By: Dan Sheffki
As a guitarist it's always cool when you're called on to interview a great one. This Saturday at Chicago's Ozzfest 2002, I had the extreme honor of taking on shred demon Zakk Wylde from Ozzy Osbourne's band and leader of his own, Black Label Society. A call to confirm the backstage encounter found the band helplessly stuck in traffic...running behind about a half hour which put them in the parking lot a scant 35 minutes before Black Label Society was to hit the stage. Nothing like tightening the lid and cranking the heat up another notch. Despite running behind, Zakk and tour manager Tim Bolin granted me the interview. As the bus pulled in, Tim called and said he'd be right by to get me. I walked over to the bus with Tim, a quick check to ensure Zakk was ready and we were in. Led Zeppelin's "In Through The Outdoor" was wafting through the bus' sound system...Zakk and Tim offered a couch and a "Make yourself at home" as I sat down, I couldn't help but notice the bullseye Les Paul just to the right of Zakk and the built in guitar rack on the wall of the bus with several more of the trademark guitars...
Dan Sheffki- Zakk, Thanks for the time, I know you're running late here so I'll keep things brief and get out of your hair.
Zakk Wylde- Oh it's alright man...Sorry we got here late. Tim told me we're pushing into another interview time you have setup, but, hey take as long as you need.
D.S. I heard not too far back on the European swing you had collapsed from exhaustion I believe it was reported. How are you feeling now?
Z.W. Oh yeah, well actually I got food poisoning on the tour there in Europe. Really bad. Dude I was puking for like two weeks...pissin out my ass and was having to get IV's just to get fluids in me 'cuz I couldn't hold anything down at all. Yeah, shit before the shows in Germany and another I was sitting backstage with a Les Paul in one hand and an IV jammed in the other...doing finger exercises and warming up for the gig with a fuckin IV in the other arm. But I still got up there every night in Black Label fashion and kicked some fuckin ass every night.
D.S. Zakk, tell us a little about the new Black Label Society CD "1919 Eternal" and is there any significance to the title?
Z.W. Well the title is a tribute to my father and those guys from the World War II generation. Those kinda people and their toughness and determination. As far as the music. Well, you know the bottom line on the new CD is we're Sabbath disciples...I mean like the staples, if you like Sabbath, Metallica, Stone Temple, Alice in Chains, uh...anything like that then you're going to be into Black Label Society. I'm really proud of the way it came out. Eddie (Eddie Mapp who is the band's live sound engineer also) did a really great job with it.
D.S. Now you also helped out though and co-produced this one though right?
Z.W. Eddie did the entire mix and yeah, I mean I would get up off the couch you know and say (acts as if listening to a mix) "O.K bro can you bring the kick drum up?...A little more snare there...can we make that solo louder?". Things like that, 'cuz I would come in with fresh ears. But I tell you, Eddie did an amazing job...You know he's only 21 years old and he just amazes me. He's been with me since he was 19 years old.
D.S. That's how old you were when you began with Ozzy right?
Z.W. Yeah man, 19 and look at me now...35 and smelly like a cunt brother. Ahhh the brutality.
D.S. What are your thoughts on the latest Ozzy record "Down To Earth"?
Z.W. Sound wise I think they did a great job. I just wish I would have been able to write the songs on the record. I take pride in that you know what I mean? You know as a guitar player that's your job to come up with the riffs.
D.S. Yeah, this time Ozzy had began writing this album with other people and you were kinda brought in secondary when it wasn't working out right?
Z.W. Yeah you know Ozzy had started writing and I was bledding all I could with Black Label Society...and one day the phone rang while I was at home cleaning up Rottweiler shit around the house and my wife says "Zakk it's Ozzy" and I say you know, "Hey what's up?" and he says, "Zakk, I've got all these songs, would you mind coming down and we can just go into the studio and get them done?" I was like yeah man no problem so I went in there and kicked ass the best I could.
D.S. You have a Rottweiler huh?
Z.W. Yeah, we're breeding them up at my house. Rottweiler's are the best dude...they'll follow you to hell and back
D.S. What were your favorite and least favorite moments being involved with the movie "Rock Star"?
Z.W. Shit, there was no least favorite at all. I mean I got paid decent cash to go up there and basically play guitar all day, fire shotguns and drink beer. Mark was a real cool guy you know and Jennifer she was just cool as hell man...she be just like your sister man--drink beer with the guys and hang out with us. I mean aside from being drop dead gorgeous...you know she's definitely a keeper (?), but still just void of bullshit. Not an asshole at all. Just a regular person.
D.S. Any word on Sharon?
Z.W. Man, cancer is a scary thing man but Sharon you know is nothing but strength on strength....if anyone can beat it it's her. She's got a lot of support from all of us and their family. My wife and son (Hendrix) just got back from seeing her. We're just all saying prayers for her.
D.S. Who are some of you favorite "b stage" bands on the tour this year?
Z.W. Ah, damn man, I check 'em all out as much as I can man and I really like Down, Hatebreed kicks ass and you know the Soil guys are a cool bunch of guys...on the main stage you know Rob Zombie always puts on a killer show, System of A Down have been great....and of course that band Black Label Society you know has been kicking some serious ass out there (laughter).
D.S. Some final thoughts for the fans in Chicago?
Z.W. I just wanna tell the Chicago chapter of the Black Label Society to stay strong and keep believing in Black Label, keep drinking beer...and pray for war.