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FROM ARISE RECORDS SPAIN Sept 2005 ARISE Heavy Metal Magazine GARY SCHUTT INTERVIEW *You released ‘Sentimetal’ in 1994-95. What do you remember about the recording sessions of the album? I remember me and Jeff recording it in about 2 weeks. We recorded it on 8-track cassette, mostly in the middle of the night. my guitar rig was mic-ed in my bathroom. While Jeff was laying vocals I was playing Star Wars on his Nintendo. "The Imperial March" track took me the longest to record. It has about 12 guitar tracks. I transcribed every part from the orchestral arrangement, and i remember - during the acoustic break - punching in every phrase after I would read it and memorize it from the transcription. I also remember me and Jeff had a tif over the phrasing of the chorus for "No Man's Land". He wanted to change it and I liked the way I sang it on my demo. But, the more I heard his version the more it stuck and i liked it better. He knows his stuff! *What do you expect about the re-issue of this album? Hopefully a rebirth of interest for these classic tunes and rebirth of interest in my career! *You have included in this new edition three bonus tracks. ‘Highway To Nowhere’ (demo) , Mental Ward (demo) and Act Of Sympathy (demo). Were these songs recorded in that period? What can you tell me about them? These were recorded prior to the release of Playthings. I forget what label was interested in my follow-up CD but, of course, they wanted Jeff's voice on it. I had a plethora of songs to offer, and Jeff offered to demo them for the label. But they unfortunately passed on the whole thing. So I eventualy decided to take my time and record the album myself. The Mental Ward demo is older. I gave that song when I was in SLAM, so that version is actually the SLAM demo. *You also included in the original album, Darth Vader´s ‘Imperial March’. Why did you arrange that? Are you a big fan of the Star Wars saga? Which is your opinion about the last three films? I was always a big Star Wars fan. I just wanted to do an all guitar arrangement of that song. I love that song, it's very dark and sinister. I love and hate the prequils at the same time. I love the stories and the effects and everything in the SW universe, however I found the acting and dialogue, at times, to be a little bland. Still hope there's gonna be Episodes VII-IX. EP III is my favorite of the prequils. *Jeff Scott Soto was the singer on 'Sentimetal'. You have also a good voice, why didn't you decide to sing in the album and give the vocals parts to Jeff? 2 reasons. My voice was good but still needed to develope a little. And the record label (Zero Corp.) wanted Jeff to sing on it because they knew it would boost sales. It wasn't my choice to sing on it, which was fine with me, I'm very happy with Jeff's performance on it. *Jeff Scott Soto is very important in your career. You have played in his albums and you have toured with him. How could you define him, personally and like singer? Why did you leave his band? Jeff is a great guy, friend and the best singer/performer I have ever had the privalage to perform with. Both of us have a warped sence of humor. There are many reasons why I left the band. Let me stress that my decision had nothing to do with anyone personally. I knew during last year's tour that i was gonna quit, but didn't tell anyone. The main reason being that I wanted to concentrate on writing new material, getting some recording done and shopping it, which I've been doing, so mission #1 accomplished. The other reasons being things like big-versitile-rock-show on a small budget. Since Jeff wanted me to play bass, guitar and acoustic guitar that means me bringing 3 guitars, strings for all, 2 wireless' (had to buy a second for the tour), 2 processors, backup cables and accessories. that's alot to keep track of and it get's expensive, especially having to buy a second wireless and the cost of bass strings! So many things frustrated me on the last tour and it really tried my patience. So when talk of a 2005 tour came up I expressed some issues that i felt adamant about, like only playing bass - which i was fine with, I have no problem being the bass playing. Jeff didn't want to digress the show, which I totally understand and he shouldn't - it's HIS show. But In order for me to be happier on the road I didn't want to go back out unless that situation was rectified. So we amicably split. *What do dou remember about your tours in Spain? Spain has the best looking women! All of my female friends in Spain are georgeous!! And so nice too! Also the biggest and loudest, most responsive crowds!! The last time we played in Madrid i was overwhelmed when after the show I signed autographs for about an hour! *The first news that some fans have about you were when you took part at Takara’s Eternal Faith album. What do you remember about those times? Jeff produced that CD and they needed a bass player for the sessions. Jeff knowing that I played bass offered me this opportunity so I took it. The songs were super easy, most of which I learned as I was recording. I thought the songs were very well written but a bit cheezy rock for my personal tastes. At that time I was big into Dream Theater. *Are you still in contact with Neal Grusky? Yes. We talk on the phone once in a while and we've hung out at the past 2 NAMM shows and everytime I've played Paladino's with Jeff. *I heard an acoustic live recording with Jeff, Neal Grusky and Michael Voss singing covers, songs of Takara, and Stranded of this 'Sentimental' album. Any possibilities to release officially that stuff? Probably not. Even though the record company that recorded that is no longer (and the owner past away), I, Jeff, Neal nor Voss have the rights to the masters. But I do have a copy of it! And I have a sealed one!!! *What can you tell me about ‘Playthings’ CD and DVD ? This last one I think is not released yet. Any possibilities to release it? Playthings is one of my favorite and proudest "ME" albums. I've gotten all positive reviews, and for the first time praises on my voice! Even people comparing me to Jeff, which is kind but we are two completely different sounds and styles. The DVD has every music video and alot of bonus stuff and hidden extras. I could sell it as a DVD-R but take the risk of it not working properly in some players. I can't afford to get it replicated and I don't think I will generate enough sales to recoup through my web site. If some label wants to pick it up that's fine. *Which are the big differences between 'Sentimetal' and for example ‘Excruciating Pleasures’ ? This last album was released with the name of Gary Schutt or with the name of Shutt? The big difference being "Pleasures" has a much more modern rock sound. "Sentimetal" songs deffinately are very 80's sounding and that no major record label would sneeze at. "Pleasures" is more grown up, personal, better sounding and emotionaly dark. I originally realeased it with a band name, SHUT, thinking that maybe a label would pick me up faster if it was a "band" instead of an unknown solo guy. I recently changed it back to GS because the SHUT band hasn't materialized and it's basically a GS solo album anyway. *This year you have released two albums by your website: 'B Sides Myself ‘and ‘Dramatically Acoustic’. What kind of stuff contains these releases? "B-Sides" is leftover songs and demos from my previous 3 albums. "Dramatic" is a GS greatest hits acoustic with 2 brand new songs and one cover. *You also took part in a tribute album of Mötley Crüe. Which is your opinion about their reunion. Have you seen them in this tour? I think it's about time they reunited. I was a huge fan in the 80's and I know that they will bring the old fans back. I missed this last tour. I think I had a gig the night they were here. I heard alot of speculation about Mick's health. *You have played with legends of rock like Neal Schon or Robin Zander. How was your relation with them? I jammed with Neal shortly after Jeff met him in consideration for Soul SirkUS. We were all gonna be at the 2004 NAMM show in L.A. anyway so why not put on something. So we played at a party for Gibson and jammed out a bunch of Journey, Zep and various other covers. I met Robin years ago through a girl I was dating at the time. Her mom had one of Robin's kids in her second grade class. She had us both come in and talk about the music bizness and play some songs. I was so nervous, but he was really cool. *Which are your favorite musicians?. I mean the mirror where you look at yourself. There's so many to name. My top music idols are (don't laugh) Rick Springfield and Kip Winger. They are both amazing song writers and have great voices. Kip's solo stuff since Winger is purely genious! Now for inspirational players: Joe Satriani, Pat Travers, Mattias "IA" Eklundh, a little SRV, Pat Torpe, Billy Sheehan, Reb Beach. I also love some of the new bands like Foo Fighters, Disturbed, Lit, Hoobastank, Jimmy Eat World, Filter. |
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