show, I took off my boots, and my feet were covered in blood! (Laughs) I was jumping around so much, and wanted to give my best. A couple of gigs after that show, I was in severe pain. I know there are so many other great places, but I just love New York.
I’ve had some great times in New York as well. It’s the city that never sleeps.
Exactly! Our first record recorded in the states, and one of our greatest records, "Triumph And Agony," we did at the Powerstation studio in New York, and I had such a great time. I think New York has the toughest audience as well, but when you win them over, it’s such a great feeling.
Who were your biggest musical influences Doro?
Rob Halford, David Coverdale, Janis Joplin...Priest, Kiss, Lemmy, Ronnie James Dio... tons of people really. When I was fifteen or sixteen, I became a total metal-head. (Laughs)
(Laughs) Nothing wrong with that!
I love the Glam Rock people, like T. Rex, Sweet, and Slade. I was a big T. Rex fan, Marc Bolan was my idol! (Laughs)
Warlock was a huge part of your life back in the day, and I understand that it was a long time ago, but did the band split, or did you just continue on as a solo artist?
What happened was, we had an American manager, who was great, and a European manager, who wasn’t so great. One time when we were in the states, our manager from Europe stole all of our money. Everything the band ever earned, he took. He took our advance money and everything. It was horrible. Then, he claimed that he owned the name "Warlock," which he did not. We went to court and lost, and we couldn’t use the name Warlock anymore. So, the record company suggested we just go on as Doro, and I wasn’t sure that I liked doing that, but they insisted on doing it that way in order for us to keep the deal. I was always secretly hoping we could use the Warlock name again, but it never happened. Actually, we did a reunion as Warlock two years ago at a big festival in Wacken. You’ve heard of the Wacken festivals in Germany before yes?
Yes, I have. So, you played this festival as Warlock?
Yes, and we got into so much legal trouble that we still haven’t sorted it all out. All the Lawyers, and stuff, it’s like AHHH! I’ve been fighting to get the name back, and I did get the logo back. I have the right to use the logo, but not the band name. So, it’s not solved after two years. We had a really good time though. I called up all the old Warlock band members, and it was a lot of fun.
Bands have to be really careful in this business. I’ve heard tons of horror stories.
Yes, exactly! When we started the band, we were all young, and I signed all the contracts and stuff without even asking a lawyer, and thought everybody is my friend and everybody is good, but it just wasn’t so.
So you learned a valuable lesson early on huh?
Oh yeah man, I tell you. Now I always read the contracts a couple of times with my lawyer. Back then, I thought you could trust everybody, and I learned the hard way. So...getting back to that, there was no split, we just couldn’t use the name anymore. I never intended to make a solo career either, I was always a team player, and enjoyed having a band.
Have you remained friends with any of the original guys from Warlock?
Oh yes, with most of them. Especially the drummer and the two guitar players as well. The bass player gave up music for sixteen years! He didn’t play his bass guitar for sixteen years, and when we did the reunion show, it was the first time he had picked it up in all that time. We’ve all kept a good relationship over the years.
What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t working or touring?
I never do anything else other than music.
So you don’t do anything other than music? You don’t have any hobbies or anything?
Not really. Doing this movie was the first time that I’ve done anything else other than going on tour, or working in the studio. It’s really time consuming. I don’t have any kids, or family...usually I’m always in the studio.
I have to say, you’re a gorgeous woman as well as a great singer and performer! What do you do to stay in such great shape?
(Laughs) Oh, thank you Doobie! I don’t do anything special. I did Thai boxing for a couple of years, which I don’t do anymore, because I don’t have the time. I run, and go jogging and stuff. I think doing music just makes me so happy.
I thought it might be from fighting off all those male groupies! (Laughs)
(Laughs) That’s funny! (Laughs) Everybody is always so sweet, no reason to fight anybody off. With the male groupies it’s different, it’s not on a sexual level. It sounds boring, but I guess we’d rather talk I guess. (Laughs)
In closing, is there anything you’d like to say to all of your fans out there Doro?
Yes. I highly appreciate all their support over all these years, and I always try to give my best, and give my heart and soul to everything I do. I hope to see everyone soon on tour, and I hope you all like the new album, and thanks for all the mega support. I wouldn’t have survived all the bad times without my fans and the strong support system. It always makes me so happy, and always keeps me going. I promise to always give 120%, and I love you all very much. Thank you!
Thanks so much for talking with GlamMetal.com Doro, and good luck with the new record and tour. We wish you the best!
Thank you so much! Have a good one, and thank you so much for supporting metal.
Check out more Doro Pesch at www.doropesch.com and www.dororocks.net
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