INTERVIEW with ROSS THE BOSS from THE SPINATRAS

MB: You left Manowar about nine years ago, and now you've come back with The Spinatras. What have you been up to in between?
Ross: Well, in between Manowar and now... I did an album with Manitoba's Wild Kingdom on MCA in 1990. It was sort of like The Dictators minus one guitar player. And we had a good run on MTV with "The Party Starts Now". Have you heard that song?
MB: Not that I can think of.
Ross: Well, you'd probably recognize it if you heard it. And, let's see, in 1990, had a baby boy. In '91, formed a band called Heyday and made a CD. Went to Spain, Europe, and Scandinavia three years in a row with The Dictators. And then formed The Spinatras.
MB: Wow. So you've been keeping busy.
Ross: Yeah.
MB: I've heard that The Dictators did a couple shows recently.
Ross: The Dictators have always been doing shows. We've been in Europe the past three years and putting out singles.
MB: When you left Manowar, did you leave with any ill feelings towards the rest of the band? Or did you just feel it was time to move on?
Ross: Well, you know, it's like a marriage. When you're married and you have a divorce. But we parted as friends. I mean, you know, there were some feelings. But it was mainly musically and personality and direction.
MB: So it was more that you just felt it was time to move on?
Ross: You know, you're kind of right. And I guess the band felt so, too. And I wish them well. I saw them in Madrid. We were both there, and it was great seeing them. I talk to Joey a lot, and I'm proud of what I did with the band.
MB: You definitely should be.
Ross: It hasn't been eclipsed yet by anyone else that's been in the band. And I'm not saying that Karl's not a great guitar player and everything. But, you know what I'm saying.
MB: So you kind of feel that they have never been able to live up to that classic line-up?
Ross: No, you really can't. It's like somebody trying to replace someone in The Who. It's like when Kenny Jones came in and joined The Who. It's good, but it's just not the same. And I'm not going to say that... You know, I like Karl Logan. I met him, and he is a very nice fellow, and a very good guitar player.
MB: So, how did The Spinatras first take shape?
Ross: Well, Richard and myself, Richard Fazio — the drummer, were trying to put a band together for awhile, and we had found Ronnie Giordano, on bass. And we started jamming on some tunes that I had. And it just started. It really felt great, you know. It was a lot of fun. And we felt that it was time to start having fun playing music again. And we were looking for a singer. And finally somebody sort of... Well, Brain Corley he was living in Westchester. I live in Queens, now. And the rest of the band lives in Mt. Vernon. He had moved out to Florida, to Miami. And so we sent him a tape of some of the stuff, and he worked on it and came up and sang for us. And it was really good. We really hit it off musically. He is very good with lyrics. So we found Richard, and Voila, there's the band.
MB: So now you're playing the music for fun, as compared to how it was in the past?
Ross: Well, The Dictators is a totally fun band, too. The Spinatras is fun. High energy. But we play serious. We are very serious about what we play. And I'm very serious about when I'm playing my guitar and solos and all that stuff. But, you know, if you can't have any fun in this business, you might as well not do it. This band, it's a really great band. I'm really happy with it. I think we are going to go forth. I really do. And I think there's been enough depressing music out here for quite a long time. I'm telling you, I think it's time for Rock-N-Roll to be fun again. And we're offering that to the world at the moment.
MB: Definitely, this is much different from what you did in Manowar. Was it important for you to kind of distance yourself from that?
Ross: Well, you know, I felt that I had really made my statement in Heavy Metal. I couldn't have played in a heavier band. Unless I joined Slayer. So, I had felt that I had made my Heavy Metal statement. And I love Heavy Metal. I really do. I think a lot of people think that I don't love it anymore. But I truly do love Heavy Metal as a genre of music. I just felt that after six albums that I had done enough. I had run the course.
MB: So you kind of wanted to reach out and try something different?
Ross: Yeah, and I'm a very versatile player anyway. I mean, I've been in many different bands. And I've released fourteen records. So, I mean, I can pretty much play what I want to play. I'm an accomplished Blues guitarist, too. And no one really knows that about me. I can play with the best of them, you know. And maybe one day I'll do that.
MB: Have you've been seeing a lot of people that know you from your other bands catching on to The Spinatras?
Ross: I see people from all over. I mean, I was in a French band for a year called Shakin' Street back in 1980. That's when I met Joey on the road. We were supporting Black Sabbath in England, and Ronnie Dio introduced me to Joey. That's how Manowar was formed, you know. So I've done all sorts of things. I've been... I'm a pretty versatile player. Some people play in one band all their lives, you know. And I just figured that that's not my path. But on the path now is The Spinatras.
MB: Have you guys been playing out live yet?
Ross: Yeah. We've been playing some gigs. And we are booking some more gigs. We should be playing in March and April.
MB: What type of response have you've been getting from people?
Ross: It's really cool. It's really been great. But until the record comes out, you know, the band's character won't be fully defined. Then you'll be able to put your finger on what this bands is about.
MB: I know you guys have been searching out a record deal. Do you have anything promising on the table?
Ross: The band? Oh, yeah. We have interest in a lot of places. I can't really say it now, but I can safely say there's a lot of interest.
MB: How long do you think it'll be until we see a full Spinatra's album?
Ross: I hope at least by September. To be modest, you know. But there is a lot of interest in the band. And I can say that it's on a high level, not just an independent level. This is on a major level.
MB: How do you see The Spinatras fitting in with the current music scene?
Ross: I think there's a spot there right for it, you know. I really do. I think we fit in with a band like The Foo Fighters. I think that, for me anyway, The Foo Fighters are the best band around right now. I mean, without a doubt, they are the best. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Dave Grohl. I think he's a genius. I think The Foo Fighters are perfect. I think they are just absolutely perfect.
MB: What do think is the most important ingredient in making quality music?
Ross: I think honestly is the key. Being true to yourself, and not second guessing yourself with anything. I think you make your best music when you play what you feel. If you play what you feel, you'll do it good and you'll do good.
MB: What's the most important thing that you'd like people to know about The Spinatras?
Ross: I would say that we are the ultimate in good times and hooks. We aren't a party band, but we are just a good time band. We are not into that kind of stuff. But we are in the ultimate party type band.
MB: Kind of like the antithesis to all the depressing music out there.
Ross: Right, right. We are anti-grunge.
MB: Are you guys on the Net at all?
Ross: No, but we are going to have a web site soon.
MB: How do you feel about the Internet as a way to expose your band to people?
Ross: I think it's good. I think it's all going to be down to that in the future.
MB: What do you think is the most important lesson that you've learned from your past that can help you now with The Spinatras?
Ross: There are so many lessons that I've learned during my career. I don't know. Do what you feel. And go with what you know. I'm going to go with what I know.
MB: Cool. Kind of looking back who would you say has been the biggest influence that you've had, both as a musician and as an individual?
Ross: Biggest influences?
MB: Ah, hum.
Ross: I would say MC5, The Fugees, Lou Reed, Peter Townshend, B.B King, The Foo Fighters, Kurt Cobain...
MB: How about as an individual?
Ross: I don't know. B.B. King, probably. I love the way he is as a guitar player.
MB: If you could go back in your life and undo one thing that you've done, make it like it never happened, is there anything you'd like to erase from your past?
Ross: Probably not marry my first wife.
MB: When it's all said and done, how would you like to be remembered as a musician?
Ross: Honestly, I think probably as one of the top Rock-N-Roll guitar players that ever lived. I mean, it's heady company. It's a hard thing to say. I think that probably if things are really right in the music business, then you get what you deserve. I probably think that's what I deserve, but you never... usually, you don't get that. And that I was someone who did what he wanted to do, and played what he wanted to play. I don't really care about all that other stuff.
MB: Well, that's all the questions I have. Anything you'd like to add on?
Ross: No, that's about it.
MB: Well, thank you very much, Ross.
Ross: Alright, man. Take care of yourself.

03.06.1998

This interview is taken from Manowar MountainS

Main || News || Band || Photos || Works
Legends || Fans || Links || Guest Book || Forum

© 2001 Lita. All comments to litawolf@mtu-net.ru