Interview THUNDHERSTRUCK

A Talk With STEPHANIE / ANDREA / CARIN / TINA / DYNA

(Interview by PATRICK DE SLOOVER)

METAL TO INFINITY

Q: This ultimate 'All-Girl' tribute to AC/DC is ready to burst, so it's time to have a little conversation with the girls, one at a time - Tell us how it all started !

Steph: Well, Dyna called up Tina and I, (we've known each other a long time, not to mention we have played in several bands together in the past), and she asked if we wanted to jam some AC/DC tunes, so we agreed, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. From that point on it's been onward and upward!


 

Q: Tribute bands are very popular in Europe, and it seems like there is a buzz going on to check them out live.  Is Thundherstruck one of the few or one of the many tribute bands in your area?

Steph: We are based out of Hollywood/Los Angeles area, so needless to say it is a saturated market! However, there are a few tribute bands in this area that really rise to the top with their show. The tribute scene is actually very much in demand in the states, but the fans and promoters are all searching for the better performing tributes that can deliver... 


 

Q: Let's give an overview of all members.  Dyna Shirasaki is 'Bon Johnson', which is a contraction of the two male singers of the original.  Is it also a reference to her voice?

                           DYNA
                                
 

Q: Tina Wood is 'Angus'.  I wonder if she’s banging her head all the time as fanatic as little Angus?

Steph: Tina is amazing...yes that is 2 ''amazing's'' so far! Haha! All jokes aside, Tina has an incredible talent to perform Angus note for note, and head band for head bang! She is an extremely skilled player in her own right, and also builds and repairs guitars. Needless to say she eats, breathes, and, well, you know, it's all about guitars!

I've been fortunate to have played in several bands with Tina and she is one of the most extraordinary guitarists around! She really has an incredible talent! You should see the peeps faces when she is shredding solo's on stage-it's classic! It's like ''holy crap! This chick shreds!!!!''


 

Q: Carin Toti fulfils the task of 'Malcolm'.  What can you tell us about her presentation?

Steph: Carin is a God-sent!!! She is an extreme talent and has a great 'tude as well! (As does everyone in this band!).  I call her ''mini me'' because she is barely 5' tall, and loves to party's down! Hehe! She performs Malcolm's parts note for note! She and Tina make a great team (like Angus and Malcolm).  Carin really holds down the rhythm section with Andrea and me.  You should check her out on Jailbreak, as she puts on the bobby hat and starts rockin'!!! 


 

Q: Andrea Zermenco becomes 'Cliff' on stage while Stephanie Leigh is the 'Rudd-ster'. Can you give us some background on them as well?

Steph: Yes, I believe I can (grin) - I know the drummer pretty well! Haha! Really though, Andrea and I are very much in the pocket together. She is old school, back beat boogie style, and that works very well with me, and AC/DC music. Believe it or not AC/DC is a bluesy in the pocket style of music, and when executed correctly sounds very easy to play, with a simple beat.

However, it is often a turnaround beat or a tricky composition that is quite a bit tougher to play than it sounds. But again, when executed correctly it STOMPS!!!! Knowing exactly what you are playing and how you are executing it is huge, and Andrea plays and performs it like a pro! She has a great feel and we lock in very well to make the rhythm and backbone of THS solid and rockin'!!!  As for me, I love to play, party and Rock n Roll!!!!


 

Q: Have you got a lot of problems to become a stable line up? I suppose it's not that easy to find woman that can join in the band?

Steph: Yes, I suppose you are right with normal bands, but we have all been friends for a very long time and that makes a big difference! We are all great friends playing great tunes and having a great time! It doesn't get any better than that!


 

Q: Besides skilled musicians, all members are good looking as well.  This is the main difference with the real AC/DC, isn't it....

                   ANDREA-TINA-CARIN
 

Q: Was it the intention to have good looking ladies, or was musical skills prior to appearance?

Steph: As I said before, 5 skilled musicians that are great friends - that is the foundation of ThundHerStruck.


 

Q: Ever want to compose or create a song on your own that could fit in the playlist of the band?

Steph: Yes, we are actually doing that at this time. Creating music is such a great thing to do, unfortunately we are all so busy that we never seem to get around to working up our song ideas! Tina and I have finally been able to work on some stuff though and it's sounding really great! So keep your ears peeled this summer for THS's 'hit single'!


 

ANDREA ZERMENO-Bass

Q: Do you prefer the older AC/DC songs in stead of the more recent releases, or do you limit the setlist to the greatest hits?

Andrea: I have to say I really enjoy playing them all, however I do have a soft spot for the obscure Bon Scott tunes. Our set list includes pretty much all the hits and favorites, which is cool for the audience.


 

Q: When I received the promopackage of the band, I was thrilled about the awards and acknowledgements that the band gathered!  Let's have a little overview on them.  Voted as 'Best Tribute Band' by All Access Magazine.  What other participants were present?

Andrea: Thank you! Yes, the band won best tribute band, Tina won best female guitar player and Steph won best drummer.  It was really an honor. There are other noted tribute and original bands in all categories. You can log onto the magazine at Allaccessmagazine.com to check it out.


 

Q: The band did a MWR tour to Japan in October 2006.  How many gigs and how was it to play in the land of the rising sun?

Andrea: I think we played three shows. They were for the big Naval Bases out there. It was fantastic. The Japanese people that put the show together (sound, stage, etc...) are the most efficient and professional people I have ever been involved with. They really run a tight ship.


 

Q: What does MWR stands for?

         
                          TINA-ANDREA
 

Q: Featuring gigs for bands like Foreigner, Toto, Slash, INXS, Grand Funk Railroad must be excited as well. How was it to share the stages with such legends?

Andrea: That is all ways a treat! All of these groups you mentioned are loaded with fine gentlemen however, I didn't get to mingle with Slash and the Inxs guys. Only their female friends . they were backstage drinking all our Beers! Haha! 


 

Q: Thundherstruck did a second MWR tour to Germany and Belgium.  Tell us, what did this Belgian visit include?

Andrea: Man, that Belgium show was wild!! The Base had a D.J. after the show and we all danced and even got our road Manager the beloved Frank Urtado (AKA Chocolate Cake Frank) to boogie down with us! We all cut loose that night. I think it was the Irish Car bombs. (That's a wicked cocktail if you didn't know).


 

Q: You did a Thunderherstruck release party in Long Beach, California.   How many people were present, and how did it turn out?

Andrea: that was at the Blue Cafe Great show! Lots and lots of peeps!! The Blue Cafe is truly a great night club and if your ever in Long beach, California you should drop by. That night Chris Slade (AC/DC former drummer) sat in with us for a tune!  He's a superb guy and a phenomenal drummer as well.



 

CARIN TOTI-Rhythm Guitar

Q: The band was present at the Musikmesse Trade Show last year, and will attend this event this year again.  Can you give us some more info about this event? Is it to meet people and contacts, get into the professional musical business and leave your mark there as well?

Carin: I believe the Musik Messe is the largest music convention in the world! We are performing again for our endorsers, ''Electro-Voice'', which is the band's microphone and Tina's wireless systems company. They had us perform for them last year at their booth (playing acoustic AC/DC), and also on the Agoura stage. It is a lot of fun! And, yes we will definitely be leaving our mark there!!!


 

Q: You were at the Big Ball AC/DC convention in Wales, UK.  Was Thundherstruck the only female tribute band? 

Carin:  Yes, that year we were the only female band. That was one Big Ball!! Haha! 

                        
 

Q: The band also featured on the Howard Stern show.  He's a living legend, so I guess that you were all impressed about his charisma and personality?

Carin: He was actually very nice! He also said that our band sounded really good. He was A little harsh on the show as usual, but I didn't let it get to me! That was one hell of a morning!! Jagger at 4am! Woo_hoo! Fun fun fun!


 

Q: Isn't it amazing that a tribute band is able to travel the world, meet so many people, play the music they all like and get a lot of attention from the press. I guess that this is a dream that comes true?

Carin: Yes, we are very lucky and we know how lucky we are! We have  all worked very hard- and still do-to get to where we are. The chemistry between the 5 of us and our professionalism has kept us strong and kept this train going!!


 

Q: AC/DC is going to release a new album within short time.  Will you also play tracks from that album in the future?

Carin: I'm sure we will!  We can't wait to hear their new stuff!


 

TINA WOOD-Lead Guitar

Q: Angus lives since a long time in Holland, so it would be cool to meet and greet with him as well, isn't it?

Tina: Yes, Yes and Yes!!!


 

Q: You went to Afghanistan for another MWR tour.  It's like you want to support all boys and girls that joined the army and deliver a great job all over the world.  How do you organise trips like that. It's not obvious that a good looking female metal bands plays some shows in Afghanistan, is it?

Tina:  A company called AKA Productions organises these tours. We try to do at least one MWR tour a year, however last year we did 3, Afghanistan, Germany and Japan. The troops mean a lot to us so it's our way of giving a little back for all of the sacrifices they have made.

                                 
 

Q: Also The Balkans and Iraq was visited.  Was it comparable with the Afghan gigs?

Tina: Very different, the Afghanistan tours are alot more gruelling and you definitely have to rough it a lot more! You play and travel everyday, so you are on the go constantly with little sleep, but it so worth it.


 

DYNA SHIRASAKI-Drums

Q: Besides the next trip to Frankfurt, what else is happening for the band, during the upcoming months?

Dy: We're playing at several festivals this summer, like the Moondance Jam in July and Rockin' the Rivers in August, just to name a few upcoming shows.  Then we're also scheduled to go to Iraq in September to entertain our troops.  Please log onto our website and check out our shows...you never know when we might be coming to a town, or country, near you!

                      
 

Q: Are you also planning to record and release a second album, or is this first output and portfolio the one and only release?

Dy: Who knows?  I'm not against putting out another one if we have the time and there's demand for it.


 

Q: You have met a few members of AC/DC in the past.  Did you also forward the Thundherstruck album ''You've Been ....Thundherstruck'' to them, and if so, what was their reaction?

Dy: We hadn't released "You've Been ThundHerStruck" at the time we met Brian Johnson. I think we gave Chris Slade and Simon Wright a copy, but I'm not sure (if not, we need to, huh!).  So, to answer your question, I have not yet had the pleasure of looking upon the face of an AC/DC member after they had listened to our CD.  I would welcome the opportunity! 

Q: Is there something else that you want to add to this interview before we have to end?

Andrea:  I just to say that I have been very blessed to have shared these last five years with such great friends, jamming the music of AC/DC!  I'm looking forward to more great times with Dyna, Carin, Steph, and Tina.  Love you guys!!!!

Tina:  Definitely come and check out the band if we are in your neighbourhood, it's a lot of fun!

Steph: Shake a leg~ 

                              
 

I do hope that you will have a lot of fun during the upcoming events and that the band gets the success they deserve!  Those who want to gather all latest news should check the homepage of the ladies and leave a message: www.ThundHerStruck.com 

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