|
 |
When you think of multi-talented, mind blowing musicians that have an unique flair of excitement and talent in their performance John Lowery, better known as John 5 is at the top of the list. Just take one listen to John 5’s most recent solo CD ‘Songs for Sanity’ and you will be hooked.
John 5 is an accomplished guitarist, who started out as a studio musician, and is currently taking the music industry by storm with his innovative , unique guitar style.
John 5 got his name from being Marilyn Manson's fifth guitarist six years ago.
These days John 5 is setting the concert stage on fire, playing guitar for Shock Rock Horror King Rob Zombie.
In the past, John 5 has worked with some of the top names in music today, including country star K.D.Lang, Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, and most currently Paul Stanley of Kiss.
John 5 has released two solo albums including ‘Vertigo’ and most recently ‘Songs For Sanity.’, in which Steve Vai and Albert Lee were featured guest stars.
In between touring and recording John 5 even found time to form his own touring band called, Loser. Loser most recently wrapped up a tour with Staind and Theory Of A Deadman.
On St. Patrick's Day, Shock Rock Horror King Rob Zombie and his band featuring guitar shredder John 5 will kick off a two month tour that is slated to begin in Jacksonsville, Florida. and run till May 5.
I recently had the opportunity to catch up on all of the exciting John 5 news, when John called to discuss his new band Loser, the release of his upcoming new album, plus all of the latest Rob Zombie news.
In this exclusive interview for GlamMetal.com TM , John 5 gives his fans an in depth look at his new band Loser, special highlights of his extensive musical career, the upcoming Rob Zombie tour and new album ‘Educated Horses.’ www.john5.com www.losernation.com
 |
John, How are you? Last time we spoke you were playing Ozzfest. Tell me how have you been? Who is in your new band Loser?
The band is me obviously on guitar, Joe Grah on vocals, Charles Lee on bass, and Glendon Crane on drums. The record "Just Like You" comes out on June 13 and we just did our video yesterday. Things are going really well, we just finished up a tour , we were opening up for Staind.
How did the tour go? That was great. The crowd really loved us. We were really happy. I was a little scared about it because nobody knew who we were, but the crowd just went nuts for us. So we had a great time.
Well don't worry, the word is going to get out about your new band , and soon everyone will know about Loser. GlamMetal.com TM is happy to promote Loser and your new upcoming album ‘Just Like You.’
Cool.
How would you describe Loser? Does it have more of a punk sound.? I know your singer Joe Grah is punk rock oriented. Is it more mellow than Rob Zombie?
Oh yeah. It is more mellow than that. It is just great rock music. It is kinda like the Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age new-age stuff.
What is the new single going to be called?
It is called "Nobody Knows." It is on the Island/Def -Jam Label. It is already being played on radio , so we are really excited about it.
Now after the record comes out in June, do you think you will do another tour to promote the record ? I missed Loser last time you were in town. You were suppose play up in Maine with Staind , but the show got cancelled. So that was disappointing.
Absolutely! We will be touring, touring, and touring. We will keep going. They just direct me where to go, I don't know where, they just tell me where to go, and I just go. Laughs !
Let's talk about your new band Loser. Joe Grah , the lead singer, has a punk rock style, how did you hook up with him?
Our producer Bob Marlette was going to Texas to listen to the singer, and the singer wasn't that great , but the guy in the opening band was really good.. So that is who Joe was. Bob talked to Joe and said Hey would you like to come to LA and try out for this band Loser? He was like sure. He came down there and just did a fabulous job, we totally hit it off, it was great.
 |
How did you hook up with the rest of the guys in the band? Did you hold auditions, did you work with them before in the studio?
Actually me and Joe went to see A Perfect Circle , the bass player Charles was at the show, and we were kinda talking to him, he was like I play bass and I sing . So we just kind of auditioned him and he was awesome. He is also from Texas, which is kinda strange. Our drummer Joe knew him from back in Texas. So everybody is from Texas except for me.
Now does Loser have some country influences from everyone being so close to Nashville.? I know that in the past, you have toured with K.D.Lang, and your last solo album had a country flair, when you featured Albert Lee as a special guest star.
No, it is just straight up rock music.
Will ‘Just Like You’ feature any instrumentals?
No, my instrumental CD's are something totally different. I'm telling you though , people really love those. records. Actually , I am working on another one right now, and that will come out next year. I am really proud of those.
Yes, the instrumental records show how talented you really are. They really feature your diverse guitar styles.
Well, thank you.
Will there be any special guest stars on your upcoming album with Loser? I know on "Songs For Sanity" you featured Steve Vai and Albert Lee.
No, Loser is more like a band. Ya know, we don't have any guest stars or that. It is more like a straight up rock band. It is just us. 
How do the different musical influences in Loser reflect on the band's sound?
Everybody is different and I think that is what makes the band great. The album is coming out June 13, the single it out, if you go to www.losernation.com . You can see more about the band.
Now you are getting ready to go out on the road with Rob Zombie. He also has a new record coming out ‘Educated Horses.’ Did you get to play on the new Rob Zombie album, or was it already finished when you joined the band?
I played on pretty much play on the whole record. Me and Rob and Scott Humpreys wrote a bunch of songs together. It was a great time. ‘Educated Horses’ is one of the funnest records I ever made, I just a blast making it. I think it is an incredible record.
I saw you perform with Rob for the first time last year at Ozzfest, what was the highlight of the Ozzfest tour? You got to play on the second stage, Rob Zombie was the headliner. This year my friends Black Label Society will headline the second stage. Did you enjoy performing on the second stage instead of the main stage? How does it differ?
I love playing on the side stage because of all the people. There were no seats, but on the main stage there were seats. On the second stage , it was just people crunched together. It was hot, bloody and crazy. The highlight for me at Ozzfest was just getting up and playing everyday. Ya know. it was such an honor to be up there playing with Rob and playing those songs. I just had such a great time and I love doing Ozzfest, it feels like home, I have done it so many time I love it.
Well you are going to be heading out on the road with Rob Zombie on March 17, till May 5. I will be attending your show at the Palladium in Worcester on April 1. Will Rob Zombie play any shows in Europe this summer?
I don't know they are talking about it. So we will have to see. That is that whole thing when they tell me where to go and I just go.
How did you hook up with Rob Zombie?
I got a call from Dave Navarro to do the Tsunami benefits in Los Angeles. We played Arrow Head Pond. I don't like alot of those jams, but Dave said Rob Zombie is playing. and I am a big fan of Rob Zombie. I said I will do it if I play with Rob. That went very well. We kinda just stayed in touch. I said if you ever need someone for your tour, I will be there for you.
That is an incredible story. What is your favorite Rob Zombie song to perform onstage?
I would have to say "Super-Charger Heaven” or "Dragula."
Recently you experienced one of the greatest highlights of your life when you met Les Paul. What kind of impact that meeting have on your career? Did Les Paul inspire you to get your new material out as a songwriter and musician?
Yes. Well I was always a fan of Les Paul's music. I like his jazzy , electric swing style. I was doing Ozzfest with Manson . He was playing at this club in New York. So I went down there . Les Paul didn't really know who I was, and people say oh you should have this guy come up and play with you. So he invited me onstage , and all of the stars just seem to align perfectly. Everything just seemed to come out right, it was one of the greatest nights of my life. He paid me a really nice compliment . It was just such an honor to be up on that stage with him. I will never forgot that for my whole life. It was just incredible.
How did it feel to be on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine? That must have been another great highlight of your career?
That was awesome. I am so lucky to be able to do what I love.
You have had such an extensive career. You also have worked with David Lee Roth? He is the ultimate Rock star? What was it like working with the legendary Van Halen singer?
Growing up I wanted to be Eddie Van Halen. I wanted to be married to Valerie Bertinelli. I wanted to be in Van Halen and I just wanted to play with David Lee Roth. My dream came true playing with Dave. It was really quick, but it is something I will never forgot. It was a blast. We made a record. I was really proud of that record. A lot of Van Halen fans really like it. It was called DLR band. It did really well on rock radio and stuff. I am really proud of it. Just another while ago, I got to play with another one of my idols Paul Stanley. I wrote some songs for his new solo record. That was a few months back. Paul called me up and I went to his house, me Paul and Desmond Child just wrote some songs, it was incredible, it was just a great experience. I was such a huge Kiss fan, I still am such a huge Kiss fan. I am really happy and fortunate to be doing so many great things.
Word is getting around what a talented guitar playing you are? Did you attend NAMM this year at all?
I actually didn't cuz I was on tour with Loser. It was a great tour.
What do you enjoy most about touring, and what is the worse part of being on the road?
Well what I dislike most is you miss home, being away from family and friends stuff like that. Other than that I like being on the road. It is fun. I love playing guitar. Just missing family and friends that is the hardest part.
John, Is their anything else that you would like to say to your fans at GlamMetal.com TM about your upcoming tour with Rob Zombie?
Just come out to the shows, I'd love to meet everybody, check out Rob's new record, and Loser's new record. I will have another instrumental album out next year.
John, Thank you so much for doing this interview with me for GlamMetal.com TM. I will see you perform in Worcester at The Palladium April 1. Have fun on tour.
Thank you.
 |
Click here to purchase the new Rob Zombie CD
|
