Brian Ashland: Ozzy Ozbourne on the Diary of a Madman tour.
Gary Wehrkamp: Eric Clapton on the Beyond the Sun tour in 1985 I think. Then I went to 80 more concerts in the next 5 years and then very very few since.
When did you decide music would be your career?
Brian: It just always was.
Gary: It chose me. I have always wanted to be many other things like a scientist or a lawyer.
What is your all time favorite album or albums?
Brian: The Wall, Darkside Of The Moon and Momentary Lapse Of Reason by Pink Floyd and Queensryche - Rage for Order.
Who was a key mentor or motivator in your life?
Brian: Sadly I never had one. Still lost!
Gary:I have often asked myself “what would Jesus do?” I have also asked the same question with other people in mind. Musically, the most inspiring period for me in my life was when I was 14. My older brother Eric had a friend over who I knew played guitar very well. I was still a drummer, but I just bought a very old junky guitar and I asked him to see if he could fix it.
Before he did, I asked him if he could play something. He went and got his own guitar out of the car and came back, plugged in and just rocked out; improvising leads and everything and it was so amazing and mind blowing. I sat there in complete awe. Ten minutes into it, I discreetly hit Record on a tiny tape recorder I had, not caring what I was erasing, and left it under my bed so he would not see. He left and I was in a daze.
My entire world changed completely and I was left with three major thoughts over the next few months: One: I just witnessed the greatest guitar player in the world and having this tape of him would be the way I would learn. I would come home from school, listen to 20 seconds of this, and try to figure out how to play. Of course I had no skills on the guitar at all, but my ambition made up for it.
Two: I knew somehow I could play like that. I was sure of it, and learning guitar by myself never felt like learning or practicing - It always felt like I already knew how to do it, I merely had to remember.
Three: I had to find this guy, thank him, hug him, jam with him, anything. I actively searched for years, like a private detective. If someone called and it was for my brother Eric, or even a wrong number, I would ask if they knew of this guy. His name was Chris Alia and he still plays guitar and is still amazing. I finally was able to find him about 5 years ago and had him drive up to be a guest soloist on a record I was producing at the time.
What's your favorite hobby away from music?
Brian: Flicking boogers with Gary
Gary: Avoiding Brian.
What television show won't you miss or always record?
Brian: I haven’t seen broadcast TV in years. I just decided it offered nothing to me anymore, so I voluntarily abandoned it.
Gary: For many years I did not watch TV, but now I catch what my wife watches. I loved the Prison Break series which ended this last year. They could not top the first two seasons. Now I catch a little of Flash Forward or Yankee baseball games, or Calliou or Diego (what my four year old son watches).
What's your guilty pleasure?
Brian: I have a ridiculously expensive taste in food. And I love absinthe.
Gary: Music. Hey, I have expensive tastes in food, too, I didn’t know that about you Brian! My favorite is really great sushi, which usually I can only find in certain places in Manhattan.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Brian: Check out Gary Wehrkamp at ShadowGallery.com. He’s getting pretty good. Someone tell him to get a better guitar.
Gary: We may be looking for a new singer soon, unless Brian buys me a better guitar.
