TOMMY THAYER INTERVIEW
By: Scott Redeker
1. Whose idea was it to put on the reunion show?
Tommy/Patrick Young
2. What was all involved with getting Black N Blue together
for the show? Did everybody want to do it right away?
Yes
3. Why was 1997 chosen for a reunion show and not sooner than
that?
No reason
4.Was there any video footage shot to go along with the cd?
No
5. Why wasn’t there more tour dates? Will there be more shows
in the future?
possibly
6. I read a few years ago that the older Black N Blue cds were
going to be re-released in the US. What ever happened to that? Will they be
re-released?
I’m working on it
7. What have each of the members of Black N Blue been up to?
Woop owns a studio in Portland,Patrick is playing in bands
in Portland, Pete/Jaime are living in LA
8. Are you still involved with Shake The Faith? The last I heard,
they were signed to a major label.
No, STF evolved into No.9, which did get signed temporarily,
but got dropped
9. What was your favorite Black N Blue tour?
For some reason it was the Nasty Nasty tour in 86-87
10. What is your favorite Black N Blue song to play live?
Wicked Bitch
11. What was the best selling Black N Blue record?
Black N Blue’s first one
12. Will there ever be a home video or live video released?
There is one, Japan 84
13. What do you think of the Internet? It seems like a much
easier and faster way of spreading the word about a band or new cd.
It’s cool for that reason, a lot of crap too.
14. What kind of bands do listen to today?
Foo Fighters, Beck, Prodigy, Supergrass, Smashing Pumpkins
15. What do you think of the music scene today?
It’s great--could be a little more guitar music
16. In the July issue of Metal Edge there is a story on COAL
CHAMBER written by Paul Gargano. Can you comment on a few lines from the article.
What is your opinion on this? “We always say that we don’t have fans, we have
friends. We hang out, you can always catch us at the bar after the show. We’re
not like these reclusive rock star idiots. I think thats the attraction, we’re
all just down to earth and don’t want to be big rock stars, we just want to
make a little bit of money and a little bit of good music for people.” the frontman
explains of his bands success. “You know what it is? Remember in the late ‘80s,
all those f*ckin hair bands that used to do the big stage, a lot of pyro, limos?
You know what? It wasn’t reality.It wasn’t their real music and their real f*ckin
feelings. You take a band like Korn, or a band like us, and your getting real
emotion and real, heartfelt, down to earth things.”
I don’t necessarily agree, I grew up into bands like KISS,
Alice Cooper, Deep Purple etc... I like bands that are stars, with larger than
life image, and put on a great show.
17. If there was any band you could have toured with, who would
it be?
Probably already did, KISS and Aerosmith
18. Who would be in your ultimate band?
John,Paul,George, and Ringo
19. What are your plans for the future? Will music always be
a part of it?
I think so
20. I heard you have been writing songs or co-writing songs
that may end up on the new KISS cd. Is there any news if your songs will be
on there?
Did write a couple--but they didn’t make it
21. How did you start working with KISS on the last tour? Was
it something you always wanted to do?
Not really, but it’s a job
22. Do you plan on working with KISS for the next tour?
Very possible
23. Was it a great experience working on the number one tour?
Great experience!
24. How about this for a great summer tour. KISS with special
guest Black N Blue????
That would be great, but it was already done in 1985-86!