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When grunge was the new rage, a lot of 80’s metal bands kind of faded into the shadows. Today however, metal fans are witnessing an exciting reemergence of many of these bands – and Warrant is no exception.
With beginnings that can be traced back almost 20 years, it’s been a decade since original band mates Erik Turner and Joey Allen both on guitar, Jerry Dixon on bass, and drummer Steven Sweet have played together.
The only line-up change in this new chapter of Warrant’s history is that of lead vocalist. After the departure of original front man Jani Lane, remaining Warrant members recruited Jaime St. James, formerly of Black N’ Blue.
“Jani was really unhappy with Warrant for some reason. He wanted more.” Explains guitar-slinger Erik Turner in an in-depth interview with Sass. “Jerry and I talked about singers over the last three years. We knew Jani was going to bail sooner or later, he was always telling people this and that. We called Jaime and he was into it big time.”
“Great singer, great guy, what more can you ask for?” Turner adds.
Warrant, with the new line-up, recently performed a couple of shows in Florida this past month to a phenomenal response.
“The Florida shows were our first without Jani in 17 years. It was great. We played 16 songs. Fourteen old-school Warrant, a brand new song called ‘Good Times,’ and a Black N’ Blue song, ‘Hold On To 18.’”
Turner continues, “Since then, we added two songs from the Dog Eat Dog CD.”
Despite that when Warrant toured with Whitesnake they’d incorporated a keyboardist into their shows, for now they’re going to stick with being a 5-piece band.
“Someday maybe [but] no plans to add keyboards any time soon. Shawn (the keyboardist brought along for the Whitesnake tour) is Jani’s drinking buddy. He wanted to have him around when we were touring for long periods of time. He’s a great singer too.”
The desire to get back out there again combined with the addition of Jamie St. James to the mix has created a buzz of exhilaration within the band.
“We are very excited about having a singer that wants to make Warrant the best band that it can be. With Joey and Steven back in the line-up, the band is sounding better than ever. It’s even fun to go to rehearsal!”Other than the reunion itself, Warrant fans can also look forward to a new album possibly even later this year.
“We have two new songs in the can. We are writing more as we speak. As soon as we get enough songs that we think are great, we will start looking for a new label. So far I am very happy with the writing,” says Turner, “The songs are pouring out, just the way we like it.”
A new DVD is also in the works for a release sometime in the unbeknownst future.
“I have no idea when we will put it out. [It’s all] behind the scenes stuff so far.”
But for Erik Turner, the 10-year Warrant hiatus has awarded him time for some outside interests.
“I co-write songs with different people. I have two songs coming out on a soundtrack for a b-movie.”
There’s also the Demos For Diehards compilation available on Turner’s website.
“It’s a collection of demo recordings I did with different people in the late 80’s [and] early 90’s. Fans are always asking about unreleased stuff, so here you go. It’s fun stuff. Just getting together with friends and writing. It’s not an album – more like an authorized bootleg. Someday I will put out a side project that will be a solo style CD.”
Turner, a man with little free time, is also an artist, and dabbles in web design. Also on his website, you can find pictures of rock stars golfing. Yes – golfing. Calling Erik Turner a golf enthusiast would be a monumental understatement.
“I try to play golf as much as I can. It’s fun to take pictures sometimes at different courses. Some of my friends are musicians that I golf with.”
“I’m playing to a 10 handicap. I had it down to a nine at one point. I need to play more golf.”
So, with tour dates schedule throughout the summer, this newly revived Warrant band has plans of rocking out with their fans on the agenda.
“Touring and recording and having a few beers. The band is sounding better than ever with Steven and Joey back after 10 years. Jaime fits in so well, it’s scary.”
“When we get to your town, you’re all invited to come out and have a few hundred beers with us.”
Email Sass at: [email protected]
