Anchor of WBZC's Shader Radio recently spent some time getting to know Jon Leon, bassist of LA's NWOBHM-influenced metallers, WHITE WIZZARD. In this 10 minute interview, Leon outlines the bigger points of the band's history and beyond. From the making of the devilishly fun 'High Speed GTO' video to the lineup changes that helped to improve the band, it's all covered here. Learn what plans White Wizzard have for touring and recording in 2009 and what famed IRON MAIDEN artist Derek Riggs has to do with it all in this great interview.

Anchor's interview with White Wizzard bassist, Jon Leon can be downloaded here

Earache's newest signings, White Wizzard formed in 2007 and shortly afterwards recorded their High Speed GTO demo, which only made it into the hands of a few select fans. Following a brief period of inactivity, the demo fell into the hands of Earache Records and the 'High Speed GTO' song was included on Heavy Metal Killers, a compilation featuring 13 tracks from the best new traditional-sounding heavy metal bands. The band have since regrouped around band leader Jon Leon with a new line-up. Earache is set to release the High Speed GTO tracks as a mini-album this summer, with the band working towards a full album due later in the year.

White Wizzard's 2009 debut is driven by catchy riffs that aim straight for the hips and the heart. The band is lighter than the norm - there's a nimbleness to the White Wizzard attack and genuine commercial hooks race through all seven songs on the High Speed GTO mini-album.

Bassist and main-man Jon Leon comments on the band's signing: "Earache is an important label in the history of metal music and has always been visionary. I think there is no metal fan out there that does not know Earache as being one of the most recognizable and important labels in the

genre. Though my band harkens back to the older singer/songwriter melodic metal, Earache is expanding and growing and I am sure the same success will be had with many more of the new and up-and-coming bands."

Check out White Wizzard's video for the track 'High Speed GTO' below.

Catch White Wizzard on these dates:

April

17 - Paladino’s - Tarzana, California

May

8 - On The Y Sacramento - Sacramento, California
9 - El Rio - San Francisco, California