WELCOME TO ROCK PRODUCTIONS ENTERPRIZE

INTERVIEW

WITH

SOLO ARTIST

RUSS DIAPPER

LINZI - Where does the inspiration come from behind your songs?.

RUSS - Thats a tough question...I guess life! Most of my songs seem to be about cars, girls, the fun of being a rocker or really nasty people! (laughs). I guess I draw inspiration from all over, like every musician should, Of course there's a lot of debt to my heroes also as their music of course inspires me. When I was younger I used to write a lot about horror and things like that as I'm a horror fanatic, but since I got older my subject matter has managed to be a little more varied.

LINZI - Who influences your music?.

RUSS - I could be here for hours answering this question! As a drummer? its gotto be guys like Keith Moon, Buddy Rich, Bonham etc, the real classics. I recently adpoted a lot of Carmine Appice into my playing also. As a singer? I really appreciate guys like Roger Daltrey, Sammy Hagar, Alice Cooper, real showmen and amazing singers who just seem to be able to sing anything. Of course there are so many others. But when It comes to the solo album I just released, I like the old school classic rock and blues stuff also, so I'd go with anything from The Who, Thin Lizzy, ZZ top, AC/DC, Motorhead, Van Halen and way over to more softer blues guys like Roy Buchanan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy guy ect. So in short, I like a lot of different guys and my influences come from all over, but primarily in the 70's Rock onwards and The more blusey edged stuff.

LINZI - What music artists do you most admire?.

RUSS - I'm pretty generic in that sense, for someone who does my kind of music, I like pretty much all the classics. I admire The Who for their playing ability and even though I'm a massive fan , I dont like all their songs. I love guys like AC/DC and motorhead for just sticking to their formula and never giving up. I admire Van Halen alot and of course more singer songwriters like Hagar, David lee Roth ect. The guys in Queen are also great songwriters and of course the legends that are the Beatles, I respect those guys a lot and still listen to their music.

LINZI - Have you always played this kind of music?.

RUSS - Pretty much. I have branched out into more electronic stuff before, a project I started in 2005 called 'Porno Patrol' But when Gecko started I was really into this kinda old school, balls to the wall rock. That part of me has never changed. Drum wise I started out in more Jazz style recordings and breaking them down. I learned to play a lot more complex stuff when I started and then did the basics later. Self taught on the drums and I did everything the wrong way! I still do but My timing was shocking when I was a kid and thats a direct result of learning to play by listening to some of the craziest drummers out there!

LINZI - If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing for a living?.

RUSS - Something liberating! something expressive! I'm massively into film and I have done a lot of work in that field also, from acting to stunt work and even composing which does cross over...so probably something like that. If not.....I'd love to be a trucker or a bouncer. I nearly actually started a career of the latter but the person who was setting me up moved away and I was too cheap to pay the full fee at that time! So I guess everything worked out for the best as I'd much rather be Hitting drums and notes than drunk people! Although the trucking appeals to me still, its just life on the open road and never being in the same place for too long, that appeals to me. Its fair to say I'd be useless since I cant drive so I'll save my 'on the road' attitude for when I'm on tour. If you want another cliche, I'd rather be Driving rhythm than 18-wheelers, Boom!

LINZI - When your out on tour but not on stage what do you get upto?.

RUSS - Between gigs? Well I'm not exactly signed to Sony yet so I do have other jobs I have to do to keep the money flowing although Music makes 90% of my income which is good, but as a working musician in between gigs I love to Eat, Meet people, party, have a little song and dance, jam with other musicians and I do love working in the studio. I do a fair bit of producing also so that can take up some time but on the road....life is one big party. I like to see how much mischeif I can get myself into and drink my voice into a gravel-eque mess! (Laughs) I'm kidding but that can happen! I just like to have a good time and I love meeting people.

LINZI - What is your favourite song to play?.

RUSS - Thats a very tough question. My other band Gecko often do some classic covers and I really love to play those. 'Hey Joe' by hendrix is one of my all time faves to sing and drum to so I'd have to go with that. Or maybe something like 'aint talkin bout love' by Van Halen. But as for song's I've written....Probably something like 'Night and Day' off Gecko's "three dead at sundown'' Album. or maybe 'Bad Sign' off our First LP. I guess it changes every night depending on my mood...I love a good belter as I really love to sing...but ask me if I love the belters on a night when my voice is F*%$ed and I may give you a different answer!

LINZI - what advice would you give to other young bands/musicians who are starting out on the music scene?.

RUSS - Dont give up, keep playing! knock down peoples doors, shamlessly self promote your music, spam people and NEVER let anyone tell you that you cant do anything. Nay-sayers are whats bringing the world down and music is a tough scene that can be very soul destroying. You spend what seems like forever writing a song and you think its 'the one' and you sing and play your heart out and people may hate it! but they may love the little gem you wrote as a joke! believe me man its happened more than once and it still gets me to this day! But dont give up and keep playing. When you stop....you lose. Dont let people get you down and if someone says they can do better, Invite them to prove it! Just keep the passion and keep the faith dudes! and I'll see you all at Wembley because its gonna happen sooner or later! But most of all, have fun and play/sing from the heart! Peace out guys!

Check out My debut solo LP 'No Cure for Curiosity' here:

http://www.amazon.com/No-Cure-For-Curiosity/dp/B0059YZ8SQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310392396&sr=8-1

Also coming soon to Napster, Itunes, Amazon, spotify and Available on CD and download.