Published: September 1, 2004
Rockum's Gino Alache talks with former Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson about War & Peace's latest album, The Walls Have Eyes, his years with Dokken, working with Dio and his appearance in the film Rock Star.
Following the release of The Walls Have Eyes, Rockum's Gino Alache speaks with bassist, songwriter, producer and actor Jeff Pilson about the latest chapter of his career with War & Peace while revisiting the music and experiences that established him as one of hard rock's most respected musicians.
In this exclusive interview, Pilson discusses the making of The Walls Have Eyes, his friendship with Jason Bonham, working with Ronnie James Dio and George Lynch, the legendary years of Dokken, his role in Rock Star and the passion that has driven his career both on stage and in the recording studio.
Gino Alache: Your latest War & Peace album, The Walls Have Eyes, has been difficult to find here in South America. You wrote almost the entire album yourself, with the exception of "Desperate Hearts," which features Jason Bonham. Do you think your fans would someday like to see an album released simply under your own name?
Jeff Pilson: Maybe someday I'll do that, but for now I like using War & Peace as my melodic rock band. I also hope to tour as War & Peace because the musicians I'm playing with now are definitely a real band.
Gino Alache: Your friendship with Jason Bonham goes back many years. Did working together on the film Rock Star make that friendship even stronger?
Jeff Pilson: Absolutely. Jason and I really enjoy working together. In fact, we'll be playing a charity show with Foreigner in a few weeks, and that should be a lot of fun.
Gino Alache: I really enjoyed Rock Star, although I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending because it suggested that 1980s hard rock had lost its meaning. If you could rewrite the movie, what would you change?
Jeff Pilson: I'd give the bass player from Steel Dragon a lot more scenes! (laughs) Seriously, I liked the way the film was written. Even though I don't believe 1980s metal became meaningless, I do think it became too commercial. By the late '80s and early '90s many bands sounded too similar. Maybe I would have made that point a little clearer.
Gino Alache: One thing the movie showed was the chemistry between you, Jason Bonham and Zakk Wylde. Would you ever consider forming a project together?
Jeff Pilson: Absolutely. I'd love to see that happen someday.
Gino Alache: Congratulations to you and Ravinder on the birth of your daughter Olivia. How has fatherhood changed your life?
Jeff Pilson: Mostly by making me tired from lack of sleep! (laughs) Seriously, it's been a wonderful experience. Having a child really helps you put your priorities in order.
Gino Alache: You'll soon begin your European tour supporting The Walls Have Eyes. What are your expectations?
Jeff Pilson: I simply hope as many people as possible get to see this band live because we're really strong on stage. I'm looking forward to reconnecting with fans after four years without touring.
Gino Alache: Ronnie James Dio invited you to perform on his upcoming album Master of the Moon. What can you tell us about it?
Jeff Pilson: It's a great Dio album. The songs are amazing and, even though I haven't heard the final mixes yet, I already know there are some real masterpiece moments on it.
Gino Alache: George Lynch and you recently reunited for Wicked Underground. How was the creative process?
Jeff Pilson: It was fantastic. George and I have always loved working together. Even though we hadn't collaborated in years, it felt like no time had passed at all. We've always shared a very natural chemistry.
Gino Alache: You're also producing artists like Clear Static and working with Revis. What do you think about today's rock scene?
Jeff Pilson: I think there are some really interesting things happening. I love heavy music, but I'm happy to hear so much melody coming from younger bands. I'd still love to hear a new band combine real heaviness with outstanding melodies—that would be something fresh.
Gino Alache: Tooth and Nail, Under Lock and Key and Back for the Attack are considered by many fans to be one of hard rock's greatest album trilogies. How were you able to write so many memorable songs during that period?
Jeff Pilson: We worked incredibly hard. George and I were constantly writing music. We even took a mobile recording setup on tour so we could write in hotel rooms almost every night. A lot of Tooth and Nail was written during the Breaking the Chains tour, much of Under Lock and Key came together while touring for Tooth and Nail, and many songs for Back for the Attack were written during the Under Lock and Key tour. Whenever we returned home, we kept writing. We were extremely determined.
Gino Alache: Which were your favorite Dokken tour and album?
Jeff Pilson: The two greatest tours were with Dio in 1984-85 and Aerosmith in 1987-88. Touring with Dio was an incredible learning experience, and everyone got along so well. By the Aerosmith tour we had become an outstanding live band, and it was probably the peak of our popularity.
As for albums, I'd probably choose Tooth and Nail. It has a raw energy that still works today. Under Lock and Key has fantastic songs, but when I listen to it now, I think it sounds a little over-produced.
Gino Alache: Dokken was at the height of its success when the band split up in 1988. Do you think success and ego were the main reasons?
Jeff Pilson: Egos—pure and simple. The atmosphere around the band became very negative. Ironically, Don announced he was leaving while we were touring with Aerosmith, at a time when we were actually getting along better than we had in years. Once he made that decision, everything felt hopeless.
Gino Alache: Dokken sold millions of albums, toured the world and became one of hard rock's most successful bands. How would you describe that experience in one sentence?
Jeff Pilson: Fun fortunes for four fuck-ups!
Gino Alache: What advice would you give to young musicians?
Jeff Pilson: Follow your heart forever. Listen to advice from people you trust, but always trust your own instincts first. If your gut tells you something, listen to it.
Gino Alache: Do you know South America?
Jeff Pilson: I love it. I toured there with Dio in 1997.
Gino Alache: What do you know about Peru?
Jeff Pilson: Not a lot beyond its fascinating ancient civilizations. I'm very interested in ancient history, and Peru has one of the most intriguing cultures in the world.
Gino Alache: What would you like to say to your fans in Peru and throughout South America?
Jeff Pilson: I hope everyone gets the chance to hear the new War & Peace album because I'm extremely proud of it. It can probably be ordered through my website, and I truly believe it's worth it. Thank you all for your years of support, and I hope War & Peace can tour South America in the near future. See you there!
Gino Alache: Thank you very much for your time, Jeff.
Jeff Pilson: Thank you. Take care.
