My Lukather Interview w/ 2nd Half Added!!!!

[Rockinreggie]

Part 2 (Feb 19th)

Reggie: Even though you're actually only in the studio for a few weeks for this new CD there's a lot more work and time spent on this than people may not realize.

Luke: "Honestly the song writing aspect with C. J. Vanston, we had a tune at the end of every day. We didn't have the lyrics done but we had the melodies, to the point where I even used some of the music on the record. The 'demo stuff' on Pro Tools now days is so hi-fi that I just overdubbed my guys over the top of it. Everybody's still playing on it but some of the sounds that C.J. got you could NEVER replicate! So I just used it! The other stuff was cut live. But like I said it was one or two songs a day, cutting wise. And then the overdubs. I spent a long time getting guitar sounds, layering guitars. That's the most fun for me. Experimenting with different amps. That part of it is a groove. And having guys like Lenny (Castro) is always a kick! I've NEVER done a record without Lenny in 33 years! He is one of the most consistent people in my life."

Reggie: How about picking the songs to use,the songs to eliminate and the direction of the C.D.?

Luke: "I still have a couple of songs that I haven't cut yet. I am questioning as this record takes shape now to shy away from the more obviously pop things. It's still very melodic, as you've heard. But some of the sweeter, ballady things I'm shying away from. I have a couple of things in the can that I can bring to the table. We have eight songs cut, that I really love! NONE of those songs do I want to can. So it's a matter of picking the next three. I've got to finish the vocals on a couple of those tunes. I've got a couple of (guitar) solos done, three actually. I need a couple of burnin' ones! And that requires time! I'm digging deep to try and make this right. I'm not just playing to fill up space. I'm also not trying to impress all of my guitar player friends by playing flashy stuff. I'm trying to play interesting melodic stuff. But at the same time there is some responsibility to burn on some stuff. I really haven't done that yet, step on the gas a little bit! I may save some of that for when I come back from roasting two sets a night with Robben (Ford) and the beautiful cats! My chops will be way up when I get back! I'll probably play all kinds of weird alien music! 'Mac' will be 'what the fuck'? Can you play in somewhat of the right key of the song?'

Reggie: You're on a new Record Label Mascot. Can you tell us about that?

Luke: "Ya, Mascot-Provogue Records. They're two different labels. Mascot is one and Provogue is the other. Provogue is the one that my bro Joe Bonamassa is on. What they've done for Joe has just been extraordinary! Ed, the President is just a genius. I really like his demeanor as opposed to the harsh demeanor that I've had to deal with in the past. Let's just leave that at that. We live in a day and age where if you don't kiss somebody's ass, they attack you! And you can print that! Some people don't understand my sense of humor. And they pretend to know me when they've never met me or met me when I was in an altered state, which I don't do anymore. But I have to own some of that. I have been an asshole before and I apologize for that. I already have. I don't find anything wrong at all from using profanity. What does that mean? Profanity to me is watching somebody get their head blown off. You can watch that on T. V. and people don't even fuckin' yawn! I say a word and everybody get's in a tizzy. The severity that Middle America puts on certain words is funny. The more it offends people the more I want to use it! I don't mean anything by it. I use that word in front of my wife, she doesn't care. It's like saying 'that guy's a Mother Fucker' and you mean it in a really nice way. Like that's a Mother Fucker guitar player. Or he's a Mother Fucker, great guy. But if you say he's a Mother Fucker, it's all in the way you say it! Like fuck is one of the great words in life. It's a noun, a verb an adjective. It's all how you use it. So guys lighten up! What's the worst part of being an atheist? You have nobody to talk to when you're getting a blow job! And you can print that! There are tremendous horrors in the world I don't think I am one of them. Hope not anyway."

Reggie: I've been in the studio with you for a few days now and see how much work goes on. How did you manage to work on this and the "Six String Theory" record at the same time?

Luke: "Well I picked a good time not to be partying anymore. That and chasing a baby and learning all the material I had to learn to woodshed in the morning at 6 a.m. practicing. I'm more focused than I've ever been. Probably since I've been 15 years old. Motivated, sober of mind and spirit. I have a lot to prove to myself and everybody else. I'm not skating on my past anymore. A new year a new decade and a new me. I'm going to try and be the best me that I can. I'm not going to be Jimi Hendrix, I wish I was, but I'm not. I'm working very hard at my craft. This record is crucial to me. I've never done two solo records back to back. I'm very serious about all of this. There are so many things going my way. I'm very excited. I'm very positive about it all. I'm just hoping for positive results. I've got a new label. A new vibe. It's fantastic!"

Reggie: From what I've heard so far the record sounds great.

Luke: "Thanks, man. Tell your friends! I really appreciate that."

Reggie: You hit me up for my friend Vince Gills' phone number. Would you possibly do something with him musically?

Luke: "I'd love to hang with Vince. We've had the same managers (Larry Fitzgerald/Mark Hartley) for years. We always give each other hugs. He's a tremendous man. He's always said nice things about me. We've never played together. I've always wanted to play with him. Do something. Sit in on a tune, live."

Reggie: You've been going to Nashville a lot, maybe you could hook up with him there?

Luke: "That's the thing. That's where he lives. It's like I don't play in L.A. all the time either. I'd have to be something by accident. Or something set up in advance. But he's supposed to be on this "Six String Theory" record. Lee Rittenour is going to go back to Nashville work on the record there. We'll see what happens. I've always wanted to do something with Vince. I admire him as a full on musician. As a guitar player, a great singer."



stevelukather.net, February 4th and 19th 2010