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| The exclusive Nick Menza Interview! |
| Nick Menza has been carving his niche' as a world class drummer since as early as age two, when he would accompany his dad, legendary jazz woodwind master Don Menza to gigs all over the world. It was during this time that Nick would soak in drum knowledge from pros that we all would dream of learning from - Buddy Rich, Jack DeJonette, and Steve Gadd, just to name a few! After breaking in playing sessions and jingles, Nick landed the gig that most of us know him best from - Megadeth. In this great exclusive interview, Nick openly gives us the most honest and sometimes surprising answers about his time in Megadeth and about his new solo album, "Life After Deth". |
| Q: Nick, thank You so much for taking the time to join Me here on my site! I wanted to start off by asking You about your new solo CD, Life After Deth. How long had you been working on this project and when did you finally finish it? A: This was 10 years in the making - I did this to get stuff off my chest. Likemy paintings, it was an experimental art type thing. Some of the music is from years ago. I was writing the whole time with Megadeth. It's kinda a snapshot of the times. I didn't make this album to go platinum or anything. Just something I wanted to do, and if someone digs it, then cool. There is always someone who will like your stuff.... even if it is one person and that is good too! Q: It sounds like You have a great line-up for Your touring band! I saw on your site where You are currently taking demos and auditioning for lead singers. How is the search coming along? A: It is not that easy of a thing to do. I can tell it is going to take more time than expected! Q: Based on the tapes you get, which I'm sure the volumes of tapes are massive, how many of these auditionees have genuine talent, and what are you looking for in a frontman? A: Go watch Rob Zombie live and that is the guy! Not to say that some of the demos sent are not talented, but they are lacking in some way - could be the look or the sound. Q: Your Father, Don Menza is a great classical arranger and composer as well as a famed woodwind player, so you got to spend a lot of time around legendary musicians . I was blown away to find out that you spent your formative years in the company of drummers like Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, and Jack DeJohnette. Being so young at the time, how much do you remember about being around such legends? A: I saw them play a bunch of times - Steve ruined one of my bass drum heads. Louis Belson sent me my first drum set. I was blown away! It was a slingerland - FYI- My dad is not calssical, but Jazz and plays the tenor sax mainly. Q: Hearing all of the stories of how stoic Buddy Rich was, how did he treat You and do you remember what kind of advice or tips he gave You? A: Buddy - he feared me cuz I played faster than him - He was the greatest drummer on the planet. I smoked pot with him. He came on the bus once and asked if I could roll. I said drum roll, he said NOOO - joints! Q: Being around such great drummers obviously rubbed off, because You developed into a wonderful drummer and a versatile one at that. I understand you were doing a lot of sessions before you joined Megadeth. What kind of sessions did you work on? A: I did all kinds of session work - from Gospel to John Fogharty - some i can't say because I am contractually bound not to say. probably done over 200 sessions for signed bands that had drummers that cant play. Q: Megadeth really took off and hit a wave of big-time popularity shortly after you joined. In retrospect, how do you feel about the work you did in Megadeth, and what the band accomplished? A: I feel good about it...we were all glad to be there. We are still a multi-Platinum band.... we accomplished something I would say! Q: Was your departure from the band a sudden one or had it been coming for quite some time? A: I was fired plain and simple - forced exit while getting knee surgery. Q: In the light of Dave Mustaine's recent injury that has lead to the dissolvement of Megadeth, do you feel that there were other factors in the band's break-up? A: Of course there was, but I am not at liberty to say. Q: Nick, I am very happy to see that you have more than landed on your feet and are still moving forward. Is a tour possible in the near future of your new band? A: Once we get a singer in place, I would like to tour. Q: I want to thank You very much for joining Me here, Nick. I want to wish you the best of luck and wrap up here by asking you how much of a chance do you get to surf the internet and what are some of your favorite websites? A: Always porn sites - they're the only ones that really count right? |
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