Guitarist VINNIE MOORE On UFO's Longtime Band Members - "The Amount Of Alcohol They Consume Collectively Binds Them Together"
April 21, 2015, 9 years ago
In a new interview with music writer Joel Gausten, legendary UFO guitarist Vinnie Moore discusses a variety of topics including the band's new album ( A Conspiracy of Stars), touring as a Classic Rock act and the enduring popularity of the band's classic 1979 live album, Strangers in the Night. A excerpt from the chat appears below:
Gausten: You wrote the majority of the material on the new album. As a key songwriter for the band, what, in your opinion, makes a great UFO song? How would you describe the definitive UFO sound?
Moore: "I think a big part of it is Phil’s voice. Once he sings over the music, it’s like the final stamp of authenticity. Musically, it just has to rock. The band has touched on different musical influences over the years - such as blues, melodic rock and metal - so there is no one formula for a song. It can be many different things."
Gausten: Despite some breaks along the way, the core trio of Phil, Paul and Andy has stayed together for decades now. As someone who works so closely with them, what would say is the magic formula that makes the three of them work so well together?
Moore: "The amount of alcohol that they consume collectively binds them together (laughs). They get along on a personal level and have been together for so many years that I think it just feels right for them."
Gausten: What are the greatest challenges of being a Classic Rock act touring and recording in their 46th year?
Moore: "Making sure no one dies onstage or chokes on their own - or anyone else’s – vomit."
Gausten: Strangers In The Night (1979) is considered by many – this writer included – to be one of the greatest live albums of all time. Why do you feel this particular release still holds up so well after all these years?
Moore: "It’s an exciting record, and so it has stood the test of time. Just like many records of that time period, it takes you back to wherever you were in your life at that point. People love to be brought back to their past - the good ol' days."
The complete interview is available at this location.
UFO's latest album, A Conspiracy Of Stars, entered the charts in several countries. In Germany it was the highest chart entry ever and in Switzerland the band charted the first time in their history. In England the album reached the highest album chart position since 1983 and a #18 position came as a nice surprise in the Czech Republic.
A Conspiracy Of Stars was released in February/March worldwide as digipak (including poster and bonus track), jewel case, vinyl blue coloured double LP and download through SPV/Steamhammer.
Tour dates:
April
22 - Belfast, Northern Ireland - The Limelight
24 - Glasgow, Scotland - O2 ABC
25 - Newcastle, England - O2 Academy
26 - Leeds, England - O2 Academy
28 - Nottingham, England - Rock City
30 - Bristol, England - O2 Academy
May
2 - Exeter, England - Phoenix
3 - Salisbury, England - City Hall
5 - Brighton, England - Concorde 2
6 - Oxford, England - O2 Academy
7 - London, England - HMV Forum
June
27 - Hamburg, Germany - Harley Days
28 - Kavarna, Bulgaria - Kaliakra Stadium/Kavarna Rock Festival
July
25 - Ebbw Vale, Wales - Steelhouse Festival
October
24 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA-Longhorn
27 - Nuremberg, Germany - Hirsch
30 - Kufstein, Austria - Kulturfabrik
31 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
November
3 - Lyon, France - Ninkasi Kao
5 - Santander, Spain - Escenario Santander
6 - Santiago de la Compostela, Spain - Sala Capitol
7 - Madrid, Spain - Sala But
8 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 2
10 - Toulouse, France - Metronum
11 - Vaureal, France - Le Forum
13 - Pwllheli, Wales - Hard Rock Hell Festival
More dates will be added soon.
