Lennon, your new project DEVIL’S GIFT just released its debut some months ago. Can you give our readers a short introduction to the persons and ideas behind the band? How did it come to the collaboration with Jason Suecof?
I wrote and recorded the record with Jason Suecof and Dave Elitch. Jason has produced a lot of bands in the metal world from All That Remains, Daath, Trivium, etc. Dave is an amazing drummer that has worked with Jason in the past. Pretty much i've known Jason for awhile, and when we started talking about working on a metal record we really had no idea what to do. So we went in the studio and just started writing. Wrote and recorded the record in 2 months.
Why did you start a new band instead of using this material for your own solo-releases? After listening to some of your solo-songs at myspace, I realized that metal and rock music is kind of omnipresent in your songs. So why bother creating a whole new band and starting from scratch again instead of making a heavier LENNON record?
New music, new style, new direction, new band. I wanted to give Devils Gift a fresh start.
Are there any grave differences between the lyrics for DEVIL’S GIFT and the lyrics you tend to write for your solo-songs?
I had to exactly teach myself to write in a whole new way. I'm use to writing the music and lyrics all on my own, so it was quite different to work with other people for once. I used the Devils Gift record as a way to get out a lot of frustrations in my life, so i would say the lyrics are much more aggressive than those of my solo stuff.
I understand that you’ve just been touring Europe with DEVIL’S GIFT. How did the tour turn out? Did it live up to your expectations or were there some disappointments or positive surprises?
All i can say is it was definitely an interesting tour.
As you have been professionally making and releasing music for years you are very well known in the USA, but I think in Europe your fanbase is somewhat smaller, isn’t it? How do you experience coming to Europe, playing smaller venues?
Doesn't matter if there are 8,000 people or 20 they get the same show. Playing music live is all about getting out there and making fans and really enjoying what you're doing.
Are you touring with the same line-up that recorded the album or do you get some support from other or additional musicians?
Jason and Dave were not able to tour live, so other musicians were brought in.
Finally I’d like to ask you some questions about you person: The press-info didn’t fail to mention that you are a member of the “Suicide Girls” online community since 2006. How did you come across “Suicide Girls” and why did you join in 2006?
Actually a friend told me about the site and suggested it would be a good place to advertise. While we were talking to them about buying advertisements we discovered that they were big fans of my music, and they asked me to be apart of the site. After looking over the site i really loved the artistic value of it. I really enjoy being apart of it.
As creating music seems to be a most important element in your life I’d also like to know what music you like to listen to? Is there any special kind of music you are very much into or maybe a genre you absolutely hate? Maybe some bands or musicians you respect or loathe for their work? Maybe even some artists you get your own personal inspiration from?
I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. Mainly though anything with a strong storyline base. I love stuff that i can actually relate to. Seriously i listen to everything from NIN, All That Remains, Five Finger Death Punch, to Ani Difranco, Barry Manilow, Harry Chapin. Just depends on my mood.
As 2009 has just begun I’d finally like to know if you did some kind of New Year’s pledge? What do you hope for/ expect from/ fear of the year 2009?
For it to be a lot better than 2008. It wasn't a terrible year; just a really hard one.
So that’s it already. Thanks again for taking the time answering my questions! All the best to you and your creative work with LENNON and DEVIL’S GIFT. The last words are yours:
I hate last words, but i hate last call even more.
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