http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/billysheehan.html
Lotta cool photos at the above webpage.
FIBM: What's new, what have you been up to lately and what's in the future?
Billy: It's all on my website. New Solo Cd, New Steve Vai CD & DVD, new Niacin CD, on tour now in Europe with Steve, new instructional DVD's & more
FIBM: What year did Talas form? Who was in the original line-up?
Billy: Early '70's. Myself, Dave Constantino, & Paul Varga.
FIBM: Why did it take so long for Talas to cut a record?
Billy: We just never thought of it. We were playing constantly.
FIBM: Any memories stand out from the Talas, Self-titled, recording sessions? Where did you record the album?
Billy: Some studio in Buffalo---not sure which. We just went in & pounded it out in a few days
FIBM: How many copies of that record were sold intially? How did you distribute the record?
Billy: They printed 10,000, & sold them all. Local, Buffalo only distribution. It wasn't released nationally then.
FIBM: Few memories from the "Sink Your Teeth Into That" recording sessions. What was your recording budget for that record? How many copies were sold?
Billy: 10K. We did it in 4 days in Toronto. It went fast, so no real events took place other than playing & singing, then getting back to gig ASAP. About 200 thousand (were sold). More now.
FIBM: Were you in a version of the Michael Schenker Group? How did that come about? How long?
Billy: I wasn't. I was flown to London to work on his first record. We got through the pre-production, but then but he freaked out, smashed his guitar, smashed his apartment, cut off his hair & they found him laying in the street somewhere & put him away. I left. They called me to return, but I passed on it.
FIBM: What was it like to work with Michael Schenker? Any memories stand out from the rest?
Billy: Tuning his guitar for him because he was so wasted he couldn't do it. Also, the smell from lack of bathing or any personal hygeine. Pretty horrible.
FIBM: In 1982, you were asked to join UFO. How did that come about and what were the days like, leading up to your first gig with them.
Billy: I wasn't asked to join. They needed a bass player for an upcoming tour & I agreed to do it. Talas opened for UFO (hence the Scenker connection) and they knew who I was. It was supremely un-together. Very sad---I loved that band, and Scenker. Seeing it up close as a dysfunctional, drug infested catastrophe was very disappointing. It broke my heart actually.
FIBM: Please describe a typical day in the life of Billy Sheehan, while you were touring with UFO.
Billy: I just tried to keep my end together and help the band get through the songs in a show.
FIBM: What had happened to Pete Way?
Billy: Ask him. I've got nothing to do with it. Next subject.
FIBM: How long did you tour with UFO? How many shows?
Billy: About 20 or 30 shows.
Billy Sheehan, live with UFO
FIBM: When you returned you reformed Talas. Why did you change the line-up of the band for the 'Live Speed On Ice' album.
Billy: I didn't. The other guys quit & I was left holding the bag. I got some new guys to continue on. I had no choice.
FIBM: Eventually, Mitch Perry, who previously played in Steeler, had joined the band. Why was he chosen as the guitarist and how was it to work with him?
Billy: Recommendation from a friend. Too much drinking, so we replaced him.
FIBM: Describe the process leading up to your days with David Lee Roth. What was it like to work with him?
Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Billy Sheehan, Greg Bissonette
Billy: Process? I don't know of any process. Talas opened for VH; we kept in touch; Dave called to start a band. Pretty simple really---no "process" involved. We had a blast.. He was & still is a hero of mine.
FIBM: Describe the songwriting process while you were in the DLR band.
Billy: The band would jam in the basement, Dave would run down when we hit on something he liked, then we'd piece it all together. Lots of fun, really.
FIBM: Your thoughts on Dave becoming an EMT. We heard he even donates his pay to charity.
Billy: I'm sure he's doing it for the adventure. Very cool.
FIBM: Describe a typical day on tour, while you were supporting Eat em' and Smile. How long did the band tour supporting that album?
Billy: The same as any other tour. Get in, sound check, show, travel, repeat. Sometimes there's time to hang & celebrate. (Toured) Many months.
FIBM: While you were in the band, did you receive a monthly salary or was your pay based on a percentage of sales, tour, merchandise, etc.
Billy: I was paid very well. I own all my publishing.
FIBM: Tell us about your first meeting with Steve Vai, in a DLR setting. Was that your first time to meet him?
Billy: I met Steve before that & recommended him for the gig. Dave called me first. WAY before Steve was involved.
FIBM: What was it like to work with Steve?
Billy: Steve is one of my best friends & one of the greatest musicians I know. I'm on tour with him now.
FIBM: Any memories come to mind from the Eat Em and Smile recording sessions. Where was it recorded?
Billy: Some at Fantasy studios in Berkely, CA, some at the Power Station in NYC. It was a lot of fun & very creative.
FIBM: Do you remember the day you heard Eat em and Smile, the finished product, for the first time. What were your thoughts?
Billy: We loved it. We drank, listened some more & celebrated heavily.
FIBM: While on tour would David hang with all the guys or did he mostly keep to himself. What was Dave's after-show routine?
Billy: We had a lot of fun. Lots of beautiful girls, but none were ever disrespected. We raged.
FIBM: Was there anything about the record industry that you learned from David? What were they?
Billy: I learned a lot. Too much to type here---it would take a long time.
FIBM: Tell us about one DLR show that stands out from the rest..or a couple of highlight shows.
Billy: Can't think of any really---he was consitent, so you could depend on a great show each night.
FIBM: How many copies of Eat em and Smile were sold initially? How does it sell nowadays? How many copies per year (average)?
Billy: Over a million. I don't know what it did over the years.
FIBM: What was the state of the band when you began recording Skyscraper?
Billy: We were in good spirits initially. Things changed though. Dave took a different direction.
FIBM: Any memories stand out from those sessions? Did you tour for that album?
Billy: Not really. Nope (did not tour).
FIBM: Why did you leave DLR? What was going on at that time?
Billy: Two different paths. I wanted a different style of music---more like Eat 'em & Smile.
FIBM: 3 fond memories of your days with DLR.
Billy: Being with him when he went on the Tonight Show, Hanging with the band telling stories, The tour.
FIBM: How much did being in the DLR band affect your Talas record sales?
Billy: A boost for sure
FIBM: What are a couple of your favorite songs from the DLR days? and why?
Billy: The whole EEAS album.
FIBM: What are some of your memories of the Mr Big Self-titled recording sessions?
Billy: Almost leaving initially because of instantly recognizable conflicts within.
FIBM: How many copies of that were sold intially? Is the record still in print?
Billy: Not sure.
FIBM: What has it been like to play with Paul Gilbert all those years?
Billy: What was it like to play with Billy Sheehan? ...(This is not a mistake, this was Billy's response)
FIBM: You guys actually continued to sell records even after the grunge movement began. How soon after the world debut of Nirvana, did Mr Big begin to be affected.
Billy: We outsold Pearl Jam in Japan 40 to 1.
FIBM: What were the nineties like for you? Did your life change any during those years?
Billy: My life changes every year.
FIBM: Mr Big was also able to keep a record contract with Atlantic Records all through the nineties. How were you able to do that?
Billy: I wish we could have gotten away.
FIBM: Did Atlantic still support your releases like they did back in the day?
Billy: They never did. In any "day". They hated "Lean Into It".
FIBM: Why did Mr Big break up?
Billy: Personality conflicts.
FIBM: Mr Big was also able to keep a record contract with Atlantic Records all through the nineties. How were you able to do that?
Billy: I wish we could have gotten away.
FIBM: Billy Sheehan is transported back in time to the year 1982, would you do anything differently?
Billy: Not really.
THE FAST 5
FIBM: What is your most disgusting habit?
Billy: None! I lead a clean life. I'm polite, helpful & considerate of my fellows.
FIBM: What is the most feminine thing you do?
Billy: Talk baby talk to my cat Spooky, who is the best cat in the world.
FIBM: If there is a God, what is the first question you would ask God when you arrive?
Billy: When will you go down to Earth and slap all the people who kill in your name.
FIBM: Greatest Rock band of all time?
Billy: Impossible to say.
FIBM: What were you doing 40 minutes before you sat down to do this interview?
Billy: Playing a sold out show in Budapest, Hungary w/ Steve Vai.
Hmmmmmm...just finished actually reading this. He comes off slightly as somewhat of a dick...he must have been having a a stressed out day or something.....I have met him on several occasions and he is a really cool guy...
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