Steve Bello - The Big Interview
Photo courtesy of Rob Acocella/Digimmortal Photos
2012 has been a massive year for Loud-Stuff, we've caught up with bands from all over the world, heard music which has blown us away, and managed to keep going somehow! It's also been a mahoosive year for Mr Steve Bello, guitarist extraordinaire and all round nice bloke. We were talking the other day and thought it might be a cool idea to sum up just how much he's been up to in the form of an interview, so after a lot of talking, joking, reminiscing and general banter, the results can be seen below. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the summary of 2012 courtesy of Loud-Stuff and Steve Bello - prepare to find out what his favourite guitar is, who he'd most like to jam with, and what 2013 holds in store.
So, Mr Bello – it’s been a while since we last caught up – would you care to try and sum up the last year in one (and only one!) word for us?
--Intense!
We checked out the album, Go Berzerk and loved what we heard, so have a lot more people caught on to it since we last spoke?
--Yes, I am genuinely amazed and shocked that the album has done so well. I have been doing instrumental music since 2003 and with each album, I would get a few new listeners here and there. But for some reason, I guess it boils down to timing, this album really lit a fire under peoples' asses. Releasing "Surfing To Venus" as a first "single" on MySpace was the ice-breaker. I did fear that a lot of people would think the whole album was going to sound like that one tune. But again, they bought copies of it and liked the rest of the material. I guess I struck a nerve, who knows?
So thinking more specifically about the music you play and the musicians you’ve played with, who are your influences seeing as your style is so diverse?
--I grew up on hard rock and heavy metal, of course, but funk slipped into the picture when I was 13. I heard James Brown's "I Feel Good" and my heart just stopped. I also got into the Police, Squeeze, Joe Jackson, The Cars, and the like from that era. I didn't like Prince at first but when I heard his guitar work on "Let's Go Crazy", that was it for me. I became a big Prince fan after that.
So when we checked out Go Berzerk we heard all sorts of influences going on in your music, was that a conscious decision or did the album just naturally end up sounding as it did?
--I write what I feel. Some days I am in a Zeppelin mood, others it's funk or jazz. Whatever comes out, that's what I work with. I can't force things, that would cheapen the music. All my albums have one thing in common: anything goes.
I see you sold a copy to Japan – does that mean that you’re going to be the next big rock act over there?
--I sold two copies in Japan, so someone book me at the Budokan! (laughs) Right now, it's all baby steps for me. If someone in Japan truly showed interest in booking me over there, and it would prove to be a hit, then I would hop the first plane out tonight. I look at it this way: guys like Richie Kotzen and George Lynch are still worshipped over there, so I might have a fighting chance (laughs).
So, Mr Bello – it’s been a while since we last caught up – would you care to try and sum up the last year in one (and only one!) word for us?
--Intense!
We checked out the album, Go Berzerk and loved what we heard, so have a lot more people caught on to it since we last spoke?
--Yes, I am genuinely amazed and shocked that the album has done so well. I have been doing instrumental music since 2003 and with each album, I would get a few new listeners here and there. But for some reason, I guess it boils down to timing, this album really lit a fire under peoples' asses. Releasing "Surfing To Venus" as a first "single" on MySpace was the ice-breaker. I did fear that a lot of people would think the whole album was going to sound like that one tune. But again, they bought copies of it and liked the rest of the material. I guess I struck a nerve, who knows?
So thinking more specifically about the music you play and the musicians you’ve played with, who are your influences seeing as your style is so diverse?
--I grew up on hard rock and heavy metal, of course, but funk slipped into the picture when I was 13. I heard James Brown's "I Feel Good" and my heart just stopped. I also got into the Police, Squeeze, Joe Jackson, The Cars, and the like from that era. I didn't like Prince at first but when I heard his guitar work on "Let's Go Crazy", that was it for me. I became a big Prince fan after that.
So when we checked out Go Berzerk we heard all sorts of influences going on in your music, was that a conscious decision or did the album just naturally end up sounding as it did?
--I write what I feel. Some days I am in a Zeppelin mood, others it's funk or jazz. Whatever comes out, that's what I work with. I can't force things, that would cheapen the music. All my albums have one thing in common: anything goes.
I see you sold a copy to Japan – does that mean that you’re going to be the next big rock act over there?
--I sold two copies in Japan, so someone book me at the Budokan! (laughs) Right now, it's all baby steps for me. If someone in Japan truly showed interest in booking me over there, and it would prove to be a hit, then I would hop the first plane out tonight. I look at it this way: guys like Richie Kotzen and George Lynch are still worshipped over there, so I might have a fighting chance (laughs).
Instrumental guitar work has to be something that is somewhat of a niche market, so how easy is it to get out and do shows? Do the audiences respond well to the sort of thing you hammer out?
--It's easier to get the albums out than anything else. Clubs are hesitant to book this style of music unless you are a guarantee draw. They want bands that bring a drinking crowd and I can understand that. Having said that, I think when people hear the name Steve Bello Band, they think it's going to be like Dave Matthews Band or something of that nature. I like that the music is a challenge for the audience. When my band played the Starland back in February, one of my friends told me that a girl standing next to him said, "You know this guy? He looks like he dropped from Mars!" Perfect! I did my job (laughs) Quickfire round – one name for each question please – person you would most like to: - Have dinner with: Steve Vai - Record an album with: I already did one song with TM but I would be up for a whole album! - Rid the world of: I am not answering this question because even though I have my share of haters, I would never want to rid the world of anyone. - Sit and talk with: Rush! |
Looking over the year from what I’ve seen you’ve done a hell of a lot with your time – how was it opening up for Uli Roth and Leslie West?
--I didn't bring enough underwear that night. When Smitty booked the show, I thought I was hearing things. But when he slapped the tickets in my hand and said, "Okay Bello, it's your time", I thought I was going to lose my lunch. I promoted the hell out of that show, and so did my friend/promoter Genni Laggan, and it turned out to be a big success. Uli Roth was definitely super-cool and had a wicked sense of humour. He had me in stitches! But when he started playing "Sails Of Charon" in front of me, I was ready to throw my guitar in the middle of the highway (laughs). I didn't get to meet Leslie West but I'll tell you what, he was truly amazing, soulful as all hell, and had tone for miles.
--I didn't bring enough underwear that night. When Smitty booked the show, I thought I was hearing things. But when he slapped the tickets in my hand and said, "Okay Bello, it's your time", I thought I was going to lose my lunch. I promoted the hell out of that show, and so did my friend/promoter Genni Laggan, and it turned out to be a big success. Uli Roth was definitely super-cool and had a wicked sense of humour. He had me in stitches! But when he started playing "Sails Of Charon" in front of me, I was ready to throw my guitar in the middle of the highway (laughs). I didn't get to meet Leslie West but I'll tell you what, he was truly amazing, soulful as all hell, and had tone for miles.
I’m sure a lot of our readers have heard of TM Stevens as well, how was it doing some recording with him in the studio?
--I had my ass handed to me at every turn but it was truly a huge thrill being in his studio and playing guitar next to his bass licks. When you have a track record like TM's, you don't do anything except zip your lip and listen to him. He wrote a song for the Warwick 30th Anniversary Festival (it happened back in September in Germany) and called me with "I want YOU on this tune!" I dropped everything, grabbed my guitar and told my wife "See ya tomorrow!" (laughs) How did that one even come about? --My wife and I have known TM since 1993, he had just joined Steve Vai's band. We hit it off really well and that was that. He asked me to perform with him back in June at the Starland with TC Tolliver on drums. Side note: TC was in the Plasmatics, so everyone get out your copy of COUP D'ETAT! (laughs) That show was just off the charts, the |
Do either of the two stand out as particular high points or was it just generally something which you enjoyed?
--I must admit that I was more into Uli Roth, as he was a hero of mine growing up. Knowing that I was going to open for him was scary but in a good way. Minutes before the show, I thought to myself, "All these people are here have no idea what they are in for...and neither do I!" Uli was just powerful, dynamic, and a joy to watch. I really felt like I was 15 again. Leslie definitely won everyone over, for real. When he did "People Get Ready" as his opener, the Starland suddenly felt like church (laughs). What is it about Uli Roth that makes his music connect with you so well? --He is a very patient shredder (laughs). I am a very immature shredder, I feel the need to impress everyone with my chops. But watching Uli perform was a lesson in patience and being Zen-like with the guitar. He certainly tore everyones' heads off that night but it was because his playing was so elegant and perfect. Maybe one day I will finally calm down and not worry about what people think of my playing. |
Brighton Bar was just going apeshit over the music, the walls were sweating too! It was definitely a huge highlight for me, no question. After that gig, TM called me and asked if I would be into playing on his song. That was it.
You mention that you first met TM when he’d just joined Steve Vai’s band, did you get to meet Steve Vai at any point or get to jam with him?
--I met Vai three times in my life. First time was in 1996 but it was a quick "Hey how are you?" thing. The second time was another one of those "Glad to see you again" moments. The third time I got to really talk to him and we had a great conversation about our mothers (laughs). He started talking about how his mom wouldn't let him see Alice Cooper on the BILLION DOLLAR BABIES tour. I said that my parents wouldn't let me see Roth on EAT EM AND SMILE, but I got to finally see Vai and Sheehan together once in my life. I can die a happy man now. But Vai is definitely a gentleman, a true class act in this world.
We’ve got to ask as well, the whole jamming with Misstallica thing – how did that one come about because there’s kind of a whole gender difference thing going on there?
--I have known the two guitar players, Gina Gleason and Leanne Martz, for a while. And one day Gina just called me and asked, "Dude, you wanna jam with us on a couple of tunes for this grand opening at Guitar Center?" And like TM, I said, "Lay it on me, give me some tunes!" No rehearsals, no nothing, it was all off-the-cuff and it was so much fun! I really felt like I was inside the KILL EM ALL album, these girls really nailed that classic Metallica sound to the letter.
Was it daunting jamming with an all female outfit or did they welcome you in?
--It was not daunting at all, it was a great challenge for me and it went really well. I remember standing there watching their soundcheck, and thinking "They have more balls than most guys that play thrash metal!" (laughs) When Gina asked me "Do you want to do soundcheck with 'Motorbreath'?" I strapped on my guitar and let it rip. Felt so natural, and Gina gave me a high-five. I was sworn in (laughs). I even told my wife before I drove down to the show that, "I get to play Metallica with all girls...how sweet is that?!"
You mention that you first met TM when he’d just joined Steve Vai’s band, did you get to meet Steve Vai at any point or get to jam with him?
--I met Vai three times in my life. First time was in 1996 but it was a quick "Hey how are you?" thing. The second time was another one of those "Glad to see you again" moments. The third time I got to really talk to him and we had a great conversation about our mothers (laughs). He started talking about how his mom wouldn't let him see Alice Cooper on the BILLION DOLLAR BABIES tour. I said that my parents wouldn't let me see Roth on EAT EM AND SMILE, but I got to finally see Vai and Sheehan together once in my life. I can die a happy man now. But Vai is definitely a gentleman, a true class act in this world.
We’ve got to ask as well, the whole jamming with Misstallica thing – how did that one come about because there’s kind of a whole gender difference thing going on there?
--I have known the two guitar players, Gina Gleason and Leanne Martz, for a while. And one day Gina just called me and asked, "Dude, you wanna jam with us on a couple of tunes for this grand opening at Guitar Center?" And like TM, I said, "Lay it on me, give me some tunes!" No rehearsals, no nothing, it was all off-the-cuff and it was so much fun! I really felt like I was inside the KILL EM ALL album, these girls really nailed that classic Metallica sound to the letter.
Was it daunting jamming with an all female outfit or did they welcome you in?
--It was not daunting at all, it was a great challenge for me and it went really well. I remember standing there watching their soundcheck, and thinking "They have more balls than most guys that play thrash metal!" (laughs) When Gina asked me "Do you want to do soundcheck with 'Motorbreath'?" I strapped on my guitar and let it rip. Felt so natural, and Gina gave me a high-five. I was sworn in (laughs). I even told my wife before I drove down to the show that, "I get to play Metallica with all girls...how sweet is that?!"
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Playing Metallica with 5 girls sounds pretty cool - can we expect to see any future guest appearances of this sort or was that a one off?
--Well it was four girls in the band but I seem to fit right in, huh? (laughs) I like to sit in with bands and just blend with the furniture. There's no "pressure" of me trying to prove myself, I just go with the flow of the songs that are given to me. Whether I am jamming Metallica, The Who, or Wild Cherry, I like to have fun...something I forget to do at times (laughs). So on top of all of this, you also got to meet Bootsy Collins and Larry Graham this year – how on earth did that come about and what were they like? --Bootsy stopped by where I work, at DR Strings. My wife is the reason why I got into him, so when I shook his hand, I told him that. He just stepped back and said, "Ah, you got a lovely lady there, you keep her!" (laughs) He also knew that I played with TM and he said, "He's the beast from the east!" It was very surreal meeting Bootsy, trust me. As for Larry Graham, his band was performing in Hackensack at a street fair. I got to talk to him for a few minutes and he was very gracious, and so was his wife. He liked my Led Zeppelin shirt too so now I am going to dip it in gold (laughs) |
So having met all of these people and jammed with them, if there was one musician you had the chance to play alongside who you haven’t already, who would it be?
--I would love to jam with Prince, that would be awesome.
Why Prince?
--He's just mesmerizing, tremendously talented, knows how to get the crowd eating out of the palm of his hands. Plus he is a ripping guitar player, definitely one of my favourites in the non-metal world.
So aside from all of your live performances and recording sessions, have there been any other particular high points of the year for you?
--Oh wow, everything that has happened to me has been so amazing, but seeing my face in the Ibanez catalog early this year really knocked me out! There I was on page 43, next to Billy The Bat from the band Kitty In A Casket! I can start living (laughs). Also, seeing my bass player Joe DeMott get hooked up with Warwick basses back in April this year, that was magical! He deserves the accolades and the praise. He is such an amazing bass player...words really can't describe it properly.
A Morley deal as well as endorsing Ibanez guitars - surely that's living the dream for any guitarist out there?
--Of course! I am trying to get a deal with Converse sneakers. Can anyone pass my name along? (laughs)
I know you've worked with Ibanez for years now, but how did the Morley one come about?
--TM let me use some pedals in his studio and he had this Morley Pro Series Wah that grabbed me. I loved the sound of it and said to him, "Damn, I should've kept my Bad Horsie." He called Bill Wenzloff right there and said, "Email Bello tomorrow, hook him up." And that was that. Literally took a week for me to get things going and next thing I know, TM calls me with "Bill hooked you up, man! Go on the site!" Mind-blowing!
Out of all of the guitars you’ve ever played then, is there a particular favourite model of yours?
--Of course I love all my Ibanez guitars for different reasons, but my RG7420MC 7-string has been my go-to guitar for almost 12 years
--I would love to jam with Prince, that would be awesome.
Why Prince?
--He's just mesmerizing, tremendously talented, knows how to get the crowd eating out of the palm of his hands. Plus he is a ripping guitar player, definitely one of my favourites in the non-metal world.
So aside from all of your live performances and recording sessions, have there been any other particular high points of the year for you?
--Oh wow, everything that has happened to me has been so amazing, but seeing my face in the Ibanez catalog early this year really knocked me out! There I was on page 43, next to Billy The Bat from the band Kitty In A Casket! I can start living (laughs). Also, seeing my bass player Joe DeMott get hooked up with Warwick basses back in April this year, that was magical! He deserves the accolades and the praise. He is such an amazing bass player...words really can't describe it properly.
A Morley deal as well as endorsing Ibanez guitars - surely that's living the dream for any guitarist out there?
--Of course! I am trying to get a deal with Converse sneakers. Can anyone pass my name along? (laughs)
I know you've worked with Ibanez for years now, but how did the Morley one come about?
--TM let me use some pedals in his studio and he had this Morley Pro Series Wah that grabbed me. I loved the sound of it and said to him, "Damn, I should've kept my Bad Horsie." He called Bill Wenzloff right there and said, "Email Bello tomorrow, hook him up." And that was that. Literally took a week for me to get things going and next thing I know, TM calls me with "Bill hooked you up, man! Go on the site!" Mind-blowing!
Out of all of the guitars you’ve ever played then, is there a particular favourite model of yours?
--Of course I love all my Ibanez guitars for different reasons, but my RG7420MC 7-string has been my go-to guitar for almost 12 years
What makes it stand out to you?
--It's magenta! Plus the neck feels so right, and every time I pick it up, songs come out. And also, my daughter named it Pinkie when she was 2 years old back in 2001, so it stayed! Music wise, if we were to somehow track down what you’ve been listening to since January 2012, has there been one album that’s really stood out as a favourite? --I only get to pick one? Sigh...I really dig the band Thank You Scientist, and their new album MAPS OF NON-EXISTENT PLACES. It was one of those albums that came out of nowhere and kicked me in the teeth. Amazing songs, great musicianship, and just off-the-wall! Do you still get a chance to follow a lot of music coming out or is it something that's harder to fit in these days? --I try to keep an ear open but now I sound like my dad, "Everything sounds the same to me" (laughs). But bands like Thank You Scientist, Animals As Leaders, and Between The Buried And Me really offer some inspiring and original music. I like having those bands enter my brainwaves, you know? |
Do you think that the way music is released is changing given how easy it is to download tracks, or do you think there's still a market for hard copies?
--I was surprised when I released GO BERZERK! that people wanted hard copies over downloads. That impressed me. Downloading is obviously more convenient but I personally like the thrill of cracking open a cd case or a vinyl album sleeve. There's magic in those mediums; looking at a 2x2 album cover on iTunes just doesn't cut it for me. I think a lot of consumers want that thrill again.
We've seen a lot of new styles of music coming out this year, do you think the world of rock and metal has changed or is the solid foundation still the same?
--Music has to change, whether we like it or not. The overall core of heavy metal is still present but it's been morphed into so many sub-genres, it can get very confusing and taxing. But the end result is the same: as long as it's loud and pisses parents off, then it works.
So seeing as we’re summarising your 2012 – what has been the biggest thing to happen music wise for you this year?
--Oh man...gotta be playing with TM, that's it. If we never play together again, I will be okay with that. Playing with him was truly the most magical experience ever. I can't thank him enough for letting me work with him.
So we've summed up your 2012, let's look ahead to 2013 - anything in the pipeline at the moment?
--Right now, I have nothing on the horizon at all. I think I like that. I was always consumed by "I need to do new music" but in truth, I am tired of subscribing to that feeling. When the planets line up, and the muse taps me on the shoulder, then I will do new music.
Do you think that given the number of people you've jammed with and recorded with that your style is developing and changing, could this potentially impact on future music we hear from you?
--You're only as good as the people you play with, so everyone whose come along my way has impacted my musical direction to some extent. Who knows? My next album could sound like nothing you would expect from me, or it could be a continuation of my previous works. Again, whatever happens...happens.
Finally, thanks for taking the time to answer all of these questions for us Steve, hugely appreciated of course! This is your chance to make your one statement to man kind, kind of your message to close the year off - what have you got to say?
--This has been one hell of a year, believe me. I've learned so much in a short span of time, if you think about it. I am truly blessed with such a loving and patient family, as well as caring and patient friends. I look back on my year and think "Wow, did I really open for Uli? Did I actually perform with TM?" I take nothing for granted, and have worked my tailbone off to get to this point. Whatever 2013 brings, I am ready. Bring it!!
You can check out what we thought of Go Berzerk from Steve Bello when we checked it out HERE, and read what he had to say the first time we caught up with him HERE.
Big thanks to Steve for taking time out to speak to us!
Questions: Dave Nicholls
--I was surprised when I released GO BERZERK! that people wanted hard copies over downloads. That impressed me. Downloading is obviously more convenient but I personally like the thrill of cracking open a cd case or a vinyl album sleeve. There's magic in those mediums; looking at a 2x2 album cover on iTunes just doesn't cut it for me. I think a lot of consumers want that thrill again.
We've seen a lot of new styles of music coming out this year, do you think the world of rock and metal has changed or is the solid foundation still the same?
--Music has to change, whether we like it or not. The overall core of heavy metal is still present but it's been morphed into so many sub-genres, it can get very confusing and taxing. But the end result is the same: as long as it's loud and pisses parents off, then it works.
So seeing as we’re summarising your 2012 – what has been the biggest thing to happen music wise for you this year?
--Oh man...gotta be playing with TM, that's it. If we never play together again, I will be okay with that. Playing with him was truly the most magical experience ever. I can't thank him enough for letting me work with him.
So we've summed up your 2012, let's look ahead to 2013 - anything in the pipeline at the moment?
--Right now, I have nothing on the horizon at all. I think I like that. I was always consumed by "I need to do new music" but in truth, I am tired of subscribing to that feeling. When the planets line up, and the muse taps me on the shoulder, then I will do new music.
Do you think that given the number of people you've jammed with and recorded with that your style is developing and changing, could this potentially impact on future music we hear from you?
--You're only as good as the people you play with, so everyone whose come along my way has impacted my musical direction to some extent. Who knows? My next album could sound like nothing you would expect from me, or it could be a continuation of my previous works. Again, whatever happens...happens.
Finally, thanks for taking the time to answer all of these questions for us Steve, hugely appreciated of course! This is your chance to make your one statement to man kind, kind of your message to close the year off - what have you got to say?
--This has been one hell of a year, believe me. I've learned so much in a short span of time, if you think about it. I am truly blessed with such a loving and patient family, as well as caring and patient friends. I look back on my year and think "Wow, did I really open for Uli? Did I actually perform with TM?" I take nothing for granted, and have worked my tailbone off to get to this point. Whatever 2013 brings, I am ready. Bring it!!
You can check out what we thought of Go Berzerk from Steve Bello when we checked it out HERE, and read what he had to say the first time we caught up with him HERE.
Big thanks to Steve for taking time out to speak to us!
Questions: Dave Nicholls