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-I believe DC found my website.
2. David Coverdale has said that he likes to work with musicians that bring fresh ideas and new approaches to Whitesnake. What elements will you bring into the live shows?
-High energy and bass with balls.
3. Do you know or have you worked with any of the present members prior to your joining?
-Yes and no; There's a rock singer from Italy named Chris Catena who has been working on an album with all star rockers on it. Among some of the artists asked to play were Doug and myself. All of the recording has been done remotely, (on my laptop, in hotel rooms, etc.). So I've never previously played with Doug, although you may hear us on the same track or two on this release.
4. Have you started rehearsing with the band? If so, how is it progressing?
-Yes. We just finished a week of rehearsing in LA. This band sounds killer, and I can't wait for the tour to start.
5. Which Whitesnake song are you most looking forward to playing live?
-Wow, that's a good one! Definately "Still Of The Night" and "Is This Love". But now as I'm absorbing more of the tunes, I'm thinking of adding "Bad Boys" to that list.
6. What is your favourite Whitesnake album or song?
- The pay off on this gig for me (and Reb) is getting to perform "Still Of The Night".
7. Which musicians inspire you to keep playing bass? Are there any bassists you particularly admire?
-There are so many bassists that have shaped and continue to influence my playing, across all styles. Rock-wise, I'd have to say Geddy Lee, Billy Sheehan, Chris Squire. I also love Robert Trujillo's presentation of rock music. But most of my influences are studio cats that most folks wouldn't know their names. Those folks are my true heros.
8. What are your musical influences? What kind of music did you listen to when you were growing up?
-I grew up in New England, so there was lot's of classic rock in the house. My father was always playing Deep Purple, Rush, Yes or Led Zepplin. That music stuck with me far before I actually picked up the bass. When I saw Rush in an arena at age 8, my life changed. I picked up the bass instantly and never looked back! I wore out every Rush album in the house for about 5 years, listening to little else. Then came school jazz band, Chick Corea, Béla Fleck and a whole slew of new musical influences. Moving permanently to California is where I learned to groove and play professionally, playing all sorts of gigs from top 40 and disco to Bluegrass and Country. I finally found my niche as a deep grooving Funk, Gospel and R&B cat, where the bass really holds everything together.
9. Did you start playing another instrument first and then make the transition to bass? Or was it the bass from day one?
-Bass from day one, baby!
10. How long have you been playing bass?
-About 20 years now. I'm 29.
11. Do you enjoy composing music? How do you approach the creative process?
- I do. There are so many ways to get music out that I haven't yet found the way I like best yet. I used to try to write using all the technology available to me, which led to infinite possibilities, and songs never finished. But now I've found that by giving a song a meaning, extraneous options are narrowed down, and the song is allowed to write itself. I also think collaboration is a great way to work, just so everything doesn't sound so 'one-dimensional'.
12. Your musical repertoire is rather eclectic. Is there a particular style that appeals to you most?
- I gotta say, playing urban music is great because the bass plays a very prominent role. The subwoofers are up and no one mistakenly calls you a 'guitarist' because they feel you! On the other hand, the energy that comes out of playing music in a band like this is something I just can't get out on R&B gigs. I really do enjoy it all. Slayer is next to Sinatra in my music library!
13. Of all the shows you have played so far, is there one that is most memorable?
- I can't really pick one- there's been so many stories over the years! There was one time when I was onstage with a dear friend artist named Garrin Benfield. Also on stage was drummer Ricky Fatar (Bonnie Raitt) and Boz Scaggs. It was a Spinal Tap moment when the large column that was part of the stage set decided to tilt forwards and fall, hitting me square in the noggin.
14. What has driven you to become the bassist you are today?
-Addiction! I started on bass and wasn't able to put it down for years. That was as a kid. I'm no longer addicted in the same way now, as I see bass playing as a part of life and not everything. This was very apparent to me when my son was born. I learned and played everything I could in my formative years. Now enjoying and living life has become my muse and inspiration, and the bass is merely an outlet. I find inspiration in meeting new people or seeing new places. In rolling around with a random dog at the dog park or sitting with and 85 year old woman playing piano and telling me of her life's woes (both have happened in the past week, mind you!). I guess networking has helped too, but that's just business stuff.
15. Do you have a message for the Whitesnake fans who are looking forward to watching you perform?
- Get ready to rock!