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The Eric Brewer Interview
Lionel C.:
Hi Eric, you're actually leading a band called "Eric Brewer & friends"
The name sounds like a bunch of buddies who just want to have some fun being together and playing music without business expectations.
What is "E.B. & friends" for you? What were your ideas when you founded it, just a step to enter music business or a cool way to meet people?
Eric B.:
It pretty much happened just as you describe. A bunch of us getting together to jam with some new ideas. Our first show was a local benefit concert that needed a couple of extra bands and we said "sure, why not?" We got several great opportunities, our first "real" gigs, from that one show so it helped everyone in the end.
It pretty much happened just as you describe. A bunch of us getting together to jam with some new ideas. Our first show was a local benefit concert that needed a couple of extra bands and we said "sure, why not?" We got several great opportunities, our first "real" gigs, from that one show so it helped everyone in the end.
L.C: When did you learn playing guitar? And what else instruments are you playing?
E.B: I actually didn't pick up a guitar until I was 16. (I'm 23 now.) I started with drums, got kind of bored with that, took up bass (which I still play), then finally, the guitar. Haven't put it down since! I play electric, acoustic and classical.
L.C: What are the bands and style you were listening to when you were a kid/teen?
E.B: I think I went through a little of everything. My parents always had music going and I grew up with everything from Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, to U2 and Tom Petty. As I got into listening to music myself in my early teens, I was a huge fan of Van Halen, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Dio and the like. Later I got a little more into classic rock then jazz and fusion by the time I entered college.
L.C: Which artist(s) influenced you to play guitar?
E.B: All of them! But if I had to name just a few- Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, David Gilmour, Eric Johnson, John Scofield....I could keep going, but it's a really long list!
L.C: Do you think instrumental guitar could still find a place in music business today? A way opened by Steve Vai and Joe Satriani in the late 80's and 90's.
E.B: I certainly hope so! When I recently competed in the Guitar Player Superstar '08 Competition in California, one judge commented to me that he thought I sounded a lot like the 2 judges next to him, (Satriani & Vai), then in the same sentence told me while he felt my playing was great, my music was outdated. He even went as far as to say that had I played like that in the 70's, I would have been the world's greatest guitar player- then. With Satch and Vai being two of my major influences, I was honored to be told that my style reminded him of them, but wondered if this judge considered their style outdated as well. I hope modern music hasn't come to a place where timeless musicians and their music are EVER considered "outdated".
L.C: As you said right now, you played on a guitar contest organized by "Guitar Player Magazine" on Sept. 13th in S.F, CA.
You entered the Top 10 of best guitarists,
What were your feelings about that? How did they announce that to you?
E.B: It felt great from start to finish. They had taken submissions through sonicbids.com and my song was submitted just 2 days before the deadline. Michael Molenda, editor of Guitar Player Magazine, made the phone calls personally to the 10 finalists. Can't tell you how elated I was to get that phone call. It was an unbelieveable experience!
L.C: What kind of music do you like and listen to nowadays, could you name some?
E.B: I enjoy almost everything. I like to blast rock and funk music in my car, and at night I might listen to a little jazz to relax.
L.C: What is the future of "Eric Brewer & friends"? Did you get in touch with a Major? Do you plan to record a CD soon?
E.B: We are still just a bunch of friends who got together and started jamming, only now we get to do it for live audiences. We'll continue to play as long as we can. We have added a guest vocalist who sits in for a few songs, but have remained pretty much instrumental. We have not been in touch with a major label as a band, although I individually have been approached. I am planning on hitting the studio very soon and hope to have a CD out in early 2009. This CD will include members of EB&F, but also some other great area musicians.
L.C: Let's talk about Dirty Looks now,
How did you get involved into the new D.L recording?
E.B: I was called by my friend Shawn Hammer, engineer and owner of Midtown Studios, who asked if I might be interested in some studio work. Shawn and I had been in bands together before and he thought I'd enjoy the project. Henrik and I met at Midtown Studios and went over the tunes. It took me back to that 80's metal thing that got me started in the first place. I did enjoy working on the project, so much so, that I was happy to oblige when Henrik asked me to do the performances live.
L.C: Have you already heard them before you get in touch with?
E.B: I had heard of Dirty Looks through other Erie musicians that had played with Henrik in the past, but I was not familiar with any of the albums or songs prior to working on the new "California Free Ride" CD.
L.C: Did you check their old works to learn more about their style or just kept away from any influences and let your feelings and emotions blow up on each song?
E.B: I went into the studio with a clean slate. As a session musican, my job is to give the artist exactly the parts they are looking to hear. Henrik is very specific about what he wants, and I was able to let it rip as much as I wanted within the boundries that he established early on in the recording sessions.
L.C: For fans, Paul Lidel will be forever the lead guitar of D.L, are you afraid of being compared to him or deceiving the audience?
E.B: No, hopefully the audience will understand that no one is replacing Paul, just following his lead. There have been several guitarists involved with Dirty Looks at different times in the past. We are, of course, each different in our playing, though fans can still count on that same great Dirty Looks sound.
L.C: How is to work with Henrik Ostergaard?
E.B: Henrik is great to work with. Sometimes studio work is tricky if the person or band you're recording with isn't sure what they want. But Henrik came in knowing exactly what he wanted, which took the guess work out for me. The time spent in the studio went quickly and efficeintly.
L.C: Did he come with ideas you had to play guitar lines for, or did he give you the freedom to play the way you wanted on each track?
E.B: Henrik definitely had his own ideas right from the start. He did let me embellish on a good number of things, though.
L.C: Maybe you co-wrote some tunes with him?
E.B: No. The Dirty Looks sound is all Henrik. There was no need for me to contribute ideas to what were already perfect rock songs. Not to say that I wouldn't want to do so at a future date, but California Free Ride was already a completed piece when I became involved.
L.C: What do you think about latest D.L albums since they came back in 2007?
E.B: They kick ass. Henrik's voice is as strong as ever.
L.C: If Henrik plans a tour to support the new CD, will we have the chance to see you on stage beside him?
E.B: Sure. The current band that Henrik has assembled has worked very hard to get the songs down perfect and he plans to use us for all of the upcoming gigs. Our plan is to hit a few cities around Pennsylvania first and see how that goes.
L.C: In your opinion D.L is here to stay? And will Henrik give us more records in the way?
E.B: Henrik told me that he quit the music business for a long time, and he is doing it now sheerly out of the love of playing. In my opinion he revived Dirty Looks because that is what he is meant to do. I would like to think there is much more on the way.
L.C: Would you like to work with Henrik in the future if he asked you?
E.B: Absolutely. Henrik has been professional and courteous and I appreciate him giving me such great exposure. He has had much success in the music field and I am learning alot about the business end of things from him. I would gladly work with him again in the future.
L.C: Thank you for answering my very first interview.
I wish you the best for your band and shows to come.
E.B: Thank you very much Lionel. It was my pleasure. Talk to you soon!
Visit Eric Brewer MySpace for further informations : Eric Brewer and Friends
