Artist: Danny Danzi 

Date: 11 September 2001  

MM - The band have just returned home after appearing at the Z Rocks Festival in the UK. How do you feel it went and did you enjoy it?
I thought it went fantastic quite honestly. The band was pretty on fire that night considering we'd only had one gig together total, and we had one hell of a great time as a family.

It was a non-stop party for us from the time we left NJ, until the time we returned home. It made us stronger as a unit and as a family.

MM -  Who did you bring over in your backing band with you? Was this the first time you've used a backing band from the States at one of these events?
Andy Slostad on rhythm guitar and back-ups, Wayne Davis on bass and back-ups, Timmay Lloyd on drums and back-ups, and Phil Buckleman on keyboards.

We have never played as a unit overseas. We played one show at a local tavern I frequent as a tune-up gig before we left for the UK.

MM - What was your bands impression of playing to an English audience?
They've always been great to me. Even when I was there the first time and not at my best vocally or experience wise. I felt this time I gave them a dose of true, rehearsed and "from the heart" Danny D.

MM - How do your fans over here compare to those in the States? A lot of bands find us a bit reserved. Did you find this?
The ones in the US are just as loyal. Just very less of them because we haven't really assaulted the US like we had hoped.

Now that I have the band in place, we might be able to win a few more people over and play a bit more. But the fans we have here are awesome, and like the people of the UK, went through the pains of hell to come and see us at the tavern we played at.

MM - What do you love/miss the most while playing away from home?
To be honest, when I play live, I miss nothing or think of nothing else but giving a great show. It matters not where I am, but how happy I left my audience after the show.

I was so happy to be there playing for the fine UK friends, that home (or being away from home) never crept into my mind until I had to pack my suitcase to leave to go back home.

MM - Which Danny Danzi songs did you feel went down particularly well with your fans?
I thought the response was awesome for each one. The new stuff was very much appreciated I could tell, but the response overall was very loud and very pleasing.

MM - Travelling is supposed to broaden your mind and open you up to new places, people and influences. What effect has it had on you?
Quite honestly, it hasn't done as much as it should because I simply haven't done it enough. With the way the scene is, I can't get much inspiration playing Maximes once a year, then going back into the studio to do another album.

I need a decent tour to be able to answer this question in full, but the little bit I've been subjected to it, I can say it's quite exhilarating, if I could only do more!

MM - At what age did you decide you wanted to be a musician?
Age 4 when I asked for a drum set for Christmas. I got more into other instruments, and knew in my heart I'd be involved in this field to some extent. To think I could have been a pro baseball player and I gave it up for this? LOL!

MM - If you had to choose between the two, which do you prefer, singing or playing your guitar?
Last year I might have told you guitar. But now that I am the voice of my project, and the voice sells more albums than the guitar playing, I'd rather sing.

At this point I'd probably hire a guitarist so I could leave the playing to a real pro and concentrate on singing better and being a more appealing front man. But if we had a singer that was totally awesome, I'd play my guitar like a maniac and never miss being a singer.

MM - You always look so composed and in control while performing. Is that how you feel inside or are you a bundle of nerves?
Yeah I'm pretty stable after the first song. I am nothing but nerves and gas until I hit the stage and play the first song. LOL! But after that first song and a decent response, I go into overdrive and try to take everyone by storm.

MM - How do you prepare yourself before you go onstage, do you have any bizarre rituals you tend to do?
I'm very quiet believe it or not. I don't speak to anyone, and I'm a bit secluded. I know that whatever is good or bad in my life has to be put on hold to totally shine for the audience. So this is something I've done for many years.  I just go somewhere and try to be alone to get ready for what I need to do to be Danny Danzi and please the audience.

MM - Are there any songs that you get tired of playing but know if you dropped them from the set your fans would be in an uproar?
Nah, I love them all. Hell I haven't played them enough times live to get tired of them. LOL! Each time I do a song, it's like praising a child.  My songs are my children, and I love them all in a different way.

MM - You'll be going into the studio shortly to record your next album. Do you have a fair idea what you'll be doing on it?
Yeah, we have all but 3 songs completely done. So when we go to the studio in October, the remaining 3 should be complete.  We hope for 11-13 songs on the new CD, but you never know until you hear them in full production.

MM - Will you be using the same backing band that we saw over here at the Festival?
Definitely. These guys have been sent from God himself! Not only are they great musicians that write, sing and assist me in my writing they contribute their own songs and are the best friends/family I've ever had.

MM - Do you have a timescale in mind as to when you'd like it to be ready for release?
I hope to have the album done in 1-2 month's time because we are so rehearsed and ready. So once it leaves my hands in November/December, it will be the label's job to decide on the actual release.

MM - Any ideas on what the name of the new album will be?
Looks like we may go with "DanziLand."

MM - Did you find it tiring flying over for such a short visit and then heading back home?
A bit, but it was well worth it. We would have liked to stay one more day, but that would have brought the flight arrangements up quite a bit. So it was better we left when we did.

These shows the labels put on cost major $$$ and the more we can save them via flights etc, the better it is for all of us.

MM - What do we need to do to persuade you to come back over to these shores when the new albums released?
Three things: Ask nicely, pay for our flight arrangements, and our rooms. LOL! See we're easy!

MM - What did you think of the other bands on the bill? Had you seen any of them perform before and was there any band in particular that caught your eye?
All great bands with awesome abilities and great people. I really thought Contagious were great and made major improvements from when I saw them last. That band is so "team oriented," it makes me sick! I mean that in a good way of course!

MM - Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to all your fans out there?
Send e-mails to the label and show your support. Try and make the shows so we can continue to have them. We need all the support we can get from everyone because the scene is not where it should be.

I'm quite thankful for where I am at this time, and for the people that have supported me. My only plea is I just want to play more for you more often.

I love you all and thank you for all that you have done for me past, present and future!

 

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