Kimmie Interviews Erik Turner, Guitarist of Warrant
5/13/01
KIMMIE: How is fatherhood treating you?
ERIK TURNER: It's awesome, I love being a dad. A very tired happy dad.
KIMMIE: The summer tour. How does the band handle going from being a
headliner to being an opening act, in light of the fact that many people feel
Warrant's musicianship is of a higher caliber than Poison?
ERIK: We are stoked to be a part of the Glam Slam Metal Jam tour. Not
much pressure on us, except to play our best. Thanks Poison!
KIMMIE: What will be different about this tour to make it more successful
then the last Poison/Warrant tour (i.e., why will history not repeat itself)?
ERIK: We are all older and wiser. Looking back, the whole thing was very High
School type behavior.
KIMMIE: Many Warrant fans have been screaming for a new set list. Can
we expect to see some changes on this tour and if so, what new additions will
there be and what will be removed from the set list?
ERIK: Going into rehearsals we have added, Bed of Roses, So Damn
Pretty and a new song from Under the Influence, Subhuman.
KIMMIE: What is your favorite Warrant record?
ERIK: I love them all equally, but the hit albums will always be a
little more special to me.
KIMMIE: What is your favorite Warrant song to perform live?
ERIK: Uncle Toms Cabin, still love that fucking song!
KIMMIE: What bands/CDs are you listening to these days?
ERIK: New Found Glory and Buckcherry
KIMMIE: Warrant's members seem to be a bit scattered. You have Jani who has
been bouncing from Cali, to Ohio, to Florida. You have Billy in Ohio and
then Mike, Jerry and yourself are in Cali. How does the band prevent the
distance from interfering with recording/rehearsing?
ERIK: So far it hasn't been a problem, I think the space might even be
good for us.
KIMMIE: It is rumored that Mike didn't play on the new record. Is
this true and if so why not?
ERIK: Did you start that false rumor? Of course mike played on the new record.
KIMMIE: Hey! I take exception to that remark, considering I spend 90 precent
of my Warrant life clearing UP rumors not starting them! LOL
KIMMIE: Speaking of recording, what happened to the Spitfire record deal?
ERIK: They didn't have the same vision for Warrant that we have. We couldn't
agree on anything. Now the want us to do in stores with there bands. I wonder
why?
KIMMIE: What is Downboys Records?
ERIK: We needed a label for our new musical project, The Down Boys Record Co. was
born.
KIMMIE: Why a cd of covers?
ERIK: Because it's fun for us, if it's cool for Metallica and Guns and Roses to do
cover songs of there favorites, it's cool for us too.
KIMMIE: When might we expect a full length, original Warrant record?
ERIK: We have a lot of killer songs in the can and I'm sure Jani will write a
lot more. We need the right label to put them out on. If its not the right
situation for Warrant, we are not going to put out a CD.
KIMMIE: There are a gazillion bootlegs of different un-recorded Warrant tunes
and demos. What are the possibilities of Warrant getting together all the "demos"
and un-recorded tunes and creating a say, "Lost Warrant Tapes" collection? (I know
I'd buy it!)
ERIK: We have talked about it, but never got around to it. Maybe after this tour.
KIMMIE: What's the deal with "Hairy Christmas"? Supposedly you guys recorded a
Christmas song, I believe the Kink's "Father Christmas", for a "hair band" (for
lack of a better term) Christmas CD. Will that be available in stores this season?
What's the story behind that?
ERIK: We got asked to do the song, It turn out to be a lot of fun. Then
the label pushed back the release date a year!
KIMMIE: Can we expect to see a Video Compilation VOL. II? If so any idea when?
ERIK: Next year we will do Vol. II
KIMMIE: You've always kept a pretty active "side life" while a member in Warrant.
What other projects are you currently involved in (your free pimpage opportunity)?
ERIK: Web design is my new side life passion. That and golf! If you need a website
built, contact me at www.ErikTurner.com.
KIMMIE: Aside from Warrant, if you could insert yourself as the guitarist in any of
today's bands, what band would it be?
ERIK: It's a toss up between: AC/DC and Aerosmith. I fucking love those fucking bands! Call me guys!
KIMMIE: You guys seem to be constantly touring. What are some of the things you do
to keep yourself sane after weeks of touring and being cramped in the same vicinity
as the other members day in and day out?
ERIK: Try to get enough sleep and golf. With a little alcohol thrown in, and a
massive dose of ROCK!
KIMMIE: You've got a very loyal fan base, especially on the net. What do you think
it is about Warrant that inspires such fan dedication?
ERIK: I think and hope it's the songs and the fact that Warrant is about a good
time. Warrant is the most fun you can have with your pants on!
KIMMIE: For the cover tracks on the new record, discuss who's idea it was to do
the songs and why. Also, what touch does Warrant give to the songs to make them
"their own"?
ERIK: Jani picked all the songs on the new CD. Aww, the power of the singer! We
warrantized all of the songs!
KIMMIE: With the original Warrant tunes, discuss the sound, idea behind them, etc.
ERIK: We don't think about musical direction, its all about feel. If the song is
working, you just know it. Music isn't a science project.
KIMMIE: Lastly, who's idea was the album artwork? Who did the artwork?
ERIK: I did all the art direction for the new CD. Andy Jolliff and I sat down and
made my ideas come to life. You can check out Andy's site at: www.412productions.com.
KIMMIE: Okay that's it. Anything else you'd like to add or anything I've left out?
ERIK: Yes, I would like to thank you and the readers for all their support through
out the years!! Check out our new CD at www.warrantweb.net.
KIMMIE: Thanks!!!!
