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Classic Rock Legends Interview
Back for Moore
Vinnie Moore
UFO-Guitarist
By Wayne “Doobie” Dubay
July 14, 2005
Vinnie Moore came into the music scene back in 1987 with the release of his first solo album “Mind’s Eye,” with Shrapnel Records. It is reported that the whole album was recorded in only eleven days! Not bad for a young buck at the age of twenty-two! The following year, Moore released another masterpiece titled “Time Odyssey,” with a whole new line-up.
Aside from the seven solo albums that Vinnie has released over the years, and not to mention his other projects which include working and touring with Alice Cooper on the “Hey Stoopid album, he is now currently the lead guitarist for the legendary rock band UFO!
UFO is currently on a trek across the U.S., touring in support of their latest record, “You Are Here.” Vinnie, who co-wrote much of the album, brings a fresh new sound to the band. Anyone who has seen Vinnie Moore play live can attest to the fact that he knows his away around a guitar and then some. A total shredder and big asset to UFO!
Vinnie’s first solo record, “Mind’s Eye” has recently scored number six for the all-time best shred record in Guitar One Magazine! The guitarist has accomplished quite a bit so far in his career, and doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon. Recently, Glam-Metal caught up with the shredder himself to discuss what’s going on with UFO, and with his solo career. So, here’s an exclusive interview with Mr. Vinnie Moore! Enjoy!
Vinnie Moore, How are you man?
I’m doing great, how are you?
Good thanks! Ok, I’d like to talk about some UFO stuff, some of your solo stuff and some other stuff. I’ll start off with some UFO stuff, sound cool?
Sure, absolutely!
UFO has officially kicked off the U.S. tour. How has the start of this tour been so far?
We’ve done two shows, and they have both been really good. We can’t complain. Hopefully the rest continues to go this well.
Unfortunately, Pete Way is still absent from the tour again. Why won’t they let him rock America with his band mates?
I don’t know what’s been going on with him, but he’s been banned from the country.
You guys are still touring in support of the latest record, “You Are Here.” What can UFO fans expect from this tour, and how well of a response are you getting with the new material?
We’re getting a great response from the new material, and after we finish up this leg of the tour, we’re going to start working on some new material for another record.
Any idea when fans can expect another UFO record?
Actually, I have some ideas already, but I don’t know when we’re actually going to record it, or when it’s going to be released. Probably sometime next summer.
I understand that some of the songs on “You Are Here, are actually pre-recorded from some of your solo records, so you’re obviously involved in much of the writing with UFO. Please tell us which songs those are, and what the writing process is like within UFO.
Well, they are songs that were on my solo records, but we re-recorded them and Phil added vocals to them. Yeah, I wrote a lot of the music, and Phil wrote the lyrics and melodies and stuff.
It’s a really good album for sure.
Thank you very much.
So which songs were re-recorded?
Um...”When Daylight Goes To Town,” Black Cold Coffee,” “Baby Blue,” Oh, what’s the other ones...”Jello Man,” there’s about five or six actually.
What’s a couple of your favorite songs from “You Are Here?”
“Baby Blue” and “I like “Slipping Away” quite a bit.
Didn’t you and Jason write that song?
No, that was one of the ones that was on my instrumental records, and Phil wrote the lyrics. Jason liked the song and pushed for it to be on “You Are Here.”
I Love that song man!
Yeah, me too! It’s my favorite one. Thank you very much.
What’s it like working and touring with this group of legends?
It’s a lot of fun! I’m having a lot of fun doing it, and playing with these guys. It feels great to be in a band, opposed to being a solo guy.
I grew up listening to UFO...one of my favorite bands for sure!
Oh yeah, me too! I loved the early UFO records.
Do you plan to write and record with UFO again in the future?
Yes, definitely, we’re going to do another record soon.
Your first solo record “Mind’s Eye” has gotten much attention recently in guitar One Magazine. Did you ever expect this record to do as good as it has, and receive such high reviews?
Not at all! In fact a lot of people still say that’s their favorite record that I’ve done. I find that surprising, because some of the later stuff is my favorite, and it’s just kinda funny to hear that. I’m happy about it, just surprised.
It must be a good feeling of accomplishment having a record that you recorded back in 1987 being talked about so much today huh?
Yeah, it was quite a while ago. I was just a young colt back then, like twenty-one when I did that record, so it had a lot of fire. It was a youthful record. (Laughs)
Brush me up on who played on that record again.
Tommy Aldridge on drums, Andy West on bass and Tony MacAlpine on Keyboards.
You’ve had some amazing musicians play on your records over the years. Who will play on the next solo record with you?
I don’t know yet. I know I’ll be on it. (Laughs) It’s the only thing I know for sure at this point.
(Laughs) I hope so! Have you played with keyboardist Derek Sherinian yet?
I played with Derek in Alice Cooper actually. We played the Hey Stoopid Tour together.
Have you gotten into the Flamenco yet?
Acoustic, but not flamenco style, no.
What was your experience like working with Alice Cooper?
Alice was very cool! He is a very nice guy...it was definitely a cool gig to do!
How long did you tour with Alice Cooper?
I played a couple of songs on that record, so there was some studio time, and then the Hey Stoopid Tour in America, so about two months I guess. It was brief, but very cool.
Wow! You’ve accomplished so much in your music career so far. What are you most proud of so far, and what are your future plans?
Hm...What am I most proud of?
Well Vinnie, you have some history man. You’ve made some really good records.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to continue doing what I love doing. My first record came out in 87, that’s almost twenty years ago, shit! And yeah, I’m just glad that I’m able to continue doing what I love.
With all the writing, performing, touring and not to mention, guitar clinics you attend, when do you get a chance to kick back and relax man?
Never! There’s no relaxing in my life. (Laughs) On the tour bus over night! (Laughs)
Aside from playing guitar, what do you do for fun when you finally get some free time?
Ah... I just like to go out with friends and hang, or have friends over to the house. Just socialize...I like to hang out with a lot of chicks! Me and about ten chicks! (Laughs)
(Laughing) Nice! Chicks are good! Being a music lover yourself, what are your thoughts on the music scene today, and what newer bands do you dig?
I don’t know, it got really weird for a while, and it seems to be getting a little better. I’m not sure. Time will tell. I tend not to like any one particular band, I hear songs on the radio that I like, but I can’t really say that I love this band, or that band. It’s like a song by song type of thing. I might hear a song by Maroon 5, and I think hey, that’s really cool, or whatever, but I don’t really have a favorite band.
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Seems there aren’t many guitar solos in a lot of the new music today. I’m still stuck in the 80's I guess. I love a good guitar solo man.
Yeah, I know what you mean. Seems to be coming back a little though.
Is there anything I didn’t ask that you’d like to mention?
Hmm...what should I mention? Just that I’m writing a new record that’s going to be coming out sometime a little bit down the road, and a new UFO record, also a little bit down the road. (Laughs) So keep your ears out for the new stuff.
Any parting words to all of the Vinnie Moore\UFO fans out there?
Ah...stay cool and keep it tight! (Laughs)
Congratulations on all of you’re accomplishments Vinnie, you certainly have a lot to be proud of. Thanks for talking with Glam-Metal and good luck with everything man!
Thanks a lot! Good talking with ya Doobie!
Check out Vinnie Moore’s official site at www.vinniemoore.com
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