Mike Albert (Mike Albert Project)
"There is a certain confidence you have on stage when you know the guys that are backing you up know what they are doing." - Mike Albert
Mike, a former touring guitarist for Megadeth and one of the true veterans of the metal scene, is hitting the road this year to promote his latest effort, "Afterlife", due out June 16th. I caught up with Mike at Big Deal Records.
-Randy Mallett
BP: Welcome Mike! So tell us, how long have you played guitar? What age did you
start and why?
MA: Started at the age of nine. My aunt had a beat up acoustic guitar missing strings at her house.
I picked it up and tried to play it for ten hours straight, not knowing what I was doing. Ever since
then I never stopped.
BP: I've gotta get this in... I read on your website that you and Eddie Van Halen were
friends back in the 70's (sweet!) and that you were actually somewhat of an influence
on him. Did you really inspire his signature tremolo bar playing?
MA: That's misinterpreted a bit. He invited me to the Whisky in Hollywoood where they were
performing at and once he saw me, he came over the side of stage where I was at and asked my
opinion "what did ya think of my playin'?" I told him he was something special and by using a tremolo
it could really enhance his style. I had been using one for years by inspiration coming from Richie
Blackmore of Deep Purple. No one else at that time was using one. Eddie responded "Last time I
tried using one, the band got pissed off because I kept going out of tune." I looked at him and said
"Is this the Van Halen Band or the Roth Band?" He just smiled and agreed. Next time I saw him at the
Pasadena Civic he was using a Charvelle with a wang bar.
BP: I recently interviewed David Ellefson - a great dude and one hell of a bass player. I
guess you guys have at least one thing in common. Tell us about playing with one of
the famous metal bands in history, Megadeth.
MA: It was an amazing experince seeing the audience's response. It was the first real tour Megadeth
had done. I had done countless touring years prior and had the experience necessary to get us through.
That's part of the reason Dave hired me is because of my extensive travel experience. It was the
beginning of thrash and that whole scene was exploding. Dave was one of the pioneers of that genre and I'm proud to be part of Megadeth's history.
BP: Another possible thing in common, a seemingly quiet-yet-respectful disdain for Dave Mustaine. Was there just too much friction between you two to continue with the group?
MA: "Absolutely"... It's true that Mustaine was a Jeckyl & Hyde character and (it) was hard to deal with his change in personalities. All the drug abuse and drinking didn't help matters and we were all guilty of it. In fact, when I first saw there was only beer on the band's "backstage rider" I'm the one who insisted on a gallon of Jack Daniels. Big mistake!
BP: What was it like touring with Slayer?
MA: I don't remember too much about the other bands. I spent most of my time concerned with Megadeth's music. The last time I saw Kerry King was at the Paladium in Hollywood. Our ex-manager Jay Jones wanted me to do a solo album with just Kerry and I. It never materialized because of styles but I respect Slayer for all they have done.
BP: You've also had the distinction and honor of being bandmates of one of my other favorite groups on this entire planet... Cheech and Chong! Wow, what was it like playing with those guys in all that haze? haha
MA: Actually, it's not what people think. They were two straight health-conscious non-pot smoking professionals. I did quite of few live performances and soundtrack work with them. It was cool.
BP: Ok, let's skip forward a bit. Tell us about the Mike Albert Project and give a shout-out to your mates if you like.
MA: I've been working on it for years and finally found the right band to intepret what I wanted. It's a bit like Megadeth style. The band is made up of Richard Schroeder on vocals, Jon Escobedo on bass, Angel Lujan on drums and Ruben Martinez on guitar. We've been playing around the Los Angeles area for years and it looks like it's taking off now with our new record label Big Deal Records, who won a Grammy in 2005 for a Metallica Tribute Album with Motorhead.
BP: The new music is very straight-forward, very hard-driving metal, yet nothing resembling any typical trends which consist in today's heavy metal landscape. It feels like the same old thrash, but with a modern day kick in the ass. With the new tracks, did you intend to be musically different, or is this just a natural thing for you?
MA: It's a natural thing. That's the way I write. I pay attention to the trends but don't let it distract me from my style of songwriting.
BP: So the new album is out June 16th. Where do we go online to get a listen (or buy the tracks) and
where do we go to buy an actual cd?
MA: The CD will be released digitally through iTunes, Amazonmp3, and most online stores. The actually hardcopies with
be at FYE, Best Buy and most traditional and indie stores.
BP: Is there more of a vibe with these guys on stage than with other bands you've jammed with before?
MA: Of course. They are hand-picked and know the material front and back. There is a certain confidence you have on
stage when you know the guys that are backing you up know what they are doing.
BP: You've spent a lot of hard work on your writing, and the culmination of your music has finally taken hold. However, as a result of your tireless efforts, some of your songs are years old. As a former songwriter myself, it always felt like the more I messed with a song, the more I lost focus for it's original meaning. Was it tough for you as well?
MA: To a point. If you keep changing songs, you lose the initial feeling of it. The term "less is more" really applies.
BP: What are the 2009 plans for the Mike Albert Project? What should we expect from you guys?
MA: Planning on touring and promoting the new album worldwide then head back into the studio for a follow-up.
BP: Briefly (being the absolute novice guitarist that I am, I have to ask) tell us about your gear. Are you a loyal brand guy, or a "whatever it takes to get the job done" guy?
MA: My primary guitar is a custom Jackson through Marshall ampllification. I have a line of custom guitar cabinets through Schroeder which I use. Outside of that, it's whatever gets the job done. The tone is in my hands and in my head. Two people playing the same guitar and amp never sound the same, it's the human element.
BP: As we speak, what is inside your cd player/mp3 player/iPod/internet playlist/?
MA: Truthfully, someone turned me onto the new Guns & Roses album. I had to see what all the hoopla was about. It's a great album, but I can't see spending 15 years on it.
BP: Any last words? (Strangely, I always think of Saddam Hussein when I ask that).
MA: "Sounds like an old Megadeth song."
BP: Alright Mike, thanks so much my friend! You have our support here at BP, so good luck with everything, kick mega ass, and please keep in touch!
MA: Check out the title track "Afterlife" and "Why Do You Always Say Goodbye." Those are the tracks the label will be pushing on airplay. Thanks for having me.
Visit Mike at;
www.myspace.com/mikealbertproject
*Pics courtesy of Big Deal Records
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