Hot Press meets the Black Star Riders

“I think at one point I may have had Axl in a headlock. It was very rock ‘n’ roll,” laughs Ricky Warwick. “He invited me back to his dressing-room for a few drinks and the Jägermeister really started flowing. Unfortunately the next day was a really important writing session and it was all I could do to stop myself throwing up over my notes. My hangover-addled brain worked okay though, because instead of vomit words
came out!”

The Black Star Riders frontman and his fellow guitarist Scott Gorham are regaling Hot Press with tales about their debut long-player All Hell Breaks Loose, a sizzling slab of rock with top tunes, magical melodies and hard-hitting harmonies. The album was mostly written on the road. Over the last three years Lizzy have packed out headline shows and gigged extensively, on their own and with other top-tier metal and rock acts, such as Guns N’ Roses (hence the rendezvous with Axl), Judas Priest, Kiss and Mötley Crüe.
Now the focus is Black Star Rider. Due to various sensitivities the outfit decided against releasing material under the Lizzy moniker. The new band comprises Warwick and Gorham with recent Lizzy bassist and guitarist Marco Mendoza and Damon Johnson. New drummer Jimmy DeGrasso has the unenviable task of filling the formidable footwear of Brian Downey.
“When we were doing the demos Brian realised the amount of work that was going to have to go into Black Star Riders,” explains Scott. “We’ve been on the road solidly for three years now and he misses home. The guy wants to open up his own refrigerator instead of the mini-bar in the hotel! So he came to me and said, ‘Listen man, I love the music. This is going to be a great album but I really feel I want to step aside on this one and just go back to Dublin and be at home for a while.’ I said, ‘Brian man, that’s fine, whatever you want to do is fine with everyone’.”
As Scott explains that chapter is not completely closed, Downey and keyboard-player Darren Wharton will join their former bandmates on the road for some Lizzy dates when scheduling allows.
For the moment Black Star Riders have a summer of festivals and months of headline shows ahead. On listening to the record, one of the most striking factors is how similar a songwriter Ricky Warwick is to Phil Lynott – in subject-matter, phrasing and structure.
“I knew he was in the same vein as Phil. Being a great storyteller and all that. Until we actually started writing this album I didn’t realise how prolific he was,” gushes Gorham. “He so reminds me of Phil. I feel blessed that I’m able to work with a guy in that tradition. I thought I’d never find it again. It’s really cool. We have a really great crew of guys.”
The band had a surplus of songs going into the album sessions.
“We had 18 tracks and did 12,” says Scott. “Some of the others weren’t quite finished or didn’t feel right on this occasion. It’s possible they could make it onto the next album. Sitting here talking to you right now there are two that will definitely be on the next album!”
All Hell Breaks Loose was recorded with legendary producer Kevin Shirley who’s worked with Led Zeppelin, Rush and Iron Maiden amongst others. The band set themselves a gruelling schedule of laying down a track a day.
“It was really intense. Kevin is a great producer. He really inspires you and we certainly knew our stuff before we went in,” notes Ricky. “He’s a genius at getting the best out of you and working fast.”
And inevitably the Lizzy comparisons have been coming thick and fast.
“There’s always going to be the twin guitar, that harmony guitar that I love,” says Scott. “We’re never going to abandon what we have historically done and learned. It will always be there.”