UFO

Vinnie Moore

UFO

Andy Parker and Rob De Luca

Vinnie Moore and Rob De Luca

UFO

UFO

Vinnie Moore and Andy Parker

UFO

Backstage with Rob De Luca

Backstage with Phil Mogg

MR: Vinnie, I’m doing this interview for ‘Misty Green and Blue’ and Tristan says ‘hi’.
VM: Hello, Tris!

MR: Also I’m doing this for Radio Katowice so could you please say something to the listeners.
VM: I’d like to say hello to everybody and hope you were at the show tonight and if not hope to see you sometime again in the future and [Vinnie lowers his voice] check out the new UFO record ‘Seven Deadly’.

MR: So maybe I can start with ‘Seven Deadly’. Which composition was the easiest and most fun to record and which was the most challenging one and why?
VM: Wow… Well, the easiest was ‘Fight Night’, because I didn’t write it – Paul did. So I didn’t do any work on that at all. No, just joking [laughs]

MR: [laughs]
VM: You know, I have a lot of fun with songwriting and I wouldn’t say anything was more difficult than anything else. Some happen faster than others, some take longer to write and some don’t take as much time to write but it’s all fun so I wouldn’t say anything was more difficult or harder to do.

MR: That’s great. ‘Burn Your House Down’ features your most lyrical solo on the album in my opinion.
VM: Thank you.

MR: Seems as if it had been recorded in first take. Or did you have to work on it for a longer period of time?
VM: There was a lot of improvising but I don’t think it was a first take. You know a few takes, maybe improvise a part and I would like it and thene add another part and maybe it came in three or four different sections.

MR: Great! ‘Wonderland’, ‘Mojo Town’ are very heavy songs. Where did you get the ideas for the riffs from?
VM: I don’t know. ‘Mojo Town’ kind of has an old vibe to me and it’s an old bluesy thing. I was hearing a lot of Robert Johnson in there. I don’t know if it turned out like that but that’s initially one of the sparks I had for inspiration and you know, I just play guitar and kind of things pop out and I don’t think too much. I just kind of let the ideas come to me.

MR: And what about ‘Wonderland’? You know, the solo is like Blackmoresque in style…
VM: On the demo actually it was like even more Ritchie Blackmore sounding. He’s a big inspiration on me and on the demo I intentionally copied Ritchie’s [here Vinnie imitates Ritchie’s guitar sound] I took a little bit of that out but I think I left a little Ritchie in there and also went off in a different direction.

MR: How does the writing partnership of Moore/Mogg look like when recording an album? How does the writing chemistry work between you guys?
VM: Usually I write the music and I present him with a bunch of ideas and he takes my ideas and turns them into ZZ Top songs and I raise the vocals afterwards…

Now Phil comes into the room, looks at us talking, smiles viciously and  says:
Phil: ‘I’m only here for the beer’.

MR: What’s your favourite moment on the album?
VM: When Phil goes: ‘oooohhhh yeaaahhh!!!’ [laughs]

MR: [laughs]
VM: [laughs] You know I don’t know if I actually have a favourite moment. And there is so many different moments. I think it’s a good record, but I don’t have one particular favourite thing.

MR: How was the first show you ever played with UFO?
VM: The first show I ever did with UFO was in Greece and I was really sick. I had a fever. I guess it was okay but I remember just feeling sick and it wasn’t the best for me.

MR: Is there a UFO song you’d wish to play live but haven’t managed so far?
VM: There’s some stuff from the ‘Force It’ record like um [here Vinnie picks up the vinyl of ‘Force It’ from the table] ‘Love Lost Love’. ‘High Flyer’ I like a lot. And also, what’s the other one? Yeah I guess they were the two. I suggested that we do them, but nobody wanted to do them so I lost.

MR: Maybe you’ll do them in the future…
VM: Maybe, who knows?

MR: How was it playing with string quartet in Germany?
VM: It was kind of interesting actually. It was a different experience, and it was weird putting two different things together; contrasting styles together like that. But because of the nature of the songs like ‘Love to Love’ they worked.

MR: Did you guys ever consider playing with full-blown orchestras?
VM: I don’t think so, no.

MR: Don’t you think that some of the songs from UFO would gain added depth when orchestrated?
VM: Yeah, I think probably any piece of music would benefit from that type of thing if you wanted to take that approach.

MR: ‘To The Core’ for me a great album and abundant with great musical styles of different origins. And it seems to me, as you said to Piotr (Piotr Brzychcy is support band Kruk's guitarist), before the interview that guitar playing is not only about shredding – it is also about the melody…
VM: Yeah, melody is so finesse, expressing something that you feel. Way more important than the amount of notes you’re playing or how perfectly you play the notes.

MR: Great. Wonderful. I have a sort of personal question. What does Vinnie Moore do in his spare time when he’s not on the road, composing or recording?
VM: You know, I’m usually playing guitar and music a lot. It’s my life. But when I put that aside I have kids and I’m spending a lot of time with the kids and always busy with either music or the family.

MR: Which form of art do you think came first music or written word?
VM: Hmm… the chicken or the egg. I don’t know but probably literature.

MR: What experience or who made you pick up the guitar in the first place?
VM: I started playing guitar because Rob De Luca called my house and said…

MR: [laughs]
VM: I started playing guitar… It was Brian May, Ritchie Blackmore and Jimmy Page and The Beatles. They made me wanna play guitar.

MR: How do you feel about I-tunes and the age of digitalization of music? Do you think it has taken toll on the live shows or on the recording process? VM: I personally like it. I mean, as a fan I like to be able to purchase songs instantaneously whenever I want. You know, when I’m travelling. I mean at least I-tunes is like selling the music and paying royalties. There’s so many other bootlegs where people are downloading for free and stealing music – of course I don’t like that. It’s not fair to any artist, but you know, I-tunes is at least paying royalties and as an artist I love that and as a consumer who wants to purchase music I love that.

MR: Any particular writers you admire personally?
VM: As music or…

MR: Book writers, authors.
VM: Well, I’ve been reading a lot of autobiographies. I’ve just read Steve Jobs which is a great book. I read Steven Tyler’s book before that, Keith Richard’s book before that. I read one on Muddy Waters. I tend to like facts more than fiction.

MR: So I hugely recommend the book by the guy who was the chef in ‘Hell’s Kitchen’…
VM: ‘Hell’s Kitchen’?

MR: Yeah.
VM: Ok, what’s it called? Just ‘Hell’s Kitchen’?

MR: No, it’s called ‘Humble Pie’. It’s a very good book, because he’s the chef but he’s also very rock’n’roll in his attitude and stuff like that.
VM: Ok. I’ll check it out.

MR: He’s first time was Gordon…
VM: Oh, I know who you mean. Ramsey!

MR: Yeah, Gordon Ramsey.
VM: I’ll check it out.

MR: How do you relate to talent shows which are gaining immense popularity nowadays?
VM: On TV? I don’t watch a whole lot of TV and when I do watch TV it’s usually sports. I’m into sports so I don’t really pay much attention to things. I’m oblivious and out of touch.

MR: I see. How’s the tour going?
VM: This is only the fourth show and so far so good. Tonight was maybe the hottest show I’ve ever played on stage and two nights ago in Eastern Germany we had an outdoor gig and it was in the 30s F so it was maybe one of the coldest gigs ever. So from one extreme to the other.

MR: What advice would you give to KRUK the band who have opened for you tonight? They’ve been trying for some time now to make it somehow big in Poland…
Andy Parker enters the room
VM: First they’d got to get a real rock star drummer like Andy Parker lying down those thumping pitter-patter beats [laughs]
Andy: Pitter-patter beats [laughs]
VM: It’s a hard question on how to be successful and what do. But basically you have to love what you’re doing and follow your heart and your passion and hopefully it works out one day.
Andy: And stick at it!!!
VM: Stick at it and love what you do.

MR: Okay. One last question. What was the most memorable show you’ve ever played with UFO?
VM: Most memorable show with UFO… Man, there’ve been a lot of memorable events in this band on stage and off stage. So I don’t have any particular thing coming to mind. Lots of memories and there’s too many to really point out one.

MR: Yeah. Thank you very much Vinnie for the interview. It was a pleasure for me.
VM: Thank you! Cheers!

Vinnie Moore with Marcin Rybacki

UFO

 

Phil Mogg

 

Paul Raymond

 

Phil Mogg - Andy Parker - Rob De Luca

 

Vinnie Moore

 

Rob De Luca

 

Hard Rock - UFO in front Metzingen

METZINGEN. They play in big houses, now in Hanover, tomorrow in Bochum, Bremen on Tuesday. The other day they found in the wine before Metzinger nearly 100 people and forced gave a "very personal concert." The delight of the rose, the longer the evening. The intimacy was so great that guitarist Vinnie Moore on the front row was almost touch the strings and singer Phil Mogg "Sex with the band announced". The comprehensive life's work performed in two hours, but only a platonic relationship.

Cult of personality is not yet reversed. With Phil Mogg and Andy Parker (drums) were men of the first hour of 1969 on the stage, came a little later Paul Raymond (keyboards, rhythm guitar) to ten years then Vinnie Moore. On bass was temps Rob de Luca, a founding member of Spread Eagle.

Snatches of Hendrix, the Doors

UFO could draw on the past. "Doctor Doctor", "Rock Bottom" and "Shoot Shoot" are signature tunes that have arrived in the station house wife. Certainly not in this version: Left and right of way is a lot of room, especially the used Vinnie Moore. He threw scraps of Jimi Hendrix ("Voodoo Child") and the Doors ("Riders on the Storm") into the air.

With screaming guitar, Moore sat almost every piece in brilliant scene. When he would have the overwhelming shadow of his predecessor, Michael Schenker (Scorpions) illuminate, he indulged in extravagant solos, which were each taken by itself worth the trip.

And yet: The healthy mix of old favorites such as "Lights Out" and songs from the new album "Seven Deadly" gave an overall picture of the hard rock of the 70s, he can hardly be played better. Only rarely, however, in such an intimate setting. (Co)

GERMAN to ENGLISH translation

The British rock legends UFO plays in these spring-like Friday night at the Blues Garage Isernhagen a much acclaimed concert with old classics and new songs from her recently released album on SPV Records "Seven Deadly".
Despite the imposing entrance fees many fans come to the club, located just outside of Hanover. Something funny is the one way already, the club is pretty much in Niemandslos somewhere between industrial buildings and business parks, or similar signs are nowhere.

Without opening act but failed in a lot of power in 1969 to active rocker frontman Phil Mogg and guitar virtuoso Vinnie Moore are going to clock 21.15. The Blues Garage is filled very well and a place in the first row is hard fought.
The band opened her concert with a handful of songs from your latest book "Seven Deadly. With 'Only You Can Rock Me', the middle of the set, the band started their own Hitfeuerwerk. The song is taken from the audience with "distance", the frenetic. Then the proverbial fair scheinte read her audience and the band has more than before, under control.
Phil Mogg, that evening completely dressed in black, seems to enjoy the euphoria and operates this evening much small talk with the fans, what does the general entertainment value very well.

In the last third of the set is the time of guitar legend Vinnie Moore, who interpose in the song 'Rock Bottom' and 'Doctor Doctor' again and again very well-done guitar solos. Both songs are in a particular song length of 8 minutes plus estimated, more than celebriert.
After a brief encore is already final and then the band adopted under strong addition calls from the public.

Conclusion:
You get this evening issued a well-known British rock legends UFO seen on the sign of the times are so far not really spührbar rushed past, and hope you can guess that the next few years continue to actively play on the globe.
Setlist:
MOTHER MARY, FIGHT NIGHT, WONDERLAND, LOSER, LET IT ROLL, MOJO TOWN, BURN THE HOUSE, ONLY YOU CAN ROCK ME, LOVE TO LOVE, LIGHT DRIVER, VENUS, TOO HOT TO HANDLE, LIGHTS OUT, ROCK BOTTOM, DOCTOR DOCTOR SHOOT SHOOT.

UFO at the Bluesgarage - Vinnie Moore - Andy Parker - Phil Mogg - Rob De Luca - Paul Raymond

photo ©2012

UFO

After a renovation break, which is significantly extended, unfortunately, due to a faulty cable, it is done. UFO enter the stage. This was now freed from the second drum and amps all the support act, so that Phill Mogg and his colleagues have plenty of space.

Without the British prefaces large give the same gas. "Mother Mary" is defined as the first song the same show that the group wants to rock and can still correct. This coup succeeds wonderfully. Now also available in virtually all guests attending the event hall in a loose group in front of the stage and celebrate the presence of UFOs because the angular movement number immediately brings in the crowds. The band is quite full of motion. Above all, bassist Rob De Luca can hardly keep still. He and guitarist Vinnie Moore pose together again and send a clear message that they have the appearance of visibly fun.

The set list is by mixed, but the latest album "Seven Deadly" is of course well represented. But that does anything from anyone, because the CD is pretty good.

Right at the beginning Phill Mogg reported the results of football Bayern Munich, who on the night are not good for Bayern fans. In Ingolstadt, but leaves all the cold, the fans want UFO listen. Already in the first pause after "Fight Night", the opener of the current CD are UFO -cries aloud. The audience seems to have have fun in a good mood and also Phill Mogg. He grins at the audience and continuously does not shy away from being chat with the audience a little. With "Let It Roll," the British can be the first true classic from the hook. The number to be celebrated properly. All smiles, the way people aged 16 and over 60 belong to stretch the tape counter. Interestingly, it is not the case that only the classics of UFO catch on, that's how many bands that have reached a certain age. The songs on "Seven Deadly" be heard.

For laughter makes Phill Mogg, as he is on the word "grumpy" attempts. After several attempts, the singer can pronounce the word correctly, however, and is delighted that the fans understand what he means. After "Mojo Town," he says still that UFOs do not use Schrammel guitar. Many bands, especially current metal bands, their riffs shred just so down says Phill. UFOs do not so, he says.

At the next performance is also the guitarist Vinnie Moore impressively demonstrated. "Burn The House" is also a number that allows beautifully played like chords. "Only You Can Rock Me" strikes again in a different direction. The song is absorbed and before the stage goes across generations from the punk. UFO have it good in that. Then, when even "Love To Love" resonates, the crowd is ecstatic. One would not believe how much noise can make such a small crowd.

Now the musicians really easy game and still have a lot of trump cards. "Lights Out", "Rock Bottom" and "Doctor Doctor", now just come songs, music history, written, and as with "Shoot Shoot" the concert is over, all convinced that we share a wonderful evening has spent.

Setlist:

• First Mother Mary
• Second Fight Night
• Third Wonderland
• 4th Loser
• 5th Let It Roll
• 6th Mojo Town
• 7th Burn The House
• 8th Only You Can Rock Me
• 9th Love To Love
• 10th Hell Driver
• 11th Venus
• 12th Too Hot Too Handle
• 13th Lights Out
• 14th Rock Bottom
• 15th Doctor Doctor
• 16th Shoot Shoot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter