|
 Jeff
Scott Soto is a name that needs no introduction to long time Yngwie
fans. To many Jeff is still the definitive voice to counteract Yngwie's
melodic metal finesse. This exclusive interview with Jeff gets his
thoughts on his time with Yngwie, his subsequent projects and his
forthcoming solo album.
Hi
Jeff, thank you for agreeing to this interview, can we start by asking
who or what inspired you to start singing and when did you first realise
you had the facility to make a living in the business?
I've been wanting 2 be a professional singer ever since I was old
enough 2 sing & emulate all of Michael Jackson's vocals during
the Jackson Five years....it was innate without even realising or
caring what it took 2 get there. Receiving praise & compliments
at such an early age (I'd say about 5-6) only motivated & made
me realise I was pretty damn good! Honestly though, I believe an artist
is born with the drive & ambition that's creates the desire 2
perform & entertain.
You
first came to prominence in Yngwie's band on the two vocal tracks
on the 'Rising Force' cd, what led to you hooking up with Yngwie way
back in 83/4?
I was living temporarily in Colorado, singing with a Top 40 cover
band (only 18, just graduated from high school) & not making a
single dime, pretty much stealing food from 7-11's 2 eat that day,
when hanging out at a friend's house watching MTV, a news report came
on that had mentioned Yngwie's departure from Alcatrazz....the VJ
reported he was looking 4 a singer 2 complete his new solo project
& 'that person could be u' (pointing finger at screen...at me,
maybe?). I immediately sent the demo tape I had recorded with a band
called Kanan when I was 16 (had 2 borrow the postage from my friend,
i was THAT broke!) & within 3 weeks of dire times, moved back
2 LA. Within my 1st 2 weeks home, I get a call from Yngwie's manager
that explained I had been chosen from a box over 100 cassettes 2 meet
& audition 4 Yngwie....I nearly pissed my pants, imagine what
u would have felt like getting a call at 18 years of age 2 not only
meet, but audition 4 the next upcoming, premier guitarists in the
world. Hell, if anything I could tell all my friends I got 2 meet
Yngwie Malmsteen....look at how it all turned out! 2 move ahead a
few weeks after finally being invited 2 join the band, I was brought
in as a last minute decision 2 sing the 2 songs on the 1st album,
as Yngwie was slated 2 sing them originally. The band convinced him
2 give me a shot & in a nutshell, Yngwie gave me 24 hours 2 learn
& prepare 4 my studio debut...if I were not 'confident' sounding
enough, he would continue 2 sing them himself...look at how i all
turned out!!
Did
you get to tour on the back of 'Rising Force' or were you basically
back in the studio right away to do 'Marching Out' when 'Rising Force'
started to get critical and commercial success?
My start with Yngwie was great, yet unfortunate. The 1st album came
out in Sept. '84 & sold 10,000 copies on import, in New York city
alone!! Marching Out was supposed 2 be the American debut of Yngwie
(as well as us as an official band as opposed 2 just Yngwie as a solo
artist) on Polygram, but after witnessing the demand 4 the 1st album,
the label rushed 2 release it domestically while postponing Marching
Out. We finished mixing the album in Jan. '85 & immediately performed
2 shows in California, then a Japan tour (which is the 'Live In '85'
video....that show only 5th live performance as a band EVER!). We
then went out 2 tour (all over the world, playing shit clubs &
small theaters, a little bit rough 4 your 1st 'major tour', I might
add), playing a lot of Marching Out material, which the audiences
had only been exposed 2 Alcatrazz & the 1st album. I departed
the band a month b4 Marching Out's release & Mark Boal's 1st shows
were in stadiums & arenes performing 'my album' 2 10's of thousands...1
of the many rock & roll slaps in the face!
How
do you view those two albums now getting on for almost 20 years later?
Well, production-wise, they're almost intolerable 2 listen 2....I'd
always wished Yngwie would have surrounded himself with more competent
studios & sound engineers back then. 2nd, sorry 2 all of u who
love my singing on that stuff, but that too makes me cringe hearing
how 'forced & unnatural' some of what was coming out of my mouth
was. I thought I was sounding like Dio & Bruce Dickinson, where
2day I hear it as sounding like a poor JSS/Yngwie tribute singer,
ha ha! In all honesty, I'm extremely proud of what we all did, I mean,
we were all kids on those albums, the oldest then our drummer at the
ripe old age of 22! It's strange 2 reflect on yourself as 'pioneering',
but look at how many bands & influences spawned from that genre...it's
quite flattering.
What
is your fondest memories or nightmare from those early days with Yngwie?
My fondest memory was on the Trilogy tour in '86, Sacramento, CA,
where I had come back 2 the band after Mark Boal's exit...no one really
cared about the band members still at that point, unaware of who was
singing. Within the 1st 2 numbers of the set, there was a huge sign
with big bold letters held up about 3 rows from the front of the stage
the 2 guys were holding that read 'Welcome Back, Jeff!!" it was
my 1st real fan appreciation & I was really touched. The worst
night with those guys consists of a personal encounter I'll save 4
an autobiography some day!
What
led to you being replaced for the 'Trilogy' album by Mark Boals, yet
returning to do the tour?
I saw the opportunity 2 get my deserves of the 1st year with him &
perform 'my' songs with him live. As well, the venues were enormous
then & I wanted 2 experience it, if never again 2 have that opportunity.
Yngwie was a bit more appreciative of me that time around, so it was
a bit more pleasant, & I emphasize 'a bit'.
What
did you think of Mark Boal's lip synching on the video 'I'll See The
Light, Tonight"?
Absolutely despised it!! I thought, why couldn't they at least put
him in the studio 2 re-do the vocals 4 the video version? Again, most
didn't recognise (especially the chairs & powers that be) the
band in any focal respect...it was all about YNGWIE.
Do
you have a favourite song/s from that era?
Ironically, I loved performing the Trilogy songs almost more than
the Marching Out stuff. I'd always been a more pop/rock singer in
earlier bands & found it more appealing 2 sing the commercial
side as opposed 2 the darker, dungeon stuff. I really had fun singing
the Alcatrazz stuff as well.
After
you worked with a few bands that are probably less well known than
those to follow later, can you tell us a little about 'Panther' and
'Carrera'?
Panther was a band that an old high school buddy of mine was in &
I helped finish their demo so they can find a singer 2 'be in the
band'...I was never in it, but that demo, which eventually became
an album, surely convinced people I was in that band. I thought the
music was trite & silly.
Carrera
was a group I joined after a manager of theirs at the time got my
number & convinced there were big things about 2 happen with the
band which enticed me 2 look into it. Needless 2 say, nothing was
happening with the band, but I liked the songs & the guys in the
band enough 2 rough it out with them. Nothing really panned out of
it 4 us, but still a fond memory.
'Talisman'
came next with whom you released 3 albums, is it safe to say this
is the one band until that time you that felt comfortable with?
Absolutely!! Talisman is 1 project that never became stale or boring
2 me. I'm 4ever trying 2 challenge my own musical preferences with
what I can convincingly create (it's the whole Queen influence-thing)
& that's 1 band that's allowed the freedom 2 do so with. It's
also 1 of the only bands I've ever been with talented & capable
enough of pulling it off.
I
know the 'Takara' situation came about more as a favour to Neil Grusky,
how do you see that band now and have you heard their new album with
James Byrd's vocalist Michael James Flatters?
I've always wanted nothing but the best 4 Neil, but unfortunately
as much as my involvement helped establish the band, it also hindered
it since I could/would never commit 2 being in the band full time.
I've heard the new album & I feel they've finally found their
sound & I'm happy 4 them.
In
conjunction with 'Talisman' and 'Takara' you hooked up with german
guitarist Axel Rudi Pell in 1992. What led to you two meeting?
It was 1 of the many cases where I'd be type cast as the 'guitar hero's
singer'...so many of the guitar prodigy's appproached me based on
my involvement with Yngwie & it became very stereotyping after
a while, which was the main reason I tried 2 focus on 'band oriented'
projects. But some that I did greenlight turned out 2 be fun &
polar opposite experiences than my 1st guitar hero 1, I'm glad I said
yes. Axel was yet another solo artist who had released several albums
with other singers & originally, I was just asked 2 do a tour
with him as the singer from his latest album was not interested in
touring 4 it. It was good timing 4 me as i had nothing much booked
at the time so after hearing the material, agreed 2 do it. Obviously,
it flourished into quite a few records & such with Axel...great
guy!
You
produced quite a few superb cd's in amongst other 'Between The Walls'
and 'Black Moon Pyramid', do you have a favourite album with Axel
and why?
I liked elements of all the albums I did with him, but not 1 in it's
entirety. Axel's & my influences are very opposite, therefore
the music he writes was never in my field of what I listened 2 or
wrote. It worked great that I pretty much gave him what he wanted
out of the songs, but there were quite a few that I remember enjoying
singing, especially live.
Was
'Human Clay' meant to be a new version of Talisman but a little heavier?
Not necessarily. Human Clay was an outlet 4 Marcel & I 2 continue
being creative whilst Talisman was on hiatus. We were at a standstill
with Talisman, 2 many wrong deals, no promotion or marketing, internal
member indifferences which led us 2 put it in the cryogenic locker
4 a few years until we thought it was time 4 thawing again. Human
Clay material was a lot of unfinished & throwaway Talisman material
we dug up & completed 2 stay busy, yet not bastardizing the Talisman
image.
 You
then contributed vocals to Yngwie's cover album 'Inspiration', the
feeling I got from your vocals on their were stunning and I kind of
hoped for a reunion between you, was that ever hinted at around that
time?
I made Every effort 2 make that happen!!! It was 1995, which would
have been the marking of a 10 year reunion with Yngwie & I contacted
the whole original band, including Yngwie, & everyone was all
4 it. Things never quite got off as Yngwie then got booked with a
tour, etc., I've since decided 2 wait 2 be asked 4 the possibilty
of a reunion instead of anticipating it.
Did
you record your vocals for 'Inspiration' at Yngwie's home studio and
how was it being involved with him again?
Yes, we recorded it in his home in Miami. It was an AMAZING time we
spent 2gether, & ironically enough, 4 1 main reason alone. We
were all (Yngwie, Marcel & I) down 4 the count with terrible flu's
& there was no drinking, partying, bitching, rock star bullshit
in the room...just 3 sick guys catching up on old times & passing
around the Kleenex! I had just sung 3 gruelling nights in Lake Tahoe
with a disco band & had a day 2 get some kind of voice working
4 that album. We had many laughs & I'm sure Yngwie himself would
probably say it was 1 of the most comfortable, laid back times we
ever had in each others presence.
How
did you get Yngwie in to play lead guitar on the track 'Jealousy'?
Easy, we bartered each other's services...3 songs sung on his for
1 solo on ours.
Apparently
you offered to fill the vocalist slot on Yngwie's recent tour when
Jorn Lande quit/was fired. Is this true and if so how close did it
get to the green light?
Absolutely true, but his touring schedule conflicted with some earlier
commitments I couldn't get out of. I knew they would be hard 2 factor
out, but Yngwie's sincerity & desire 2 create the magic we once
had again was hard 2 say no to....we really put our best efforts into
making it happen.
Can
you ever see yourself joining Yngwie's band again, would there have
to be any others factors to get you to do so e.g. a classic RF line-up?
Yngwie knows how 2 reach me!! I couldn't think of anything more fun
right now as we are more a retrospect of what was as opposed 2 something
that could once be huge again. It would be great 2 once again feel
the adulation of the 'heavy metal trophy' we once raised.
Human
Clay's second album 'U4iA' built on the foundations of the debut,
however, this was the bands last album, did you and Marcel feel that
the band had run its course and hence started 'Humanimal'?
Not at all, we basically sold 3 copies of it & there was no real
interest from the outside parties 2 continue. no point in releasing
albums no one is buying. Humanimal is a whole other question/topic.
Can
you explain why you and Marcel Jacob have lasted so long togeather,
from 'Yngwie to Talisman to Human Clay the present day in Humanimal?
Marcel & I in many ways share the same brain, musically &
mentally. We always know when we're barking up the wrong tree musically
& we're usually musically bored & disinterested about the
same things, so it's almost like we motivate each other. He's 1 of
my dear, true friends & I value every detail of my friendship
& brotherhood we share.
Humanimal
has recieved great press pretty much everywhere and has also been
performing well for an indie label, has the success of the project
suprised you at all?
Very much so. 4 once, I've sung on an album I exected 2 end up the
same way as some in the past, not by fault of the label or music,
but by the descending interest in this field of music. It would be
great 2 have a sleeper hit album on our hands.
Are
you looking forward to the upcoming Z Rock live shows and can we expect
anymore dates in addition?
Yes & yes....I look 4ward 2 any outtings with the Swedes &
we're slated 2 perform another Z event in Oct (Germany). I would really
like 2 get this band out on the road as it would give us a chance
2 sneak in the sister band's songs, meaning Talisman, of course.
You
are currently in the studio recording a solo album, what direction
is the album taking and how is work progressing on it?
With every new venture I commit 2, I try not 2 merely repeat myself
musically or copy other bands/projects' styles, but in the same respect,
this album combines the more pop/rock style a lot of the more commercial
bands/albums I've been on have grown 2 love. It is my own little personal
box of gems that were written as vehicles 4 me as a singer instead
of the guitar player(s). It's more directed in an MOR/AOR format,
which would be considered pretty commercial 2 most of my heavier fans,
but there are some killer rockers on it & every song has killer
guitar solo work as 2 not disappoint those who come 2 expect that
particular element from me. This album is very personal 2 & 4
me, but it's not 1 of my more experimental rants that a longtime fan
should be wondering 'what genre is he trying 2 do now', ha ha.
When
do anticipate the album being released?
I hear we're pushing for some time in Sept.
Where
do you see the future of Jeff Scott Soto heading over the coming years?
I hate 2 sound cliche', but I haven't even started yet!!! I've been
around 4 a while, but I still have more than enough years in me 2
prove yet. U aint seen shit yet!
Finally,
do you have any parting messages for the readers of 'Yngwie J Malmsteen's
Guitar Alchemy'?
U guys are the most loyal believers of a special genre & generation
of music & it's great 2 see such patronage in this beautiful noise
we call rock & roll....keep the faith...Always!
Official
Jeff Scott Soto website
www.jeffscottsoto.com
|
