Page 13 - ISSUE 9

ROCKNATION ISSUE 9 PAGE 13
An Interview with Greg Frazer of with the lead in bass line, which is
funky, groovy, crunky, and every-
thing else you can think of. Also,
it sounds like something Hendrix
would love to play. Tell me a little
about the track.
Interview by: Derrick Miller Greg: I would love to hear what
Hendrix would have did with this
decided to take the plunge as a vocalist song. I’m sure he would have just
and have never looked back. ripped it up! When Fraze Gang gets togeth-
er we like to jam. Everything goes! When
Rocknation: First off, thanks for taking the Rocknation: I hear a lot of Hendrix in your we do lock in, the energy is amazing and
guitar playing as well as vocals. Is it fair to
time to talk with Rocknation today. We are say Hendrix is one of your influences? we’re always looking for that spark. “Sugar immediately went out & hunted for anything
here to talk about your new release with Greg: He was one of my influences, but Daddy” is a perfect example of a song that on Rory Gallagher and really discovered
your brand new band, Fraze Gang. So, for I would have to say that Jimmy Page & came together as a result of putting ev- the blues from him. I like the blues when
those aren’t familiar with your band, what is Ritchie Blackmore were more of an influ- erything out there. “No holds barred!” Play there’s an edge to it instead of the more
your music all about? ence because that’s who I was trying to what comes natural as it happens. I had traditional blues. I like guys that can rock
Greg: It’s about getting back to the feelings learn songs from when I first started getting the riff & I threw it out there & the band took out like Frank Marino, Robin Trower, Jimmy
and passion we had for playing music in into to guitar. it to the next level. Stevie did some great Page. We went for that old honky tonk
the basement with some friends like we did Rocknation: You were also a touring mem- lyrics & the song fell into place. blues feel for “Hot Rod” bringing back those
back in our teenage years. It’s about play- ber of the band Helix, one of Canada’s Rocknation: You are known as a guitarist, memories of playing in some biker bar &
ing what feels right instead of trying to fit in greatest rock bands. What did you learn but, how comfortable were you branching everybody is dancing on the table drunk &
with whatever the latest fad is. We grew up from vocalist Brian Vollmer as a singer? out as a singer? having the time of their life!
listening and learning mostly British rock Greg: I learned to treat your voice like it’s Greg: It was a little uncomfortable at first Rocknation: Tell me about the other band
like Deep Purple, Zeppelin and that reflects an instrument. Brian warmed up before ev- but now I think I’ve settled in. A lot of the members, and what they bring to the over-
in our approach to making music in that, we ery show & he very rarely if ever had a bad fans have shown their gratitude & I’ve also all Fraze Gang sound.
don’t care if we’re current or not. We wear night vocally. He usually nails it every time. seen some nice reviews which helps boost Greg: Stevie Skreebs, our bass player,
our hearts on our sleeves. We’re just 3 It’s all about finding what’s in your range my confidence. I never had any desire to played with me back in the Brighton Rock
Canadian dudes who like to get together & and knowing your limitations. become a front man growing up but now days and we’ve been jamming together
kick some ass! Rocknation: Let’s get into some of the new that I am, it’s a lot of fun. Stevie, our bass for 30 years. He knows how to lay it down
Rocknation: You are probably best known songs. “Jackhammer” is a slammin’, heavy player, might sing a couple of songs on the and still kicks ass live. Phil Epp, our drum-
as the guitarist for the band Brighton Rock, as hell rocker. In fact, it’s a bit heavier than next CD and we might have a special guest mer, is a rock back there behind the drum
a band you joined at a really young age everything else on your new CD. Was that vocalist on one song kit. He knows how to lock in and hold it
and ended up touring the world with. In the first song you actually wrote for the just to add some spice down. We’ve been playing with
your words, how does Fraze Gang differ new CD or was it just something that you to the mix. Should be Phil on & off for 15 years and
from Brighton Rock? thought you had to start the CD off with? interesting. we’ve become a lot tighter unit
Greg: The vocals definitely sound different, Greg: We originally released this CD on our Rocknation: You obvi- as result. Phil & Stevie play very
but in a lot of ways there are some similari- website only. Bongo Beat Records signed ously have an affinity well together and have a solid
ties. Being the chief songwriter for Brighton us & wanted to release it “Worldwide” but for the blues, as ev- foundation which is great for me
Rock, my writing style hasn’t changed also wanted to totally change the artwork eryone will hear on the because I get to create some
that much. I still draw my inspiration from & cover design. We knew that was going final track, “Hot Rod.” ideas & know the “groove” will be
70’s guitar rock and I think it shows in our to be a long process. During that time I Greg: The blues is there.
music. continued to write music and “Jackham- everything that Rock Rocknation: What do your tour
Rocknation: In your current band, you mer” was a song that stuck out to me. So I & Roll is based on. plans look like over the summer?
actually take on lead vocals as well as lead brought it to the guys and once they sunk It’s all about emotion Any festival dates or tour planes
guitar. What made you want to make that their teeth into it, the song came alive. & putting it out there in the U.S.?
leap to become the front man as well as Legendary producer Beau Hill (Ratt, War- warts & all. My first Greg: We have some big shows
lead guitarist? rant, Alice Cooper, Winger & Europe) was concert when I was 13 coming up in Toronto this sum-
Greg: In Brighton Rock I was the lead gui- expressing interest in remixing some of our was Rory Gallagher mer and there’s talk about some
tarist and I had a blast doing it, so I didn’t tracks and we thought “wouldn’t be cool if opening for the Doobie possible US dates and European
want to give that up but becoming a front Beau mixed Jackhammer!” So he agreed Brothers. Rory is an also. We would love to come to
man was not my first intention at all. In fact, & when we heard the finished result we incredible blues guitar- the US to play and hope that’ll
I even had singers at my house singing my knew it had to be the lead off track. ist that blew my mind happen soon!
songs trying to find that right voice, but it Rocknation: I absolutely love the song that night. His tone & www.frazegang.com www.myspace/frazegang
never felt right. So I got tired of waiting and “Sugar Daddy,” with the way it starts, and vibrato was unreal. I