LNJ get to know …
Wondering what this is all about? Well, on this page you'll be able to read interviews conducted by Liberty n' Justice with different artists and people who have been associated with us over the years. To read our previous interviews, just click here.
We're kicking off 2006 by getting to know Pete Loran of Trixter.
Pete, tell us what you've been up to.
Musically I have been kind of quiet. As you may know, I just finished my vocals for "Soundtrack of a Soul." I do, however, have a few things brewing.
Okay, let's get this out of the way: What is the current status of the Trixter Live In Japan album? When will it be released?
As of right now the project is on hold. All recordings have been finished and, as far as I know, all the mastering has been done too. I feel confident that it will ultimately be released, though. I will keep you posted.
Pete don't hold back; What do your really think of Trixter's "Undercovers" album? Where did you get that suit?
In the past I may have not been so positive about this project. The project was basically to try out some new recording gear, keep us busy and give us an excuse to go out and tour. We did those things and as a matter of fact that was one of the best times I ever had on the road. I still like what I did on 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover but the Supertramp song just gives me the willies! Everyone did a really good job. I do think it confused some people, though. The suit I borrowed from my friend Justin Murr.
You mentioned you recorded vocals for the new LNJ CD "Soundtrack of a Soul." How did you get involved in this project? What do you think of your song "Thy Will Be Done?" How did Peoria strike you?
I got involved in this project through my zoot suit buddy, Justin Murr. We actually talked about it for nearly a year before getting it together. I think the song is really good. Jamie Rowe sang the guide vocal and I was really surprised how strong a voice he has. Peoria was not bad. I met some very cool people and Mike Layne and his studio were awesome.
In March 2000, you did an interview with Metal Sludge where they asked you to rate singers. For Mark Slaughter you said "Four. Nice guy, can't stand the high sh*t though." Isn't it funny that five years later you're doing a sort of duet with him on the new LNJ CD? So it's time to ask you again: on a 1-10 scale how do you rate Marks vocals?
I knew this was coming. I have been covering my tracks since that interview. I was in a very bad frame of mind when I did it. I wish I could take it back or do a rewind or something. Anyway, I have not heard the stuff Mark did on the song. I hear it came out great. He, however, probably wished we were there at the same time so he could slap me in the head.
How does it feel to know that you guys started the grunge movement look?
That is pretty much the truth. We did our first-ever photo session in Los Angeles in 1989, long before Grunge was popular. I was putting together stuff to wear and didn't have a lot so I grabbed this flannel shirt that I had and wore it. It caught on big time, didn't it? I wish I had a patent on it. (laughs)
Trixter gets slagged on, but quite honestly "Hear" is a good hard-rock album. Why is it so hard for your former band to get respect?
Slagged on? Does that mean not good? Hear is a very good record … for real.
Name the three highest and three lowest points of your musical career to date.
High: Getting a record deal; playing the hometown arena; getting our gold record after releasing only one single.
Low: Getting dropped; realizing that the hard rock wave crashed. Wish we had jumped on it in 1985, but we were just kids then. That's life!
You have toured with Stryper in past. Have any stories you want to share?
Michael Sweet is a killer drummer! Those guys were so cool to us, it was our first ever tour and we were very green.
You recently recorded some new studio songs for the Live CD, can you tell us the names of the songs? What was it like recording with Trixter again?
The songs are "Close your Eyes" and "You Got It." The tracks were recorded way back in 1995. But I did the vocals about a year ago at my house, so we never really got together. Really good songs!
Spiritually what do you believe?
I believe what goes around comes around, so I try to be as civil as possible. I have asked many people to forgive me for that interview with Sludge. And they did.
The last of Pete Loran.
last time someone recognized you as the lead singer of Trixter
At a show where the band RA was performing.
last time you performed live
At a backyard party.
last rock star you spoke to
PJ Farley!
last time you sang
"Give It To Me Good"
Last August
in NJ with Steve and PJ
last movie you watched
Napoleon Dynamite
last time someone asked you a last time question
Just now.
LNJ producer Mike Layne said that, of all the singers who performed on our new album, Pete Loran did the best. Considering all the great singers we have, how do you explain this?
You mean the guy with the giant hearing aids on? Just kidding! Mike is a great guy. He has a great ear. He can hear a lot of the same things that I do. I'm not sure about that comment but I really appreciate it. I literally had no voice the entire week before I went to Peoria … you can ask Mike, my speaking voice was almost nothing the whole time I was there. I felt like I gave 60 percent. I really could have done way better. I did, however, know the song before I got to Peoria, so that helped.
At the end of Trixter, it seems everyone wanted to be the lead singer. Why?
Well that really wasn't the case. The undercovers thing was just for fun. We did do a lot of vocal swapping on the road, and that was to keep things different for us. We switched instruments at times, too.
What does 2006 hold for Peter Loran?
Hopefully great, great things!
And finally, a Liberty n' Justice 4-ALL word association. We will mention a name or thing, and you give us your thoughts:
My first thought: why are you doing this to me?
Steve Brown (Trixter)
A brother, great guitar player and songwriter!
Liad Cohen (keyboardist)
A brother and a very well rounded person.
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
When we first met (unsigned) he was very cool. After that, well …
Gene Simmons (KISS)
A legend.
Eric Martin (Mr.Big)
A brother, a great singer and songwriter. Big influence for me
Jani Lane (Warrant)
Very cool singer, performer and songwriter
PJ Farley (Trixter)
A brother (I have a few, eh?) Way talented! Funny as hell! Can I say that?
Tony Harnell (TNT)
Nice guy and killer vocal range.
Michael Sweet (Stryper)
Very cool guy, very talented.
CJ Snare (Firehouse)
Yet another really cool guy with a great voice.
