Hey, everyone! I know that you will all remember the Adler's Appetite concert review I posted last month. Well, I was lucky enough to get an interview with their lead singer, Patrick Stone! Patrick joined the band a few months ago, replacing former Adler's Appetite vocalist, Rick Stitch.
*Here, I have combined two different interviews with Patrick. One of them I conducted myself, and the other is from an undisclosed source.*
SOURCE: Congratulations on landing the gig with Adler's Appetite! How did you get the job?
PATRICK: I met Steven years ago and we got along great. We have a lot of mutual friends. Steven and Slash joined my band ACES N EIGHTS on stage at the Viper Room in Hollywood in August of 2009. It was awesome. Aces did a couple of shows with ADLER’S APPETITE in Hollywood after that and I always felt a strong connection to Steven when we’d hang. I loved his new songs. By the time Adler’s Appetite parted ways with their other singer I had my audition set up. After a few auditions, we threw down "Sweet Child O’ Mine" and "Highway To Hell" with my good friends STEEL PANTHER to a sold out crowd at The House Of Blues in Los Angeles. The next day we all got together for rehearsal and sealed the deal.
SOURCE: I'll bet you're a lot busier than you used to be.
PATRICK: You got that right but, but this kind of busy is beautiful. Finally getting to do what I’ve always felt I was born to do is nothing short of amazing. Taking my craft, my art, my talent and putting it to the grind. Twisting and turning it everyday, molding it towards perfection. This tour demands a completely professional commitment. Everything I eat, drink, say, think and even how much I sleep is geared toward making the next show better than the last. In return, I get to be everything I’ve always wanted to - the best singer I can be and a front man to be reckoned with.
SOURCE: You're in the middle of a really big American tour- tell us a bit about it.
PATRICK: We just played 52 shows in 60 days and played our homecoming gig to a sold out crowd here in Hollywood at The Key Club. Waking up in a new city everyday is fascinating. I get out as quickly as I can and try to take in the area. Before I know it, it’s time for sound check, and after that, it’s really a race to get ready for the show. I get one more chance to walk through the city or town while I warm up for the show - see the sites and the people there. By the time I hit the stage I already feel close to the audience. 52 cities in 60 days and I have fallen in love with every single one. America is truly a wonderful place.
SOURCE: Have you ever gone out on a tour this big?
PATRICK: I was on the "Everything Louder Than Everything Else Tour" with Motorhead as a roadie. At the end of the tour, Lemmy told me "You should be on the stage, not behind it". I took his advice. With shows like the ones in Idaho Falls, ID and Danville, IL to crowds of nearly 4,000 fans, the ADLER’S APPETITE "Good To Be Alive Tour" is by far my biggest one onstage yet.
SOURCE: What are the other guys in Adler's Appetite like?
PATRICK: Phenomenal human beings. I can’t say enough good about them. We’re becoming like brothers. Lonny Paul and I both joined the band the same day, so he and I are excited and having the time of our lives. Michael Thomas is an incredible guitar player and a very talented songwriter. I feel like I’ve found the missing puzzle piece I’ve always needed to create the songs I’ve always wanted to write. It’s hard to hang with Michael after the shows though: you have to beat down at least 10 sexy women just to get close to him. Chip Z’Nuff is an experience unto himself. Oozing with music constantly. I swear there is melody in his speech. Chip is a supportive friend and the ultimate guide into the world of rock legends. And, speaking of legends, Steven Adler has seen and done it all and is the most down to earth person I have ever met. He really cares. He is always positive. He doesn’t take any crap. He knows how to get the best out of me, and he doesn’t settle for anything less. I feel truly blessed to be his friend and very proud to be singing for the band.
FRONT PAIGE METAL NEWS: I know you said that Steven has been very influential to you. What other artists do you admire? Is there anyone specific that you hope to work with someday?
PATRICK: I love it when I watch a band and shake my head in disbelief at something they just did. I mentioned Lemmy and the guys from Motorhead because not only are they great guys, but they are also 3 of the most talented musicians I've ever known. Their hearts are immersed in their music; it's everything they are and you can feel that when they play. I can’t wait to work with them again. Motorhead has worked its craft to the point that no one else could do it better. No one would dare try. Their music doesn't fall under any category other than Motorhead. That makes me want to do what I do the best I can. Freddie Mercury and Queen are another perfect example of that untouchable greatness. Freddie’s showmanship and their sound set the bar. RIP Freddie. Kurt Cobain and Scott Weiland for their style and words. I love how you can just feel what they're singing about. Dave Grohl is another. He came up to me backstage after he, Slash, Myles Kennedy and Lemmy had torn the roof off of the Nokia Theatre, and he just hugged me. Like a big brother. He's just that kind of guy, I guess. That's not why I'd want to work with him. I would love to work with him because of his story. I have a lot of respect for people who can pick up the pieces after falling all the way from the top only to go farther than they ever had before. That's why when I mention musicians I want to work with, I have to include the band I'm in. Steven Adler was in one of the biggest rock sensations the world has ever seen. To fall off of that horse and get back up to claim it again takes a hell of a fire in his belly. I just want to put that fire into words and sing it to the world.
SOURCE: Tell us a bit about yourself personally- how long have you been singing? How did you get into this? Who are some of your influences?
PATRICK: I was born doing this. My grandmother was a singer, my grandfather played piano for Milton Berle. When I was a kid my Dad got a kick out of asking me in front of other people what I wanted to be when I grew up. The answer was always "a rockstar". I never even thought of anything else. It was that or nothing. I enjoy acting, but my true love has always been music. My biggest influences would have to be Lemmy and Steven. They have both inspired me with their music. I’m blessed to be influenced by their friendships as well.
FPMN: Where do you draw inspiration from when writing music?
PATRICK: Experience really. It's how I feel about something that gets me to write about it. Whether love or hate, I focus on experiences I've had, drown myself in the memories, and try to make sense of it all. People relate to the truth. I use honesty to bring revelations to light through my music. When a song is packed with simple truths you know it's good. That’s when you find yourself looking at your friends while listening back and you feel like your minds are being blown. I love that. So whether it's pain or pleasure I'm singing about, there is a story from my life playing in my head every time I sing it. The best is when I'm going through something - good or bad – at that moment and I'm able to use music to understand how I really feel about it. Lots of things trigger inspiration, but usually by the time I put the pen to the paper there is something inside my head I'm wrestling to understand. I can't bullshit myself about something when I'm writing.
FPMN: What are your thoughts on the music industry right now? Also, where do you think rock music is heading?
PATRICK: As far as where Rock and Roll is heading I couldn't be more excited. It has enabled me to be in a position with my band to reach the world with the songs we're writing. That’s an incredible thing. Rock music is coming back at us like a tsunami. One band in particular is carrying the torch for the younger generation and they will be bigger and badder than any pop sensation in a long, long time. They call themselves Haunted By Heroes. They're best friends, amazing musicians, great songwriters, fantastic live performers… and they're all only 10 years old. All I can say is watch out for the wave America, 'cause it's coming for YOU! People all over are going to see this band and a whole new rock and roll revolution is going to begin. : I consider us all very lucky that there is a music industry at all. I feel blessed. I think there are some great songs on the radio, and the industry is doing well for itself. I see how in some ways making it is a lot more difficult "than it used to be," but it's also easier in other ways. . It used to be hard to get into the studio because it was expensive and you needed a record deal. Now anyone can own a state of the art studio in his/her living room, so anyone can record a record. Look, there is no way around it, if you're really good and you refuse to give up, you're going to make it. That's the way it is and always will be. People have to have you when you're good. And they will pay to have you. You just can't give up. But you still have to be badass to make it to the top. At some point you have to prove you got it and if you can't you're going to fade away.
SOURCE: Any words for Adler's Appetite fans across America?
PATRICK: Get ready for an incredible new Adler’s Appetite album! We’ll be recording that this summer. To those I’ve had the honor of entertaining already, thank you and I love you. You are absolutely fabulous. For those getting ready to see us, brace yourselves! I look forward to seeing you, being with you and having the rock and roll ride of our lives! As my dear late friend and GN’R writer West Arkeen always said, "Peace, Party, C-Ya‘"
I would like to thank Patrick for letting me interview him. He is great! Be sure to check him out with Adler's Appetite!
~Paige
