Subsequent 12 months marks the thirtieth anniversary of Massachusetts-based rock band Godsmack, at the moment led by co-founders Sully Erna on vocals and Robbie Merrill on bass, together with Tony Rombola on guitars, and Shannon Larkin on drums (ex-Ugly Child Joe and ex-Candlebox).
Over the previous three a long time, Godsmack has produced a formidable catalog together with eight studio albums, an EP titled “The Different Facet,” 4 DVDs, a compilation album named “Good Occasions, Dangerous Occasions… Ten Years of Godsmack,” and a stay album titled “Reside & Impressed.”
The band achieved three consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 with “Faceless,” “IV,” and “The Oracle.” Notably, they boast 25 top-ten rock radio hits, with 18 songs touchdown within the high 5 and 12 on the coveted number-one spot.
Their seventh album, “When Legends Rise,” debuted on April 27, 2018, adopted by their eighth launch, “Lighting Up the Sky,” on February 24, 2023. After the discharge of the final album, Godsmack introduced that it could be their ultimate venture of recent music, though they haven’t any intentions of disbanding.
Presently, Godsmack is on the Vibez Tour throughout North America, with simply two Canadian stops, together with a efficiency on the OLG Stage at Fallsview On line casino Resort in Niagara Falls on April twenty fifth. Becoming a member of Godsmack will probably be particular visitor Bastian da Cruz.
In a current Zoom interview with Music Life Journal, Erna mentioned the Vibez Tour and what followers can count on, the band’s future plans, his documentary launch “I Stand Alone: The Sully Erna Story,” (primarily based on his 2007 memoir, “The Paths We Select”), and extra. In the course of the interview, Erna shared insights into the band’s determination to cease recording new albums after final 12 months’s “Lighting Up the Sky” launch.
For more information and tickets to this present and upcoming exhibits at OLG Stage click on right here.
Due to Sully Erna for taking the time to speak to me. Right here is my interview with Erna which came about through Zoom two weeks previous to the beginning of the Vibez Tour which started mid-February:
MLM: How are issues going? In two weeks, the Vibez Tour begins. Are you guys all prepared and excited?
Sully Erna: Oh yeah, we’re prepared. We’re all tuned up. We’re gonna take a bit of break now from rehearsals and simply have a bit of vacay after which we’ll begin hitting it on the fifteenth when the entire thing begins.
MLM: I wish to discuss extra in regards to the Vibez Tour however there’s a few different issues I wish to get out of the way in which. And also you’re in all probability sick about speaking about this by now, however your final album, Lighting Up the Sky, got here out a couple of 12 months in the past, and also you guys talked about that it is going to be the final album you guys do. Is Godsmack seeking to wind down? Are you guys seeking to do different issues? What are the longer term plans for Godsmack?
Sully Erna: Properly, everybody has to return to a degree in time of their profession after they really feel like, “Have we arrived? Have we performed the issues that we wished to do?” Despite the fact that music is one thing we all the time wished to do with our lives, is that all the pieces we wish to do with our lives as a result of we missed numerous particular moments in our private lives, watching our youngsters develop up. We have been all the time touring, being away from household and pals. And typically we crave the easy issues that most individuals take with no consideration. They stand up each morning, they get to make their children breakfast, and so they go work and so they come house and so they make them dinner, and so they hang around and so they watch motion pictures and take them to high school, no matter. We didn’t have that luxurious as a result of we have been working on a regular basis and our work takes us away from house.
And now our youngsters are grown however it’s like, nicely, we’ve performed so much. We be ok with our profession. It’s not like we’re saying a breakup or something, however I imply, geez, at what level can we not begin honoring the catalog and begin forgetting about writing increasingly new music? I imply, we now have 27 high singles, high 10 singles. We’ve got 13 quantity ones. Meaning we are able to actually play two exhibits again to again in the identical metropolis and by no means play the identical single twice, not to mention the deeper cuts. So, we’re simply making an attempt to suppose alongside the strains of how we’re as followers and once we go to see our favourite bands, like if we depart there and Aerosmith didn’t play Dream On, and Stroll This Manner, and Identical Previous Track and Dance and Practice Stored A Rollin’? I’m mad, proper? Yeah. So yeah, we have to play what folks have deemed the very best songs that they’ve loved through the years. And we additionally really feel that we’re simply in a spot in time the place we wish to sort of enter a brand new chapter in our lives and begin honoring that music and simply going out and making a best hits present.
MLM: Not too long ago, the documentary I Stand Alone: The Sully Erna Story got here out. Let’s discuss a bit about that. When did that come out? I do know it’s streaming proper now, in order that’s very new, isn’t it?
Sully Erna: It’s very new. We haven’t even began a press marketing campaign on it but, so that you’re one of many first folks on board to assist us put it up for sale! it’s on Apple TV and it’s on Amazon Prime. I believe it’s on a pair others as nicely, Microsoft and Google Play. It’s referred to as I Stand Alone: The Sully Erna Story and it mainly relies on the e-book that I put out in 2007 referred to as The Paths We Select, which is in regards to the first 30 years of my life earlier than I acquired a report take care of Godsmack, and rising up within the streets of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and all the difficulty that I acquired into, all of the challenges I confronted and the obstacles I needed to leap over in an effort to not get myself killed or find yourself in jail.
I believe it’s actually a narrative of perseverance. It’s a narrative of 1 man’s, one boy’s journey by way of life and all of the challenges that they confronted not understanding that I had this present, proper? And I had this music in my life, and it’s actually what saved me so many instances from going out and doing the actually darkish stuff. It appears to really feel like a extra inspirational piece for folks to know you can take a look at us and we’re not born profitable rock stars. We’re the identical folks such as you and everybody else that work laborious and must undergo life the identical means as everybody else does. However we now have to learn to undergo these powerful moments and keep robust and get to the opposite aspect as a result of that’s whenever you often discover a pot of gold on the finish of the rainbow.
MLM: So why did you resolve to do the documentary now? It’s been greater than 15 years for the reason that memoir got here out.
Sully Erna: This was one thing that one other workforce put collectively, the director Troy Smith and one of many editors, the lead editor, Noah Berlow. They actually appreciated the story and so they wished to make it right into a characteristic documentary however the trick was, and the explanation why it took so lengthy, I imply, this was six years within the making. I used to be born in 68, proper? So I grew up within the seventies and the eighties. We didn’t have cell telephones again then and video cameras. There have been no visuals to assist the tales we have been telling. Simply little bits of data. My uncle used to return over, he had a giant camcorder so he’d movie me enjoying drums once I was seven years outdated and hanging out with my household. So, we had a bit of bit of data once I was actually younger, however as we get into my teenagers and all these years that I acquired into the actual huge bother stuff. We didn’t have video cameras again then, and thank God. My God, you recognize, I’d’ve been incriminated greater than as soon as, I’m certain! (laughs)
So, it was like a matter of recreating a few of that stuff and selecting what tales we have been going to inform. After which clearly because it will get into the early nineties and going by way of completely different bands and hanging out with my pals, that’s when camcorders began to pop up. We used to have the eight millimeter camcorders and DV cams. It was only a bit difficult placing collectively, however that’s why it took a short while. They wished to inform the story, however we didn’t need it simply to be a speaking head documentary.
MLM: Are you’re happy with the way in which it turned out then?
Sully Erna: I used to be surprisingly happy. I believed I used to be gonna tear it aside, however my God, I watched it with my mother and two of my greatest pals and my sister and my mother bawled. I imply, as a result of you recognize, you gotta keep in mind too, we took it proper again to the center of the place all these occasions occurred and I even acquired to knock on the door of my childhood house. And the girl was type sufficient to allow us to use her house to reenact numerous these scenes. So, what you see is actually my home the place I grew up and the place these occasions occurred. So, I believe for my mother, it was like, “that’s my kitchen”, “that was me”. Yeah. I used to be in that a part of my life and taking her again there I believe actually affected her.
MLM: Lawrence is within the Boston space?
Sully Erna: Yeah, north of Boston.
MLM: Are there any plans to launch I Stand Alone on DVD?
Sully Erna: I don’t know. I’m unsure proper now. Proper now, we’re simply sort of sticking it on the market, letting folks realize it’s out. We’re going to begin a giant advertising and marketing marketing campaign for it to essentially pump it up and pay attention, if something, I simply hope it does what it, I consider it was designed to do, which was, if I inform my story, I hope it evokes folks to do higher of their lives and to maintain going with their desires and issues like that, as a result of that is actually what that story is about. We see numerous these sorts of rock docs that finish very unhappy, proper? They don’t all the time have a superb ending. I’d prefer to suppose this one did, you recognize, and I’m nonetheless unsure the place it ends as a result of I’m nonetheless dwelling in it. I’m nonetheless in that a part of my life. And I’m certain the Godsmack documentary will come out in some unspecified time in the future. However proper now, possibly it is a piece that can encourage folks to proceed to work laborious and know that there’s a payoff.
MLM: Let’s speak about The Vibez Tour. It begins in a pair weeks. It’s all US dates with two Canadian dates, together with Niagara Falls on April 25th. In keeping with a Fb publish from Godsmack, the present is alleged to be An Intimate Night of Acoustic/Electrical Performances and Untold Tales. First off, will there be private stuff taken from the documentary or is it completely Godsmack associated? Will there be tales informed which can be behind the scenes of Godsmack, and tales behind the songs?
Sully Erna: I believe it’s gonna be extra in regards to the music, as a result of what we wish to create, and the explanation why we referred to as it The Vibez Tour is as a result of we actually wish to do all of the vibey music that we’ve written through the years. Perhaps step away from the large robust heavy Godsmack stuff for a second that we all the time do on the large exhibits and produce folks into a unique sort of place. So, from the time they enter the theater, you recognize, the scent that’s within the air, the candles on stage, go into some actually stunning acoustic performances, some totally electrical performances. We’re gonna do some vibey cool covers that we actually like. And, you recognize, inform some tales in regards to the songs and what they meant to us once we wrote them. And possibly a little bit of historical past in regards to the band, a bit of bit. However actually simply take folks by way of a musical journey and allow them to expertise how necessary and what a present music actually is to all of us.
MLM: You guys have a giant catalog of songs. Was it laborious to decide on what songs to incorporate within the setlist? Are there songs that you simply thought might or might not work acoustically after which shocked you?
Sully Erna: I don’t suppose so as a result of we’re selecting songs which can be sort of designed to be extra of a vibe like that, and like I mentioned, it’s not gonna be totally acoustic. If the tune’s acoustic, it’ll be acoustic, songs like Serenity and Operating Blind and people sorts of songs. These have been designed to be acoustic. There’s even some actually cool vibey piano songs that we’ve written, like Underneath Your Scars, and the brand new single Fact. There are songs like Rising Previous on the brand new report that simply are sort of a extra of a Chris Cornell sort of vibe. And so, you combine that in with some actually cool covers. Perhaps we’re gonna do some outdated Zeppelin stuff, or Pink Floyd, who is aware of. However you recognize, you mix all that in collectively, proper? And it actually simply sort of creates a second. And in order that’s what I believe is gonna occur.
MLM: Since Godsmack will not be recording new music, will there be a launch of this tour when it’s completed?
Sully Erna: I don’t know. The whole lot’s up within the air. Proper now, we’re simply centered on this tour. I’d prefer to take one factor at a time and simply do it the very best we are able to.
MLM: Subsequent 12 months Godsmack celebrates 30 years. Did you ever suppose the band would final this lengthy?
Sully Erna: We weren’t certain that this band was even gonna be a band within the first place, it actually simply sort of began as an experiment to scratch the itch when me and Robbie have been at some extent in our lives the place we have been about to stop music again within the early nineties. We went by way of so many bands and so many various issues in our lives that we have been similar to, as you begin to get into your mid-twenties, late-twenties, you’re similar to, possibly this isn’t for me, you recognize. Perhaps it’s not gonna occur. So, we simply mentioned, let’s simply do one thing and make it enjoyable. We acquired collectively and wrote some music. We have been gonna report it in a studio and simply sort of scratch the itch by enjoying gigs on weekends and stuff. After which this factor began taking off and other people began paying consideration. And so, who would’ve recognized, you recognize, that I spent the primary 25 years enjoying drums in mastering that instrument after which to transition right into a singer not understanding what I’m doing. By no means, by no means any coaching, something. And swiftly, we find yourself with a gold report! Who would have recognized?
MLM: I’m certain there are numerous nice recollections, numerous excellent moments all through your 30 years as a musician in Godsmack and even earlier than that. Is there something that basically stands out nonetheless to at the present time the place you look again and suppose, “Wow, that’s wonderful”, or “I can’t consider this occurred”?
Sully Erna: Yeah, simply our life and music. I imply, I believe whenever you’re rising up and also you need it and it’s simply sort of a dream and one thing feels prefer it’s untouchable, it’s actually only a fantasy at that time. You’re enjoying in garages and basements and small golf equipment and also you’re, in your thoughts, you’re envisioning that you simply’re enjoying in entrance of an area full of individuals, however you’re actually not, you recognize? And so it’s only a huge dream. So for it to change into a actuality and have this sort of longevity, that’s one thing that also to at the present time, we pinch ourselves and respect each second that we now have.
MLM: Is there the rest you’d love to do in life that you simply haven’t but? Music has been a giant a part of your life. Is there something you’d prefer to pursue that you simply’ve all the time considered doing however haven’t but?
Sully Erna: Properly, I’ve been so busy. Yeah. I could, as soon as that is performed and our schedule relaxes a bit of bit extra as a result of we’re all the time gonna be doing exhibits. I’m certain in some unspecified time in the future, however we simply might not tour as closely after this album cycle is over. We’ll see. You’ll be able to by no means say by no means. Who is aware of? I can’t sit nonetheless too lengthy. Once I’m working an excessive amount of, I would like some off time after which when I’ve off time, I get actually bored actually fast and I must go do one thing. I do love performing. I’ve had some enjoyable with that over time, performing some indie movies and getting some smaller roles in greater motion pictures and that sort of factor. I believe I’d prefer to pursue that extra if I acquired the chance and somebody wished to carry me in. At this level I’d prefer to get some higher components and attempt to become involved in some greater roles. That’s all the time been enjoyable for me. However, on my off time I prefer to play poker. I prefer to experience my motorbike. I prefer to go hang around with my pals, hit the seashores, take some holidays, and go to some locations with out working. So, you recognize, the easy issues numerous the instances is what I get pleasure from doing.
MLM: You’re coming to Niagara Falls April twenty fifth. Have you ever ever been right here?
Sully Erna: Oh yeah. I’ve some pals there too.
MLM: You have been within the space not too way back. Final August you performed in Toronto with Staind. In any case, do you might have any plans whilst you’re right here? Do you make time to do issues whenever you go to completely different cities whereas on tour?
Sully Erna: I’m unsure. I’d prefer to see a pair pals whereas I’m in that space, no matter. However once more, you recognize, our exhibits are just about again to again and fairly tight. So, we don’t have an entire lot of time to hang around once we’re on tour. However we’re wanting ahead to the present. It’s a superb space, good folks, good vibes there. We’ve all the time performed nicely, so it’ll be good to return again for certain.
MLM: Properly, thanks a lot in your time. Is there something you’d prefer to plug or add at this level?
Sully Erna: No, simply the only, Fact is a crucial tune to us. We’re about to launch it and we’re simply ending up a brand new video for it. It’s in all probability some of the weak and emotional songs I’ve ever wrote in my life. As you recognize, all the pieces I write about is one thing that occurred to me personally on an emotional stage, whether or not it was good or dangerous. Sadly, on this case, this occasion occurred to me as I used to be penning this report and we needed to pause the entire venture as a result of this one hit me fairly laborious. It’s a tune about betrayal and as you recognize, typically the individuals who can harm us essentially the most are the those that we love essentially the most. I believe folks will connect with this lyrically and emotionally. I believe everybody has felt some sort of betrayal as soon as of their life, at the least, whether or not it was by way of a member of the family or relationship or friendship. However we’re excited for the tune as a result of it’s a giant hook, it’s a giant melody. And I simply suppose, despite the fact that it got here from a darker place, it’s a giant stunning tune. So I hope all people actually takes a take heed to that and enjoys it.
MLM: Properly, thanks a lot in your time.
Sully Erna: You bought it.
MLM: Good luck on the tour. Subsequent week is your birthday. Blissful Birthday! I’m wanting ahead to seeing you on April twenty fifth, in Niagara Falls.
Sully Erna: Superior.
MLM: Thanks a lot, Sully.
Sully Erna: Yeah, in fact, man. Thanks for having me.
MLM: All proper. Take care. Thanks.
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