WICKED
By: Lori Smerilson Carson
Rockin’ out to “Reptile Roots” with its heavy hitting drum intro, followed by riveting guitar
riffs and strong vocals that create a rock song capable of making you forget your
troubles of the day is only one of many amazing tunes that WICKED has made since
their formation in 2012. With two albums under their belt and another due for release in
the next few months, bandmates Lead Singer/Guitarist Chad Michael, Bassist Danny,
Guitarist Scotty V and Drummer Gunnar Coston have been steadily making their mark
in the music world. Pittsburgh/Ohio fans will be able to see these extremely talented
musicians Friday July 18th at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille opening for Ace Frehley.
Having the opportunity to chat with Danny just prior to their new WICKED show, he
revealed some details about what fans can experience, their new music, and a bit about
what people can look forward to.
On Tour Magazine: You are opening up for Ace Frehley, Friday July 18th at Jergel’s. Is
there a tour planned as well?
Danny: So, it’s the first of probably what we’re hoping is a few sporadic ones. Ace is
doing a lot of casino dates and stuff like that, so they don’t typically do openers for
those. We’re fortunate enough to jump on when he’s not on those dates and they are
his own, but we’re going to try to do a few dates like that in the summer with him, and
we also have a week run of dates with Vicious Rumors in September. So, we’re kind of
just gearing up, getting back out there because we have a new album coming out at the
end of the summer going into the fall.
On Tour Magazine: What can you tell me about the new album?
Danny: I can tell you a bunch about it. We haven’t announced exactly a specific date,
but we’ll start with some singles, and the album is called GO REBEL. It’s really exciting
because you’re always trying to push your creativity and musical prowess as you do
these creations. We’re so excited and happy because from the last couple albums THE
LAST AMERICAN ROCK BAND and SUNBURN, this is really like a great evolution. Us
really honing in on our influences that we’re super excited about right now, and the
album has a lot of diversity on it. Everything from like Thin Lizzy “Cowboy (Song)” ballad
to fast anthem- etic punk like songs, and even some heavy songs too. So, it’s got a
really nice balance, but the whole branding of this GO REBEL album is really interesting
too because it’s not just hey, we’re slapping our faces on it and it’s just another band
putting out an album. This one is really about that action within that word GO REBEL.
It’s almost a verb, right? So, it’s about community, and it’s about freedom, individuality
and like that lust for life is really what we’re trying to push. It’s going to be fun because
the campaign is going to, like what I was just alluding to, involve more than just hey,
we’re a band and we’ve got a new album. It’s going to be bringing in people in our
community that skateboard, or maybe they ride motorcycles, or all these very cool
exciting things that make people individuals. We want to highlight that because that’s
the path that we walk. Try to be individuals and bring that excitement. There are so
many people around us that are a part of that rock and roll community, So, that’s what
GO REBEL is about. We’re super excited for it.
On Tour Magazine: Is there anything new you all are doing with these upcoming shows?
The last time we spoke, you were telling me about pranks that you all did at the shows
and that they are high energy. I’m sure they are high energy!
Danny: Oh yeah, absolutely! You’re still going to get the whole shebang with the high
energy rock and roll, but yeah, we are doing something a little different. We’re mixing it
up. I think what you could expect at like this ACE show for instance, is we’re going to
bring that upbeat high energy attitude, but we’re going to be putting in a couple of
classics that people might not have heard in a while from our portfolio, as well as
teasing a couple of these GO REBEL songs and bringing them into the fold. There’s
something that I really enjoyed growing up as a music fan, and that was going to see
some of my favorite bands and getting some of those sneak peaks at a new song. It’s
hard because you don’t know the song yet, maybe if the single’s not out or what not, but
it kind of builds that interest and excitement that hey, you were there when they tried it
out on the crowd. So, for better or worse, that’s what we like to do, and we’re excited to
do that at this ACE show.
On Tour Magazine: Having done these tours now, is there anything you would pass
along to a new up-and-coming band?
Danny: Yeah, absolutely. It seems a little cliché’ but first and foremost, you got to have
fun with what you’re doing, and when you go out with these bigger acts on these tours,
there is a certain level of professionalism of course. You’re kind of stepping into the big
boy leagues if you will, that’s expected but really enjoy those moments because coming
off of the Raven tour and everything, the memories that we’ve made are priceless. So,
it’s really exciting, and if you take a moment while you’re doing that and kind of let the
nerves go away and all of the logistics and everything, and you can just be there and be
present, I think that’s super important because like we were just out in Anaheim doing
the show with Metal Allegiance at the House of Blues and I actually did that for a
moment, and it’s so cool to see the people who are engaged with you in the crowd. That
community at that moment. We’re looking forward to that again at Jergel’s in Pittsburgh.
I’m super excited. I’m always excited to meet new markets of fans of rock and roll, not
just for the fan-based bill and the business end that goes with it, but you really are
building this community of people with common interest, and for me, that’s a huge part
of what we do. So, I’m super excited because we haven’t been to Pittsburgh in a while
and it’s going to be great!
On Tour Magazine: The last time we spoke you said you and your brother were
influenced to become musicians by your grandmother and you talked about how you
guys made time to go see her. Do you still have that kind of time for family visits with all
the touring and recording, or is it more difficult?
Danny: We still have time. Those were some of the core values that we were raised in
and instilled in us. So, now unfortunately since our grandmother has passed we’re able
to do it with the other band members grandparents and family members. You know how
life is, it’s never ending, but it’s nice to be able to pay homage to these special people in
our songs like “Summer & Sun” that was written for our grandmother, my Babcia, and
then we continue that. We’re always busy with the band, but it’s important to have
balance, and whether it’s for your significant others or family or even like I said, just
community and people around you, I think it’s important because it keeps you whole
and as an artist at least, I think that it’s important to have that value in you because it
produces better music and stories.
On Tour Magazine: Are there any new videos or anything else fans can look forward to?
Danny: When we were in Anaheim in February busy with the House of Blues show and
the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame, in true WICKED fashion, we crammed in having some
fun shooting some videos. So, we’ve got a couple of videos that are going to go with the
GO REBEL album singles that are going to start coming out at the end of the summer,
and we had a blast! I’ll give some teasers like everything from of course, doing the
beaches out there, but we have this really cool ’67 GTO convertible and wait ‘til you see
the fun we had in it (he laughed)!
On Tour Magazine: That’s something definitely to look forward to. Was there anything
else you want to add for fans to know about the show?
Danny: I just encourage fans, if you have the opportunity to go to the ACE show at
Jergel’s next week, please remember we love coming out and mingling and getting to
meet people. I encourage you to come, have a conversation with us, hang out for a little
bit after the show. We’ll enjoy the other great acts as well with you guys. So, super
excited to meet all of the community out there.
