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Interview DAVID SHAW (Guitars / Vocals)
(Questions by PATRICK de SLOOVER on behalf of METAL TO INFINITY webzine)
None of these points at the man I'm looking for! David Shaw is also a veteran of the New York City hard rock scene who recently released his new album ''Walkin' On A Wire'', so I believe it's time to bring on David Shaw 'The Rocker' in our spotlights! How come there's not so much to find about you on the internet?
You mean I'm not all of those people? Actually, I guess when Shotgun Annie and the other bands were at the height of their popularity, it was before every band had a website and before online magazines and whatnot. A lot of our press was in regional music magazines or on local radio stations and we?d communicate with our fans through our mailing list as opposed to via email. It was also the days before lots of bands were putting out indie discs and since we were a regional success but not a major label band, we were somewhat underground outside of the New York tri-state area.
It's been fun and a whole lot easier now that I can get the word out over the Internet. Hopefully, your online David Shaw searches will turn up a lot more as the gigs start happening and the word gets out about the new CD.
Q: In the past, you played in bands like Shotgun Annie, Soul Crunch and Down With The Blonde, but I guess that the popularity was mainly focused in the New York underground scene, isn't it ?
Yeah, that's true. And all three bands were distinctly different so we had varied crowds and responses. Shotgun Annie was a lot of fun. I spent over four years in that band and we had a blast. It was during the height of the late-80s/early 90s hard rock scene and we were gigging constantly and got to open for some very cool bands and play legendary New York clubs such as L'Amours and The Cat Club.
DAVID SHAW and SHOTGUN ANNIE
Soul Crunch and Down With The Blonde had their share of successes too so all in all, it was a great ride. But I'm really excited about this new project and looking forward to see where it takes me and the rest of the band.
Q: What were the highlights with those bands? Maybe you can pick out one special occurrence?
Shotgun Annie is all a big blur. It was such a crazy time. It was great to play for so many packed houses and to meet fans after the shows. It really felt good to know so many people were into what we were doing.
Down With The Blonde was lucky enough to be two-time finalists in the Long Island Music Festival. Those were some great shows and I think our success there validated our belief that we really had something special to offer.
Q: ''Horizon Lenses'' has been released in 1999, under the name David Eli. Why was that, and how comes that the album is only available by Paypal?
Well, Eli is my middle name and that CD was more of a vanity project. Having played in a lot of hard rock and metal bands, I had many songs written that didn't quite fit those projects. ''Horizon Lenses'' was an opportunity for me to record those songs which were probably a bit more pop and twangy. They still rock but they weren't nearly as intense as my other material was.
So since the disc was so different for me, I thought I might go with David Eli and really step out of what I was used to. I didn't do a ton of promotion with that disc and now I'm just selling the remaining discs through Paypal from my own personal stock. When they're gone, they're gone. I love those songs but I have no intention of pressing more discs of that recording unless there's some crazy sudden demand.
Q: For the new album, you worked with former members of Shotgun Annie and Down With The Blonde. Did they add something to the tracks as well, or was everything already written and ready to record?
Well, let me correct that a bit. Steve Cone, who played guitar, engineered and co-produced the disc, was in Soul Crunch with me. His contributions to this disc are incredible. He has a great ear and he pushed me to bring out my best on this disc. Plus, he is a fantastic guitarist and really helped me rock up the songs.
None of the members of Down With The Blonde were directly involved in this recording except to say that several of the tracks are reworked songs from that band. So they did have a hand in arranging them and coming up with some of the ideas. One song, ''Tinkerbell,'' was co-written by ex-bandmate Marc Fox. Down With The Blonde guitarist Rob Mayer and Shotgun Annie guitarist George Giannoulis are now in my live band. So I guess it's all coming full circle in some ways.
Q: Title of the new album is ''Walkin' on a Wire'', and this description fits perfect to the music. If you walk the wire, there is always a challenge to step left or right. Is this musical direction on the new album the straight line to the goal that you had in mind?
Interesting question. The disc title comes from a lyric in the song ''Keep Up With You.'' It goes, 'Do you love that I'm walkin' on a wire? Do you like my balancing act?' I think in some ways the title represents the many influences that affect my songwriting. I hope that when you listen to the CD you can find my power pop side just as easily as you can find my metal side. I'm always trying to balance my influences and write songs that are representative of all the great music that has inspired me.
Also, a lot of the songs, lyrically, deal with pressure and getting through difficult situations. I think ''Walkin' on a Wire' represents that tension a bit as well. I'm fascinated with how people fight through adversity and it's interesting to see how people come out when things are all said and done.
Q: In the past, you played with Soul Crunch, which is more blues/rock orientated. Didn't you have the urge to mingle more blues into the new tracks?
Yeah, I did. And I think my blues rock influence does creep in here and there, probably on songs such as ''Under Your Skin'' and ''All That's Good.'' It's hard to write a song and consciously decide that this is going to be bluesy and this is going to be heavier and whatnot. Songwriting for me is more organic. It has to feel natural and just flow. Then I can step back and say, ''Hmmm, this song sounds like this or that.'' It's the same with lyric writing. There are times when I throw words on a page and then look at them and try to figure out what the heck I'm talking about.
Q: How do you start writing a new album? Does it happen spontaneously?
Well, it had been several years since I recorded ''Horizon Lenses.'' I was living in Los Angeles, a few hours away from Steve Cone?s studio in Arizona. So when we spoke and discussed recording this disc I really sprung into action. Some of the songs, as I said before, were Down With The Blonde songs already and just needed to be tinkered with a bit. But it was so much fun to sit at my home studio and demo up new material.
Some of it was spontaneous and some of it was harder, more focused work. Sometimes you have riffs sitting around for years and finally you say, ''okay, it's time to turn this into something'' and you get real focused. But one of my favorite songs on the new CD is ''From Now'' (the lead track). And that one just popped out in a few minutes only a few short weeks before recording began. I messed around with the main riff and the rest of the song and the lyrics just flowed quickly from there.
Q: Do you have a certain period that you create heavier tracks and melodies? And perhaps, a few weeks later, you create more intense and sensitive tracks? Does it depend how your mood is?
I think a lot depends on mood. For example, with the song I mentioned earlier, ''From Now,'' think it was inspired by a blowout I had with a co-orker in Los Angeles. I was determined at that point to get the hell out of L.A. and move back to my native New York City. Anger often writes great songs. That song is filled with my aggression. I think you can hear it in the lyrics and the vocals. Maybe that' why it's one of my favorites - because it's so personal.
So yeah, mood has a lot to do with songwriting. I can't consciously decide to write a mellow song or a heavy song. The moment will likely dictate the song's outcome.
Q: You spent several years in L.A., writing and recording; afterwards you finished the disc in Arizona and moved back to New York. Why criss-crossing the US?
I recorded ''Horizon Lenses'' at Spin Studios in New York just before moving to Los Angeles in 1999. By the way, this is the studio where Lamb of God and Chris Caffery have worked on their recent discs. My very good friends own it and it's a kick ass place to work.
I moved to L.A. for a change of pace and, I guess, a change of weather. I didn't do a lot of writing or recording in L.A. For the most part, I worked, enjoyed the west coast, and went to catch rock bands up and down the Sunset Strip. It wasn't until I reconnected with Steve Cone that I started getting the urge to get back into the game myself. And once we started working on this project, the energy just came back and I was dying to get back on stage again.
So I guess part of my reason for returning to New York was to put this new band together and get back to doing what I love. In addition, my best friends and family are still in New York and so is the best pizza in the world. I guess it was just time to come home.
Q: Is David Shaw a solo artist, or is David Shaw a musician that made a solo album?
I started this project without an actual band together. So I guess I am a musician who made a solo record. But now with the disc out and being promoted, I'd have to say I'm a solo artist. That could change down the line but for now, this is working pretty well.
Q: There are plans to play live. I guess that the live line up will be the same as the recording line up, except for the drummer, because fresh blood was found by recruiting Derek Davis, originally from Massachusetts. What can people expect when they go to a David Shaw show?
The live band is as follows: Rob Mayer and George Giannoulis on guitars; Derek Davis on drums; and I?m singing and playing bass. I do intend to add a bass player at some point - hopefully soon. I mentioned before that Rob and George were members of my previous bands. As much as I would have liked Steve Cone to be part of the live band, he's pretty rooted in Arizona right now and so that couldn't happen. Derek has been a great find. He's a young, energetic drummer with a ton of talent and it's been a lot of fun playing with him. Rob and George are phenomenal guitarists who complement each other very well.
I think those who see us live will be very impressed with our energy. All of us get along real well which, I think, makes for great stage chemistry. I think a lot of newer bands these days are finally realizing what we've known all along which is that people who pay to see you play expect a show, not just some guys standing around like they're jamming in their basement. With us, you'll get the whole deal.
Q: Will the name remain; will it be adapted to David Shaw Band or something totally different?
As of now, we're going out as David Shaw. We'll see how things evolve.
Q: Is it okay for the other members to perform in your shadow, or is this incorrect?
The guys in my band are awesome people and they are hardly performing in my shadow. I think that will be evident when we play live. I'm thankful that I have such good friends as these that they are willing to take a chance on my music and back me up this way. While the songs may be mine and the name on the advertising may be mine, these guys know I respect them as equal parts in the success of this project. I couldn't do this without them.
Q: How would you like to subscribe the music on ''Walkin' On A Wire''. On your homepage we can read: add one part AC/DC, a part Dirty Looks, a part Cheap Trick, and one part Enuff Z'Nuff. Shake well and enjoy... I agree with first three names, but was surprised about the Enuff Z'Nuff part. Give us some more detailed info please!
My musical tastes run all over the map. I love metal and hard rock. Dirty Looks and Kix and D:A:D are some of my favorites.
But I also love good power pop such The Posies and The Cars. I think Enuff Z'Nuff is a good example of a band that blended the two genres. They have a real ear for great harmonies but can rock up a song as good as anyone. So they have been a big influence on me.
Even more so is The Knack. Most people know The Knack from their huge hit 'My Sharona' but truthfully, they're one of the most underrated bands ever. They are super melodic but also have such a great energy in their music and they're insanely talented. Claiming them as an influence may surprise some people, but I think having diverse influences makes one a better songwriter.
Q: There is also an eminent review on this webzine. Have you seen it, and what's your reaction on it ?
I'm thrilled that Metal to Infinity has supported my new disc. It's so great to see that there is still a place for rockers to get their fix and it's also awesome to get support outside the states. As soon as I saw the review I added the Metal To Infinity Link on my site's news page. I'm glad your online magazine is keeping the hard rock and metal flames burning bright.
Q: I suppose that most of the reviews have the same appreciation?
So far, so good. A newspaper in California gave the disc a fantastic review and Perris Records was quick to sign me to a distribution deal to help get my music out around the world. It's great to know people appreciate what you're doing.
Q: January 2007 will be the start of, hopefully, a lot of great gigs. You will make your debut performance at Don Hill's in New York City, followed by a gig in Brooklyn in February and so on. What kind of places are Don Hill's and The Trash Bar in Brooklyn? Rather smaller clubs?
What Don Hill's lack in actual size, it gains in stature. It's been a hard rock mainstay in NYC for years so we're thrilled to be headlining the club in January. Ace Frehley, Faster Pussycat and The Smithereens have played on that stage, just to name a few. So it's a great gig.
The Trash Bar is a newer venue in the trendy Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. I haven't been there yet but I can say that the live music scene in that part of town has exploded over the last few years. It'll be fun to be a part of that.
More great shows should follow. People should check my website for details and updates.
Q: The album ''Walkin' On A Wire'' is released on Perris Records. Is it released in Europe as well?
Yes it is available in Europe now through Perris. The easiest way to get it is to go to the Perris website and search ''David Shaw.'' Perris has included my music on a recent sampler disc too so that's helped gain attention and get the disc in some stores in Europe.
There are several ways to get a hold of the CD. Just go to my site at: www.roundtripmusic.com and you can link to all the ways to order the disc.
Q: People have to have a dream, something to achieve, so what's your next goal? Come over and play some gigs in Europe?
I'd love to pay Europe. We'll see what lies ahead. Our goal right now is start rolling this thing out regionally and then maybe across the U.S. If someone wants to sponsor a tour of Europe next summer, I'm ready to listen! That would be a lot of fun.
Q: What would be your expectations?
Having never played gigs in Europe before, I would have no particular expectations. I hope we could build a fan base there and give the people great shows. Plus, I'd love to see more of Europe. I haven't been anywhere there except for London. I'd like to get to Scandanavia and check out D:A:D live someday too.
Q: We know much more about the rocker David Shaw, so here?s a tough one for you. What do you know about Belgium?
I love your waffles!
Beyond that, all I know is that people tell me it's a beautiful country. I hope to visit you there someday soon.
Q: Well, David, we do hope that you will find out yourself real soon! Good luck with the album, and the upcoming shows, and if there's news to spread, just get back to us! Is there a last thing that you want to add before ending this conversation?
Well, again, thanks for the support. I hope those reading this will take a moment to check out my new disc at www.roundtripmusic.com and grab a copy. Fan support is the only way bands can keep at it in this highly competitive world. Hopefully we'll see you all soon!