DOKKEN guitarist Jon Levin recently spoke to BraveWords.com correspondent Deb Rao recently regarding the upcoming Dokken/LYNCH MOB shows this US Thanksgiving weekend, performing with former guitarist George Lynch onstage at the Loud Park Festival, and the upcoming Dokken Greatest Hits release.

BraveWords.com: Everyone is excited about Dokken performing on November 27 at the HOB in Hollywood, November 28 at the 4th and B in San Diego, and November 29 at the HOB in Anaheim with Lynch Mob. Are you looking forward to the shows?

Levin: "Yes, we are totally looking forward to it. We haven't played in awhile. We had a three week little break since Japan and we are looking forward to getting back out there."

BraveWords.com: Tell us about the show. What can the fans expect to see this weekend?

Levin: "I think we are doing our full set. Lynch Mob is opening us for us, which should be fun. I don't know if people know? George came out onstage and did a song with us and we did 'Tooth and Nail' together in Japan and it was a blast."

BraveWords.com: What were some of the other highlights from touring Japan? I know it has been at least ten years since Dokken has performed there. This was your first time performing in Japan. How did the fans react to the concert?

Levin: "Yes, this was my first time playing there. We played in Korea before, but I never played in Japan.. It was a wonderful experience. The fans were just so appreciative and so thankful to see us. They are very sincere and serious about their music. It was a great event. There were 16,000 people there. We were received wonderfully well. The people were just really, really nice."

BraveWords.com: Japan has such an amazing culture. Did you enjoy the cuisine?

Levin: "As far as the food, they eat fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I opened a bag of Doritos in the dressing room and spit them out because they tasted like fish too. But they are very respectful and polite people. There were 16,000 people standing in general admission for the most part, most of them didn't have seats. They seemed very respectful considering how hot it was. I think if we did something like that in America there might be some fights breaking out. It was a polite, respectful, and well behaved crowd."

BraveWords.com: Any news regarding the upcoming release of the Dokken Greatest Hits album?

Levin: "I don't know what the release date is. It has been done and it has been turned into the record label. I don't know what the plans are for that. There is ten re-recorded songs of the greatest hits and there is a couple of covers on there and two originals. I don't know what is going to actually end up on the final version. That is up to the label."

BraveWords.com: Is there anything else that you want to say about the upcoming Dokken shows Thanksgiving weekend with Lynch Mob? Also, is there any other tour news in the works?

Levin: "We are just looking forward to getting out there again. We are excited to be playing and doing the shows with the Lynch Mob. We are taking a break over Christmas. This time of year sort of slows down a bit. We have some scattered dates through January. Other than that, we will probably go out and start cranking it out again come April or May."

Dokken tour dates:

November

27 - West Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues (with Lynch Mob)
28 - San Diego, CA - 4th And B (with Lynch Mob)
29 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues (with Lynch Mob)

December

18 - Whitesburg, KY - Summit City Lounge (Don Dokken only - acoustic show)

January

2 - West Wendover, NV - Peppermill Concert Hall
12 - Owingeh, NM - Ohkay Casino
13 - Las Vegas, NV - Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino

February

19 - Denver, CO - Grizzly Rose
20 - Dubuque, IA - Diamond Jo Casino

April

9 - Lincoln, RI - Twin City Casino