Back in the day, my mullet and I used to dig one CD in particular and that was Lynch Mob. I thought the singer was incredible. Now, many years later, what do you know? That same singer is on the new LNJ album. So rock on to a little Oni Logan! And long live the mullet!
Do you promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you GOD?
Okay, this is for real, right? Do I have the right to a public defender?
Oni can you tell us what you've been up to?
It has been a very busy time. We're just about to wrap up my solo debut. It will be released in the spring of 2005. A new website is under construction. In the meantime www.onilogan.com will remain on-line. The musicians on this recording, in no particular order, are: Don Airey of Deep Purple and Rainbow on keyboards; Bekka Bramlett of Fleetwood Mac and Faith Hill on back up vocals and 2nd-lead; Michael Voss of Casanova on Electric guitars; Martin Huch of The Carl Carlton band on pedal steel guitar, mandolin and lap steel; Bertram Engel of Jimmy Barnes, Robert Palmer and Peter Maffay on drums; Steffi Stephan of Udo Lindenberg on bass guitar; Nippy Noya on Percussions, who worked with McLaughlin, Stan Getz, Billy Cobham and others; and Steve Lukather of Toto as a special guest artist on electric guitar.
Oni, we've heard that you moved to Switzerland. What has it been like over there? Has anybody recognized you?
That's right, I do live in Switzerland now, way up on a mountain, where the wind blows and howls through the night, and if you walked outside, you'd be in for a horrible fright. Does that sound scary enough to you? Boo! No no, it's wonderful man, you just have to learn to deal with the elements, and there are so many within the year, that you just have to give in and let the days unfold as nature intended. Regarding the music and living in Europe, interestingly enough, even in this part of the world, there are people who have been watching my career over the years.
Your first "big break" came in George Lynch's band, Lynch Mob. How did you get involved with George and what are your thoughts on the "Wicked Sensation" CD?
This is a long one. Many folks already heard about the stories of how I was pursued or persuaded to join that band. I believe I took an oath in the beginning of this interview to tell the truth, right? So here's the truth, believe it or not: "I wished it." Thats right, I'm not kidding. You see when you want something so badly, the power and energy that you release has its way of working for you. Thoughts about the recording: I love it! It was probably one of the most exciting times to be in a rock n' roll band. Think about it. America was rocking.
"Wicked Sensation" was released in 1990, in 1992 the follow up was released but the singer was Robert Mason. Where did you go?
At that time I was musically and personally on my way to other shores. So I a started on a fresh new project with Rowan Robertson called Violets Demise. To this day the recording that we made with producer Dave Jerden still does it for me. It was a creative and extreme recording. I recommend this for the musicians.
Okay, last Lynch Mob question: What would it take to get you and George back together? Didn't you guys record an EP or something in the late 1990s?
I'm sure that George and I came together for a reason, and we recorded a great album. Nobody can say whether or not there will be a reason to work together again in the future but for now there are no such plans. Right now I am focusing on my new album and I'm looking forward to touring with it.
Can you tell us three of the highest and lowest points so far in your musical career?
High points: The making of the Lynch Mob record, touring the world. And now, the making of an album that I always wanted to make, I'm am truly blessed to have had this opportunity to work with such great musicians.
I don't like to speak about the low periods, because if I did I would be reliving them.
Recently you flew from Europe to Peoria, Ill. to record vocals for the song "Show Me the Way" for the new Liberty n Justice album. How did you get involved in this project? What do you think of the song?
Don't you remember? You wrote to me and I said I would be there. Regarding the song, it's moody with an edge, so I like it.
Mike Layne, the producer of "Soundtrack of a Soul", is a huge Oni Logan fan. I mean huge! My question for you is: did his "man-crush" freak ya' out?
Mike, is this true? I'm smiling right now 'cause I know what Justin wants me to say, but Mike was very calm and collected, like a pro. Although now that I think about it, there was thing going on with his eyes, it appeared that he was looking at me, but somehow I felt that he was looking around me as if there was some sort of supernatural event taking place, a ghost ahhhhhhhh… Just kidding, Mike. I was the one hallucinating, all those hours spent on the plane, though the end results made it all worth while.
You toured with Dio. Got any stories you can tell?
There are some stories, but I would have to reprogram my brain to that period of time, and I believe that I'm still under oath, so we will have to save this question for the next interview.
You now have a little daughter. How has parenthood changed you?
Well for starters I go to bed at 10 p.m. as opposed to the old days and old ways of going to sleep at 4 a.m. I've also taken up a new little hobby. It's called "Papa, wake up, let's play Barbie." Really, everything I do is for Delilah.
Okay, I lied before about that being the last Lynch Mob question. So really how "wild" is Mick Brown?
WILD!
You are recording your first solo CD. What style of music is it and what can we expect?
This recording I believe is very special, because of its diversity in styles. You will hear of course rock n' roll but there are some other different types of music that will be a surprise to people. I'm happy with the results and of how this recording feels, from the instruments that were used to the text of the songs, the maturity and strength of the songs. I can honestly say that there is something for everyone on this album. The production is of high quality and the musicianship is outstanding.
Spiritually what do you believe?
I consider myself to be a spiritual person, who is still searching. Though I feel that I'm getting ever so closer to being free.
We've just got to ask: "Would you rather be in a band called Ferrari or drive one?"
Here we are again. Marc, I'm sorry. I'm under oath. Drive one.
What does 2005 and beyond hold for the musician Oni Logan?
The release of "Stranger in a Foreign Land," touring Europe, the possibility of coming to the United States for a tour. There's been talk about going to South America. Ultimately I just want to bring this music to the people, no matter where or how far. I consider this album to be a celebration for me and for all that have been involved.
And finally, a Liberty n' Justice 4-ALL word association. We will mention a name or thing, and you give us your thoughts:
Holger Kermer (your manager)
A gentleman with a plan
Ronnie James Dio (Dio)
A professional with a superior voice
Slash (Guns n' Roses / Velvet Revolver)
Pure rock n' roll. We're lucky to have him.
George Lynch (Dokken / Lynch Mob)
The innovator of a unique guitar style
Justin Murr (Liberty n' Justice)
A man of God who loves to rock
Max Norman (Producer)
A great engineer and mixer
Anthony Esposito (Lynch Mob)
Fellow Mobster and friend
Rowan Robertson (Dio)
A creative, quiet Scorpio friend
Marc Ferrari (Keel/Ferrari)
A business man
Don Dokken (Dokken)
Tooth and nail
The Viper Room (Hollywood, Calif.)
Johnny Depp