Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society – Unscripted and Unblackened!

By: Robert Cavuoto

Since their inception, Black Label Society has been at the forefront of hard rock. Their penchant for hard riffs and blazing solos has resulted in a slew of hugely successful albums and a reputation for being a powerful live band.

On September 24^th, another side of Zakk Wylde and the Doom Crew will be unveiled with the release of a new DVD/CD, Unblackened.

Filmed earlier this year at Los Angeles’ Club Nokia, Unblackened is Black Label Society presenting their songs in a whole new light, with greater use of acoustic instrumentation. Zakk plays both guitar and piano, with Nick Catanese on guitar, John DeServio on bass, Chad Szeliga on drums, and Derek Sherinian on keyboards/piano. Their stripped-down approach highlights the subtle nuances of the songwriting, without losing any of the fire or intensity.

The release will have six additional tracks not found on the DVD, including two acoustic versions of “Queen Of Sorrow” and “Won’t Find It Here,” and covers of Leon Russell’s “Song For You” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers. There will also be some additional bonus material like a new interview with Zakk, a photo gallery, music video for “Losin’ Your Mind,” and a feature with Wylde visiting HM Prison in the UK.

On a beautiful August afternoon I was invited to interview Zakk in New York and attend a press conference for the screening of the new DVD, with live commentary by the man himself. During my afternoon with the Viking from Hell, I was able delve into the heart, soul, and mind of this legendary guitarist, singer and songwriter like never before and to finally be able to ask the really tough questions that I was never able to do over the phone. We locked in to an open and extremely serious conversation about the DVD, religion, his influences and everything that is “Zakk Wylde”.

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Robert Cavuoto: I enjoyed watching the DVD and seeing BLS perform in a mellower setting. It’s not unplugged but sonically it captures all the energy of a BLS show. How would you describe Unblackened?

Zakk Wylde: The Black Label Berserker Nation is always asking would we ever do a show that’s all mellow tunes because we never get a chance to hear them live. That’s what set the wheels in motion for putting Unblackened  together, instead doing another heavy thing.

It affords us the chance to play a lot of songs, whether it’s Pride & Glory or BLS that people won’t hear live. We usually don’t play a lot of these songs because there are pianos and duets like Dime’s song “In This River” or “Spoke in the Wheel”. We usually keep it to a minimum of two to three mellow tunes a show.

We’ve had some records in between, like Boozed, Broozed and Broken-Boned. And since we did the Doom Troopin’ with the European Invasion there’s even more material that we could stick in there for a different set. So it’s obviously a different show, but I just thought it would be a cool time to do a lot of the mellower stuff.

Robert: You talk about what fans want and enjoy. Is it important as an artist to continuously change things up?

Zakk Wylde: I guess so, but these events that just went on recently like the acoustic shows at the Iridium in New York, just kind of happened. There were opportunities that came about that we were afforded to do.

With the Iridium shows, it was going to be a book tour with just me and Nick going out promoting the paperback. Instead of just promoting it, we thought there ought to be some shows.

Then Dave Mustaine from Megadeth asked us to go out on Gigantour. Obviously, it’s a cool opportunity to round up the boys and play heavy stuff again. It just happened!

Robert: Anything special you remember about the day of filming Unblackened?

Zakk Wylde: I remember rehearsals were way cool. It was just fun playing a lot of those songs we haven’t played since Pride & Glory in ’93 or ’94 and then The Book of Shadows songs from’96. There are a lot of songs we haven’t played for 15 years.

Robert: Any pre-show rituals you guys have?

Zakk Wylde: Well, taking crack cocaine; and the Alex Rodriguez steroids specifically; then the Kim Kardashian Quick Trim. Don’t forget, the glue. We enjoy glue lots. I train the guys not to substitute it for other thing! [Laughing]

Robert: When you put it in bags and huff?

Zakk Wylde: Exactly, but it’s a lesson. We all make sure that everything that we’re doing is low calorie, and there’s no sugar involved in any of it. It usually goes straight to our thighs, and its health and beauty first. [Laughter]

Robert: Lately I see a trend with more guitarists experimenting with the wah wah pedal, you’ve been using it most of your career. What are your thoughts on the pedal?

Zakk Wylde: Yeah, I’ve used it from the first album, almost since I was a kid. I use it more as a treble boost-type; I’m not just stomping away on it. Obviously, the best guys who use it are – Eric Clapton was the main one, with the Cream stuff. It was amazing the way he used it. Like he spoke with it. I think Slash was great with “Sweet Child of Mine.” It was brilliant, timeless. It’s a great pedal just to add color.

Robert: Was it difficult to transition from lead guitarist with Ozzy to being the front man of your band?

Zakk Wylde: No, when I was playing in cover bands before Oz, I was singing. Whether we were doing Cream, Hendrix, or Sabbath, I would do all the singing at sound checks for Ozzy back in the day so he could rest his voice. I love singing; I get as much joy out of that as playing the guitar or piano.

Robert: Do you think you’re playing technique has changed between Ozzy, Pride & Glory, and Black Label Society?

Zakk Wylde: No, I always practice scales. There’s nothing technique-wise. I think it always comes down to having a catalog and a wealth of material and knowledge. I was taught to roll with that knowledge. If you’re approaching a solo, it’s like,
“Should we go with a mellow David Gilmour thing, like “Comfortably Numb,” or should we go Al Di Meola on this one, or Randy Rhoads?”

When you’re referenced into all these amazing artists; technique just facilitates you. It’s just more crayons in the box. It just gives you more sounds, if you have more control over the instrument.

Robert: You’re an amazing guitarist with tremendous speed, style, and tone, do you consider yourself a shredder?

Zakk Wylde: Trust me, all my buddies that are categorized as shredders, can play slow too. They’re just known for fast guitar playing. If they had to play “Comfortably Numb” with Roger Waters, I think they could handle it. They would play it true to what Dave Gilmour wrote. It just gives you more options, that’s all.

Robert: I’ve spoken to you a couple of times, and we’ve never got a chance to talk about some of your influences. As a guitar player, who were some of your influences early on when you picked up the guitar?

Zakk Wylde: Obviously Tony Iommi, because Black Sabbath is my favorite band. Obviously Jimmy Paige is huge for me, Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen. Jimi Hendrix and Robin Trower. When I heard Frank Marino that really blew my mind, so I’m a huge Frank Marino guy. Then John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola. Then you hear amazing players like Allen Holdsworth and Joe Pass. Eliot Fisk is an amazing classical guitar player. But I love all the country pickers and all the bluegrass guys; they’re just phenomenal.

Robert: Who got you into the McLaughlin’s and Di Meola’s at such an early age?

Zakk Wylde: My guitar teachers turned me onto it.

Robert: Do you think you’ve captured your signature sound experimenting album after album or is it more a happy accident?

Zakk Wylde: As far as the pings, I remember Ozzy on the first album and he goes, “Oh, that’s going to be your trademark thing.” I didn’t think anything of it then; I just liked the sound of it. I think it’s like you said, just happy accidents. I discovered things. I think it’s just a matter of playing what you love.

Robert: Is there any one song in particular that you think is your trademark guitar sound whether with Ozzy or BLS?

Zakk Wylde: Probably “No More Tears,” with the pings on the rhythm and solos.

Robert: Being with Ozzy and Sharon you must have picked up a lot of business tips. What are some of the most important ones that you learned?

Zakk Wylde: Most of it is really just common sense, whether you are opening up a hot dog stand or starting a rock band. If you’re going to put a tour together, and you’ve got a budget, how much it’s going to cost for us to get from L.A. to New Jersey. We’re going to stay at two hotels on the way there and it’s going to cost X amount of money. Then how much in gas will it be get out there plus some spare money in case we get a flat tire. You just add it up and budget “Okay, this is how much it’s going to cost us. “It’s going to cost us $1,200 to get out there – minus the ice sculpture, the hookers, the crack cocaine.”

Robert: Do you add in $50,000 into the budget for booze?

Zakk Wylde: [Laughing] Exactly, but I mean, outside of that, it’s true. You hear these horror stories about musicians getting ripped off. There are a lot of musicians I know who don’t want to embrace the business side, coming up with artwork and merchandising that’s involved with your band. It’s really just as much fun as playing. For the hours that you’re not playing, you should be involved with moving the band forward. You should never go, “How come there’s only $X here? Where’s the rest of the money?” It’s important. I try to tell kids to approach it that way. I think schools should offer those kinds of classes so that when kids get out there, they’re not going to be getting ripped off.

Robert: How important is Facebook and Twitter to you?

Zakk Wylde: I’m in touch with my Black Label Family all the time. I think it’s brilliant, and it’s personal too. You can keep in touch with everybody, see how everybody’s doing. With Black Label we don’t have fans; it’s one gigantic family. I love it.

Robert: You’ve been married 28 years. What’s the secret of your successful marriage while being a rock star on the road?

Zakk Wylde: I frequent gay bars all the time, and it kind of neutralizes everything. It just kind of balances everything out. [Laughing]

Robert: Do you get any special privileges at home for being a rock star? Like not having to take out the trash because you’re Zakk Wylde?

Zakk Wylde: I tell the immortal beloved that I have the world at my feet on a daily basis and to give me a shoulder rub. After 28 years, I still haven’t gotten one. But, I still do ask!

Robert: How has religion helped in getting you through some of the difficult times in your life?

Zakk Wylde: I pray to God every day. I look at J.D.[bassist] and go “Please, Jesus, God, beloved Father above, grant me the strength and the white light in your shield of strength to protect me from this meatball lasagna sandwich right next to me on the stage. [Laughter] That’s why he is the godfather of our child. [Laughter]

Robert: Are all the guys in the band as religious as you?

Zakk Wylde: Well, Nick’s a Satanist, Chad’s a Buddhist, and me and J.D. are Catholic. Our sound guy is a Scientologist. So it’s a plethora of religions, and we’re all very confused, and nobody really knows what the hell’s going on. [Laughter] But we’re all happy and that’s all that matters.

Robert: You all have beards in the band, is that a requirement that you instated? Even clean shaven Derek Sherinian [keyboards] sported one in the new DVD!

Zakk Wylde: No, back in the day everyone started growing beards because we were just bored and tired of shaving, so we made a bet on who could grow the most ridiculously stupid beard by the end of the two months. We were just being a bunch of idiots. What’s funny is that my 11-year-old son Hendrix, and Sabbath, he’s one, have never seen me without facial hair. The two oldest ones remember me before I had the beard.

Robert: Would you ever shave it off for them?

Zakk Wylde: I’m 46-years-old. I don’t mind having a beard, and I dig being 46-years-old. I don’t really care about being 19 again. It was cool when I was 19, and I’m digging being 46.

Robert: So, you’re comfortable in your own skin?

Zakk Wylde: Yeah. But my penis has shrunk. I’ve had considerable shrinkage, since 19. [Laughter].  That’s the only bummer. Yes, I’m very happy. Barb’s a little disappointed, but I’m still happy. I just have to double the dosage on the Viagra and the Cialis.

Robert: In your book you talk about antics on the submarine [tour bus]. Who of the Doom Crew has the grossest or the dirtiest habits?

Zakk Wylde: Nobody, really. During the Animal House years, it was hysterical. But now everything that’s going on in that submarine is pretty much a bingo hall in the front, shuffleboard in the middle, and the chess tables in the back.

Robert: If you ever quit the music business, I’m sure you can make a career at being a comedian or do a reality show?

Zakk Wylde: Yeah, without a doubt. It’s pretty comedic, but definitely the reality show would have been during the Animal House years, the early Black Label years, the golden days. With our drinking it was more comedy than anything. We were just drinking and laughing our balls off all the time.

Robert: Any question you hate being asked?

Zakk Wylde: Yeah, if Barb and the kids are a front. Yeah, we’ve been keeping it up for 28 years. [Laughing]

Robert: I guess that kind of leads up to the next question. What is the craziest rumor about yourself?

Zakk Wylde: That I like women. That I like my wife. [Laughter]

Robert: What’s the one thing the fans would be shocked to learn about you?

Zakk Wylde: That I actually played on any of the Ozzy records. [Laughter]

Robert: If you had a chance to perform with any person, living or dead, who would it be?

Zakk Wylde: Obviously, Randy Rhoads. That would have been awesome. To also experience Zeppelin back in the day. That would be two awesome experiences.

Robert: Sure. What do you want to be remembered for as a guitar player?

Zakk Wylde: That there’s hope. Because if this pile of shit could actually make a living in the music business, so can you. “Zakk Wylde – light bearer of hope”. [Laughter]

Robert: Any updates on the Pantera reunion?

Zakk Wylde: If it were to happen, it would be a beautiful way to honor Dimebag and celebrate all the things that Phil, Vinnie, Rex and Dimebag achieved as a band – how they changed the game. It’s up to Vincenzo, Phil and Rex, to sit down and talk about it. If they say they definitely want to do this, and if they ask me, I’d be honored. ‘Cause I’m friends with all the guys. I was a pallbearer when we laid Dime to rest. It would just be completely honoring him and his greatness.

Robert: From all the press, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen.

Zakk Wylde:  Oh, you never know! But, it’s up to the fellas.