Intervju - Tod Howarth av Robert Majd
1. What are you currently up to? What's up with everything? TH: Well I'm taking time off - 'have been for quite awhile now, not necessarily by choice but after pumping out a few solo CDs I'm kind of figuring out what I want to do next. I have started working on my book. All about my life before and around my music career, and I'm toying with the idea of putting together a three piece heavy rock band here locally. In the mean time I'm gearing up for winter sports - sand dunes with my built Quadrunner, and snowboarding. 2. When did you get into music and what instruments did you begin playing? TH: I was about six or seven years old when I started to notice this 'music thing' that filled the airwaves, and then the Beatles came to be. I started singing first, listening to all the harmonies and melodies marveling at the talent and emotions that they stirred - even at my tender young age. I first started on piano, then drums, then guitar and bass. 3. What other proffessions have you practiced? TH: I'm a jack of many trades really. All through my career music has not always supplied the money needed to raise a family or let's put it this way, the money's been somewhat inconsistent at times so I did what I had to do. I learned to build engines, weld, torch, construction, plumbing, painting. I've worked for aircraft companies, gas companies, and even moving business' most of these way before I became a 'rock star'. I can do a lot of things which amazes people that really don't know me as anything else except for the musician. My family and friends think of me as the handiest guy on the planet. 4. How did you end up playing with Ace Frehley in Frehley's Comet?
TH: I met John Regan while I was touring with Cheap Trick and he was with
John Waite. We met while co-headlining and he told me about a 'project' that
he was working on back in New York. He called me around six months later
and I headed out to audition during a break from the 'Trick schedule.
5. How was the vibe in the band? What line-up worked best and had the most fun? TH: The band vibe was great really, too bad that Anton had just gotten one of the best gigs in the music world as far consistency goes - David Letterman - but we got Billy Ward. The most fun was probably with Anton because he was and is a truly 'slammin' drummer. Billy Ward was phenomenal too but John felt that he over played. Jamie was solid and a great guy to boot. 6. Frehley's Comet opened for both Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden, how was those tours? TH: They were real fun, lots of women, lots of music, lot of traveling. I really miss those days! The downfall of course was when we were with Iron Maiden and the tour ended for us in Louisiana because we ran out of money......ouch, the end of the Comet as most fans knew us. 7. What did you do after leaving Frehley's Comet and what had you been doing before? TH: I tried to get a solo deal but my style - Comet style - was quickly becoming outdated with grunge coming in so I was doomed. I did secure a deal with Gene and his Simmons label at the time but his label fell through as well. Before the Comet I was playing with Cheap Trick for a few years. 8. When was the last time you talked to Ace? Do you see any chances of Frehley's Comet ever playing together again?
TH: The last time I talked to Ace was when he was on tour with KISS and they came to San Diego. We don't talk now at all for some reason. I think that he feels hurt by the whole end of the Comet thing which shouldn't be, but he holds a grudge against some people and some people associated with what he feels may have contributed to the demise of the Comet.
9. You were signed to Gene's label for a while, how did that turn out? TH: It was going good for while but then Nirvana cleaned house! Gene's label deal kind of fizzled when my band wasn't 'current enough. 10. Have you been working on any new material? Do you write anything for other artists? TH: Yes I have been writing but I've recorded nothing as of yet. I have not been writing for other artists but I'm not against it - I've just gotta make myself more available for them. 11. What in your career are you most proud of? TH: The track record that I've left so far. I've played with and for many great icons of the older rock era. I'm also very proud of my solo CD "Cobalt Parlor" because I finally got to play, write and record everything myself - which was one Hell of a lot of work! 12. What goals do you have for the future? TH: A book, another heavy band and CD, and then...? 13. Tell us about your 5 favorite albums and why you chose them? TH: "Dirt" Alice In Chains I love this CD. It has so many (then) fresh heavy new rock sounds and vocals. "Shang-gra LA De DA" Stone Temple Pilots. Great songs, great moods, great balls. Van Halen's first album. Again, what cutting edge for the time. Jeff Beck's 'Blow by Blow" All instrumental, moods galore and it's where I get my sense of guitar melodies. "So What" Joe Walsh. An earlier album that showed me orchestration and great songwriting as well. 14. Any last message to your Swedish fans? Any question I forgot to ask? TH: What a country! Thank you so very much to those of you who've written me and enjoyed my music, you make my day and the efforts all worth the while. Tod Howarth - Official website
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