Mark Tremonti Talks New Album ‘Cauterize’ + More
Tremonti will return with their sophomore set, Cauterize, on June 9. Loudwire Nights host Full Metal Jackie recently had a few minutes to chat with frontman Mark Tremonti about his band and he also discussed some distinctions between his various bands, what Wolfgang Van Halen brought to the new disc and more. Check out the chat below.
Why is having Tremonti the band as a creative outlet so important to you?
I just don't want to be a bitter old man who looks back on my life and sees all the hard work I did go to waste. I've got so many ideas that have just piled up over the years. If I just had one band or outlet, there's no way in the world they'd see the light of day.
You play with guys that have other gigs of their own with innovative guitarists. Myles Kennedy with Slash, Wolfgang Van Halen with his father. What are the guitar head conversations like when you're jamming with either of those guys?
Everybody just does their own thing when it comes to playing their instrument. I think it's more about talking about bigger picture set lists and just the production, all that stuff. As long as me and Myles have been together in a band, we've barely ever sat together saying "show me that lick." You just feed off one another and go with it.
Guitarist, singer, songwriter -- which one is the most accurate of what Mark Tremonti is creatively all about?
Songwriter for sure. I spend 90 percent of my time with a guitar in my hand writing vocal melodies and putting songs together. For years I've been considered a guitar player, but what really gets me excited is writing songs.
Wolfgang Van Halen wasn't on the first Tremonti album. What's different about Cauterize that you would contribute directly to his participation?
Just a tighter unit now. When you can sync up the kick drum and the bass guitar, it makes the rhythm really tight and precise. He's a quick learner and very precise.
When you write music, what's the telltale sign that dictates whether a song is better suited for Alter Bridge or Tremonti?
The heavier Alter Bridge gets, the harder it is to separate those ideas. Whatever is the best song or idea at the time goes to whatever I'm working on. Then, I'm lucky enough to have two very different rhythm sections and me and Myles have two very different voices. Between those two different things, it really makes it stand out as being different.
Thanks to Mark Tremonti for the interview. The Cauterize album is available to pre-order at Amazon. Catch the band on tour at these locations. Tune in to Loudwire Nights With Full Metal Jackie and Tony LaBrie Monday through Friday 7PM through midnight online or on the radio. To see which stations and websites air ‘Loudwire Nights,’ click here.
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