| Interview With: ---------------------------------------------- Hello space friends! This is an email question an answer segment that I had with cult rocker RIFF WEST! It is not as in depth as an interview (The phone conversation allows me to dig beneath the answers unlike a Q & A sheet) Still, RIFF was kind enough to make time and it does allow us a quick peek into the BREAKING ALL THE RULES session as well as gain a little info on RIFF himself. I hope to do an interview with RIFF in the future but for now... Q's & A's with RIFF WEST Damien- What was the first record you can remember buying RIFF- Meet The Beatles Damien- Was there any particular rock star you wanted to be when you were young? RIFF- Paul McCartney... no surprise there, huh? Damien- What was the first band you were involved in? RIFF- The Chessmen... mid 60's. Damien- What was your first recording experience and with what band? ------------ RIFF- Angel ... early 70's Damien- There is a rumor that you were asked to join White Witch as opposed to Ron solo is that true? RIFF- We were White Witch for years... record company changed it AFTER we recorded. Damien- Had you even heard of White Witch? (If so what did you think of them?) RIFF- Very familiar with them (post "Tropics" band in Tampa, FL) Loved the band -very progressive at the time. Damien- How did you come into contact with Ron? RIFF- I had worked w/ guitarist Jerry Runyan since we were kids... he joined the band... then me & my older brother Jack Damien- Where was the "Breaking All The Rules" Lp photo's taken at? (If you have any recall of that day feel free to share. I am sure going out in public in that glam garb must have gotten you a lot of stares) RIFF- I'll never forget that day as long as I live... "we shocked the hell out of little Macon, GA with our satin outfits." You see, we'd been in the studio for weeks in our jeans & t shirts, then, 'out of no where' showed up in those album outfits... record co. brass, photographers, people on the street, etc. ALL THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE !! And they were stunned when they realized we were serious... it was a hoot!! Ask Ron about the "airbrushing" ha ha!! (Do not worry readers, I shall ask Ron about the airbrushing, even though I think I know) Damien- Whose idea was it to dress up in the GLAM garb for the LP. and is it true that you guy's acquired those clothes through a chance run in with with SLADE in which you kicked their ass and took their clothes? RIFF- We were a theatrical, show, entertaining rock band... that's all!! Damien- Was there any songs from the Breaking All The Rules sessions that went unused? If so where are they now? RIFF- Several great ones... "This Day is Mine", "I", "Squidd", some real good tunes... I have all of them on tape... being the ultimate pack rat, I also have all of the satin outfits, too! (I know what you're thinking, Squidd is on the album but give him a break, it was about 20 years ago! I am dying to hear the other songs, how about you!) Damien- Axle Rose spent some of his youth in Florida, (Or so I was told) do you think there is any merit to him possibly being a big fan of you guys to the point of trying to even sound like Ron? RIFF- Really, from Florida..... I've read Mr. A. Rose (aka William "Bill" Bailey) is from Michigan, Minnesota, or somewhere up north... and yes, the minute I heard "Guns & Roses" I went "whoa... there's another Ron." (OK I will stop making the Axle Florida connection... I was told that by someone that I thought would know, I just couldn't bring myself to research Axle... sorry) Damien- So, Jack West is your brother? RIFF- Yes... my older brother, whom I owe pretty much my career to. He taught me the importance of the bass being locked in with drums... "WHAT'S MY RIGHT FOOT DOING?... FOLLOW THE KICK DRUM... LOCK IN... IT'S A TEAM". And that's what we were for many, many years... the ultimate rhythm team. Damien- Who are some of the other bands you guy's played shows with? Some people swear they saw you guy's open for Alice cooper and Black Oak Arkansas RIFF- Both those bands... also Grand Funk, Toto, Joe Perry... too many to name... AND ZZ TOP at the very end. Damien- Do you know if there were any live recordings or film footage shot of you guy's and if so, who has it?! RIFF- I have recordings, live footage, and lot's of pix. (OK RIFF, if you are reading this, you must make time for an in person interview, I would love to do a write up on the lost songs as well as witness the live footage... ok... I know... that's a bit pushy on my part, but if you don't ask how are you going to find out....) Damien- What was the story behind why you guy's stopped working together? RIFF- Ron can explain exactly why... I think he was just ready to get off the road... it happens, I finally had that feeling with both Molly Hatchet and Foghat... you just know when it's time!! Damien- Do you still keep in touch with Ron? RIFF- Not a lot... every once in awhile, tho... Jack stays in touch with him more. Damien- What memories do you have about your work with Ron and what did you think of him? RIFF- Some of the BEST times of my long career... we were so young, it was just good, exciting, innocent (... well?!?) fun. I did then, and do now, think the world of Ron Goedert... a very talented individual and great songwriter. Some people always remain your friend even if you don't see them all the time... it's a special bond, I guess! Damien- What was the next project you went on to? ------------ RIFF- After White Witch was my 10 years in Molly Hatchet, presently it's my ANIMAL MAGNETISM solo album career and animal benefit work. Damien- Are there any artist that you have not worked with that you would be interested in working with? RIFF- There are probably some... I don't actively pursue projects... things just pop up. I've been extremely fortunate having the opportunity to work & play with a vast variety of excellent musicians... "I'm still flabbergasted even in the same room or conversation with most of them... just feeling honored" Damien- Do you have any solo work? (If so what is it and is it available?) RIFF- Yes, as mentioned before... ANIMAL MAGNETISM (Kingsnake Records- KS2024) w/ an incredible collection of artists, Linda McCartney, L. Ronstadt, Chrissie Hynde, Leon Russell, Edgar Winter, & a lot more... I'll send you one!!; also: THE WISH LIST (Haven)... w/ Pat Travers, Liberty DeVitto of Billy Joel, & Shaquille O'Neal (ha!) and again others. Damien- Are there any new young bands are artist that you listen to? (If so who?) RIFF- Oh sure, lots, any of them that sing on key. Seems for a few years the fad was that slightly "flat off key" stuff that drove me nuts. Guess I'm just from the old school !! I really like Goo Goo's, Matchbox 20, Johnny Lang (how can you not... geez, is he 10 yet?... damn he is good!!) and some others. Damien- What artist, band or album do you find your self always going back to listen to ? RIFF- The older stuff... Eagles, Doobies, Beatles... & alot of country too!! Oh yeah, gotta admit, I throw on some of my things every once in awhile to soothe the "burning ego". Hopefully, this will get you started, I'll get some pix to you as soon as I can. I really enjoyed answering these... brings back a lot of fond memories!! CHECK OUT ANOTHER RIFF WEST WEB PAGE! 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