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JANI LANE, former lead vocalist for the multi-platinum rock band Warrant is embarking on an East Coast tour in support of his latest release, ‘Back Down to One’ on Sidewinder Music. The first leg of the tour is slated to begin Wednesday May 10 at Mulcahy's in Long, Island, N.Y. The trek of the tour is expected to last throughout the month of May and will include special stops in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey , Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.
Jani's new touring band will feature a stellar line-up of musicians which include 16 year old guitar prodigy Dario Lorina, Troy Patrick Farrell on drums, Chad Macdonald on bass, and keyboardist Shawn Zavodoney.
Jani Lane is one of the top influential singer songwriter's to emerge out of the 80's genre. Jani Lane, the voice of Warrant, is best known for his exceptional power ballads that launched Warrant on to the top of the music charts which include, "Cherry Pie", “I Saw Red," and “Heaven."
During the heyday of MTV, the video of "Cherry Pie" featuring blond bombshell Bobby Brown was one of the most popular videos to appear on MTV.
With a style all of his own, and unique flair for writing catchy pop hits, Jani Lane is back on track with his solo tour and new CD ‘Back Down To One,’ featuring such gems as "Twilight" and “Funny."
Jani Lane recently took time out of his busy schedule to sit down with GlamMetal.com TM and discuss his new touring band, his new CD, ‘Back Down To One,’ and the music industry today. So, ladies and gentleman, sit back and enjoy a stroll down memory in this up close and personal interview with Jani Lane. www.janilanemusic.com www.sidewinder-music.com www.metalmaniastripped.com
Jani Lane Solo Tour Dates
May 10 Mulcahy's- Long Island, NY
May 11 Cross Road's Music Theatre- Watertown, NY
May 12 Downtown QB- Endicott, NY
May 13 Steele Music Hall- Rochester, NY
May 16 Webster Theatre- Hartford, CT
May 17 Crocodile Rock- Allentown, PA
May 18 The Beach Haus- Bayville, NJ
May 19 The Chance- Poughkeepsie, NY
May 20 Mark's Showplace- Bedford , NH
Jani, first of all thank you so much for doing this interview with me for GlamMetal.com TM. Let's start out by talking about your new album, ‘Back Down To One’ on Sidewinder Music. Actually, it was released in 2003 in Europe, how does this new version differ from the CD that was released in Europe a few years ago?
Actually, it was an eight song release that I was selling at shows, and the European release was eleven songs. I just never found a label that I felt comfortable releasing it on. Finally that worked out with Sidewinder and Immortal.
I really enjoyed the new CD, it has a really modern sound to it.
Thank you, Actually, this is going back to my original roots that were kind of O.C. Orange County pop punk vibe. Keri Kelli really helped out a lot. He is playing guitar for Alice Cooper right now.
You are known for your powerful ballads. On your new CD I really enjoyed the song "Twilight." It has some really intense lyrics. Tell me about the approach you took for the songwriting on your new album.
I never want to pinpoint one person that I wrote a song about, but "Twilight" probably deals a little bit about my first marriage.
On "Back Down To One", you wrote a lot of the songs with Keri Kelli ? What was it like working with him? He is an awesome guitarist, his playing really compliments your vocal style.
Oh yeah, Keri is an awesome guitarist. Actually, I am working on a new on a new project with him and Bobby Blotzer of Ratt.
Any plans to release an album with them?
Yes, we start recording in June, and hopefully we will have that out by the fall.
How did you hook up with Kerri Kelli?
Ya know what, it was kinda like I've known him from the scene. Out of the blue, we were talking one night at the Rainbow and I am like, I like to write you like to write let's get together.
What is your favorite tune off of the new CD?
I like "Funny" it is kind of sarcastic.
When you went into the studio, did you have the idea for this album to be totally different from Warrant? I think you succeeded in producing a new modern sound that goes back to your early roots.
Well to be totally different from Warrant would be like being totally different from me, so that is kind of a fine line. I just wanted the record to have it's own feel. My thing is when you play it from song one to song eleven hopefully it creates a vibe.
Yes, the new album is great. Now you are getting ready to embark on an East Coast Tour , tell me about your new band. You are playing in Long Island tonight. Tell me about your new guitarist.
Yeah, Long Guy Island. (Laughs) His name is Dario Lorina. He is a guitar prodigy. He is sixteen years old out of Vegas. He is amazing.
How did you hook up with Dario?
He kind of contacted me first. We sort of myspaced each other. Troy Patrick Farrell is playing drums, and Chad Macdonald is on bass.
How do East Coast audiences differ from playing on the West Coast? I know Long Island still has a great 80's metal audience.
East Coast audience are really up front with you. They either like you or don't like you. West Coast audiences are a little more aloof. It is hard to tell what is going on with them sometimes. That is horrible to say, but it is true. (Laughs.)
How does Jani Lane's new version of Warrant compare from the original Warrant lineup?
Well that is a tough question. Those guys I have played with them for years, and we kinda knew each back to front. Ya know I don't know how to put it exactly but when you walk onstage with somebody that you haven't played with for 20 years or so it is always a guessing game. With the older guys in Warrant it was always. I knew what to expect. Now it is kinda like we will see what happens.
Were you ever approached by Warrant for a re-union? With the Motley Crue re-union going so well, there seems to be a great demand for 80's music.
I never say never. There is a possibility, we might do some kind of reunion thing down the road.
I recently saw you perform in Hartford last year on the Metal Mania Stripped Across America Tour. All the fans had a great time singing along to all of the 80's anthems. Did you have a good time on that tour? I know it did very well in Hartford.
Yeah , I had a good time. The later part of that tour was not as fun for me. The Metal Mania stuff is really cool, I like that acoustic thing. I have always written everything on acoustic guitar.
Jani, You have so many hit power ballads. You also are on the ‘Metal Mania Stripped Volume 2’ The Anthems. Why did you choose "Cherry Pie" over one of your ballads.
It is really hard for me to discern between a ballad and not a ballad. Because I can pretty much turn any of my songs into a ballad, if I wanted to. I don't know I have actually been told I don't write good rock songs, but I write good ballads. That is weird.
Where was the ‘Metal Mania Stripped’ DVD recorded?
We did in Hollywood at the Key Club, that was February of last year. We also did a show at the Myth on Halloween on this year.
Why do you think the 80's ballads and anthems have remained so timeless. We have the Poison/Cinderella Tour going on this summer. It seems like that is a re-resurgence of 80's music going on. In my opinion, you just can't best the 80's music. How do you feel about 80's music making a big comeback this year?
Well I think anything that makes a splash or gets people's attention eventually what goes around comes around. I think you are going to go well I hate that I love it, but eventually you come back to things that feel comfortable. 80's rock was kind of fun. It was comfortable, good party rock.
Yes, it was. How do you think the music scene has changed since the 80's?
Well I think it has changed because labels are competing with the Internet. I think bands now are getting signed for a song as exposed to sign for a career. It is unfortunate. I would love to see labels being more into the act and sign them more for a down the road kind of respective. It seems to be they are signing them for a song.
That is so true. There are so many one hit wonders out there today in music. Jani , most people don't know it but you actually started out as a drummer. What made you make the move from playing drums to fronting a band?
Yes, I played drums for years. To be honest, I had to sell my drums to get from Florida to L.A. So I got to L.A. they said you have blond hair you are the singer.
Best decision you ever made. Now you recently appeared on the Celebrity Fit Show. Was it unnerving for you to have cameras in your face 24/7?
It was everything, you could imagine. It was unnerving , it was weird, it was fun, it was exciting. Just dealing with the cast everyday was interesting.
You achieved success early on with Warrant. You went from playing clubs to headlining arenas in such a short period of time. Tell me about adjusting to that new rock and roll lifestyle. Was it hard going from playing clubs to super status?
I have always said, when you play an arena it is kinda like playing in a basketball gymnasium. It doesn't sound very good. I think the sound is always better in a club or theatre that kind of vibe. But of course ego wise you want to play in front of as many people as possible. I think the best shows are clubs and theaters. Making the transition is is a stage, it is a spotlight.
I have seen you performed many times in the past. I have noticed you have great showmanship on stage. You really love to participate with the audience. On the recent Metal Mania Stripped tour, you got all of the fans to sing along to your songs. How important is it for you to interact with the audience onstage like that?
It is very important. I think you have to click with the crowd, in order to make it a fun night with everyone. For me, I have been onstage a million times, so I kind of try and make it fun for myself as well as the crowd. A lot of that acting out, is just trying to make the night interesting for me as well at the people who have come to see the show.
Let's talk about your tour. What can the fans expect to see, what new songs will you be playing?
We are going to do everything. We are going to do Warrant stuff, stuff form the solo record. We will do a few covers. Also there is a song I wrote called "Serial Killer," that we will do from the Angel City Outlaws.
What has the highlight of your career been so far?
I would say Neil Diamond saying you sang really good.
What about your Jabberwocky project? Any news on that?
I am still looking for the right place to release that. There is a ton of songs there.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians out there trying to get started in the business?
Buckle up, strap yourself in, and get ready for the ride.
Now what can the fans expect to see from Jani Lane in 2006?
A lot of new music. Mostly writing working on various projects, hopefully a script or two.
Great, so you want to be in the movies?
Yes, I am going to endeavor.
Well Jani, you have got the talent. I am looking forward to seeing you perform soon. GlamMetal.com TM will be out there to catch one of your show real soon. Best of Luck with all of your projects.
Well, thank you so much for all of your support at GlamMetal.com TM
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