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The Steve stevens questionnaire pt 1
The Professional Questions
What can you tell us about Steve Stevens Atomic Playboys?
It was an extremely expensive hobby
Where did the name come from?
During the atomic bomb tests the U.S. was conducting in the 1950's a general
stated that he was not an Atomic Playboy in a press conference. The first time
i saw this film clip was on the tour bus with Billy during the Whiplash Smile tour.
What made you cover the song 'Action'?
I thought for many years it was Queen.....i loved the production.
'Desperate Heart' is the most beautiful song, was it inspired by a personal experience?
No ...actually Beau Hill the producer of the album wrote the lyric
with his girlfriend ....singer Fiona
Same with 'Woman of a 1,000 years' ?
That song i wrote after seeing the film the Hunger. It was inspired as well by
some not so nice characters i have met along the way...ha ha
'Run Across Desert Sands' is an amazing song. You can just picture doing that.
That was the first glimpse of what has led to my solo cd Flamenco A Go Go
Is it something you have done, or would like to do?
Dont understand question
Why did the band split?
because i'd look towards the center of the stage and Idol was'nt there...ha ha
Have you done any other work with Perry McCarty?
No
What else has he done?
Dont know...but i wish him much luck
Can you tell us anything about the song 'Sealed with a Kiss' ? (Eternal damnation?)
(played at the Joint in Las Vegas.) It is an amazing track. How did it come about ?
Man...how did anyone know this one? It was written
with Matt & Duff former Guns & Roses guys
How did you come to part ways with Billy in 88/89?
I was signed to Warner Brothers Records....i do now regret leaving but i can
only say that our friendship has survived that. As Joni Mitchell sez...you dont
know what you got till it's gone...
Was it amicable?
Yes
How did you come to get back together again?
Bill and i always kept in contact
Were you involved with many of the songs that Billy did for his Capitol album?
Not initially ...but towards the end a bit more
How do you feel about it being shelved?
A blessing in disguise
Did you enjoy working with Robert Palmer?
Amazing to work with Robert in Milan Italy...He's a wonderful host.
You once recorded a couple of tracks for an album, around 1991, with
Adam Bomb, was it ever released?
Adam sent me the record and i have to say it is quite chilling. Produced by
Jack Douglas of Aerosmith fame. It is one of the undiscovered New York gems.
Can you tell us anything about Jerusalem Slim; is it correct that
you left before the album was released?
Yes i did
A couple of people who know you have told me that you are quite a shy
person. How do you cope with this when you have to walk onto a stage infront
of thousands of fans?
I am not shy.....just dont talk without reason.
Did you suffer with stage fright in the early days, if so, how did you overcome it?
Never had stage fright
Can you still remember the first time you walked on stage infront of a crowd to play?
I was playing in bars 4 nights a week by the time i was 18
How did you feel?
I love performing I feel truly at home
How do you feel now when you walk on stage? You look completely relaxed, but
do you still get excited, or nervous, or apprehensive etc?
I do still get a bit of the ol' tingles. I would worry if i did'nt...ha ha
How do you react if you are asked to do something you don't really like,
(professionally) would you just go along with it anyway, refuse to do it, or
try & negotiate a compromise?
I am much more willing to negotiate a compromise now that i am older and wiser
Is there a project you have enjoyed working on more than any other ?
I love to travel to europe to work so Robert Palmer &
The Thompson Twins come to mind as great experiences.
Are there any other artistes you would particularly like to work with?
Bjork, LTJ Bukem
How much do you play at home (for pleasure)?
Tons...all the time
Which instruments do you play?
Guitar Bass and this Damm computer
I understand you first started playing guitar at the age of just 7 & 1/2?
How many hours a day did you practice for?
sometimes 4 or 5
Did you have professional training?
well i did take some lessons
At what age did you eventually feel you could say you were really good?
by the ime i was 11
Do you prefer not to do many vocals? Your lead vocals on 'Woman of 1,000
Years' are really good, but we don't see you doing many?
not my bag baby....ha ha
How many guitars do you have ?
about 60
Do you have a favourite one?
yes my Ramirez Flamenco
Do you like to keep to your original ones, or do you replace them
periodically?
i do move on quite a bit
How do you go about writing a song, or tune? Is it a case of just feeling
'in the mood' & writing what comes, or do you set yourself a particular
task?
I usually start with a series of guitar changes...
i will them program loops and grooves around it
Do you generally work around the lyrics, or add the lyrics to the tune?
Thats Bill's job
Do you have a favourite place to go to write?
Anguilla, in the Carribian
How do you get your ideas?
mostly films and life is chock full of love and sorrow
Do you enjoy writing or studio work or live performances the most?
I am very much ready to tour...thank you
Did you enjoy doing the Black Light Syndrome with Terry Bozzio & Tony Levin.
yes
I understand it was recorded after just four days in the studio?
true
Where's the best place to get hold of a copy, any suggestions?
Magna Carta online
Is there an official release date for Flamenco A Go Go yet ?
Feb 29th
Do you plan to tour with it?
possibly
I don't suppose there's any chance of you coming to the UK?
not now...sorry
Will fans be able to get a copy of it in the UK?
yes
Your guitar pics are a constant source of interest & fascination, is there
any chance you could let us have a few examples of the ones you have used
over the years. (Photos are fine) as this will make an interesting section?
Do you design your own ?
yes
Are there any stories behind them?
not really
What is the proudest moment in your professional life?
the Rebel Yell album and tour and Flamenco A Go Go
Do you still have any outstanding ambitions, professionally?
Of course ...i await them still
The Steve stevens questionnaire pt 2
The Personal questions :
What is your full name?
Steve Stevens
What is your height/weight?
5/6 128 lbs
What is your shoe size?
7
What is your religion?
Jewish from Earth
What family do you have ?
Wife (Marlene) Mom (Ruth) & Dad (Edward) & Brother (Eric)
How do you get on with them all?
very well
Has that always been the same?
yes
Did they support your desire to be a musician or did they try & persuade you to take up something more 9 to 5?
Total support
Did you have a strict upbringing?
not really
Is May the 5th 1959 your correct birth date?
yes
If so, how did you spend your 40th birthday?
alone in Hawaii mixing my record
How did it feel to become an uncle?
cool
How do you stay looking so good ??
clean living...ha ha
Do you have a special diet, exercise etc?
I have a trainer Xavier Carrica he is at Fitsource.com
Are you a vegetarian/vegan?
nope
What is your favourite food?
Chinese or anything spicy
What is your favourite drink?
I love Lemonade
Who is your favourite artiste?
Curtis Mayfield
Do you have a favourite song?
Eddy you should know better from Superfly
Do you have a favourite place?
yes but i wont tell you..ha ha
A favourite shop?
Yes many
What schooling did you have?
not much ..I dropped out of the High
Scool Of The
Performing Arts...the school that the film Fame was based on
Did you ever have a 'Plan B', incase being a musician didn't work out ?
never
Did you ever have any other jobs?
worked in a bra factory for young women (this is true)
Where is your favourite holiday place?
Caribian
What is your favourite cologne?
Thierry Muegler Angel for men (at the moment)
Do you have a favourite clothes/jewellery designer?
Love Kisslestein Cord jewelry
How do you relax?
hike, work out, read
How do you socialise?
dinner with friends
Do you do much of it ?
yes
Do you watch much TV? What sort of programmes do you like?
comedy's
Is there a particular time in your life that holds the best memories?
all times good and bad are important to ones growth
The worst?
i forgot already
What music did you listen to in your youth?
lots of weird stuff
Were any of them an influence on your guitar playing?
yes King Crimson and the whole New York scene
What do you like to listen to these days?
lots of Flamenco and electronica
Do you ever get fed up with playing & need to take a break?
sure
What's the longest time you have played for without a break?
3 weeks
Do you ever NOT enjoy playing?
no
Is there a reason why you didn't learn to read music?
lazy
When you are given a piece of music on a tape to play, how many times do you have to hear it before you can play it?
it differs...but i can often play alond without ever having heard it before
You must have an amazing memory?
sometimes
What is the proudest moment in your personal life?
it always give me a chill if my folks are in the audience
Have you ever done anything you have regretted?
sure
What makes you angry?
my anger makes me angry...so i try not to get angry...ha ha
How do you react when you are mad, do you fly into a rage, or more likely to just walk away?
oh i can rage...i'm working on that one
What makes you especially sad?
homeless people
Can you remember the last time something reduced you to tears?
yes my Cat Fellini passing on
Playing live on stage is obviously a great thrill for you; you always seem to be having a hugely enjoyable time. Is there anything that gives you more pleasure?
Not really
What other things give you pleasure?
hey lets keep this a family show...ok?
What are your main dislikes?
the hollywood bullshit
You were involved with the brilliant song, 'Don't need a Gun', but do you actually own a gun?
nope
Where was the video made?
in Hollywood
Do you enjoy making videos?
sometimes...but not always
Do you mind that sometimes the videos don't include yourself or the band who played in the songs ?
depends on how important a role i played in the music
Do you have security protection? Can you walk unbothered down the streets?
oh yes
Do you have any phobias or peculiar ways?
thankfully no
Does anything scare you?
doctors
Is there anything you still hope to achieve personally?
yes......to be in a position to help loads of other great musicians
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