BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's CATANESE Talks About DIMEBAG, Playing OZZFEST

Glam-Metal.com writer Deb Rao recently conducted an interview with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist Nick Catanese. A couple of excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow:

Glam-Metal.com: How does it feel to be playing with [bassist] JD [John 'JD' DeServio] again? BLACK LABEL SOCIETY have worked with so many great bass guitarists in the past. He is very energetic performer, and fits in well with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY.

Nick Catanese: "It's awesome having JD back. It's like we did a 360 and he is back again. He is a wonderful person and a great bass player. I have been honored to have played with the best bassist on the planet."

Glam-Metal.com: What was it like working with VELVET REVOLVER on the Ozzfest Tour this year? Any funny Ozzfest stories?

Nick Catanese: "I love VELVET REVOLVER. They are great guys and truly a great rock band. It's so refreshing to see that."

Glam-Metal.com: This was my first year attending Ozzfest this summer? What was the highlight of playing Ozzfest this year?

Nick Catanese: "Probably getting to play Ozzfest as many times as we have. As a musician, I have gotten to play on tour with basically every band I have looked up to when I was a kid — JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, PANTERA and even the newer bands, GODSMACK, SHADOWS FALL… It's been a great ride."

Glam-Metal.com: Nick, I know that "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was your best friend and one of your main guitar influences. What was one of the most amazing guitar advice that Dimebag taught you as a performer that you will always remember and practice onstage every night at your show?

Nick Catanese: "He taught me to always appreciate what you got. That's why he always would sign autographs and meet fans after or before the show. He would never say no, because without your fans you are nothing. And what he taught me as a player… The most memorable moment for me was when Dime and [longtime girlfriend] Rita came to see us play with PRIEST in Texas, Dime was watching us play and afterwards he grabs me around the shoulders and says, 'Hey, Twin. How old are you?' I said '33.' He said, 'Man, watching you up there jammin' with Zakk, you got fire and don't ever stop.' And those words meant the world to me."

Glam-Metal.com: Nick, how did you get started in music? Did you start playing guitar at a early age? Were your parents supportive, and do they come see you perform with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY?

Nick Catanese: "I started playing when i was 13. My folks always supported me — to this day they do. My dad helps out all the time. My mom does all of my financial work. It's amazing to have that. You gotta have that — support is everything. When they come and see a show, they love it. They love walking around meeting people. I got a great picture of Rob Zombie and my dad. That's priceless to me."

Deb Rao's entire interview with Nick Catanese will be posted at Glam-Metal.com soon.