K: [Handing Rick a copy of her Warrant E-News - an e-mail newsletter that she created]. Here, this is for you.
R: What's this? My script? [Laughing]
K: No, no! [Laughing] This is a copy of a news letter I did. So, I was wondering what was in line for the next Warrant album, are you guys working on that right now?
R: Actually we're doing, come the third of January, we are starting -- This label called Cleopatra, they want us to do twelve of the old Warrant stuff from the various six records, five records, but redo them.
K: Okay?
R: The same songs but redo 'um.
K: Just redo 'um? So like a greatest hits album just differently?
R: Yeah, greatest hits but different.
K: Okay.
R: You know what I mean?
K: Yeah. That makes sense.
R: Different music, a little different arrangement.
K: Now there were some rumors going on that you guys were going to do an album overseas and not release it here, is there any truth to that:
R: Yes, there's truth to that.
K: There IS truth to that? [long pause]
R: Yeah.
K: Okay... [long pause]
R: [Laughs] No... Kim, I didn't want to end it like that... [Thanks for not leaving that one hanging Rick!!!]
K: Okay, people were going to be really pissed off at you guys... [laughing]
R: Because the Japanese, they're on a whole different spectrum. What they're into, quite frankly is like, they would be content with another song like Cherry Pie or another record like that. And you know, we've grown over the... you know since I've been in the band, since 93, what 5 years. We will never write a song like that again, even though I appreciate that it has mass appeal.
K: Right, things move on.
R: It moves on. It's like asking the Beatles (not to compare us to the Beatles) but saying 'Okay, can you write another song...' like, right after you know, uh, Helter Skelter, 'Oh, can you guys wright, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, a song like that?' No! It ain't gonna happen. They move on, and that's what we did.
KS: Do you guys have a release date in mind or...
R: No. Well, that's for the Japanese?
K/KS: Yeah.
R: No, I don't know.
K: What about Jabberwocky, are you still shopping for a label and doing an album on that?
R: Um, we haven't shopped it legitimately because um, after 12 songs you know, we kind of re-evaluated what we wanted to do. Now it's changed. That whole sound that we wanted to go after, now it's more Peter Gabriel, U2ish.
K: So not the same vibe that we heard before?
R: Exactly, we're using like loops, drum machines, a little more progressive album.
K: And is Jerry working on the production of that? Or is somebody else doing it?
R: No. Not to say he won't but this is not even to the point of pre-productions.
K: Now, as far as Warrant goes, Danny on drums, is that like a permanent thing?
R: Well actually I hope so. Danny was, as you know, the keyboard player.
K: Yeah!
R: And we hadn't had much luck with drummers, not because they weren't good, its just that we would hire drummers for certain tours, like come out for 8 weeks, but then they had other commitments. Course you have to be a certain caliber of drummer to be in this boat anyway.
K: Right.
R: So we go "Hey, were going out again." "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm playing a session..." or "I'm doing drums for..." So, Danny goes, "Oh, I'll play drums" and it was very nice because it worked out that Erik wanted to come back anyway so Erik took up some of the slack that maybe the keyboard player would do and then Danny went to drums so we still had his vocals and he does play keys like on, you know important parts. I Saw Red and things like that. But otherwise, its almost like the old Warrant as far as the, just the guitar sound.
K: So you guys probably won't ever get a new keyboard player, Danny's always going to be doing both?
R: I don't think we'll ever look for a keyboard player, now that Erik's back it's just not really that important. It's a Rock 'n Roll band. It's guitars.
K: Yeah. Should we expect to see Erik on tour all the time now?
R: Oh yeah. Yeah.
K: He's definitely back.
R: Yeah.
K: Great. Now, what's the band's general feeling on the Internet and the information age, all the web sites that are out there and the e-mail...
R: Well, it's actually helped us. Because, well from a totally entrepreneurial aspect, we can sell things on the Internet and we can let people know what's going on, update them as to tour dates, and this and that and this and that. So you keep that fan base there.
K: Right.
R: On the down side, you have chicks e-mailing wives going "Oh, thanks for the good time last night." It's evil... It's fucking evil...
K: Yeah. You know, it's funny, actually, I got an e-mail from 2 girls claiming to be [Warrant wives], thanking me for what I'm doing, helping them "pay for bills," and saying "how do you have time to follow every move these guys make" and I'm like.... "I really don't!!!" I wish I had the time, but, yeah, I can see where it could be...
R: No, Erik's been back on the road you know a couple weeks and so he's like, he's happily married. And so his wife got this e-mail that said "I'm really happy that we had time to spend together yesterday and I'm glad you and me and Jani finally got to know each other on a different level."
K: Woah....
R: And so his wife calls him up...
K: WHAT THE HELL'S GOIN' ON!!!!
R: And he's going, what are we talking about, a runner? A runner, okay, take me to Burger King... 'OH I LOVE YOU!!!' I mean, what's that?
K: Right! [people don't think!!!]
R: Okay, so they shared a fry together!
K: Laughs
R: What the fuck is going on? The Internet is a double edged sword. I mean, if people are going to fuck with us like that, it's not good. But on the other hand it's very positive.
K: I would think... I was kind of surprised that you guys allow people to actually have your e-mail addresses.
R: Well...
K: It's kind of like giving them your phone number. You know what I mean?
R: It is!
K: It really is.
R: It is, but you know, they don't have mine.
K: I have yours.
R: What's mine.
K: [I told him]
R: YES!!! That's it! [Rick gives me a high five].
K: Actually, I sent you a congratulations on your wedding cuz I just got married not too long after you.
R: Our computer is taking a dump.
K: It is?
R: Should I buy an iMac?
K: I have a Mac? I love my Mac!
R: An iMac, the new one.
K: I'd get a Power Mac. Imac's are like more for somebody in college I think.
R: Maybe a Gateway?
K: I don't know but uh...
R: Enough about me....
K: Okay, can I ask a question about Jani?
R: No, you can't! [laughs]
K: This is a drinking question.
R: Oh yeah, go ahead.
K: This goes along with the rumors that have been going on.
R: No, no, no, I'm ready...
K: Somebody said they saw him drinking a beer on stage and Jani says that he's not drinking anymore...
R: No, he was drinking an O'Dools or some Sharpie, Sharp, something non-alcoholic. He's been really good about it.
K: Yeah. I have noticed the last couple shows.
R: He's lost weight...
K: Yeah, he looks great. Jerry as well, is he not drinking either?
R: [Laughs]
K: Look at the bar!!!!
R: You make that assessment. I'm not going to say nothing! [Laughing]
K: The last time I saw you guys in Columbus, he didn't seem like he was drinking, he was just totally shy and quiet and reserved and totally not Jerry.
R: That's beautiful!
R: Hey, do you know where White Castle is? [Nice change of the subject Rick, ha ha!]
K: What do you think about the Warrant appearance about the MTV lunch with Jesse special?
R: I was there!
K: Well yeah! [laughs]
R: I had lunch with him! [Laughs]
K: How did you feel about the whole Warrant on MTV issue? Especially when they don't play any of your videos.
R: That was cool as long as they didn't play up to like... You know, in a make fun kind of way? And that's cool about Jesse is that the way you see him on MTV...
K: Somebody somewhere said that they saw him off camera and that he was asking really intelligent questions. That he wasn't really that "stupid".
R: He's very candid and he's very like "Cool dude!" And off camera and he goes "So Dude!" He acts the same way. [He says in his best Jesse impersonation] "So cool! I mean I'm really into you guys man... hey watch for El Nino coming through..." No, he's fucking the same. Which is the beauty of it. He is the same on camera. It's not like he gets off camera and says "Hey uh, so maybe we should talk about...
K: Physics
R: . . . the political situation in the Middle East." No, he's the same. Which is true. It's fucking awesome. And that's not saying he's dumb.
K: Someone actually told me that he was asking some intelligent questions off the air and he comes off as being.. you know...
R: That's the way he is. It's not dumb or stupid, its just...
K: How he is.
R: ...Nobody should ever say that that's stupid.
K: Right! So, do you think that MTV would be a little more receptive to something you guys might offer up to them in the way of a video or are they still being kind of cold about that?
R: Yeah, they're resistant. Because, ah, there's so many reasons. But it'll come back around and not like, like I said before, not like I want it to come back full circle. Like come out you know... like [some bands] with the head band and that.
K: It can't happen I don't think.
R: I don't want that to be. I just want people to accept Warrant as like, an evolving entity that musically we are going to keep creating and we'll still play Cherry Pie live and stuff. But as far as writing something like that, that's done.
K: I noticed you guys did a lot more songs that you normally don't do. It was a little more diverse.
R: Well we're trying to express to people, because in this time, this era of bands getting back together like [other bands] or... getting back together because now it is all the sudden vogue. We never disbanded.
K: Right.
R: [Pointing to Mykee] Ask him. We never went away.
K: I've been there!
KS: Yeah!
R: We may have regrouped and done this and that and you know, I got in the band. And, I've done three records with this band. It's not like six years passed and we go "Hey, let's do a reunion tour."
K: Right.
R: We're still doing, creating and whatever. I mean, I am just trying to separate myself, or ourselves from this backlash of "Oh, everybody's taking advantage of this reunion thing and 80s revival." No! Great if we fall into that category, but we never left!
K: So, do you guys think you would even bother to make a video with the new album.
R: That's a very good question, because it's, it's a very loaded question, because we're not going to make it if they are not going to play it.
K: Play it. Right.
R: We're just not. I don't give a fuck. Because it's a lot of... It's expensive.
KS: It'd be a waste of time and money.
R: It's expensive, you know. And we've done videos from each of the last two cds, Ultraphobic and Belly to Belly. And what's the point.
K: I saw Stronger Now, somebody taped it off of some t.v. show and that is the only time I've ever saw it!
R: Which is a great song.
K: Right, it is a great song!
R: Thank you.
K: Which comes to another question. Somebody said that you, you just detest videos. That you don't like videos. Is there any truth to that?
R: Me personally or the band?
K: No, you. Jean Schantz did an interview with you where you said something about... I'm not really, I don't really care much for...
R: Jean Schantz [laughs].
K: Yeah, she's a friend.
R: No, Jean's cool, I like Jean. Was she here tonight?
K/KS: No!
K: She didn't want to come all the way from New York.
R: We'll I'll see her at Birch Hill or...
K: Yeah, she'll be there... Guarantee it! [Laughs]
R: The only reason I don't like 'um is because... it's like reading a book as opposed to the movie. The movie you have everything spelled out. You know what you're seeing, you know what to expect. Your interpretation has been defined for you. In a book you use your imagination. The same with a video. It's like, I would rather have some of these new bands like... once I see the video I say "God, I liked the song so much better before I saw how you guys are so... dorky."
K: Uh-huh.
R: Just be, I mean. Just let it go!
K: Absolutely.
R: Not that I am the king of hipness... [all laugh]
K: [Still laughing] You are the king of hip!
R: Oh well now that you said so.
K2: He sets the standard!
R: I am the standard setter! God!
K: How do you feel the RNS tour is going, do you have any favorite shows?
R: I'm sorry?
K: Do you have any favorite shows on this tour. The RNS tour? How does it feel?
M: [Whispers] Rock Never Stops - RNS. [All laugh].
R: Are you talking about a particular. Our particular...
K: Yeah.
R: Sheese, you know. [Laughs]
K: Same as they always are...[laughs]?
R: No, it's really weird. That question, cuz like. Oh, this is a great show. But people base it on different reasons because like. Kevin Dubrow, you know, he could have walked away from here going "this sucked tonight" why? Because his monitors didn't work. Everybody has different reasons for... All of a sudden a whole city is branded as "I hate that city because my monitors didn't work."
K: Right, but it just seems to be like, for me. I've seen you guys in Cleveland, but for some reason...
R: The Odeon?
K/K2: Yeah
K: ...and then to come here it is almost like the crowd is a little more responsive like even with the Jabberwocky thing they were more responsive to new stuff.
R: Oh yeah, but you're right. In that sense, your right. These people here, I don't know what it is.
K: Us Clevelanders are just...
K2: Here they wanna rock.
R: They do. It's very strange.
K: Definitely. But um...
R: But over all, I can't say I love this city or that city because there is other things. I have heard people go. "I hate that city." And I go "Why?" "Well there was no, restaurant near my hotel." What the fuck is that!
K: You guys are across the street from our hotel.
R: You livin' at the KFC? [all laugh]
K: No!
K2: Yeah, yeah, that's it! We're helping the Colonel cook!
K: No, we're at the Super 8.
R: I would like a piece of extra crispy!
M: Nuggets!
R: I'm hungry! And some nuggets!
K: Definitely!
R: Toss me a mashed potato! White Castle will work.
K: You actually like White Castle!
M: Sliders!
R: I LOVE White Castle!
K: Get out of here! Oh!! [in a shriek of disgust].
R: People can make fun of it all they.... [rick grabs tape recorder] Make this known... Make fun! All of the people that make fun of it. . .
K: They are onion-y!!!
R: Make fun of it all you wish, but that's the fucking shit! When you got a buzz on you know, grab about 36 of 'um! [All laugh]
K: Now what about coming back... You guys usually seem to be in the Cleveland area around Christmas is that going to happen again?
R: Yep. Yep!
K: SUCKS! Cuz I'm going to be in Florida!
K: So, okay yeah, I want to congratulate you on your marriage and I was curious if there were any children coming up in the near future. Got any plans for kids?
R: Well my... Some of my kids are graduating from highschool now! [laughs]
K: Oh God!!!! [laughing]
R: [Pointing to Mykee] He's one of them....
K: Lord!
M: Like Tommy Boy!
R: No! [Handing an empty glass to Mykee] Take care of that bastard would you! [Laughing]
R: Look, she's going how's your kids and I'm going... 'take care of that bastard!' [Laugh]
M: Come here you little fucker!
R: Fill that mother fucker up! I'm gonna kick his ass!
K: Yes, we just witnessed Rick beating his children!
R: Look he is a child molester! Child abuser!
M: Remember his name is Jerry Dixon... It's D-I-X-O-N! [All laugh]!
R: Fill it up, seriously. Go.
K: [To Mykee] He wants a drink!
K2: Well do you have any more?
K: No, that was it!
R: No, no, no wait, I don't have any kids. But I plan to have some.
K2: Wanted to clarify that huh?
K: Now we get to the question. Do you PLAN to have some children?
R: I plan to have some someday...
K: Well, Thanks for the interview!
R: Sure!

And off to mingle and enjoy the hospitality of Harpos we went...