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West Side Dave: Ok, first up; tell us the story behind the band`s name!
-I came up with the name back in the mid 90s. I used to work at Kmart and they had codewords for certain situations that were labelled "Carolines." They would have different colors which would signify different things. Caroline Blue was code for a medical emergency. That's only part of the reason-I used the name cause I liked the sound of it and, at least to me, it doesn't pigeon-hole you automatically into one style of music. CAROLINE BLUE's music is mainly in the Hard Rock vein ala KISS, but there are songs that go a little lighter and songs that go a little heavier. It's kinda hard to do a ballad with a name like Cannibal Corpse....
WSD: A brief history; when was Caroline Blue formed?
-CAROLINE BLUE basically formed in February 2000. I was over at Randy Gray's house cause we had discussed putting together both a cover band and an original band. When I got to his place, I started to put a tape in with the covers on it and Randy told me not to bother-just put in the tape with the originals. I did and Randy liked them so much he joined on the spot! Very shortly after we jammed with Dave Victory and that's the 1st version of CAROLINE BLUE.
WSD: Awright, now tell us about "The Spotlight"?
That's actually move #369 in the Paul Stanley Kata (HA!)....."The Spotlight" was the name of a little "move" I did during CAROLINE BLUE's 1st promo for UMTV (see below) I was at UMTV studios changing into my stage clothes and I kept thinking that I had to do something a little different than what everyone else was doing. So, 5 minutes before we started taping, I remembered a pose Paul Stanley (KISS) had done and I said to myself, "Why not?" Didn't think much of it. The cameras rolled, I did it, and that was that. Then it aired and, for awhile, wherever I went, people would come up to me and do that pose in front of me-usually taking me by surprise! I never had a name for it. The person who came up with the name is Monster Mike Merrifield-drummer for Dogs on Mars; He told me he envisioned me holding 2 spotlight lamps in my hands to illuminate my "Ego" (HA!)
WSD: When did you start playing guitar, and who influenced you in the early days?
I started playing guitar when I was 18. Through out my childhood, I dabbled alittle here and there with music. Never lasted too long though. Then on my 18th birthday I got my 1st guitar-a Gilbert Les Paul Copy. Yes-a Gilbert, not a Gibson. Wonderful high action on that thing. 6 months later I got a Gorilla practice amp. About 2 years later I really got serious about it. KISS was and still is the major influence for me with music and with many other things.. I have a very diverse range when it comes to music. In the early days it was the power in the music of bands like Judas Priest, Metallica, Motley Crue, Ozzy-specifically the Randy Rhoads Era, Dokken, Yngwie,.... I'm also a big fan of melody-especially in vocals.....the list just keeps growing and growing. I mean, usually if there's something that I like, I try to incorporate it into my being-and that's about everything-not just music.
WSD: Kiss is obviously more than a passing influence on the band. What are your favorite Kiss albums? LEAST favorite?
-My favorite KISS album is actually Paul Stanley's Solo Album (1978). But a close 2nd is my very 1st KISS album "Creatures of the Night." I also like "Revenge" alot. I'm more a fan of individual songs than whole albums. If you had to list my favorite bands, it would be based on how many of the individual songs I liked-just so happens that the most songs I like are done by KISS. ; `course, the fact that they have so many albums could be a factor!:) My least favorite?...Probably "You Wanted The Best,You Got The Best." 4 live songs from the 70s with an interview w/ Jay Leno. Listened to it once and it's been on the shelf since. Personally, I think they should've recorded some live stuff during the 96 reunion tour and released it as Alive IV. KISS was the hottest tour in 96-97 and having a recording from that would've been the ultimate souvenir from the show. People would pick it up `cause they could say "I was there." And this was before the merchandising went into overload again so they might`ve had a #1 CD with it. But they didn't....oh well....
WSD: Now, who are you favorite [AND least favorite] members of Kiss? [from ANY era]
-I think it's pretty obvious that my favorite member of KISS is Paul Stanley. I specifically remember thinking that here was a guy who could do many things (sing/write/move around while performing/play guitar (rhythm & lead)/produce) and do them well. That was very appealling to me. I wanted to be able to do that. Plus I wanted to have the ability to attract hot women like he could! (HA!) My least favorite? Probably Mark St. John-does nothing for me really.
WSD: In your opinion, what kind of shape is the Central New York music scene in?
-The best shape the music scene could be in is the shape of a beautiful woman. ;)
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