REGULATORS INTERVIEW

By: Scott Redeker

How many copies has the cd sold?

Our label just recently signed a distribution deal that includes Tower, Virgin, Blockbuster, Wharehouse etc... Previous to that, our sales were approaching 10,000 units.
 

Which songs have been released as singles?

Currently, "Sweet Sustain" is the single thats being played nationwide, but were finding out that the whole CD is getting heavy rotation on may stations across the country.
 

What are your influences? The music reminds me of a group like Molly Hatchet or Lynyrd but with new sound. It sounds like southern music in the 90's.

Exactly, some of our influences are Lynyrd Skynyrd and other southern bands. We grew up listening and loving that music, and though we grew up in Southern California, we're still gonna do our part to carry on that tradition.
 

How do you tour? You have so many people in the band.

We actually keep a small road crew, but we feel that these guys are some of the best in the industry. We consider out crew to be "Regulators", no matter what part they play in the show.
 

Have you toured across the USA yet?

Yes, starting in '92, we toured [supporting our first albumn on Polygram] all across the country, opening up for bands like Allman Brothers and Molly Hatchett. We make Sturgis one of our stops every year, playing with bands like Motley Crue, Great White, Marshall Tucker, The Guess Who, etc.... Currently we're in the midst of scheduling a worldwide tour in support of the Regulators Bar & Grill CD.
 

How did Jaun Crucier end up co producing the cd?

The songs had all been picked, and we were ready to go into the studio to record, and a long time friend Lonnie Vincent of Bulletboys suggested we take a look at Juans' studio [THE CELLAR] where RATT & other bands have done some of their recording, and we immediately liked the vibe we got from Jaun and his studio, so we decided to do out CD there.
 

Can you give me some info on Jimi Hughes? Sweet Sustain is a beautiful song.

Jimi Hughes was a founding member of the Regulators, and also happened to be Randy's brother. He was a strong influence on us all, and a great songwriter. He passed away immediately following the release of the 1st albumn, and it hit us like a ton of bricks. Words cannot explain how deeply we were all affected by this tragedy. He told us many times that if anything should happen to him or anyone else, that we should carry on, bringing us to the song "Sweet Sustain", written just days after he passed on in honor to him.
 

Was it hard to write the song SWEET SUSTAIN?

A song like that comes real easy, "from the heart", and when it comes to Jimi, we could keep on writin' about him, cause we feel his legend will live on.
 

If you could create any tour, what groups would be involved?

Well, since you can't reunite "The Beatles",.....hmmm, OK all joking aside. This is easy. ZZ TOP, LYNYRD SKYNRD, CHARLIE DANIELS, METALLICA, and MERLE HAGGARD, also everyone in between would sure be fun in the sun for a nice summer tour.
 

If you could tour with any group in the past, When and Who would it be?

Thats a hard one. I guess it would have been nice to be involved in the 70's scene, so how about Cal Jam 1 or 2, or even the Monster Of Rock Tour.
 

What do you think of the music scene today? It seems like trends come and go and the music always falls back to good time rock n roll.

We're pretty happy with the way the music scene is headed & we feel our music has a sene of longetivity. It doesn't come or go, it just kinda weathers the storm.
 

Are you working on new songs?

This band writes constantly, and were already prepared with plenty of songs for the next release. There's just too much going on in this world we live in not to write about.
 

Are there plans for a new cd?

YAHH, BIG PLANS, and we'd tell you, but then we'd have to kill you!
 

How did the entire band come together? Were you all friends?

We grew up knowing each other from playing in different bands around the LA area, and well...our influences kinda just brought us together.
 

Why are there so many people in the band?

So MANY? We're actually looking for 2 more members to complete our traveling baseball team.
 

Do you play any cover songs or songs from the members past groups in concert?

No, not usually, but we have a cover band to keep our chops up & have a lot of fun with called "DR BELLOWS & HE MEDICINE JAR".
 

Where do you get influences to the songs you wrote?

From the good times and hardships of life, or sometimes we're just spirit filled.
 

What bands do you listen to?

ALL BANDS, ALL STYLES, ALL TYPES OF MUSIC!
 

Who came up with the idea of the packaging of the cd.

If you had ever been at the REGS' Headquarters, you'd know this is not just a title, but a way of life for us and all of our friends. There ain't nothin we don't love more than a good BBQ, a cold brew, and throwin some horeshoes with good friends.
 

Do alot of people recognize your songs from the soundtracks?

Ya, we get some people who recognize Whiskey Fever in Under Siege or Need For Speed, in Kuffs with Christian Slater from time to time.
 

Any plans to play at the next Harley Festival in Milwaukee, WI? Your music would fit in great.

We would love to play, if they asked us to.
 

How long has the current lineup been together?

For about 2 years.
 

Are there other releases besides BAR & GRILL?

Ya, we released REGULATORS' debut on Polygram.
 

Any chance of releasing a live video?

ABSOLUTELY!!
 

What group was the most fun to play with?

We played with the Allman Brothers in New York City, and that was a night we will NEVER FORGET. It was like hangin with the king.