The Damned Interviews

You got to love people who are always willing to offer their time to simply do an interview. John DeServio is certainly one of those, proving he is not only one of the hardest working men in the music industry today with his work in Black Label Society as bassist(he also co-produced the latest BLS album Order of the Black), and in his own band Cycle of Pain, but that  he is also one of the nicest people in the business. With BLS hitting  the US with their latest tour I recently caught up with him on what their fans can look forward to in the months to come as well as the latest on Cycle of Pain.

Q: How are things going with Cycle of Pain? How is the new album coming along?

A: It’s coming out cool. It is just in the writing process now!

Q: When do you think it will be available to the public? How does it differ from the debut album? Are you excited to show the world what you guys can do next?

A: It won’t be out until next year I hope! Its gonna be even more of a band effort this time, which I’m all for!

Q: What do you enjoy most about working with people that you have known since your childhood or thereabout? Do you think the CoP sound has gotten tighter since the early days? How has the band evolved over the years?

A: It is awesome to play with my family, not just my friends or other musicians. We have definitely evolved into more of a band like I said. Doing the record and touring with BLS and Shinedown really brought us into the game now!

Q: How did you first become involved with BLS?

A: I have known Zakk for 25 years. Before Ozzy and everything. so it was a no brainer when he asked me to join.

Q: You have co produced and mixed the last two BLS albums? Do you enjoy having the chance to expand your knowledge of the business and your role in it in such a fashion?

A: Yes, its a lot of fun to get to do this on a big level now.

Q: How did you first become involved in that?

A: I got my first computer back in 97. Ever since then I’ve had a home studio, really out of necessity.  Before that I had a 4 track!

Q: What advice would you offer others that wish to learn the trade?

A: Go to school and really learn to understand all aspects of recording.

Q: Do you have any amusing stories from over the years with them that you are at liberty to share with our readers?

A: I’d need a drink and about a month! Lol.

Q: BLS fans are extremely loyal. Why do you think that is? Do you think it makes your work much more enjoyable?

A: Because it is real. The music is what it is and our fans love it! it definitely makes it more enjoyable.

Q: Are you looking forward to the upcoming BLS tour? When exactly does it kick off?

A: It has kicked off already and we’re 3 shows in! We’ll be out in the states til June 5th then back to Europe til July 9th.

Q: How do you like to pass what little free time you have on the road?

A: Hockey! NHL 11 we’re always playin on the bus!

Q: What in your opinion do you think would be key to raising happy, well adjusted children in today’s often troubled world?

A: Make them smoke pot, and get to school every day!

Q: Do you think marijuana will ever be relegalized in the US?

A: Eventually it will be. After all it’s God’s gift!

Q:  Any little known facts about yourself you’d not mind sharing?

A: I’m a great dancer! And a lot of fun at parties.

Q: Is there anything you have yet to accomplish that you would most like to?

A: Plenty. To put out another CoP record is first.

Q: Other than BLS and CoP what projects are you most looking forward to working on next?

A: My jazz, fusion record. I also have more clinics comin up on this run. Denver, Columbus,  Burbank, and Illinois.

Q: How do you hope to be remembered when your time comes?

A: As a good soul.

Q: Anything you’d like to say to your fans and supporters?

A: I love you guys! Thanks so much.

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 8th, 2011 at 9:47 pm and is filed under Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.