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Hi Ed. Thanks for your time for this
interview. First of all introduce your band to
our readers
First of all let me thank you Vince and sleaze-metal.com
for the support! For those who are not familiar
with us, we are called Ballbreaker from
Rochester, New York. Home of Kodak and The House
Of Guitars. Ballbreaker consists of Mark Stevens
and Steve Felerski on guitars, Todd Tracy on the
drums, Jerry Harkins on bass, and my self on
vocals. We basically started out as an AC/DC
tribute. Ballbreaker gained a reputation as one
of the top AC/DC tributes on the circuit and
built a really strong fan base doing their show.
After a while we decided it was time to start
doing some of our own music. So we released a
self titled disc to a really nice response from
fans and press alike. And now……….well, here is
our new c.d., “Hangman’s Tree.” We hope that
everyone likes it!!!!!!!
congratulations to your new album
„Hangman’s Tree“, I have to confess that this
record really impressed me much. How do you like
it yourself?
Oh we are more than happy with this disc. We
have accomplished exactly what we were looking
for in that we surpassed our first c.d. in terms
of writing and production while still
maintaining that stripped down, dirty rock n
roll sound. On our first disc we were as raw as
you were going to get. What you heard was going
to be exactly what you heard at a live
Ballbreaker show. With Hangman’s Tree we wanted
to take it a step further without going over the
top. Todd wanted his drums to sound bigger,
almost a, “Creatures Of The Night,” Eric Carr
sound to them, while Steve and Mark were looking
to beef up their sound by adding more guitar
tracks and a slightly more processed sound in
parts. Our first disc, “Ballbreaker 1” was a
concoction of songs that had been written
outside of Ballbreaker and brought into the
band. Hangman’s Tree was approached a bit
differently. Although a couple of the songs were
written outside of the band, the bulk of this
disc was written by Ballbreaker, in the
rehearsal room, which I think added to our song
writing. “Hangman’s Tree” is a bit heavier than
“Ballbreaker 1”, but I think that is a good
direction for us. Keep it sleazy and melodic but
still have some balls behind it. I think the
best comparison would be Bon Scott era AC/DC or
Jackyl.
Can we have a short look at the things
that “Ballbreaker” have done so far?
Well…….I have to say that Ballbreaker has been
very fortunate. I say that because a band of our
style is already behind the 8 ball because of
the type of music we play. Here in the US, if
you don’t play what is constantly shoved down
your throat through the media then you are
pigeon holed and have to work that much harder
to gain exposure. That being said, we have been
lucky to have obtained supporting slots for
numerous popular acts such as Loverboy,
Nazareth, and Quiet Riot. We also were a
featured act on the AC/DC tribute disc, “Voltage
Overload,” on sharkbite records. This year has
been especially good for us in that we had an
appearance in the August issue of Revolver
Magazine, and we will be making another
appearance in the November issue. In that copy
we will be featured in the Bootleg Series and
you will be able to visit their website and
download a couple of unreleased Ballbreaker
tunes. We have also obtained a distribution deal
through Perris Records as well as endorsements
from companies such as Coffin Cases out of LA.
And Ballbreaker music has been heard in various
commercials with the topper, for me anyway,
being a fan, having the song “Inside Out” off
our first disc being used in an ad for a Buffalo
Bills, NFL game.
Have read any reviews about the CD so
far? And are you satisfied with the reactions so
far?
Yeah, we have gotten some reviews back and all I
can say it that they kick ass. It seems as
though everyone that is hearing the c.d. is
loving it which makes this whole thing worth
while. We are still waiting on some of the
reviews to come in, but the ones we have are
outstanding! We have been getting strong airplay
from various radio stations and web casts from
all over the world as well, and the word keeps
getting back that they are getting a lot of
requests for Ballbreaker music. I
mean.sleazeroxx.com says that it “is a must own
album for all fans of sleaze.” Brennus-music
called it “a power rock n roll bomb” and
strutterzine said, “this is how hard rock is
supposed to sound, straight ahead, raw and mean,
dirty rock n roll.” And I want to make sure your
readers take a look at your review as well. The
response and support for this disc has just been
incredible so far!!!! This is what gives us the
drive to keep pushing forward.
Give me an look at your point of view
about the CD-Cover, please (it looks a little
bit funny in my opinion)
Well, we were going for something pretty
particular with this cover. To start with, the
name of the band being Ballbreaker, we were
looking for something a little humorous, tongue
and cheek if you will. Hence the guitars hanging
from the trees as opposed to actual people. We
are an old school rock/metal style band, and we
were going for an old school style look with the
cover. I can recall holding albums in my hands
and looking and the cover while listening to the
album. All those albums had hand drawn, stripped
down covers to them. We wanted a traditional,
pre-glitz era, rock n roll feel to it.
The “Ballbreaker” sound is very sleazy
and rock n’ roll based and I hear a shoot of
“AC/DC”, how would you describe the Sound of
your band?
That is a very good question…….we have actually
had this conversation before. While we still
have a very traditional rock sound there is
something about it that sounds different from
everyone else. We have tried to place our finger
on that numerous times and I think it just comes
down to what each player brings to this band.
Each member of Ballbreaker comes from a
different rock n roll background. With that I
mean we all live rock n roll but we hail from
different styles to form the Ballbreaker sound.
Of course we have the obvious comparisons to
AC/DC, Jackyl, and The Four Horsemen. But I have
also heard people compare us to bands from
Dokken and White Lion to Judas Priest and Y&T.
So I think our sound is best described as a
traditional but original rock and roll sound
brought together by each member adding their own
influences into the mix.
Why you decide to play such kind of cool
Sleazerock and not some Up-To-Date-Stuff?
While some of the more up to date stuff is
pretty cool, I think we are playing what we
love. I think that people can tell when a band
is playing something that they don’t really like
just to make money. It appears that they are
going through the motions. It kills me when I
hear, for example, “ This band used to be a
metal band but they started playing grunge when
that style became popular.” I think fans can
tell that and they would know that if I decided
to start doing a Nu-Metal or dance song, because
that’s where the money is, that it really isn’t
my style. You cant fool the fans. So….we play
what we love and we don’t make excuses for it.
We are a rock n roll band. We grew up on rock,
we listen to rock, we live and breathe rock, so
we play rock.
Who are your influences? And fave bands?
Like I said earlier in the interview, we all
bring our own influences into this band. Some of
mine might actually be surprising to you in that
they fall out of the sleaze category. I actually
have a very long list of fav bands but this is a
short list of influences/ bands. I guess I will
start with Iron Maiden, Manowar, Edguy,
Stratovarius, Hammerfall, Motorhead, Jackyl,
Black Label Society, Kiss. As far as influences
go….Bruce Dickenson is top notch, Jesse James
Dupree, an incredible front man. I have to throw
in Dee Snider, Eric Adams, Tobias Sammet, Rob
Halford, Ronnie Dio, Timo Kotipelto, David
Coverdale Just to name a few, oh, and Ritchie
Blackmore….for the guitarist category.
What is your aim to play in a band?
I guess my goal for this band, is pretty much
the same as everyone else that decides to get in
to this business. I would like to see
Ballbreaker take it to the top. Obviously we
aren’t looking to be the next Led Zeppelin, but
I would like to see Ballbreaker leave a
significant dent in the face of the world.
Sleaze-metal.com is actually a homepage
tributing the former sleaze and glam scene with
interviews and reviews etc, what do you think
about the 80s’ sex, drugs and motley crüe-roll
time?
Really……I look at that whole time period as an
attitude, an attitude that the world needs to
have again. It was a time that was over the top
and fun. Everyone was just out and having a good
time. Once the 90’s hit it seems like every one
decided this was a good decade to be in a bad
mood…so all the music became gloomy and
depressing. We need to find a way to bring back
a time when music was about having fun. Music is
supposed to be an escape from the everyday life
that we lead, and that was the way it was then.
Bands came to town at the very least once a
month and outside of the daily grind life was a
party. We need that now. We need some good rock
n roll to bring back the party to the world.
Now for a change a little bit fun
stuff.. what does cross your mind when you see
the following expressions?
- 80’s
( A decade of over the top decadence )
- Sex, Drugs & Rock n’ Roll
( That’s how you partied in the 80’s )
- Bon Scott
- ( A lyrical genius and monster stage persona –
true rock star )
- The “Rockstar” Movie
- (It was an incredible movie, I loved it.
Although I was bummed by the ending. The kid
sold out. I know it is “based” on ripper but
look at what he is doing, rocking harder than
ever. I mean if the kid didn’t like what was
going on in the band….he had clout now…he could
have still rocked out but decided to grunge out.
But still a good movie )
- Hair Metal
- (Hair metal was great and a lot of incredible
song writers came out of the genre. A lot of
these guys are being tapped to write songs in
movies and TV themes these days. I think it had
gotten a pretty bad rap because of the glut of
bands that were on the market in the early 90’s,
but it is good to see that the heroes are still
on the road doing it. There are some kick ass
tours going around right now and they all seem
to be doing well …. Let’s keep it up!!!! )
- Mötley Crüe
- (Cream of the crop……they are the total
package. There are one or two rock n roll bands
that come out of every decade to stand above the
rest and have a career…….these guys did it, and
they deserve it. Hopefully Tommy will realize
the influence of the Crue and decide to keep it
going. He can still do his own stuff and keep
the Crue. )
- Hop Hop ( Hip Hop ……..huh…….I guess it has its
place in the world and I can listen to a song
here and there if it is on the radio, but it
just isn’t in my c.d. player. )
- MTV
- ( I can not really comment on MTV in that here
in the states they don’t really program the
channel to my tastes so I don’t watch it that
often with the exception of your next expression
)
- Headbangers Ball
- (I am so glad to see that they brought this
show back. It was my opinion that they should
have never took it off. I also like how they mix
some older metal in with the new.)
- Groupies
- (Groupies are what keeps a band going - god
bless ‘em, *nudge nudge wink wink* )
- Politic
- (That is a tough question to answer in this
day and age. Speaking for myself, let me put it
this way, I tend to lean on liberal side of
American politics )
- Switzerland
- ( Is ready for Ballbreaker rock n roll and a
Ballbreaker tour )
- Germany
- (Another place I would love to come to.
Germany to is ready for Ballbreaker )
- Stryper
- (I am very interested in hearing their new
music to compare to their past catalog. C’mon
you have to admit….you loved “To Hell With The
Devil” )
- Harry Potter
- (I think Harry Potter is an amazing industry.
JK Rowling has almost achieved what Tolkien did
with his Lord Of The Rings. Brilliant how it
appeals to adults and children alike. Funny how
both have been in the limelight at the same
time. I am wondering when Bruce Dickinson’s kids
book is coming out in the movies. C’mon Bruce )
Here comez the “Sleazy OR” questionz:
New York Dolls OR Beastie Boys
The Dolls all the way
Dangerous Toys OR Iron Maiden
OH…….Maiden for sure. Although there is a
Rochester son in DT, sorry Paul.
Green Day OR Edguy
Edguy is one of my favourite bands. Can’t wait
for the new disc and DVD.
Beer OR Whiskey
Whiskey with a beer chaser (Southern Comfort and
Rolling Rock)
Super Model OR Porn star
Supermodel gone Porn star!!!!
Fan OR Groupie
You need the fans to stay alive…….
Nu Metal OR Death Metal
Death Metal for sure Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu,
Emperor, Immortal…..yeah……..Death Metal
Sleaze-Metal.com OR Metal-Sludge.com
SLEAZE-METAL.COM !!!!!!!
Lord of the Rings OR Harry Potter
Definitely Lord Of The Rings…..read them, bought
the movies (Every edition), saw them the day
they were released….they better do the hobbit
and the silamarillion
King of Queens OR CSI New York
King of Queens…….two words, Leah Remini
What could we expect from a
“Ballbreaker” Live-Show?
We try to bring to the stage the explosiveness
and excitement that you would expect to see at a
rock n roll show. I can’t see someone spending
the money they do on a show these days and the
band just stands in one place the whole night. I
would be pissed off myself. When Ballbreaker is
on the stage there is never a down moment. Every
single member is always doing something and
there is always something to watch. And once we
start there is no stopping…..we are always in
your face. We come to rock and there isn’t a lot
of time to do it so we are going to pack as much
punch as possible. You will walk out with
ringing ears and go what the fuck just rolled
through town. And we will come out to you……it is
regular practice for anyone of us to leave the
stage and get right in the audience and rock out
with you…..it is a party and every one there is
going to get involved.
Let me know with such kind of bands you
have played together so far, any others cool
Rockers out there in the USA?
Like I stated earlier, we have been very
fortunate to get some really cool supporting
slots. Our time with Loverboy was a blast as
well as with Nazareth. Those guys sure can
drink!!! But Quiet Riot was the best. Also one
of my best memories was when guitar hero Greg
Howe showed up to a Ballbreaker show and I got
the opportunity to sing with him…..that was
definitely a good night. A big shout to my
friend Rob at Designs By Shock for that night.
As far as cool rockers coming out of the USA?
Well, Joe Leste and Beautiful Creatures is just
a kick ass band and another group I think
everyone should check out is Brand New Sin out
of Syracuse NY. They are kicking. Their new c.d.
has just blown my mind. It is tough as nails,
blue collar rock n roll.
Do you have any merchandise from
“Ballbreaker” in stock?
Oh yeah …….we are aiming at being merchandise
whores. We want to operate the KISS method, if
we can put our name on it then we will. Right
now we are carrying a pretty good size catalog
of merchandise. Currently our debut c.d. is out
of print but we are hoping to get it re-released
again soon, but we have the new c.d., “Hangman’s
Tree,” as well as a tribute to AC/DC disc that
we appeared on. That is called “Voltage
Overload: A Tribute To AC/DC’ that is available
through Sharkbite Records. Besides our actual
c.d. releases we carry Ballbreaker t-shirts,
tank tops, spaghetti string tops, ladies
g-string underwear, affectionately called
Thunderwear, beer coozies, skull caps and
posters. Everything is available at our website
and shows.
Are you listening to any newer bands? If
yes, which ones?
I am not listening to alot of nu-metal bands.
There really isn’t anything that is catching my
attention in the last few years from that genre.
But I am plugged into alot of traditional metal
bands that are going around. I think Shadows
Fall and In Flames are two of the top metal
bands out there now and I love The Haunteds
newest c.d. A great new c.d. that recently came
out is Third Wish from Feinstein........you want
a great classic hard rock album? In my opinion
that has been one of the best in the last few
years. I am hoping that there is a new disc in
the works soon. Feinstein is on Manowars label
Magic Circle, and the band features Dave
Feinstein of The Rods and Elf with Ronnie Dio
and features John West of Royal Hunt and
Artension. I suggest your readers to definately
grab that little gem.
I’d really love to hear a funny story
about what you have experienced
Laughing………I am pleading the fifth on that
question Vince. Lets just say some things are
better left unsaid. We will put it this
way……..take Motley Crue and their “Decade of
Decadence,” now take away their level of fame
and you have Ballbreaker…..laughing…Hey man,
it’s all there in the c.d. for you to hear,
“Snakebite Blues” is a true story!!!!
In the 80s and 90s there were
uncountable “hair” bands. Did you strike any
bands who better hadn’t recorded or released an
album?
Yeah, That was the problem back then. Every
record company was looking for the new Guns N
Roses and flooded the market with a whole bunch
of bands shooting for the top. I can’t blame the
bands at all for taking their shot,
unfortunately they fell victim to the glut.
Unfortunately when there is that many, only one
or two are actually going to rise to the top and
the rest will fall. I think they all had their
good qualities about them and they all had
decent songs or else they wouldn’t have gotten
signed, there were just to many of them for them
all to survive. That happens every time a new
style comes around, that is why grunge
disappeared, that is why Nu-metal is fading
away…..who knows what the next big thing in rock
is going to be….hopefully its Ballbreaker….but
rest assured there will be a million copycats
and it will be overdone within a decade.
You know, I’m from Switzerland, do you
know some bands of my country?
Oh Yeah…..absolutely. Celtic Frost was the shit
until they released that song “Cherry Orchard,”
As well as Coroner. And hell……KROKUS…….need I
say more, I love that song outlaw, and
Headhunter, screaming in the night, long stick
goes boom, I could go on and on about them. I
also really like the band Godiva….I loved their
first c.d. and I read that they have a new
singer. I just recently heard the band Gotthard
and thought their single “Lift u Up’ was really
catchy. Kind of a Def Leppard meets Slade meets
Krokus. I couldn’t get that song out of my head.
What are the next steps for your Band?
Well we are still in promotional phase with this
c.d. and we have a few big shows coming up in
the next couple of weeks. We really want to get
through them and I think in after that we are
going to buckle back down and start writing for
the next c.d. We really do not want to wait to
release another one because this one is on such
a roll for us right now that we would really
like to capitalize on it and hopefully have a
new offering before too long.
Any wishes for the future from you?
Yeah…….I wish that Ballbreaker will soon come to
Europe and tour as well Japan where there is
still a respect for rock music and my dream wish
would be able to do a set at Wacken on the main
stage!!!!!!!! Hell Yeah……m/
Autor: Vince
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