Mitch Malloy is this weeks interview. Mitch is a cool guy plus he has hung out at 5150. Let see what Mr. Malloy has to say.
Mitch, can you tell us what you've been up to?
I have been up to music music music. Lots of music. People can find out more at mitchmalloy.com/.
Your first CD came out in 1992 and had some great songs like "Anything At All" and "Nobody Wins In This War." Why such a drastic change in musical directions for your follow-up CD, "Ceilings And Walls?"
I didn't think it was THAT drastic and it was ordered by the label. I had no choice but to mellow out. So I did. Not that big of a deal. People get mad, people are happy. Some cars are black and some are white. Some music is hard and some is soft. What's the issue?
You own your own studio in Nashville. What kind of gear do you have? If someone wanted to hire you to record how do they get ahold of you?
I have the best gear money can buy and people can reach me at pranamusic@yahoo.com
Rumor has it that you were in Van Halen as the singer right before Gary Cherone. So, three questions: What was it like working with the Van Halen brothers? Do you regret turning the gig down? Are there any demos out there that you recorded at the 5150 studios?
I did live tapes with them and one studio song. But the live stuff was also in the studio. Live in the studio. It's rough but it's still Van Halen. Pretty cool. 5 songs. It was like I was in a dream while I was there. It was a bit shocking and then very normal at the same time. And I don't regret anything in life. It's a waste of time and God wouldn't approve. Also, YOU should know better then to ask that question! (laughs)
You recently record a new CD with a band called Fluid Sol which was released on Atenzia. Can you tell us how this band and CD came about?
Well it wasn't A band I recorded with. It was some guys I brought in to record for and with me. Big difference. It was me and two Swedish guys. It's a fun record if you like my voice and songs. (laughs) Not really even my band and not really even a band; just a project. It was fun though. It rocks pretty hard for the most part.
You appeared on the last LNJ's "Welcome To The Revolution" with a song you wrote called "Only Heaven Knows." How did you get involved with this project and what did you really think of the CD?
You asked me to do it! Did you forget? (laughs) I never heard it.
You're known as a great singer and songwriter in the AOR/melodic rock genre, but what music do you really dig?
I like anything that sounds real to me. I hate it when people fake it. I like great music to my ear.
Name the three highest and three lowest points of your musical career to date.
My album's first two singles went top 20. I was on Leno. I got to sing for thousands in those years.
The lowest points is doing this interview. (laughs) It adds up to three it's so bad. (laughs)
What are your feeling on corporate America's music scene right now?
I have no idea really. I don't pay much attention. I guess that means I don't like it much.
How much recording budget did RCA/BMG give you on your first two records and how much did Frontiers give you on "Shine" (your 3rd CD)?
RCA, unlimited. That other label... Are you kidding? (laughs)
So spiritually what do you believe?
I do more than believe.
If Mitch Malloy could put together a dream band, who would be in it and who would be playing what?
Mickey Curry on drums, Michael Thompson on guitar, Tom Bukavac on guitar, Hughie McDonald on bass, Matt Rollins on piano.
What was Dickinson, North Dakota like? How do people in that town look at you, with all that you have accomplished so far?
It's a tiny little town and very cold in the winter and really nice in the summer. The air smells sweet in July. I think the people who remember me think good things; at least I hope they do. I think I've been gone so long, though, that the kids have only sort of heard of me. They don't really know much about me.
What does 2005 and beyond hold for the musician Mitch Malloy?
I am working hard on getting things rolling in a big way. I've been working harder already this year on that then I have in a long time. I hope things pan out now. I'm getting really tired of not kicking butt.
And finally, a Liberty n' Justice 4-ALL word association. We will mention a name or thing, and you give us your thoughts:
Sir Arthur Payson (producer)
Great guy, good times. I miss those days …
Wolfgang Van Halen (Eddie's son)
Sweet spirit. I miss him … I wished I had watched him grow up.
Ted Poley (Danger Danger)
Smoky bar in Jersey a million years ago.
John Schlitt (Head East/Petra)
Big influence of mine. Good singer.
Richard Sanders (former manager/V2 Records President)
Shrewd business man. Taught me some valuble lessons. Called me the "million dollar kid."
Jay Leno (The Tonight Show)
Nice guy big chin.
Mark Slaughter (Slaughter)
Likes to sing really high and play really loud guitar.
Paul Carrack (singer)
Class, class, class. One of the best singers in the world and class act.
Justin Murr (Liberty n' Justice)
Asks stupid questions and thinks he's a songwriter. (laughs)
Christopher Neil (producer)
Class act very talented amazing songwriter and producer.
I haven't been insulted in a while so it was good to have Mitch lay the smack down on me. Check Mitch out at his site and buy his records.