Its the mid 80’s, Back To The Future is screening, Ronald Regan is President, and the LA metal scene is in full flow. Warrant were born. And 20 years later they are reborn in the form of the founding core of Jerry Dixon (bass) and Erik Turner (guitar) with Joey Allen (guitar) and drummer Steven Sweet. Gone is Jani Lane but with new vocalist Jaime St James, Warrant are here to bring to a new generation their brand of pure kick ass rock and roll – Jerry Dixon puts the boot in! -Shan Siva Is there anything to be read into the band's name Warrant?
Jerry: It was a rocking name in the 80’s and has been our bastard child ever since! Was the LA scene in the 80s as wild as people suggest it was? It sounds more like a lifestyle than just a night out! I mean, we've heard of legendary places like the Cathouse but man you were there so pls tell us what it was like - what are your most 'memorable' experiences!? Jerry: It was even better! The strip was the candy store for rockers. The best thing was that all the clubs where in one place. You could walk up and down the street and see 5 bands in one night. Great place for a teenaged rocker to hang out. Much better than today’s Starbucks. Trivia question: what ever happened to Bill Gazzari...? Jerry: Bill ? Passed away :( Biased question: between Warrant, Crue and Poison - who pulled the most chicks? Did any band have any particularly pick up techniques or did you just lie back like kings ha ha! Jerry: There was enough food for all to eat! Throwdown question: your long association with Poison ended with fight - what happened and who hit the hardest (or was it a pillow fight)? Jerry: Old news ..blown over board. All is cool at this time. Do you ever see a return to the hedonistic 80s it was associated with a lifestyle? I guess it was cut short with the onset of AIDs but is that a lifestyle that you guys still try to pursue or are you now grounded (i.e. married)? Jerry: Yes I’m married. Things are still crazy but with just one person :) The early 90s by all accounts seem to have been a bad time for Warrant - how did you guys cope and did you ever think of folding the band?
Jerry: We drank :) When Columbia dropped you, could you see it coming with the onset of grunge or did it just happen like that i.e. one minute you're selling zillions of records and the next minute you're dropped (kinda reminds me of Nikki Sixx telling of being dropped off from tour and having to hitch a ride home cos he didn't have any money for the cab fare!)? Jerry: We didn’t get dropped. Jani Lane left the band for the ever popular singer solo career. After he did that then they dropped us. If he would have stayed we had a 3 record deal. Why did Jani leave the band and was that a major impact given that someone told me he wrote most of the songs..? So who is writing on the new album (given that the songs still sound pretty good!)? Jerry: Jani leaving ‘again’ was for his own personal reasons. The infamous singer song writer solo career called again and he answered. It’s better this way and as you can see we are writing and doing better than we have in 10 years. Was the filming of the 'Cherry Pie' video a major factor in influencing Bobbie Brown to become Jani's wife?! Jerry: I guess! That what singers in 80’s valued..get the video chick and you look cool. Is Warrant's vocalist Jamie St James the same guy who also sung in another 80s band called Black n Blue - how did he end up singing for you guys (and where does that leave Black n Blue - with Jani?!)....? Jerry: Yes BNB is Saints old band. We love the Saint and he is perfect for us. After 3 years it’s hard for me to picture WARRANT any other way. So is Warrant back now as a full time band or more of a 'fun' band that records and tours when it wants to. If the latter, do you guys have day jobs? Jerry: Warrant is always full time. Ok, thanks for your time Jerry and once again, congratulations on the new album! Jerry: Thanks !!! |
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