2008.10.16 - Pavillon 666 (France) - Interview with Bumblefoot

Hello Bumblefoot! You have recently release your new album « Abnormal ». Surely the most Punk influenced of your discography. Have you written it with a special concept in head, as for « Uncool »?

Greetings! The Abnormal album came to me without a plan, the songs flooded my brain and started pouring out. It was all that I was feeling, and the attitude of the album was just my attitude at the time. It wasn't a concept album like Normal, but it was a continuation of Normal, like the next chapter of a personal story. The lyrics talk about things in my life that weren't there before, and some stories about what other people are living.

No other musicians are mentioned for this new album. Have you done everything yourself or is there some guest musicians who have played on it?

At the very end of the lyrics inside the booklet, there are credits. Not many, but they're there, haha. Dennis Leeflang on drums, members of the "pirate metal" band "Swashbuckle" on backing vocals, a tuba player, some opera singers. I ran a contest earlier this year to find opera singers for the album and the winners sang on it.

You are now guitarist for Guns n’ Roses… How do you feel, to play in such legendary band?

It's been great, a lot of fun times. But nothing feels different. I wipe my ass the same direction I did before playing in Guns.

To finish about Guns n’ Roses, is the new album « Chinese democracy » really already record? When this album will finally be available?

Yes, I finished writing and playing all my guitar parts for the album, and we're hoping it can be released as soon as next month. I hope everything can be worked out in time to make that happen. Meanwhile, if you have the Rock Band 2 video game, check out the new GN'R song "Shackler's Revenge." I played all the lead guitar, fretless guitar too.

Well, you have released many albums now. When you look back, which one is your favourite? Which one will you recommend to someone who is just discovering your solo works?

My favorite will always be "the NEXT album..." This is always how I feel. If I had to recommend an album, I'd tell them to check out the most recent one Abnormal, but if you ask me which is the best one, it's the one I haven't written and recorded yet. It will always be this one.

We have seen you playing with Gibson’s guitars on recently… Are you using it just for Guns n’Roses, or also on « abnormal » ?

Everything on Abnormal was played on the Vigier "Bumblefoot" Signature Series guitar, the Vigier Surfreter fretless guitar, and the Parkwood PW370M acoustic guitar. There's info about these guitars at http://www.bumblefoot.com/gear.php. For amps, I used a Splawn 100W Quick Rod head and 4x12 cabinet, a Line6 Vetta2 combo, and a Line6/Bogner SpiderValve combo.

It seems you don’t use your Vigier’s guitars with Guns n’ Roses. Why that?

Gibsons fit the sound and style of GN'R, but I do also use the Vigier Surfreter fretless guitar, sometimes the Vigier signature guitar, also the Parkwood acoustic guitar. I also used the Vigier "Flying Foot" guitar many times for my main solo during GN'R shows. But yes, for most of the show, I play on a Gibson, a Les Paul, Flying V...

Thanks a lot to take the time for answering these few questions. Have you something to add for your french fans?

I miss you all very much! I used to tour France so much, but it's been difficult to arrange Bumblefoot tours, between recording my albums, and all the recording and touring with GN'R. Hopefully I can come visit soon. Take care, and thank you for all ! !

Mr. Foot

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