Brian: You were born and raised in Brooklyn; are you still living in New York?

James: No, I moved to LA (for the second time) in ’87 after the first White Lion tour. I’ve lived all over California since. With me, it was mostly about the weather, I’d spent enough nights waiting for a train in the dead of winter at 5:00 am with a Fender guitar case in one hand and an overnight bag strung over my shoulder.

Brian: Are you married? Do you have kids?

James: I’m married and have a daughter. I love being married and having a family to come home to.

Brian: Does your daughter have any interest in a career in music?

James: Right now she’s keen on being a cartoonist.

Brian: I’ve heard that you have two brothers; Are you the oldest? Do you come from a musical family?

James: My dad loved music and played it for my brothers and I when we were just babies. He wanted to play clarinet like Benny Goodman or trumpet like Harry James but he never got to it, he’s really a killer crooner though, when he sings he sounds just like Perry Como. My Grandfather on my Mothers side was a performer in the Italian Vaudeville circuit. He played guitar, mandolin and sang. I never got to hear any of it though since he died when I was very young. I have a 78 of his that my mom dug out of storage. One day soon I’m gonna have it transferred to disk and check it out. To answer your first question, I’ve got two brothers, Michael my older and Peter my younger, which keeps me smack dab in the middle. By the way my brother Pete’s a smoking bassist in his own right.

Brian: Is Peter also a professional musician?

James: Yeh, Pete is playing in both a Who cover band and a Beatles cover band in the Bay Area, he’s really great!

Brian: What would people be most surprised to know about James LoMenzo?

James: I’m a confirmed Horror/Sci-fi fanatic. I particularly like the older cheesier movies from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. One of my favorites is William Castles "The Tingler" (1959) with Vincent Price and of course I’m somewhat partial to "The Hideous Sun Demon".

Brian: What do you like to do in your free time?

James: These days just hangin’ with friends and flappin’ my gums over a cold one seems to be my speed. Zakk lives right up the road, so we tend to exercise that right on a daily basis.

Brian: It seems that many rockers have an interest in cars. Michael Anthony, for one, is known for his collection of hot rods, muscle cars, etc. Do you also consider yourself a "car guy"? What do you drive?

James: I love motorcycles first and foremost. I’ve owned three (mostly speed bikes) and been cross country on ’em all. I’m currently eyeballing a well deserved Harley. As far as cars go, well I had a 70’s Cuda a batch of years ago that I wrenched on and drove around for a while. I sold that one to some guys in Australia. If I had it to do again I’d probably get another one. I love the old 60’s-70’s Mopar’s.

Brian: What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

James: I listened to a crazy variety of music, I’d listen to my dad’s swing and crooner records, than we’d listen to classical and then we had quite a few 45’s. My uncle worked for Billboard magazine back in the sixties so he’d load us up with singles. All the while I was plugged into the AM radio (Big FM was just on the horizon back in 65). I listened with great intensity to everything from Sinatra to Ray Charles to Motown and I really dug the hell out of hearing the Stones in the midst of all that.

Brian: What was the first album you ever bought?

James: It was Meet the Beatles (glad I met ’em!)

Brian: Do you remember the first time you heard yourself on the radio? (where were you? do you remember what station? what song? what was your reaction?)

James: Oddly enough, right after White Lions first album was released, I went to LA to hang out with my girlfriend (at the time) for a little R&R. I ran into my buddy Ray Gillen who told me that I just had to come down and jam with his band Badlands. Of course I thought it would be cool, so I agreed to jam only if Ray would drop me to the Airport afterward to catch my flight back to New York. Ray picked me up, we stopped at Mates rehearsal in North Hollywood and there I met Jake E. Lee and Eric Singer. We plugged in and started riffing on some Zepplin-esque stuff and I guess it sounded great to them. I remember there being so much extraneous amp noise from Jake’s rig that half the time I couldn’t make out what he was playing. Thank god Eric was back there holding it down. Anyway after about 40 minutes I had to get going but first I stopped to "take a leak". Ray followed me into the bathroom and proceeded to press me for an answer as to whether I ‘d join the band (while I’m relieving myself). I have to admit that up until that time, not much seemed to be going on with White Lion since we released the record, so It was a tempting proposition (albeit, uncomfortable on several levels). Anyway, I told him I’d think about it. We got into his car, turned on the radio and lo and behold, "Wait" is playing on KNAC. This is the first time I’d heard it on the radio so I immediately turned to Ray and told him "I’m afraid I’m going to turn down your offer, but thanks’". He looked at the radio, looked at me, laughed and said "never-mind, for now".

Brian: What was the first concert you attended?

James: I’m both delighted and ashamed to say a triple bill of Tommy James, Chicago and The Beach Boys at Madison Square Garden. My brother Mike bought some tickets and I’d never been to a show before to see a band live (although I’d seen some local garage bands in the neighborhood) so in retrospect I guess I really dug it!

Brian: What was the last concert you bought tickets to attend?

James: I honestly can’t recall, Maybe The Allman Brothers at The Greek theater, ’93

Brian: What music are you listening to lately? What’s in your CD player right now?

James: Well I tend to search out bits and pieces of my past, If you were to turn on my CD player right now you’d find a copy of "Fire" by "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown". I’ve been having my daily pant’s moistening listening to that one. Other than that, I generally run one of those I-pods on shuffle. One moment it’s Miles Davis then on to Louie Prima, Alien Ant Farm, The Beatles, Curtis Mayfield…you get the picture.

Brian: Did you watch American Idol? Who did you root for?

James: I’m consistently appalled by that show. It seems that by the time the kids get to the finals they become really homogenized and sterile. Honestly I feel bad for them, I mean some people got it, but most people don’t! How can there be a fair competition when peoples tastes are so subjective? I also think that Simon guy is usually right on the money.

Brian: How long have you been playing bass?

James: For quite some time, maybe over thirty years by now (you’d think I’d have a grip on the thing by now). Anyway I still love it, perhaps more now than ever.

Brian: What is your favorite song? any particular reason? Is that to listen to or play or both?

James: "Never in My Life" by Mountain. I’m pretty sure I want that played at my funeral. It’s such an aggressive little thing. The great Felix Papallardi, Corky Lang and Leslie West, all playing much harder then they really have to. I don’t know, it always makes me laugh!

Brian: Do you/Have you played any other instruments?

James: I can find my way around on most instruments, mainly guitar, piano and drums. I played the French Horn throughout High School and it actually earned me a scholarship to Brooklyn College which I ended up declining because, well, " I wanted to rock!". (Schmuck!)

Brian: At what age did you decide you were going to play music for a living? Were your parents supportive of this?

James: I knew at the age of five that I was going to make music some how, I just always kept moving toward that goal. My folks were monumentally supportive. They used to let me rehearse my eight-piece band in the basement. How my dad could suck that up after hard day on the construction site is still beyond me, but he did. He’s the best!

Brian: Who are your biggest musical influences?

James: John Entwistle, Miles Davis, The Beatles, Jaco Pastorius, Dee Murray (from Elton Johns band). My list goes on and on, there are really quite a few.

Brian: Have you met and/or jammed with any of the members of Van Halen?

James: Yes, I’ve met all of them on more than a few occasions, I had opening slots for them with Pride & Glory and Slash’s Snake Pit. When we we’re out on that Sam & Dave tour I ran into Michael Anthony quite a bit, what a great guy!

Brian: How/when did you join White Lion?

James: Interestingly enough I declined many auditions with White Lion as they were, back in 1983. I thought at that point that they were just too much like Van Halen (can you sense the irony building?), so I moved off to L.A., jammed with a bunch of bands and became a motorcycle messenger (for dough). Well, 2 months into it my bike found the front end of a Lincoln Continental as it tried to cut me off. I leapt off but hurt my leg. My bike was banged up pretty bad, I was out of work and so I went to (where else?) The Rainbow Bar & Grille to drown my sorrows. Well, while I was there, I ran into an old friend of mine John Verdi, who mentioned that White Lion was still in need of a bassist and that they’d probably be into flying me out (back to Brooklyn) to audition. At that point I just said "who do I call?". The arrangements were made, I jammed with them and they liked me. It sounded like they had some interesting things on the horizon so we set ahead to write and arrange what was to become "Pride" and in about 6 months we were signed to Atlantic.

Brian: Whatever happened to Vito Bratta?

James: I haven’t spoken to him in quite some time, I suppose he’s living a pretty private life. I understand that Mike had contacted him to go on tour this year but he declined which to me is a shame because from what I hear from the people I meet, they’d really love to see him with Mike again.

Brian: Can you talk a little bit about your discography, before and since you’ve been with Dave?

James: Well before White Lion there was a little known band called Rondinelli featuring the Late great Ray Gillan (Bad Lands), Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow) and his brother Teddy on guitar. We did some basement (I think it was actually an attic) recordings along with some studio and live stuff that someone released a few years back. Great band, cool music (maybe not such great lyrics though) worth checking out It’s called War Dance. (O.K. Bobby there’s your plug, now where’s my royalty statement?)

Pride (White Lion/Atlantic Records)
Big Game (White Lion/Atlantic Records)
Mane Attraction (White Lion/Atlantic Records)
The Best of White Lion (White Lion/Atlantic Records)
No More Tears (Ozzy Osbourne/Epic)
Blues Bureau (Various Artists/Shrapnel Records)
LA Blues Authority (Various Artists/Shrapnel Records)
Pride & Glory (Pride & Glory/Geffen)
To the Station (Blindside Blues Band/Shrapnel Records
Ozzmosis (Ozzy Osbourne/Epic),
Book Of Shadows (Zakk Wylde/Geffen)
Shredzilla (John Bare & the Killer Whales/Mega Truth Records)
Capricorn (Mike Tramp/CMC international)
Rubber (Gilby Clarke/Spitfire)
Chrome (Randy Pevler)
Diamond Dave (David Lee Roth/Magna Carta)
B.K. Diaz (B.K. Diaz/GemStar)
The Hideous Sun Demons (The Hideous Sun Demons/Magna Carta)
Hangover Music Vol. VI (Black Label Society/Spitfire)

Brian: In an interview, John Kalodner was asked "Will any 80s hair band ever sell a gold record again, yes or no and why?" and he responded "No. Because their audience, which can be sizeable in concert, wants to hear the 80’s hits and not new music from them. That’s sort of sad, but that’s the way it is." Do you agree with this? Comments?

James: My question is, if that’s in fact a true quote, why did John "re"-sign so many of those bands, maybe it’s a "hindsight 20/20 thing". I don’t know, I think it would take a miracle to find enough radio and MTV air space to support all those come backs anyway, so I don’t doubt that there’s an awful lot of truth to that statement however, the optimist in me would like to believe that if some 80’s band could come out with an undeniably great song and the powers that be could actually recognize and get behind something like that well…. who am I kidding…"Play Wait!"

Brian: We have a number of musicians on our site; would you tell us about your rig?

James: Love to! After having used virtually every amp on the planet (remember I’ve been doing this forever) my absolute favorite is the Ashdown RPM-1 Pre-amp and as many of their 1000 watt amps as I can plug in. The speakers are quite good too. I bought a bunch of their 8×10" boxes to use on the Sam & Dave tour, their great! however, I’ll probably be revamping my speaker selection for Black Label Society, I’ll probably get some 15 or 18 folded horns crossed over for sub bass and run through a batch of 12’s for the top. Same Pre’s and Power Amps. I’m also using these new compressors made by Aphex called the "Punch Factory", I’m real keen on them lately along with their "Bass Exciter". For effects I’ll stomp on and off of the MXR M-80 (for extra eq and distortion,) The Phase 100, Bass Wah and the Bass Auto-Q. Bass Strings are Rotosound, Rotosound, Rotosound, the best strings and the only ones I’ll ever used. As for Basses, This year is the year of the Warwick Buzzards, They’re the ugliest most beautiful sounding basses I’ve ever played and I’ll be hittin’ em pretty good with B.L.S. at this summers Ozzfest.

Brian: While we’re into the techie stuff, here’s something that many of us who don’t play have wondered for quite a while. What is the difference between a four-string, five-string, and six-string Bass? (and please don’t say "the number of strings" <lol>)

James: Well I used to play a five-string for a while, and I used a six-String on "The Mummy" (Hideous Sun Demons). I guess what it boils down to is extending the available range of the instrument, Lower, higher or both (in the case of a six-string bass). Still, to my ear, I think that the traditional 4-string bass has the most balanced sound from lows to highs. It’s been my experience that when you add a lower string than the original (Lowest) E-string on a bass, it tends to thin out that (The E) string so that you can’t really replicate the "classic" sound of a bass. Having said that, the plus is that you have these wonderful and very powerful lower and higher register notes to punctuate your music, so in the end it’s all good. These days I prefer the traditional four-sting approach.

Brian: Talk to us about "The Hideous Sun Demons".

James: The Sun Demons were a project that Ray Luzier and Toshi Hiketa were putting together to enable them to play more "chop" oriented music. When I settled into Dave’s band, Ray asked me if I’d be into playing in a fusion type band. Well, I use to love bands like Brand X and Jeff Becks many endeavors so I said "what the heck, let’s go". Ray gave me a disk of ideas that he and Toshi had stockpiled and I made some comments on those and then we set about to do jams at rays house and made up a whole bunch of cool stuff on the spot, good chemistry! We set about recording the stuff for real using anything at our disposal (thanks for the gear "5"). And well, the rest is…"mystery". Ray and Toshi are just stunning on the tracks.

Brian: What is the most memorable thing that’s happened while you were on stage?

James: Well, let me see. Back in ’88 I think, White Lion was playing with AC/DC for the Summer. We played Madison Square garden. That was just crazy-exciting to a boy from Brooklyn! We started our set and I was surprised to see that the spotlights were at this weird lower angle (Lower than the other venues due to the unique construction of The Garden) and as such they were kind of blinding. My hair was in my face (as usual) so I guess I took one step too far forward and stepped right off the front of the stage, right in the middle of a song. It seemed to take forever to hit the ground (AC/DC’s stage was elevated to about 8 feet to accommodate a rocket that came from underneath). Finally when I landed it knocked the wind out of me for a second. I recomposed and saw some kids in front of me in the audience with their fists in the air digging the fact that I was such a "wild man" as to jump off the stage for the express purpose of rocking face-to-face with them! I quickly looked around to see how I might get back up onto the stage. There was no way to get around the stage from the front so much to my horror, I realized I’d have to some how hoist myself back up from whens’t I came. Fuck! I tried once or twice to lift myself up by my arms, but I couldn’t find any place to secure my feet. I asked a security guard to help me up, but he quickly turned tail. The band is still playing. I put together a quick plan. I chucked my bass up on to the stage (like a soldier throwing his M-16 into a fox hole) then, I called another security guard over, but instead of asking him for help, this time I drive my foot into his crotch, he instinctively grabs my foot and that’s all I needed to hoist myself up. I rolled onto the stage, grabbed my bass and finished the set. After the show, in the dressing room I announce to the band what a fucked up night I’d just had and they replied "You weren’t on stage?".


Brian: How did you get the word that Dave wanted you in his band? Did he call you personally? Were you expecting it, or was it a surprise?

James: I had stopped playing Bass for about 5 year’s after playing in Slashes’ Snakepit, not because of Slash (who was a very cool guy), but because I was burned out. There were stupid lawsuits to deal with and bad management debacles from years earlier that were just relentless, I was just sick of the whole thing, so I moved my family up to Northern California and lived and worked there, primarily as a graphic artist. After a while my head cleared and I began to really love music again so I moved the family back down to L.A. and called everyone I knew to let ’em know I was available again. Well Ray’s girlfriend at the time used to baby sit my daughter so I knew him from that, any way he was always telling me that if Todd Jensen (Dave’s Bassist at the time) ever moved on, he thought he’d like to recommend me to Dave. Months went by and Dave wasn’t touring anymore, but one day Ray calls up and asks if I’d like to come down to the studio and record a version of "Living in the USA" for Dave. I was thrilled. So I listen to the song learned it and went off to the studio. I was there with a bunch of guys who played with Dave in the past, Bret Tuggle was playin’ keys. We got down to recording and Dave appears in the control room and graciously says hello. We do some takes and Dave turns to me and says great, would you like to go on tour sometime? I was thrilled, I felt I passed some kind of audition. Unfortunately the track never got released, shame…it was a smokin’ track.

Brian: Had you met Dave before you were hired?

James: I met Dave many years earlier, once at the Troubadour, I was chatting up this girl by the restrooms (always the romantic) and making some pretty good time with her. Dave comes out of the mens room, gives her that million dollar smile, she looks at me, looks back at him, looks back at me and I just give her a "yeah, I know" kind of shrugged and off they went into the crowd. I just laughed.

Brian: What was the first gig you played with DLR?

James: I think it was Atlanta. Not sure though, It was an outdoor shed or something. Anyway it was great! I was very at ease with the whole thing and I recall just being bowled over by watching Dave from my new vantage point.

Brian: Did Dave talk to you or give you any advice/words of wisdom before that first show?

James: Actually, aside from small talk and revelry, I think it was just "have a good show and sing loud!" He seemed pretty confident with us as a band.

Brian: What is it like working with Dave? Is it what you expected? Discuss..

James: I’ve been in close quarters with all kinds of major stars throughout my career so I’ve long gotten over the fear of being around people like Dave. I will say that I did have a very cool level of excitement though, playing with him. He is truly the "Diamond One" and you definitely feel that.

Brian: Throughout your career, you’ve met/played with a lot of big names. Out of them all, is there one in particular that you still look back and go "Wow! I can’t believe I actually met/jammed with _________!" ?

James: Ritchie Blackmore. I was his bassist /lead vocalist at a club back in 1983 on Christmas Day. Bob Rondinelli phones me up and aske’s if I could learn Fire by Jimi Hendrix, Smoke on the Water and a couple of other tunes and meet him at this bar in Long Island to Jam with Blackmore. It was really a thrill, I stood 3 feet away from him and played and sung my heart out. Everything went well. I went right to the bar afterwards, I was terrified to talk to him. He comes up to me, leans in my ear and says "you were quite good". I froze, I couldn’t move a muscle, he looked at me for a moment, looked at me kind of bemused and walked on. Fuckin’ brilliant !
I remember jamming with Paul Rogers during the Snakepit tour.
We played "All Right Now" and Paul commented that I reminded him of a young Andy Frasier (Free’s Bassist). I took that as a supreme compliment.

Brian: If you could meet/play with one musician that you’ve yet to meet, who would it be? what song(s) would you do?

James: Maybe Paul McCartney. I’d be honored to play anything he would call out starting with "Maybe I’m Amazed"

Brian: What’s the one thing you can’t live without while touring?

James: Beer and music. I can survive just about anything, no sleep, bad food,
long drives so long as I’ve got plenty of beer and music.

Brian: What are some of the interesting/off-the-wall things required at the
venues in your contract riders (with all bands) that are provided for each
show? i.e. food, drink, M&M’s, etc..?

James: I don’t care about that stuff much, If it’s not there I’ll go and get it.

Brian: In our interviews with them, both Ray Luzier and Brian Young share
tales of fright on the tour bus. Do you have any "gonna die on the tour bus"
stories to share?

James: Back in the White Lion Days we had this one fellow who must remain
nameless, who actually stepped out of his drivers seat and came through the
front door (There was a full wood partition with a door between the
drivers seat and the front lounge) and announced "who’s drivin’ the
bus?" as it went rolling down the highway at 50mph on cruise control.
He was gone the next day.

Brian: Are you planning on Going to any Van Halen Shows?

James: No, but if the opportunity comes up I would!

Brian: Do you read any of the DLR/VH sites on the Internet?

James: I like to check in every now and then, you get some good insight into
peoples perception (and misconception) of what’s going on. Things you might not even consider. I don’t care much for the agenda-ists (is that a word?) The
people who are trying to manipulate everyone else’s opinions about one
thing or another. My favorite site is www.diamonddavidleeroth.com/.
Check it out some time.

Brian: What’s in your pockets right now?

James: Just the cool feel of cotton, I like to fly light when I type (interview).

<Both Laugh>

Brian: Boxers or Briefs?

James: Briefs

Brian: Ginger or Marianne?

James: Marianne every-time

Brian: Marcia Brady or Lori Partridge?

James: Miss Partridge ("if your nasty")

Brian: Paper or Plastic?

James: Paper, my groceries always end up all over the place when I tote them in those awful plastic bags

Brian: Tastes Great or Less Filling?

James: Both!

Brian: Real or Fake?

James: Orgasms or Breasts?

<Laughter>

Brian: Radio or MTV?

James: Radio killed the Video Star…(just dreaming in bizarr-o world again)

Brian: Live or Memorex?

James: Live, recorded on Ampex of course.

Brian: Would you rather have just one HUGE hit song, that was widely remembered decades later, or multiple smaller hits with a "cult following"?

James: Which ever God would entitle me, I’m comfortable with the notion of both.

Brian: We’ve heard that you are going to be touring with Zakk Wylde and Black
Label Society; however I also heard talk of a White Lion reunion, with Mike
Tramp, Warren DeMartini of RATT, Jimmy DeGrasso of Megadeth, and you on bass, both alleged for this summer. Comments?

James: Zakk and BLS, Yes, Definitely! White Lion? Close but no cigar. The info coming in regarding the offers were too scattered. Perhaps in the future.

Brian: How are things going with the Black Label Society? Any other irons in
the fire right now?

James: Actually, I’m just so stoked to be playing and hanging with Zakk again,
I’ve really missed him. He’s a beautiful human being and he’s really one of the great guitar players of our time. For me (and lots of others I’m sure) he’s one of the last of a dying breed. Nobody’s doing it like him any more!

Brian: Would we be correct in presuming you’ll be back with Dave’s band after
the Ozzfest tour?

James: If Zakk’s done with me (I’ll go kicking and screaming) and Dave would
still like to have me, of course I’ll play for Dave again, I’ll play for him any time he wants me! 

Brian: You’ve played with Ozzy, you’ve played with Slash’s Snakepit, I’m sure you must have some stories to tell…

James: Ozzy was great, he’d show up to rehearsals and clarify certain
inadequacies in the universe at the expense of some of my former
colleagues (who deserved it), all names will be withheld until further
interrogation…you figure it out.

Slash was a pretty swingin’ dude and his audiences love him. We had to
find all kinds of ways to sneak out of the hotels in South America,
Hundreds of fans would chase after our vehicles, I was almost yanked
out of the back of a Van as it was moving, someone forgot to lock it.
We had to flee another country because a mike stand broke, hit someone
in the head and the local police were after us.

Brian: You’ve traveled to a lot of places in your career; what was your favorite?
Is there anyplace you haven’t been you would especially like to visit
(whether as a tourist or a musician)?

James: I love Hawaii and I’ d really like to get over to Austrailia.

Brian: If you couldn’t be a musician, what would you want to be?

James: A drummer (can’t ever resist that one)

<Both Laughing>

Brian: What’s the next dream/goal in your musical career?

James: I’d like to see Black Label explode, I think Zakk’s always had the
potential to be one of the "big guys" and with the music BLS has been
putting out lately, I really think it can happen. Aside from that, I’d
like to carry on with my producing, and move into scoring movies.

Brian: Where do you see James LoMenzo, 5 or 10 years from now?

James: The beauty of this system is we’re not meant to know. I hope to be
healthy, viable and still playing the bass.

Brian: Anything else you’d like to add?

James: Thanks for the opportunity to chat. Thanks to all the friends and fans
I’ve met and made through out the years, I’m a very lucky individual and a big part of that is thanks to Y’ all.