Page 15 - ISSUE 21

ROCKNATION ISSUE 21 PAGE 15
MOONSHINE

Interview by Tom Mathers

Rocknation: Hello Derek Davis of Moonshine and welcome you been in any other blues rock projects?
to Rocknation. The band will be releasing a “Self Titled” Derek: Besides American Blues box and Moonshine no I
CD on Southern Blood Records. Please tell us how this have not, but when you here a guy like Buzzy James play
band came together. slide guitar like Duane Allman and Mike Malone play keys
Derek: The band came together when Michael Anthony and wail on the harp like he does Its very easy to write
from Van Halen’s guitar tech Craig De Falco put together lyrics an cool melodies to this southern blues style type of
a really cool band and they were looking for a singer. So I music.
checked them out and sang some songs and right away it Rocknation: Please name of blues influences that was
was apparent that we had a really cool sound together. most important to you.
Rocknation: You brought in a music heavy weight Michael Derek: For “Moonshine” its early Aerosmith, Lynyrd
Anthony of Van Halen and Chickenfoot fame. How did Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Elmore James, Son House
Michael come into the picture? & Muddy Waters. Real blues with a hard rock attitude.
Derek: Michael was really behind the band from the start Rocknation: Any funny band stories you had while being
he came to a lot of Practice sessions and jammed with us in this band?
all the time and gave us a lot of good advice. Derek: Watching Valerie Bertinelli Halen chasing and
Rocknation: The band recorded at Eddie Van Halen’s 5150 yelling at Wolfie around the Van Halen back yard with no
studio.This would be a dream come true for any musician make up and in a shower cap and house dress. That was
to record there. Please tell us some highlights you f**kin funny.
remember from that. Rocknation: Thank you for taking time for this interview
Derek: Just being in that studio is like seeing where some and last words to the fans about this Moonshine release?
best guitar work and one of the greatest rock bands Derek: Just check us out We’ve got some really great tunes
recorded in history, and you feel very fortunate to be on this record. People can get a chance to hear the tunes if
recording in the same studio. Hanging with Alex and they like at either of our sites.
Michael, seeing all the people that moved in and out of
their family’s lives. Seeing how VH worked as a band, www.Southernbloodrecords.com
Watching the super bowl at Michael Anthony’s house while www.facebook.com/Moonshinesouthernrockband
“Right Here Right Now” was played at commercial time
and the VH guys hi-fiving every
time because they made some-
thing like a million bucks every
time that song played. It was
pretty f**kin amazing.
Rocknation: Did Moonshine ever
perform live or showcases for
labels?
Derek: We played a lot of shows
up and down the coast of
California. Sony, Columbia, A&M
Records were all interested in
USA. We also played at Sammy
Hagar’s “Cabo Wabo” a few times
in Cabo San Lucas. We had a lot
of people jam with us all the time
on stage, Zakk Wylde, James
Lomenzo, Sammy Hagar and
Michael Anthony. We had so many
great gigs and good times with
everybody.
Rocknation: You’ve always had
a blues influence seen in your
American Blues Box release. Have