DON DOKKEN: 'As Long As You Keep Making Good Music, People Will Buy It'

DOKKEN is continuing work on its new album, "Lightning Strikes Again", for a 2007 release via Rhino Records in the U.S. and Frontiers Records in Europe. The follow-up to 2004's "Hell to Pay" will feature the lineup of Don Dokken (vocals),Jon Levin (guitar, ex-WARLOCK),Barry Sparks (bass, TED NUGENT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, MSG) and Mick Brown (drums).

"It will be a very heavy progressive record," Dokken recently told Deb Rao of KNAC.COM. "Just some cool songs, some dark songs, and some medium tempo. Some of the best work that I have done in years.

"I am not looking for any kind of sound. I am just writing whatever spiritual inspiration comes to me. You could say the sound is very heavy, like 'Kiss of Death'.

“We have been lucky all these years. In our career a lot of bands have come and gone. It is all about the music. As long as you keep making good music, people will buy it.

"I think a lot of the bands made the mistake of just writing the same record all over again. Nothing fresh, nothing new to say. DOKKEN is always trying to grow.

"I think one of the most fun New Year's new shows in recent years was playing with DEF LEPPARD in the Millennium. Because it was the year 2000, it was a special night playing in the arena in Chicago. We had a great party afterwards.

"I remember that show specifically because my New Year's resolution was to quit drinking. I quit drinking for two years. I didn't drink a drop. I decided to give my liver a rest. It is hard to do, on the road, when you want to have a glass of wine unwind after a show. It is like anything. You have to do it in moderation."

Don Dokken recently completed work on a solo album, entitled "Solitary". Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Someday", "Sarah", "Never Forget", "Meadows", "Ship of Fools" and "Everything". Check out audio samples at www.dondokken.com.