ZAKK WYLDE: Without OZZY, I Wouldn't Be Doing Any Of The Things I'm Doing

Joe Bosso of MusicRadar.com recently conducted an interview with Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

MusicRadar.com: Last year Ozzy made the comment that he thought his records were starting to sound like BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, which I took to mean as not sounding "heavy metal" enough. I know you like southern rock, but in no way does "Order Of The Black" sound like LYNYRD SKYNYRD.

Zakk: "Put it this way: If Oz said the same thing about Randy Rhoads and that his records were sounding like QUIET RIOT, or if he said it about Jake E. Lee and that his albums were sounding like BADLANDS or whatever, fuck, it'd be his time to get another guitar player. That's his right and his feelings and whatever.

"My relationship with Oz is just the same as it's ever been. Just the other night, me and [my wife] Barb went out to dinner with Ozzy and Sharon. We went out to a steakhouse and laughed our asses off, you know? Everything's cool with us. It's like with your parents: nothing's changed, except you don't live at home anymore.

"People think that this is some nasty thing or had to be like some sort of Slash-and-Axl situation. It's not. I remember Ozzy saying years ago, 'Zakk, I don't want to be the lead singer in BLACK LABEL.' I have to respect the way he feels and how he hears things.

"And listen, without Oz, I wouldn't be doing any of the things I'm doing. I've got my own label, Panworkz; I'm going to be coming out with BLACK LABEL beef jerky, coffee, beer; I'm working on opening up BLACK LABEL pubs — you know, like sports bars with live entertainment; I'm working on a movie script and a coffee table book. I'm booked solid, man, and none of it would be happening without Oz. So God bless him, you know what I mean? He's the best."

MusicRadar.com: OK. However, I do think your singing on this album is particularly strong. Do you hear a difference?

Zakk: "Not really. I mean, I'm glad you think so, but I think…I think it's a good record, you know? [laughs] Maybe I was pushing more. I mean, I'm not going to say the other records aren't good, but I might have been giving something extra on this one. Who knows?"

MusicRadar.com: How long did it take you to put the album together?

Zakk: "Written and recorded in 94 days."

MusicRadar.com: That's pretty fast. I assume having your own studio helped.

Zakk: "I don't know. It's just the way I roll, you know? I mean, Axl Rose took 15 years or whatever to make that record of his, and he could do whatever he wanted. At the end of the day, it's all about getting in, laying it down and getting out. That's all you've gotta do. Anybody can spend an eternity in the studio if they want to."

MusicRadar.com: Still, it must be a bit easier to work with a studio in your house — you can wake up and start making music in your slippers.

Zakk: "It's a little easier. But to be honest, I don't know how to work half of the equipment, so I still have to call Adam [Klumpp], my engineer, and get him over. I can wake up with an idea, but I can't get rolling 'till he comes by."

Read the entire interview from MusicRadar.com.