All The World’s A Stage - An Interview with Derek Sherinian
By Melanie “Sass” Falina
There’s a whole other breed of professional musicians out there – the musician’s musician. Someone that is not only at the top of their game as far as their talent, ability, and experience go – but the type of performer who is respected even by other great musicians. Derek Sherinian is one of those musicians.
Having worked with a plethora of mega-musicians like Dream Theater, KISS, Billy Idol, and Zakk Wylde – just to name a few, Sherinian has been called ‘The Caligula of Keyboards’ by Alice Cooper.
Upon the release of his new solo album, Molecular Heinosity, Sherinian took the time to speak with NoneLouder about all things in his empire.
“I’m very excited about Molecular Heinosity – it is my sixth solo record,” says Sherinian, getting right down to business. “It’s been getting great reviews all over the world, and I’m very happy with the result.”
Despite the fact that every one of his releases is each one of his ‘babies’ – Sherinian explains just what it is that Molecular Heinosity means to him?
“This record – I took a little more time to make this one than my previous releases. I had a daughter two and a half years ago so I took some time off from my career to enjoy fatherhood but I managed to squeak out this record. For some reason this record turned out to be a little darker and heavier than my past releases. And it was more focused – I’ve always been one to experiment with different genres and styles on my CDs but this record was a little more directed in the hard rock and heavy metal thing.”
So has being a parent changed him at all?
“If anything it’s given me more incentive to try to take my music even more seriously. And yeah, I think it’s mellowed me out a little bit,” the soft-spoken Sherinian replied in earnest.
When conceiving his other children - his records - Sherinian uses the analogy of choosing musicians to play with as a casting agent would seek out the perfect actors for roles in a movie. And as every music lover in the world has once pondered their ‘dream band’ if they were able to pick and choose anyone they could think of – Sherinian has the ability to pick out his fantasy band for each song on every record he releases.
“Yeah, and I feel very privileged to be able to do that. And, I’ve said this before in interviews, that I try to create my music and my records from a fan’s stand point – and I don’t mean my fans - but I mean me as a fan, and I separate myself from Derek the musician. And when I write a song I try to imagine what would be the most awesome song like if I know a particular artist who’s on it. Like if I know that Yngwie’s playing and I think as an Yngwie fan what do I want to hear from him if I was to buy an Yngwie record. And I’ll start with that kind of motivation and inspiration and work it from there. And yeah, it seems to work out. I’ve had a lot of great people come in over the years; I’ve had a chance to work with a lot of my heroes.”
And after all is said and done - having completely crafted an album, its cast of players and all creative decisions involving its evolution – hearing the final product must feel quite empowering.
“Yeah, it’s amazing – the writing process, and then actually getting the people in the studio, producing them, and doing the final mix and mastering it, it’s just very satisfying. And then over the last 10 years I listen to each of my records and they’ve just been like snap shots of my life during that period of time – it’s documented, and I just take a lot of pride in that.”
As a fan of music and other performers, despite Sherinian’s own talent and experience, is it humbling at all to continually have the chance to work with these other amazing people?
“It is. You know, I’ll tell you a big change for me is when I had the opportunity to work with Allan Holdsworth - who to me is the greatest of greats. He’s so gifted and amazing of a musician. And when you meet him he’s just so unassuming and humble and it really had a big impact on me. Especially then when you see these musicians that act like they’re – you know,” Sherinian chuckles, “…super stars and they’re really just not that talented. The way Holdsworth is is the way to go. You know, we’re all just musicians.”
It’s that combination of appreciation, respect, and oodles of talent that then lead to the benefits that occur after a job well done.
“I think one of the things that’s cool about my records is that with all of these guest stars their fans become my fans because I seem to have a way of capturing these artists in a new light that’s different than the records that they put out on their own.”
A perfect example of Sherinian’s ability to bring other performers into a new light is Zakk Wylde. Aside from his own musical escapades, in a quintessential example of his diversity, Wylde has not only performed on Sherinian’s Molecular Heinosity, but also recently recorded some guitar work for Dope’s new record as well.
“Zakk has played on five of my last records and we have a friendship that dates back 20 years. When I made my second solo record I called Zakk, and he always comes over to my house and spends three days here and then two cases of beer later [Sherinian laughs] we have three songs done and it always just sounds amazing; he puts so much energy into the tracks, and I’m very grateful that he takes the time to come work with me.”
One of the other co-stars of Molecular Heinosity is drummer Virgil Donati – another long time friend and collaborator of Sherinian’s.
“That’s right, well, Virgil and I first met during my first solo record that we collaborated together on which was titled Planet X which was the starting point of the band Planet X – we started the band shortly after that record. By the time that Planet X was dormant I wanted to work with Virgil again and so we went in the studio and wrote a trilogy which opens up Molecular Heinosity and sounds pretty amazing. And Virgil is just very inspiring because he’s probably the most intense musician I’ve ever met, let alone have worked with. He’s just so dedicated and his harmonic and rhythmical comprehension is light-years beyond everybody. So he really opens up a lot of musical possibilities.”
So it’s safe to say that Donati challenges Sherinian creatively?
“Oh, absolutely,” he quickly replies.
When working with the people who many would consider to be the best of the best in the music industry today, do any of these performers every offer ideas that are actually contrary to Sherinian’s vision?
“Yeah, they do. And the bottom line is that as great as all of these people are and no matter how talented they are – and I always try to capture the greatness of everybody – but if I have a strong idea about how I want a certain song or section to go I always hold my ground - unless someone comes up with an idea that’s better than what I came up with. To me it’s all about making the greatest record possible and the greatest songs possible. So you really have to check your ego at the door. If I’m writing with someone or collaborating, I really try to encourage everyone to put everything they have into it and not hold back ideas. Every idea needs to be examined.”
And speaking of the stellar musicians that Sherinian works with, one of which is guitar god Yngwie Malmsteen. “The Lone Spaniard” off of Molecular Heinosity was originally supposed to have had Malmsteen joining in, but Sherinian and Malmsteen’s conflicting schedules prevented this from happening.
“We’ve worked together on and off for the past nine years, but both of us are busy guys and sometimes schedules just don’t cross. But when we do and it makes sense I’m sure we’ll work together again. He’s played on two of my records – I’ve played on two of his, and I’ve toured all over the world with him throughout the years. And we’re good friends too so I always see the possibility of working with him.”
After over a decade in the music industry, what has Sherinian learned from the abundance of experiences he’s acquired?
“It’s too much to even mention. Everyone that I’ve worked with is great in their own way and they bring something to the table – musically, or spiritually, or whatever. And I just try to learn with each person I work with and take the things that inspire me the most and add it to my own trip – whatever that is. And so, the list goes on. I just try to keep an open mind like that.”
After having toured with bands like KISS, Alice Cooper, Dream Theater – of course, and the like, is that kind of gig something that Sherinian is still open to at all?
“Yes, but it would have to be an ideal situation and it would depend on who the band was and other details as well. But yeah, it just depends.”
And is there anyone else still out there that Sherinian would like to work with?
“Yeah, I haven’t had a chance to work with Jeff Beck yet and it would be totally killer to have that opportunity. I think he’s great and I think that we’d make a great record together.”
So upon the recent release of Molecular Heinosity what’s on the agenda for Sherinian?
“Probably no live shows for my solo thing. There is talk of a Planet X reunion with Tony MacAlpine and Virgil which I think could result in a new studio record and some live dates – which would be good. And also, I’ll be putting out a 10-year anthology at the end of the year to celebrate my 10 years as a solo artist. It’ll be a ‘best of’ of my last six solo releases – probably re-mastered and new art work and stuff like that. Between those three things that’s going to keep me pretty busy.”
Derek Sherinian Related Links:
Official Website
http://www.dereksherinian.com/
MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/dereksherinian2008
Dream Theater
http://www.dreamtheater.net/
