I wrote to Zakk, 'If you ever need a guitarist, just let me know.' And he replied.”
Wikimetal (Daniel Dystyler): OK, Nick, I'm ready here.
Nick Catanese: Okay, man.
W (DD): Nick, first of all, I would like to thank you for everything you have been doing for rock and heavy metal, it is a true honor to have you here on our program, so on behalf of all Brazilian Headbangers, we would like to welcome “Evil Twin” to Wikimetal.
NC: Oh, definitely, man. I'm glad to be here.
W (DD): Excellent. This is our hundredth episode, so it's going to be great. It's really good to have you and Black Label and Zakk here on our show. I'll start by asking, back when you started, what were the main influences that made you want to play guitar and form a heavy metal band?
NC: Well, the first three albums I got, when I was probably 6 or 7 years old, my aunt gave me "Alive!" by Kiss, "Weekend Warrior" by Ted Nugent, and "A Day at the Races" by Queen, so I really started, it wasn't like "Muppet Babies" or anything like that. It was "Alive!" by Kiss, so… And then, you know, in kindergarten, I had a Kiss lunchbox, and other people had, like, Kermit the Frog, and I had Gene Simmons spitting blood, you know? It was… like that. But, yeah, you know, that's what made me… You know, there was always music around, my grandfather played everything, from piano to bass, guitar… And actually, he's the one who gave me my first guitar. And, you know, the first time I heard Van Halen, it was… It made me want to play, you know, just seeing it… Even the cover, him holding that striped guitar, and you know, hearing “Running with the Devil,” and then, of course, “Eruption,” and everything else, it was… That was pretty much it, it obsessed me.
W (DD): Very good, very good. That's a great way to start. And speaking of old times, do you remember the first time you spoke to Zakk, and how you two met?
NC: Yes, it was in 1996. I didn't see an advertisement or anything, there weren't any ads or anything like that. Actually, I had just left the band I was playing in in Pittsburgh, and I was, you know, kind of screwed. Basically, I was thinking, "I'm going to take computer classes," and you know, I'd always played guitar, but I wanted to take computer classes. And one night I saw, in Metal Edge magazine, I saw Zakk's email address, and this was right when email came out, it was in 1996, so it was a big deal. So I saw his email address, and you know, Zakk is obviously one of my heroes, and I told a friend of mine, I said, "This is going to be funny, look at this." And I wrote to him, I said, "If you ever need a guitarist, just let me know, I live in Pittsburgh." And that was it. And a few days later, I got a reply, he said, "Actually, I do need one for the Book of Shadows Tour." So I sent him a tape with a photo, and he called me two weeks later and came to Pittsburgh and we met and played together, and that was 16 years ago, so…
W (DD): Wow, that's amazing! Amazing that it started with an email.
NC: Yeah, you know, the click of a mouse changed my life.
It was a circle of admiration; I'd say, 'Your dad is Paul Stanley!' and he'd say, 'Yeah, you play in Black Label!'"
W (DD): That's great. And since you mentioned the "Book of Shadows Tour," could you share some memories of working with Zakk on that project?
NC: Oh man, it was cool. I mean, it was tough, we drove 16,000 miles in two months in an Astra, man. I mean, it was like, you know, no boss, nothing. It was me, Zakk, a tour manager, and a stage manager. And I drove sometimes, they drove, I set up the equipment, and you know, helped… Basically gaining experience, you know, and that's it… We worked hard during '96, '97, and then in '98 Black Label started, so…
W (DD): Very good. Nick, we have a classic question on our show that we ask all our guests, which is, imagine you're listening to your iPod on shuffle, or you're listening to a rock station while you're driving your car, and suddenly, a heavy metal song starts playing that makes you lose your mind and start headbanging immediately, no matter where you are, you can't contain yourself. What song would that be so we can hear it on the show now?
NC: Probably… That’s a good question. Let me think… You know which one? Probably “Becoming” by Pantera, or “Cowboys from Hell”, or… Play “Becoming”! “Becoming” is the best.
W (DD): Excellent, “Becoming”, by the great Pantera.
NC: Yes!
W (DD): So what's it like having your own custom-made Paul Reed Smith guitar? And is there anything different about the 2012 model?
NC: Ah, it's an honor. You know, to be a part of this company and, you know… Even the Washburns I had before, you know… Anything… I mean, having your name on a guitar is… It's crazy! When you open the box and your name is written on it, it's like, “Wow!”, that's insane. But being part of PRS… You know, they make very high-quality products, my… You know, the guitars they released are the SEs, and they cost about $700 in stores, and this is the same guitar I use live, you know, I don't have a different one. I could basically walk into one of the stores, pick one off the wall and use that one. And that's the one I use. But basically, the only difference from the 2012 model is that the first one was black, with my logo and details in red. This one is red with flames, chrome, basically all red and chrome. And it sounds amazing, you know, it still has the same format, and I'm really happy with it, you know, so I hope people enjoy it too, so…
W (DD): Awesome. Nick, I heard that Paul Stanley's son is a big fan of yours… How did you find out about that?
NC: Ah, at NEM. When I was with Washburn, Paul Simon was with Washburn, and he and Evan came to NEM, and I was introduced to Paul, which blew my mind, you know, because I was thinking, “This is the guy… This is the guy from the first album I got.” To be able to talk to him, and… You know, he’s a really, really cool guy. And his son was amazing. Basically, it was a dream come true. You know, meeting Paul Stanley, and then finding out that his son likes Black Label… It was kind of a Twilight Zone moment, you know… It was a circle of admiration, I kept saying, “Your dad is Paul Stanley!” and he’d say, “Yeah, you play in Black Label!”, and I’d say, “Yeah, but your dad is Paul Stanley! You understand that, right?” That was incredible, man. But I took pictures of the three of us, and it’s cool, man, those are incredible memories.
What I did with Speed X was remarkable, because I'm used to looking to the side and seeing Zakk and JD. In this case, you're out of your element.”
W (DD): That's great, thanks for sharing this amazing story. Are you doing anything besides your work with Black Label? I really love the Speed-X album you released previously…
NC: Thanks, man, thanks a lot. Right now, you know, I'm writing with some people. And as soon as we finish the South American tour, you know, I'm going home on the 26th, so I'll be able to spend the end of November and all of December at home, you know, we'll be able to celebrate the holidays, and last year I only got home on the 17th, so it was a very busy Christmas for me, so this year I can really enjoy the holidays, so I think I'll do that. But, you know, you keep writing and… It's hard, man, I mean… When you sit and look at, I don't know, Slash and Zakk and the people who try to do something on their own, it's hard, you know. It's a difficult journey, and it's admirable. You know, the shows I did with Speed X, it was admirable, because I'm used to looking to the side and seeing Zakk, JD, and in this case, you look to the side and you're out of your element, you know? It's tough, man, but even so, it's... It's cool. But, you know, I'm thinking about it, I'm even thinking about taking some lessons, you know? Just to learn more about the different playing styles, that kind of thing. So there's a lot to learn.
W (DD): Definitely, definitely. And looking back on these almost 15, 16 years on the road with Black Label, what would you consider the biggest events, or the high points of your career, that you'll never forget?
NC: Well, being able to play with Zakk, and being the guitarist who got me a job for 16 years. You know, that's it. I was basically the only guitarist he ever played with, you know? He did play with some people, yes, but in terms of being part of a band, he was always alone, but… Obviously that, and being able to see places that people have to watch TV shows to see. You know, being able to see the Vatican, being able to see the Colosseum, coming to South America, I mean… Some people have never even left their own backyard, you know… Being able to see the world… Being friends with Dime, you know, being able to call him a friend… He was a really cool guy and… There's a lot, man, it's hard to choose just one, you know… After 16 years, it's kind of… There are so many memories.
W (DD): Yes, good memories and many achievements and events.
NC: Yes.
W (DD): Could you choose a song that you composed or recorded that you are very proud of, so that we can listen to it now?
NC: I'm thinking... Do you have anything from Speed X?
W (DD): Yes, we have.
NC: How about "Fly"?
Play because you want to play, play because you love to, play because it makes you happy
W (DD): Excellent, excellent, “Fly” by Speed X. We’re nearing the end of our interview, Nick, but before we let you go, what advice would you give to a kid who’s thinking about forming a band or starting to play guitar?
NC: Start by knowing that it's not going to be easy, you know? It takes a lot of work, a lot of patience, but if you love it, then it doesn't feel like work. It's about getting past the part where your fingers hurt, or you get frustrated because you can't change from one string to another, or whatever. But once you overcome that, it's like… It's probably the best thing you could do. But have a lot of grit, and play for the right reasons. Play because you love playing. Don't go into it thinking you're going to become a millionaire, don't go into it thinking you're going to have a mansion and all that, because you're going to be disappointed. Play guitar because you love playing. You know, that's why everyone should… If you're going to play guitar, it has to be for that reason, because you love music, you know, creating music… There are people who start, people I've heard say, “Oh, I started playing guitar because of the women,” or “I started playing…” That's nonsense. Music should be the reason you start playing. That's the reason, but yes, for those who are starting out: play because you want to play, play because you love it, play because it makes you happy.
W (DD): And if I had to let you choose just one of these things, what would it be: the Star Wars trilogy, or a Snapple?
NC: Oh my God! Oh my God… Oh, it would have to be Star Wars, because, you know, Snapple is a nice thing, but Star Wars is practically my… I mean… Wow, man, I remember having… Yeah, it was in '77… I remember walking through a department store with my mom, and seeing a Darth Vader t-shirt, before I even knew what that was, I thought, “I don’t know what that is, but I want it.” And then, of course, I went to see the movie and Darth Vader appeared in that first scene, and I thought, “That’s the guy,” you know. From then on it practically became a lifestyle. And it’s crazy, because my fiancée has never seen it. I think, “Wow! You’re my fiancée, and you’ve never seen Star Wars,” you know? That’s love, man. That’s love, believe me, and she says, “I’ll see it, I’ll see it!” But yeah… And now they're talking… I think Lucas sold it to Disney, so I was like… I'm trying to digest this, but you never know, I mean, if they release another episode, it could be good. I'm curious to see, but… Of course, the best thing would be Star Wars with a Snapple.
W (DD): That's right, Mr. Nick Catanese, you were so kind, I'll let you have both.
NC: Thank you, you're the man!
W (DD): Very well. Just to finish, could you please leave one last message for all the Wikimetal and Black Label fans who are listening, and invite everyone to the show in São Paulo on November 25th?
NC: Oh, definitely, man. Are you going to the show?
W (DD): Definitely, definitely we will be there.
NC: You have to introduce yourself, man, so I can meet you in person.
W (DD): I'm definitely going.
NC: Everyone has to come and have fun, we're going to try to put on an amazing show for you, and we're going to have a blast, so see you soon.
W (DD): Excellent, Mr. Nick Catanese, here on the hundredth episode of Wikimetal, thank you very much, Nick. And count on us for anything you need to promote Black Label, and for anything you do in the future, you can count on us here in Brazil.
NC: Thank you very much, it means a lot to me.
W (DD): Thank you very much. Bye, Nick.
NC: Great, see you soon.
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