The Classic Metal Show recently conducted an interview with former GREAT WHITE vocalist Jack Russell. In the interview Russell talks about his drug use and if the emotional effects of the Station fire were part of the reason he turned so heavily to drugs. He was also questioned about the possibility of a Great White reunion. Excerpts are below:

The Classic Metal Show: We've always felt that maybe the reason you fell into a harder run with partying and whatnot came after the fire. Not necessarily for the rest of the band, but for you specifically because you were out front and you were, more or less, the face of the Station Fire. It's our guess, and we don't know, but was that what...

Jack Russell: “You know, I think that has a lot to do with it. I've been through numerous counselling sessions about that. That was put on my shoulders. At first I made comments like, ‘You know, I've got big shoulders’ and stuff like that, but in the end, nobody can handle something like that. It was just tragic; tragic...so many people lost their lives. The ripple effect of that... you can't even imagine how big that is. Every time someone wants me to talk about the fire, I just can't anymore because no matter what I say, I hurt somebody's feelings. I piss somebody off. I don't say something right or somebody doesn't think I'm remorseful when I should be. You know, this was really, really hard on me. I'm not saying that it wasn't hard on anybody else, too. Certainly it was harder on most people than it was on me. Nobody got out of that place unscarred physically or mentally or psychologically or spiritually. It was a really horrible ordeal, and I'm sorry it ever happened. There was nothing I could have done about it. If there was, I would have.”

The Classic Metal Show: Do you see anywhere, down the road, where this breach (with his former bandmates) could be repaired?

Jack Russell: “You know what? I like to think that time heals all wounds. I've been trying to keep my mouth shut. We all had things to say initially, and I said, ‘let's just shut it down with the words now.’ I was watching this video interview the other day, and they're still going on and on and on saying stuff, like ‘Jack wasn't involved in the song writing.’ OK, well I have more song writing credits than anyone else in Great White. Then Mark (Kendall)'s saying ‘Oh, Jack's name must not mean much or he wouldn't have to use JACK'S GREAT WHITE’. So I'm thinking, ‘why don't you go out as Mark Kendall and see and see how great you do.’ Then the guy says, ‘since you guys own the trademark, how come it's such a hassle with the court and everything,’ and they just kind of him and hawed. I'm thinking, ‘guys, c'mon. You don't own the trademark, and that's why we're going to court.’ Then they said about how their publicist is doing such a great job of keeping things from being confused with all the advertisements. There was just one show in New Mexico where the ad had eight pictures, and they were all of me. So it's like, ‘guys, just shut up!’ They're not getting anything right, so just don't talk about Jack at all. That's all I want to say about that, but as far as wanting to get back together again, well, if they stop being idiots, then who knows? Every time they open their mouths, they stick their foot in it. I'm getting tired of it. I just want it all to go away. I want the lawyers to handle it, and the courts to handle it, and I just want to sit in my boat.”

To listen to the whole interview visit iTunes and subscribe to the podcast. The Classic Metal Show airs live Saturdays from 9PM-3AM (EST).