– Hi Alexx, thanks for taking your time. What’s currently keeping you and SHAMELESS busy?

We just released our new CD «Dial S for Sex» which was supposed 2 be only an EP with 4 songs but we kept coming up with more and more ideas so it ended up being an EP with 15 songs. Some are new and we also re-did some of the songs from Splashed. We all were never happy the way Splashed turned out. Those were some of the strongest songs i ever wrote but the production of the CD was just bad + some of the songs became a new meaning in my personal life so i thought this would be an awesome idea. Then we also found this unreleased version of Far Away with only acoustic guitars and Steve Summers & Jani Lane singing it. I was so blown away how great the song sounded so we released it the way it was without any changes or anything. I also think its a beautiful memory of Jani Lane who was supposed 2 record with us again on Dial S but sadly passed away a few weeks be4 we started the recordings.

– First of all I would like to start with the band’s first steps. You formed the band over 2 decades ago but it took you 10 years to release the first album. What kind fo activity did SHAMELESS have before you reformed the band back in 1997/1998?

In that 8 year break i did other things and played as well in a band called Provoke together with BC but it was different cause i always knew i wanted 2 do Shameless again.

 

– If I’m not mistaken, having Eric Singer helped the band a lot; how do you think would have SHAMELESS ben without him during the first stages? And how does a German guy manage to be in contact with artists as such?

Well Eric was a big part of reforming Shameless. He hooked me up with Stevie & Steve and got us the studio owned by Gilby Clarke. I always wanted 2 reform Shameless but Eric made it all possible. I met him when he was in Europe during his first KISS years and we became and remained friends.

 

– One of the outstanding things on SHAMELESS are vocalists Stevie Rachelle and Steve Summers. How did everything start?

They both sound like nobody else and are the best choices 4 Shameless and we are really good friends as well. I love working with them and it just feels perfect this way. We all have other things as well besides Shameless but when we work on stuff everybody gives his best.

 

– Now getting a bit into your new album, «Dial S for Sex», I would like to start with the obvious thing… The «Hot & Cold» cover. Why such concrete tune?

We were talking about recording a coversong cause i always love 2 do covers especially of songs nobody would think we could do. My daughter actually asked me 2 do the Katy Perry song cause she is a big fan of hers. First i was laughing but when i told theother guys about it they all thought it is a great idea.

 

– And what about the crazy closing track, «Happy Birthday to you»?

Have you ever seen the Simpsons epsiode with the Ramones ¿ Thats how i got the idea. I am a huge Ramones fan and noticed nobody else ever recorded this song in a real way. And there is no birthday song 4 rockers. The only thing are Stevie Wonder and some other stuff.

 

– Once more, this time around we can find guest artists as Chris Holmes, Keri Kelli, etc. So if you don’t mind, I would like you to elaborate a bit on this (why did you choose them, etc.), specially on Chris Holmes.

Keri has been my friend for almost a decade so it was obvious 2 work with him again. I met Chris when he did jam with Keri at the Keyclub and we had such a great time that we wanted 2 record something together. Chris is just one of those amazing players and he is also a real awesome guy. Totally funny and he loves Trans Am cars as much as i do. We might even will write something together 4 the next disc. He has been sober for the last 10 years and is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. All his replacements in WASP are just a copy of him. Nobody sounds like Chris ¡!

 

– Keri Kelli has, once more, produced this new effort, so considering your good relationship I guess he was the obvious choice but; do you see yourself working without him on the future?

Well we recorded most of the basics at Keris place but we finished the rest and did all the mixing with Bobby Altvater in munich. He owns the legendary Sky Studios there and he did a hell of a job 2 make these songs perfect. I don’t really wanna work without Keri but you never know.

 

– «Dial S for Sex» is at SHAMELESS’ best tradition but, how could you describe it (or the band) in just 3 words?

Kick Ass Rock

 

– Anyway it surprised me the fact it has more ballads and mid-temps, at least more of what we were used to. Has your life changed lately to come up with more tunes like these? As your lyrics always seemed to deal with real issues and real experiences.

I thought this would be the perfect mix of music but yeah my life has changed a lot . Yes almost all our songs are based on things that happened 2 me like Famous 4 Madnes and many others. It seems like all the crazy people & psycho girls said goodbye 2 my life and i actually live 2gether with girlfriend which i didnt meet at a Shameless Show HAHA but at an airport. Now i love one more thing from Finland besides Lordi 😉

 

– You have also just released a compilation album, «Greatest Hits of Insanity». Why did you decide it was the right moment for a «best of»?

Aeriel Stiles told me about Johnny from Demon Doll records. They wanted 2 do this compilation and i agreed 2 do it as long as i had full control about title, artwork and song selection. I did chose all the songs, did the artwork and came up with the title.

 

– You released your first four albums almost in a raw, but since some years ago you have slowed down a bit the studio activity. Do you now take things more smoothly or is there any concrete reason behind this?

The music industry has changed so much. A lot of people simply just steal the music they want but they dont realise that they kill the music that they love by doing this. 2 make music costs money as well and if people dont buy records cause its cheaper 2 steal them they take the money away from the bands that they say they love. When we started nobody did this but now only after 2 days of releasing a CD the internet is full with download links 2 steal your music. We still wanna release music but its just not as easy like it was a few years ago

 

– Last (and first) time you toured Spain was back in 2007; do you have any nice memories of your dates in Spain?

We had some great shows there and hope 2 come back there as well. I always love playing there.

 

– That tour was just after «Famous 4 Madness» came out. Was «Famous 4 Madness» the album of the big leap or do you think helped you getting more recognition?

Famous 4 Madness was very well received by fans and press so that did help a lot. I always try 2 release the best music possible but of course 2 stay true 2 what i like. I would never ever record anything that i dont like myself.

 

– Now I’ve seen you also have some live dates booked. For those interested in seeing you guys: when and where? And what can they expect to see on stage? Considering when I saw you in Spain, I guess much party and tons of fun?

We will have a great song mixed with Shameless & Tuff songs. We will play songs like Nonstop City, Innocence is no excuse, queen 4 a day, all new generation, american hairband and many others. Yeah it will be KICK ASS.

We will have more shows on the Websites

www.shamelessrock.com & http://www.facebook.com/Shamelessrock within the next few years. So far we will play for sure in Belgium on the 8th of march, on the 9th of march we will play together with Vain & Crashdiet in Mülheim Germany at the Shout It Out Loud Festival.

Italy in the begining of April, then munich on the 5th of April, 6th of April in Uster Switzerland, 7th in Bruckmühl, 8th in Lichtenfels and then to the north of germany and afterwards 2 Sweden.

 

– Finally, and as I know you are a huge KISS fan; what’s your ideal KISS incarnation and why?

KISS is the best example that you can do whatever you want when you believe in it. They are the middle finger 2 the industry 4 almost 40 years now. So that really says something.

 

– That has been everything from my side, thank you once more. If you want to add some last thoughts; last lines are all yours.

I am very thankful 2 all the fans & friends that support me & Shameless and still like all those crazy things i come up with ¡!

Tania Giménez

tania@queensofsteel.com

 

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