BLACK LABEL SOCIETY bassist John JD Deservio recently spoke to Boston writer Deb Rao about the current Black Label Society European Tour, BLS setlst, highlights of touring Russia, and working with late guitar legend Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE).

Q: JD, Black Label Society is currently on tour in Europe. What have some of the highlights been on the tour so far?

A: "The cities have been amazing! The buildings are so old, there is so much history there."

Q: Would you say Metal is thriving in Russia, and Europe?

A: "Definitely in Europe, metal is thriving. Russia's catching on now too."

Q: What are some of the differences that you have noticed between U.S. Metal festivals and European festivals?

A: "There’s way more in Europe than America, but fans are fans!"

Q: What are you enjoy most about the different cultures that you have experienced so far in Europe?

A: "Just the architecture of the buildings. I'm in Estonia right now, and we were in buildings from the 1200's."

Q: What special effects such as, strings, pedals and amps are you using onstage? Is it more difficult to achieve the sound you are looking for at an arena show versus a theatre setting?

A: "I use my zoom pedal and all my same gear as the States. We got the sound dialed in now!!!"

Q: Black Label Society is also performing at the Fields of Rock Festival in Holland and the Monsters of Rock in June. What do you enjoy most about performing at the metal festivals in Europe versus theatre shows?

A: "The crowds!"

Q: Are you looking to sharing the share with such rock icons as Heaven And Hell and Iron Maiden on the Fields of Rock Festivals on June 17th in Holland?

A: "Yeah, Maiden was my band as a kid, so it'll be awesome to play the same stage with them. Black Sabbath with Dio sound amazing as well."

Q: How are the news songs from Shot To Hell being received in Europe?

A: "In Russia they don’t really know it, but they're digging it."

Q: What is the current BLS set list? Is the same as the recent U.S. tour?

A: "No, we only have 45 minutes. Here is the setlist: 'New Religion', 'Long Time', 'Sufferin Overdue', 'Bleed For Me', 'Suicide Messiah', 'Fire It Up', 'Black Mass Reverends', 'Concrete Jungle', 'Stillborn'."

Q: Will you be doing an bass clinics in Europe?

A: "Not this time."

Q: What is it like touring with Ozzy? He is definitely one of metal's greatest performers.

A: "He's a beautiful guy, it's been amazing."

Q: Did you get to catch the VH1 Honors with Ozzy and Zakk?

A: "Yeah, it was killer."

Q: Ozzfest won't seem the same without Black Label Society this year? Will you miss not playing Ozzfest this year?

A: "Yeah, it sucks but I'll enjoy my time off."

Q: Zakk is doing double duty on tour in Europe, performing both with Black Label Society and Ozzy. As a guitar player, how has Zakk Wylde influenced you as a performer?

A: "He's been my best bro for 23 years now. His passion to be the best has always been inspiring to me.

Q: What are your thoughts on Black Rain?

A: "It kicks ass."

Q: Thanks JD for doing this update for us. Hopefully Black Label Society will tour the U.S. in the fall.

A: "Hope so too!!"