Before her performance at the Funhaus Club in Toronto on June 13, We sat down with the “Queen of Metal” - Doro to discuss everything from the state of metal here in the United States to politics and even her relationship with Kiss bassist Gene Simmons. Doro is currently out on the road, with Chris Caffery from Savatage, TSO playing guitar in her band. If you get a chance you must check out her live performance. Here’s what went down during our discussion.

Gus: First off, I want to start off by saying, happy belated birthday (on June 3). What did you do to celebrate?
Doro: Getting ready for the tour and the fans. We got lots of cakes in different cities; New York, Allentown, all over. The fans have been great.

Gus: You have been touring a little over a week in support of “Warrior Soul.” How's the tour going so far?
Doro: Excellent, Excellent! Very excited to be in the States and in Canada. The shows have been killer so far. Yesterday in Montréal it was mind blowing. It was one of the best shows on a tour so far. You feel the excitement. It reminded me of a little Wacken show you know? Very high-energy and overwhelming. I couldn't be more happy! It took us so long, because it's never easy the tour to states unless you get support from the record company.

Gus: It is very difficult to get your CDs in the States unless it's imported. The new DVD can easily be purchased. The diehards like myself will go ahead and purchase the imports. The American audiences seem to be more fickle than your European audiences.
Doro: You need a whole machine over here, to work hand-in-hand. The record company puts out a CD or DVD, and you can do a nice tour to follow up. This time it's all in good hands. We have been dying to tour the States. We have been touring European countries like Czechoslovakia and Russia. It seems that these tours are the hardest to put together. We’re extremely happy! 

Gus: Compare your audiences here in North America to European audiences? Be honest, I know that European audiences tend to get really crazy!
Doro: Hopefully it will be like that tonight, but yesterday It was like the true diehard audience. All were singing along and headbanging. When we play "All We Are,” it's worldwide. It gets the same reaction! It's like I'm reliving the Waken Festival. It's not much different.

Gus: You have the very talented Chris Caffrey in your band and on your tour. Is this just for this tour? Also, how did you start working with them?
Doro: He is always doing the T.S.O. thing in October, November, and December. He's been a great friend of ours for many, many years. He's always been a special guest like at Waken and other festivals. We had known each other for a very long time. It's wonderful to do the American tour together, and it's working great. His band is opening up. His keyboarder is our sound guy and he's an excellent sound guy. Everybody's been working hand in hand. 

Gus: So everybody's been doing double duty?
Doro: Yeah, Yeah

Gus: Like Zakk Wylde does it in Ozzy's band and his own band.
Doro: Were all like one big family.

Gus: Going back on one question, since you have been touring for over a week now, you got a little taste maybe you need a little more, but how do you compare the state of metal here in North America to the state of metal in Europe?
Doro: I think it's getting there again. It's doing really well. The second gig was in New York City and it was over 650 people there. We thought that was good, were in good shape! There is definitely more metal in the air than there was before. You feel that there is much more interest with the radio stations, TV, and media. It seems it's doing very well.

Gus: Over in Europe, it seems bands like Lacuna Coil do very well.
Doro: They do very well here in the United States too! 

Gus: There's other European bands too. A friend of mine has turned me on to a band called Jorn Lande.
Doro: We just did this promotional thing with them in Italy and it went great!

Gus: I just did a couple reviews on their CDs, and I thought they were just fantastic! They are hidden gems that nobody knows about here in the United States.
Doro: A drummer who plays with Chris; Joe Macaluso he played with Jorn on the Dio tour. Jorn sang for Yngwie Malmsteen. Then I think they had a band together John and Jorn. I think so much of Jorn. I think he's a tremendous talent!

Gus: People like that should come over here, and other bands like Saxon who are huge over in Europe. Too bad there's not much of an interest over here.
Doro: I think it's getting much better! Back in the 90s when metal was doing so well in Europe it was so difficult in the States. We didn't even get our records released here. Even know, I think they were some beautiful records! Anyhow, which we'll play a couple songs tonight like "Love Me in Black.” I think the last couple years it's been building again, and I think it's in pretty good shape. I feel it in the air. It's much more metal now than say three to five years ago. It's getting there again. If it can ever be as big as it was in the 80s again...we can only hope for!

Gus: I don't know. I hope so!
Doro: In Europe it reminds you a lot about the 80s!

Gus: You see a lot more rock bands putting out singles now. Your Hinders, your Buckcherry's. Those bands over in Europe that I mentioned can release singles over here they can do just as well. You just have to get that first act to break through the barrier.
Doro: You really do need some support especially in the States. In Europe, you can come out and do word-of-mouth, but here, you need the backing. We always try to do it on our own, but it turned out to be pretty bad. In Europe, it seems to work different. There are just so many festivals over in Europe. Lots of big festivals over in Europe. Here is just the Ozzfest and Gigantour. If you're not on those.....

Gus: Usually it's only a couple of bands at an amphitheater. Very few festivals here. Like you said your Ozzfest, Megadeth doing the Gigantour, and Korn doing the Family Values Tour. That's pretty much it.
Doro: Over in Europe it's like every country is doing something.

Gus: Like every day there's something going on over there, it's crazy!
Doro: Yeah, Yeah! That's what I wish for more people to do bigger festivals.

Gus: I have ask this question. "All We Are" is your most well known song, and it's been around for almost 20 years off your “Triumph and Agony” album. Why would you go back in the studio and remake such a classic?
Doro: It was for a special reason. A very good friend of mine who is a boxer and her name is Regina Halmich and it's her 10-year anniversary and we wrote walk in anthems for her. A couple weeks ago was her last fight, and she was fighting a guy (Gus laughs). They were fighting together seven years ago, and he lost. Regina broke his nose and stuff. For seven years he's been asking for revenge and Regina said she never wanted to do it. Now this year, she was finishing her career and the guy asked her again and she actually said okay. A couple weeks ago, she called me up and said “I'm gonna do the fight! Can you sing a song for me?” I said “Yeah,” but Regina said, “I don't want my anthem ‘She's Like Thunder’ because that's like sacred to me.“ That's is for the real fights, this is more like a show. I would love a classic.” I responded “you pick.” She said, “How about ‘All We Are?’” I said, “Okay.” We had to tweak the version because it had to be a little shorter. Then we made big fireworks in the beginning. Even know this is a big the TV show, I didn't get any money for it. So I wanted to see what I can do. I didn't want to do it alone. I would like to have a band. So I called all my friends in Germany Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer from Destruction, Bas Maas from After Forever, and Tim Husung. Then we played "All We Are" live. It was a massive event like 10 million viewers. Then afterwards people that never heard of us were like "Wow, what's that song?” And the record company got so many requests they asked if they could put it out. Then I said, let's not just put out the song. Let's make it a nice little special edition. There are also five videos on it. It came out June 8th. We did a cover of "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You", which was so nice then, "All We Are" and some new stuff for the diehard fans. People who never heard of us got turned on by the song, which was so cool! This event was great. By the way she won again!

Gus: Did she really? Laughs..
Doro: The guy will never ever do that again!

Gus: Can you tell us about your appearance on the "Real Rock Divas" DVD?
Doro: (puzzled)... I heard about it but know nothing about it. I hope people put something very nice out.

Gus: I hope you're getting a piece of the pie?
Doro: I really don't know?

Gus: I read that on the news somewhere. I don't even know if it came out yet. That's why I figured to ask you.
Doro: (Still puzzled) I didn't work on it so I don't know. We hope for the best!! laughs.

Gus: Where do you call home now?
Doro: On the tour bus always, like for the last 20 years. The tour bus is home. I have a place in New York, Long Beach (which I love), it's right on the beach. I always used to live in Manhattan, but it got pretty expensive and I ran out of money. We were touring anyhow. I have another place and in Düsseldorf, Germany. When we are in the states it's the New York area because Johnny is coming from Philadelphia. When were in Germany it's usually Düsseldorf or Cologne area. Where we’re doing rehearsals. It all depends when we are starting the tour.

Gus: Do you have a studio in any these places you call home?
Doro: I had it but he got so expensive and I don't have it anymore. It was in Germany. I shared it with Die Krups an industrial type of band. It just got so expensive, everything had to be top-of-the-line. I work all over the world wherever the magic is. Sometimes I like to be far away from everything. I like to work in different studios in different countries.

Gus: In one of the past interviews you did with one of our writers Dubay, you said you had no hobbies and music was your true passion. Being a workaholic that you say you are, Have you started working on your next studio CD?
Doro: laughs. Yes. Yes.

Gus: How is it going?
Doro: It's in the very early stages. When we do the tours and stuff, I like to concentrate only on one thing. When I get some ideas, I like to put on my little tape recorder. We wrote a couple songs. It's still in the beginning. Probably won't come out till next year. We will be going in the same direction as "Warrior Soul". Like nice anthems, heavy songs, whatever feels good.

Gus: What's the reason you're not playing the Wacken Festival this year?
Doro: We already played there five times.

Gus: But it's in Germany, and what's Wacken without Doro?
Doro: We might play there on the anniversary, two years from now. Five times there is already alot. We really wanted to do the States. We are doing a couple summer festivals. It's important for people not to say "oh, not her again!" (Laughs) Next year we are having our 25th anniversary. We really want to make it a big event. We want to do it in some special places. We want to do one in Germany, one in New York, one in Spain, one in Russia. Then in two years, maybe Wacken again. It's still my favorite Festival!

Gus: I have a couple friends are that going for the first time this year. 
Doro: They will be so happy!

Gus: She's a huge Saxon fan and their closing the first night.
Doro: The Wacken people are the managers of Saxon.

Gus: When singing night after night, especially the heavy vocals that you do, how you take care of your voice?
Doro: Here (she was referring to the bus) the air-conditioning kills me. In the clubs it gets really hot. It gets really hard but you just do it. You feel the pain but you just do it anyways.

Gus: Is there any exercises you do or you do something else to keep your voice in good shape?
Doro: Not talking much is like the only thing.

Gus: Well I guess we better wrap up this interview...
Doro: (laughs) I talk to the fans for about three hours after the show so it's hard. You just do it. I never canceled a gig ever, ever. Actually, we canceled one gig on the last tour, because everybody got a virus. We all had to go to hospital. It was really bad. It was the only time in 23 years we had to cancel. Sometimes it's hard. Musicians only find out when they have to sing. Now that Chris is doing the tour and singing, now he knows. You get totally freaked out when your voice isn't there because you only have one.

Gus: You were talking about your fans. Do you meet with them after the show?
Doro: Yes, always! Unless, I'm in a coma or something (laughs)! Are you guys staying for the show?

Gus: That's what we're here for! And the interview too!
Doro: I know you will like it!

Gus and associate Jim: I'm sure we will!
Gus: Here's an off the wall question. They had the big G8 summit last week in Germany with the world's top politicians. What is your view, you can be honest, if you hate our president or something you can say it. (We all laugh...)
Doro: It's so difficult to do the right thing. Growing up in Germany it was okay, now in the last couple of years it got really bad with the economy. There are some really heavy problems. The thing with G-8 it's good that people are getting together to communicate and figure out what to do. The whole world has changed especially after the attacks. Everything has changed. In America you don't feel so free anymore. Like now, you might feel more free in Russia. It's so hard to tell what's the right thing, I have to follow my heart. Some will say, how can they do that? I say at least they are talking. It's really good. The First Lady of Germany Eva Luise Köhler I think, really tries to do all the good things. She has a different background. She comes from East Germany and grew up totally different from the West Germans. Sometimes we don't understand what she's talking about (laughs). I think it's so difficult but people are talking. I think that's very positive. I like that Germany and America have a good relationship again. There was a time when the politicians weren’t getting along so good. Getting into the border we were treated like ahhhhh you know. I got the green card in 1991, and I love America. I'm so happy to be here and think it's the best country in the world. When I came to New York for the first time in 1987, it was for a three-day promotional tour. After two days, I stayed and told everybody I wanted to stay. After "Triumph and Agony," everything fell into place.

Gus: I honestly have to say your artwork on your albums is the best! It's fantastic! Who does your artwork?
Doro: Jeffrey Gilespy He's a painter, who is from England but lives in France. I met him in 1987. He did the "Triumph and Agony" album. He did so well and I love working with him. And when we get the artwork, I was a graphic artist before I did music we all do our little thing. I always try to make sure the booklet and the visuals are really great. Usually the American packages aren't as nice.

Gus: You usually have to spend extra money to get the import with the bonus tracks.
Doro: Even the new DVD the boxes are different. At least they kept the booklet the same. It's a bummer that you try to make it look really great and people get rid of the stuff.

Gus: Keep Jeffrey around he's doing a great job!
Doro: His whole family is in the mental hospital he's the only one who still out, who is free. He says to give him as much work as you can and that he doesn't know how long he will be living in the free world (laughs).

Gus: Is there anything that you want to say to our GlamMetal readers?
Doro: Thank you for the great support and love for the last 20 years. Hopefully there will be 20 more years. I live and die for the fans. They are the most important thing to me and always will be. I try my best and I want to thank everybody for being there for us. Hopefully we can do this for a long, long time. I always get my motivation and inspiration from the fans. That's the most important to me. I love the fans.

Gus: I think it's great. Especially you who've been around for a while that a lot of these new bands can take notice. I mean you're an icon over in Europe and very well known here and you still take the time for the fans. A lot of bands do their show, get on their bus, and leave town. There is no connection.
Doro: (shakes her head) no, no, no, no. They are the most important thing. I spent at least two hours with them, unless I'm really hurting really bad then I have to cut it down to maybe a half hour. It's great to talk about the songs and the music and what it means to them. Then I can see what I can do for the next record. It's for the fans anyhow. Like the song "You are My Family" is for the fans. Yesterday, somebody from Montréal who was 1/2 Portuguese, said when I heard "You are My Family" I knew you meant to us. Yes, it was! I'm so glad to give it to them.

Gus: This will be my last question. I'm a huge Kiss fan and you have a little Kiss background with Gene Simmons producing one of your albums. Do you still have any connection with the guys in Kiss at all?
Doro: Gene came down the last time we were on tour here (The States). It was a long time ago. There is still a friendship there, even when we don't see each other for a long time. It was a dream come true when he was working with us in 1990. Gene always showed me when you start a new record you start from zero again. I was always a big fan of him and became a big fan of the person after working with him. ‘So intelligent,” I love that! It's was so great to watch him working with all the musicians. He was a great motivator, fantastic! Every time before I went into the studio, I was driving my car like maybe 20 minutes and I was very happy. Right before I went into the studio, my knees were shaking. Not again (laughs)! He made me very happy in so many ways he really tried his best. I remember one song the mix wasn't coming out right. I was totally bummed out. I was really nervous. Gene said "just go to your room and wait there!" I was in LA. At 9 o'clock in the morning the receptionist called me and said there was a gentleman here and let the tape for you. I couldn't believe it was nine o'clock, and I said “okay.” I listened to it and Gene makes the call. It was the song "Mirage" and it was so good. It moved me to tears when I wrote it. It came out so good. He definitely made sure the mix was perfect. He was there for us in so many ways. I think he was the best producer we ever had!

Gus: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us here at GlamMetal!
Doro: Thank You!

www.doropesch.com