The MFA George Lynch Interview...

Looking at our crude recording device we have here, our best bet might be to upload the audio to youtube or something. I'll let you know when I get it figured out. In the meantime, here's the transcript from my talk with George.

MFA: George, it seemed like on some of the later Lynch Mob records (Smoke This and Revolution) there seemed to be a more contemporary sound. On Smoke and Mirrors, it seems like you reverted back to the old school bluesy hooks and great solos. Was that something that was planned, or did it just come out?

George Lynch: Both, but more it just kinda came out. It's just a result of the collusion between Oni and myself. He's very old school, and we both have those roots. You know, 60's early 70's. We can't help ourselves, when we sit down in a room, that's what happens. But we're both very experimental within our roots. We don't just regurgitate what we heard back in the day, but we did make a concerted effort to take right up where we left off in 1991. We recorded analog, we went into an old studio, and I used the same gear on this record that I did back then

MFA : That's great. It kinda brings me to my next question. 2005 saw Furious George released from you. What was it like going into the studio and putting your spin on the old rock and roll staples from people like The Beatles, ZZ Top, AC/DC that we have heard for decades?

George Lynch : Well it was a very easy record to do, I acutally spent four days in Vegas (laughs). To me it was like a vacation. One thing I will say in retrospect is that I wish I would have re-written the songs in my own style. I will say that in retrospect. But Kelly did a great job on the vocals, except for ZZ Top...he couldn't do Howling Wolf (laughs).

MFA : Speaking of the gear George, the axe you made with ESP last year was a real departure from the type of axe you've played in the past. Tell us in your own words why you love these guitars and why the folks who are inspired by your playing will love these guitars.

George Lynch : Well, the Super V I did last year was just a product of me wanting to create something like I played when I was younger...way before Dokken, way before Exciter. I had a 60's Les Paul special with single coil pickups and the wrap around tailpiece...very simple guitar, all Mahogany. I lived and died with that guitar, it was my baby, until it got stolen.

The Super V is kind of a re creation of that guitar. Very warm, and just got beautiful color to the tone. Very thick and bluesy. Very vintage. And the 56 is kind of a version of that as well. It's the strat version. Lately I've been cutting and making my own guitars, based on the ESP platform. I've got my own spray booth and am making my own customized guitars with ESP. Those are also on my website if any one wants to check that out.

MFA : George, you have Souls Of We. You have the Dojo. You have now made a commitment to the Lynch Mob fans with the new album. We've all seen the transformation you've made from your days with Dokken in the 80's. Does hitting the gym hard help you keep all these sticks in the fire at once?

George Lynch : It does, yeah. I'm going on 55. And I still wanna be sexy when I'm out there and have the energy to do all these things I want to do. Build guitars, do artwork, do the dojo. Keep three bands going on at the same time...the travel. I work with alot of other musicians writing songs for them. So yeah, it takes alot of time and energy. Plus in my free time I hit the road on my motorcycle and hike, so if I don't get my gym time, I'm lacking in reserves. And you know, you gotta look good. You're in the entertainment business after all.

MFA : You've been in this business now for 30 years. Obviously, it's in your blood. What is it that gets you up specifically. Is it knowing you've hit a home run with a verse, riff, or solo in the studio, or bringing a great live show to the fans?

George Lynch : Well, I love what I do, just like you can tell Les Paul loved what he did. Sharing his music and his invention. I'm the same way, except I'm not 94 (laughs)..I hope to God I see 94! Two things I guess drive me. First, the passion or the ideal of the perfect solo in my head, or the perfect live show, the perfect song or album. Getting the message out there, which is the same as the music. The perfect band, or as close to perfect as I can get it. And the other is money! I like to make money, there must be something wrong with me (laughs).

I'm dedicated to moving to Northern New Mexico and building an earth ship with a compound, all solar, with a studio. I also want to start a true pirate radio station that's totally unlicensed and travel the back roads in a four wheel drive van transmitting truth to power. I'd be the CEO, the DJ, the janitor..you name it. I'd like to play all my music. Then I wouldn't have to pay royalties or anything. Just Souls Of We, Dokken, Lynch Mob. I'd call it the Sonic Jihad.

MFA : George, I just want to say on personal note that this has been a real honor for me. Good luck with the new album and have a good weekend.

George Lynch : Thanks Rob, you too.

A couple of things about this interview. There was ALOT of funny back and forth between George and I on lawyers, fame, food, Ted Nugent (he's a fan of the music, not a fan of the politics), Bill O Reilly (also not very high on George's list), and football. I didn't include alot of it here because it got kind of rambly.

Besides Blue Charvel and Tango Down, this is the first interview I'd ever done. I was nervous, and you'll hear that in the audio. George talked to me like a friend, and it really helped me out. He could have kept talking for hours it seemed. I knew he was busy so when he had to catch another line I thanked him for his time and cut the interview off. I think he was very happy with the interview and I KNOW I was. Look for more from this pirate radio station George mention...the Sonic Jihad. He sounded VERY passionate in talking about it, and we'll keep you up to date on any new happenings.


So....I got to talk to my idol from the 80's and I'm glad I got to share some of our conversation with you. We look forward to doing a lot more of these in the future, and maybe we can get some of you in on the act. See you in a few Angels.