Interview with Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge

So, here is my crappy into to an awesome interview. I had the chance to check out Alter Bridge live last year and decided I had to do an interview with one of them. My over-busy ass let some time pass and I was lucky that I could even get this done and ready to go. Totally my fault. Myles Kennedy took some time to sit down and fill out the answers to the questions I threw at him, and as always, his answers are very genuine and informative. The guy has an unbelievable singing voice (I like to compare it to that of Brent Smith of Shinedown) and some really great guitar chops as well. So enough of my rambling, read the interview below and then check out their website to find out everything else you might need to know about Alter Bridge

FoundryMusicRob: So now that my window of time to interview you while on tour has blown past me, how WAS your last tour?

Myles Kennedy: Fantastic.  We did a run in the UK and Europe.  It was probably our favorite tour to date.

FoundryMusicRob: I was able to catch you guys while you were out with Another Animal and I’ll be honest, I never heard much other than “Metalingus” before that show. Now I’m hooked on Blackbird and listen to it constantly. It’s not that I had no interest before, it’s just that I listen to so much music constantly that it never made it into my CD player. Is there any way for a band to really tell how many new listeners they get while on tour? Do album sales really reflect the number of new fans as accurately as it used to?

Myles Kennedy: At this point, I don’t think album sales are an accurate reflection of how large your fan base is.  We look at things like Web page hits, and the turnouts to live shows.  For example, we are playing to a lot of people when we tour the UK and Europe.  Yet, the CD sales don’t correlate with that.  It is kind of strange, but that is the way it is now.
 
FoundryMusicRob: Staying with the concept of new listeners, have you ever met a fan, new or old, that might have given you their band’s demo or something and you actually genuinely liked it?

Myles Kennedy:  Sure, it happens once in a while.  It’s great to be pleasantly surprised.  There is a young band in the UK that gave us a demo a few months back called Tequila Rocking Bird. They sound like Maiden (Paul Di’Anno era) mixed with a bit of G & R.

FoundryMusicRob: With so much music out there, and so few people legitimately purchasing it, what steps does a band need to take to really make sure they get seen and heard?

Myles Kennedy:  Obviously the Internet is the most useful tool.  The trick is to develop ways of directing traffic to your page.  I have seen some creative young artists that have been very smart in finding ways to do that.

FoundryMusicRob: Is it harder or easier these days to keep your integrity and do what YOU want in the music industry?

Myles Kennedy:  Well, it depends what your ultimate goal is.  Do you do it for the money or do you do it to leave an artistic legacy and to feel fulfilled?  I think most would say they want to create something that they find compelling.  With that said, the challenge is “how do I find the balance of being able to create art while finding a way to pay the bills.”  That is difficult.

FoundryMusicRob: Eating well and staying healthy on the road can be a daunting task for some bands. How do you make sure that you put the best fuel into your engines and not get sick on the road?

Myles Kennedy:  I am a little obsessed with that subject.  I stay away from fast food and try to find fruits and vegatables.  I also carry this supplement with me called VEGA.  It is a meal replacement drink mix that helps a lot (shameless product endorsement).  I also eat a ton of almonds.  Problem is, that no matter how healthy I eat, if one person on the bus gets sick…we all end up getting sick.  Good times!

 FoundryMusicRob: Equally as important, playing shows every night can be real hard on the body, what do you guys do to make sure you stay flexible and healthy?

Myles Kennedy:  Mark and I both find gyms on our days off.  I enjoy running as well.  Not very rock and roll, but the idea of doing copious amounts of drugs seems kind of stupid if you are going to endure this life style.

FoundryMusicRob: Your website has small lists of each band member’s influences. Looking through them, Led Zeppelin seems to be the one common thread. It’s great to have people with differing influences, but how hard is it to mix Celtic Frost, Stevie Wonder, and Led Zeppelin into one song?

Myles Kennedy:  Sometimes it is the ultimate challenge.  But that is part of why we have been able to create a distinct sound.  Black Metal and Soul music, we are like the Reeses Peanut Butter Cup of Rock and Roll. 

FoundryMusicRob: In-fighting in bands was made infamous by so many, but there are a lot of guys who are truly brothers. What’s the worst spat you and your band-mates have ever gotten into?

Myles Kennedy: We argued about whether Celtic Frost’s Thomas G. Warrior could kick Stevie Wonder’s ass.  I believe Stevie has Jedi powers.  Therefore he would win.  That is about the extent of our arguing.

FoundryMusicRob: Are the days of bands trashing hotel rooms and venue dressing rooms over? Please say it ain’t so!

Myles Kennedy: It is not a regular occurrence.  I will say that last year after a photo shoot.  Scott Phillips (our drummer also known as Flip) and I decided to “rearrange” a hotel room in Hollywood.   It was juvenile and silly, but it was the most I have laughed in years.  That guy always gets me into trouble.  He is awesome.

FoundryMusicRob: I’ve kept these pretty tame and middle-of-the-line, but it wouldn’t be a FoundryMusic.com interview without some silliness, so here we go: Whose farts could clear out a room full of skunks?

Myles Kennedy:  That is easy.  Our Bass Player Brian has serious issues with his ass.  It is so foul that sometimes it triggers a gag reflex. 

FoundryMusicRob: What country or city has the kind of food that could send you sprinting to a bathroom at lightning speed?

Myles Kennedy:  Sometimes the catering back stage can leave a little bit to be desired. 

FoundryMusicRob: And finally, if we were to raid the tour bus and the find your porno collection, what kind of titles would we find?

Myles Kennedy:  “Star Trek: The Next Penetration”, “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderbone.” You know, all the sci-fi classics.  Kidding.  It’s a family show.  Some of the guys have children so you are more likely to find “Finding Nemo” as opposed to “Romancing the Bone.”

FoundryMusicRob: OK, one more serious one for you. Of all the songs on Blackbird, which one has the most meaning to you, personally?

Myles Kennedy:  "Blackbird" is a very special song.  It was inspired by a very sad set of circumstances.  I will just leave it at that.

And, well, that's that. Head over to the band's Official Website for more info on this great band. And be sure to check them out next time they come to your area, they put on an awesome live show!