ROB ZOMBIE Guitarist JOHN 5: Playing OZZFEST Main Stage 'Is Just Horrible'

July 28, 2005

Deb Rao of Glam-Metal.com recently conducted an interview with former MARILYN MANSON and current ROB ZOMBIE guitarist John 5 (a.k.a. John Lowery). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Glam-Metal.com: How did you get the gig with Rob?

John 5: "I got a call from Dave Navarro to do the tsunami benefits in Los Angeles. We played at Arrowhead Pond. I don't like playing a lot of these jams, but when he said that Rob Zombie is playing, and I am a big Rob Zombie fan, I said I'll do it if I play with Rob Zombie. That went very well. We kind of just stayed in touch. I said, 'If you ever need someone for your tour, I will be there for you.'"

Glam-Metal.com: Let's talk about your new instrumental solo album that comes out September 13, "Songs for Sanity". What inspired you to do another album, what kind of style is it?

John 5: "It is a follow-up to my first instrumental album, 'Vertigo'. I am looking forward to it, because on this album we have special guests Steve Vai and country legend Albert Lee. I'm excited because the first one did very well. It is just crazy guitar playing. I am playing for the love of music, pretty much."

Glam-Metal.com: Now, I hear it has a little country twang in it.

John 5: "Yeah! It is really heavy rock on one side, and on the other side it has a country twist to it. I think a lot of people will like it because of the diversity on it. It is not the same old thing. Every song is different. It is really fun, and people like it and I'm a bit surprised by that. I did an autograph signing at Ozzfest recently and there was a bunch of goth kids there and then there were kids who were totally into guitar playing and they said they wanted to meet me. It was cool. I met such a wide range of people."

Glam-Metal.com: You have also played in the DAVID LEE ROTH band. What was it like working with him?

John 5: "That was my lifelong dream. All I wanted to do was play with David Lee Roth. I was a big fan of VAN HALEN. It was exactly what I thought it was going to be. He was so Mr. Rock Star, and that was great. He wanted the best of everything, he wanted everything right. It was all about David Lee Roth. It was great because he is the king. He never let down his 'star' vibe, which I liked, and I would never have changed that for the world."

Glam-Metal.com: Now Rob [Zombie] has said he enjoys playing second stage [on Ozzfest] better than the main stage. How do you feel about this?

John 5: "The main stage is just horrible. People are in their seats before they see IRON MAIDEN or BLACK SABBATH. It is so hard up there just giving it your all with people just sitting there. All the kids who are at the second stage are just crazy. It is nuts. It is great to see all the different age groups there."

Read the entire interview at Glam-Metal.com.

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