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!
All content and images
are copyright of
unless otherwise stated.
