A date with the Unstoppable Bumblefoot
He’s the Rock Legend some ache to meet in person while others inspire to learn rock and roll from. Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal , the award-winning Multi-instrumentalist, Vocalist, Songwriter, Producer and World-renowned Guitar virtuoso, with over 20 years of experience in releasing music as he played at international festivals and headlined a line of impressive tours, is all set to touchdown Bahrain once more! And as the public waits with bated breath for yet another exciting concert by the Guns N’ Roses former guitarist and producer/co-guitarist of American hard rock supergroup ‘Art of Anarchy’, we get to have an exclusive interview with the man of the hour, before he brings to life the night of Novemeber11 at Bahrain International Circuit.
W: You must be aware of how a lot of upcoming and arising artists look at you for inspiration; any pearls of wisdom to pass onto them?
Bumblefoot: Make music for the right reasons, because you have a unique story to tell in a way that only you can tell it. Do it with integrity, authenticity, honesty. Be who you are, you don’t need to ‘fit in’; you need to be you. Let ideas flow, don’t be too critical. And use a metronome.
W: American guitarist, songwriter, recording artist and producer, which title syncs with your persona the most?
Bumblefoot: Each one is a part of me I’d be incomplete without, but let’s see. Hmm, I have a guitar in my hand more often than anything else, so I’d have to go with guitarist.
W: Any major setbacks you faced in your music career? What made you not quit?
Bumblefoot: We all face setbacks and challenges in life, whatever we’re doing. It’s all a test, to see how much of a fighter you are. When I’d feel like quitting, I’d think of what’s making me feel that way, and then I’d remember that “the best revenge is living well” and that’s what I’d try to do.
W. What kind of emotions ran through when you took the stage, playing live for the first time ever?
Bumblefoot: I remember drawing the home-made sign of our band logo and hanging it on the wall behind us, cutting up pieces of paper and filling cups with the home-made confetti for the audience to throw in the air at the end of the show, setting up the chairs in the basement of our family home. It was build-up of focused energy while preparing for the show and the show itself seemed to fly by. This was in 1976, 1977 and I was around 7 years old.
W: How does it differ now, whenever you are up for a gig, locally or international waters?
Bumblefoot: It’s similar, lots of build-up and the show flies by! Haha, I guess I’m still that same 7 year old - only now I don’t have to cut up my own confetti before the show!
W: Can you brush up on one of your most memorable moments during Guns N’ Roses touring days?
Bumblefoot: One of my best memories was when we played the “Bridge School Benefit Concert” in 2012, it’s an all-acoustic, non-profit charity event held annually in California. I’d have the kids strum my guitar during the show.
W: With new bands and groups forming and breaking quickly these days, do you feel the lack of appreciation for the rawness of rock n roll is the cause?
Bumblefoot: There are a lot of reasons a band may break up- business, issues like a record label dropping them, economic issues like not being able to fund a recording or tour, personal issues, creative issues where they can’t agree on the music they’re making... but from what I see, music is alive and well, all kinds of music, in all age groups and in all places.
W: You have done extensive charity work as well. What motivates you to give back to the community?
Bumblefoot: It’s in a musician’s nature to give and to share, we devote our lives to putting music into the world; giving is part of our calling.
W. Who has been your idol that you look up to and someone who you can credit to have helped you in reaching where you are now?
Bumblefoot: There have been many, from music teachers to family members. The music business is not pretty. There are many people in the business I’ve dealt with where I said “I do NOT want to be like that person” and learned what *not* to do by watching how they mistreated others professionally and personally. Negative experiences can shape you in either direction .So my idol is “life”, the sum of all people and experiences.
W: How far along has Art of Anarchy come and any major plans and record releases in the near future?
Bumblefoot: Our first single and video with our new singer Scott Stapp (from the band Creed) was released October 7th, and it’s been positive feedback thankfully. We’re finishing the full length album and are planning to release it in Spring of 2017. From there if all goes as planned the band would start touring.
W: Can you draw similarity lines between Guns N’ Roses and Art of Anarchy?
Bumblefoot : Musically, both were born as five guys playing guitar driven rock, where each member brings their own style into the mix.
W: Performing in Bahrain, how does the crowd and ambience differ and resemble to tours you’ve done in other parts of the world?
Bumblefoot: The crowds are wonderful everywhere, and of course in Bahrain! The same things ignite people’s spirit wherever you are, people want to be lifted and be energized. I’m looking forward to doing this again in Bahrain, it’s always a great time!
W: Is music able to bridge gaps better than any other medium?
Bumblefoot: Music connects people in a way that nothing else can. Bring 100 people or 100,000 people together for any reason, and music will turn them into *one* like nothing else.
The music business is not pretty. There are many people in the business I’ve dealt with where I said ‘I do NOT want to be like that person’ and learned what not to do, by watching how they mistreated others professionally and personally
Tickets start at BD 10 for general entrance and BD 20 package which includes concert entry, backstage access and meet and greet. Tickets are available online at Virgin Megastore.
In a Glimpse Favourite vocalist: Tony Harnell (TNT), Eric Adams (Manowar), Stevie Wonder, Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Ronnie James Dio, Freddie Mercury... Favourite guitarist: Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Angus Young, Allan Holdsworth, Ace Frehley, Jon Gomm... Favourite food: Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean... Favourite place in the world: Anywhere with a lot of heat & sun, spicy food, and smiling faces... :) One thing fans don’t know about you: I think they know everything about me, haha... The one thing you can’t live without: air, water, gravity... and coconuts. If you weren’t a musician, you would have been a: Hard to say, I’ve been a musician since I was 6 years old...! Maybe I would have been a teacher...? Favourite Record: Going For the One (Yes), Rubber Soul / Revolver / Sgt. Pepper’s / Magical Mystery Tour (The Beatles), Boston’s first album, too many to list....!
