Black Label transcends what we think of as a band. It's a state of mind, a mentality
Wikimetal (Nando Machado) : Hello Zakk?
Zakk Wylde : Yes, who is it?
W (NM) : Hi, this is Nando Machado from Brazil, I'm from a Heavy Metal podcast.
ZW : Yes, of course. How do you pronounce it? Nando?
W (NM) : Nando, yes, from Wikimetal.
ZW : Oh, okay, how are you doing, man?
W (NM) : I'm great, I'm very happy to have you here on our show. First of all, it's an honor to have you here, thank you very much for your willingness and your time. I'm one of the hosts of Wikimetal, which is the biggest Heavy Metal podcast in Brazil. You know… You recently recorded an acoustic version of the song “Order of the Black”, how did your fans react to it?
ZW : Well, we're in the top 50, so... The fanbase knows Black Label and knows that we're like the Stones or Led Zeppelin, musically speaking, we do what we want to do. If we want to make a heavier sound, we'll make a heavier sound, and if we want to make a more mellow sound, we'll make a more mellow sound... and everyone knows and accepts that, ever since Black Label's first album, thirteen years ago.
W (NM) : We always hear that the fans, the friends of Black Label Society, are like family to you. What is your relationship like with your Brazilian family?
ZW : It's wonderful! You know… Black Label transcends what we think of as a band, you understand? It's a state of mind, a mentality… The last time we were in Brazil was on tour with Ozzy, and it was incredible! And now we're eager to go back, we can't wait!
The show in São Paulo will be another dysfunctional gathering of the Black Label family, it will be a celebration of miracles.”
W (NM) : Well, since you mentioned it, I was there the last time you played here with Ozzy, and a lot of people thought you'd hurt your finger, and I heard some kids behind me saying, "Oh, what a cool effect!" Obviously, I know it wasn't an effect, but a lot of people were curious to know what really happened to your finger that day.
ZW : I had a fight with my wife, then I punched a picture frame and hurt my finger, that's what happened… I was actually bleeding Black Label when I was on stage!
W (NM) : I remember, and yet you played perfectly! It was extraordinary, man! And it was funny to hear those kids saying, you know… that they thought it was an “effect”.
ZW : Funny!
W (NM) : Anyway…
ZW : How great it would have been if it had been an "effect"!
W (NM) : Okay…
ZW : This is the "effect" that happens to you when your wife makes you angry!
W (NM) : I know, man, I totally understand what you're saying, I'm married too... but anyway...
ZW : Exactly! Girls know what they can do with you…
W (NM) : I heard that tickets for the show here in São Paulo are almost sold out, maybe there are only about 50 tickets left. What can fans expect from this show?
ZW : It's going to be another dysfunctional Black Label family gathering, it's going to be a miracle party!
W (NM) : Speaking about the beginning of your career, what were your main influences that led you to decide to pursue a career as a guitarist?
ZW : My main influences were Randy Rhoads, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Frank Marino, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, and Paco de Lucía.
W (NM) : Yes, amazing! Since you mentioned Randy, I've heard many good things about him over the years. Can you tell us a little about his importance as a guitarist to you and to Heavy Metal in general?
ZW : You know, I think that besides his super refined technique, his compositions are wonderful, what he wrote was amazing, you know? It's all incredible! The solos are like music within music, you know? Anyway, he has a very good technique, the compositions are wonderful and he's also a very cool guy, in short, it's the complete package.
You should never copy other people's style; you should trust yourself and do it your way. That's what I did, and it worked.”
W (NM) : We have a classic question on our show that we ask everyone we interview: what's that sound that makes you go crazy, that makes you headbang wherever you are? And that's the sound we're going to play now…
ZW : “Gimme Shelter”, Rolling Stones.
W (NM) : Any specific version? Because we're going to play this song now.
ZW : The studio version.
W (NM) : Is there anything specific you're hearing right now that you'd like to mention?
ZW : I've been listening to a lot of Rabin Trevor lately. Sarah McLachlan and John McLaughlin.
W (NM) : So you hear fusion jazz and various other styles, which is very good for a musician.
ZW : Yes, and Paco, obviously.
W (NM) : Okay. So maybe that's why you're such a good musician, because you don't have prejudices against other styles and music, I really appreciate that, and I really think that's why you're such a good musician, do you agree?
ZW : Yes, absolutely.
W (NM) : I read once… that you were planning a Thrash Metal G three including you, Kerry King and Dimebag Darrell, is that true, and could it happen someday even without Dimebag?
ZW : Yeah… I talked to Kerry King and Dime about this a while ago, we were good friends, and now Kerry and I really don't know why, the problem is that everyone is busy all the time doing something… so man, it's hard to know.
W (NM): So this is something you still plan to do?
ZW : Yes… but without Dime, it will never be the same again.
W (NM) : Well, changing the subject completely, how difficult was it for you to replace Jake E. Lee when you were only… what… nineteen years old, am I right?
ZW : Yeah… well… I was, and still am, a huge Jake fan. And Randy was always a big inspiration to me growing up. He's amazing, they're both amazing. And I'm also an Ozzy fan, so for me being on that tour was like a dream, it was the life of a dream, you know?
W (NM) : And especially since you were so young, right?
ZW : Yes…
W (NM) : And you also seemed so confident, you were never nervous in the face of such a big responsibility…
ZW : No, because you should never copy other people's style, you should trust yourself and do it your way, and that's what I did and it worked.
"For me, it doesn't matter if it's from Brazil or Norway, because the Metal community is huge and unique."
W (NM) : And you certainly did. Do you know anything about Brazilian Heavy Metal?
ZW : Well, it's... I know the guys from Sepultura and Max Cavalera, they're great and what they do is beyond Heavy Metal; they're really cool people, but for me it doesn't matter if it's from Brazil or Norway, because the Metal community is huge and unique, a massive community. And I like anything that sounds good, no matter where it comes from.
W (NM) : Well, speaking of Black Label Society, could you choose a song from your band that you're very proud to have written and that we can hear now on our show?
ZW : Yes, "Crazy Horse".
W (NM) : That was a great sound! Thank you for choosing us!
ZW : Thank you, Nando.
W (NM) : Could you leave a message for your fans in Brazil and invite everyone who will be there…?
ZW : Okay, I wish all Brazilians lots of strength, and that they continue enjoying Black Label, and may God bless them, and I'll see you soon!
W (NM) : Thank you so much for your time, I really enjoyed it and I hope to meet you backstage and maybe have a beer with you, we are looking forward to your show in Brazil, here in São Paulo.
ZW : Okay. I'll talk to you soon.
W (NM) : Thanks again, man!
ZW : Bye Nando, take care.
W (NM) : See you soon.
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