“How does one define John 5? Is he rock? Is it country? Is he heavy metal? What about emo, industrial or bluegrass? Truth is there is no one set genre to fit John 5. In a world where music must be defined, John 5 breaks every mould by continually changing and adapting his style. Although he is unmistakably John 5 in his sound, he mixes around with the foundation with every new track he writes, every album he guests on and every time he picks up the guitar.” – John 5’s official bio
“Rob Zombie and former Marilyn Manson guitarist John 5 announces the Mad Monster Tour featuring his band John 5 and the Creatures. Select dates will also feature former Misfits member Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein and his band, Doyle. John 5 and the Creatures kick off the tour with a special show in Ramona, Ca on November 4th. Tickets are available now on www.john-5.com.
The Mad Monster Tour will be in support of John 5’s upcoming greatest hits album. The album will include a live DVD featuring footage of John in concert. John will also be releasing three brand new singles beginning in October.
John has had an illustrious career collaborating with chart topping artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ricky Martin, and Rod Stewart. John has performed on critically acclaimed world tours with Marilyn Manson and currently Rob Zombie.
Later, John ventured into the world of film score composing for Rob Zombie’s The Lords of Salem. In 2004, he embarked on a successful solo career and has since released eight studio albums.” – John 5’s Tour announcement
1. Talk a bit about the Mad Monster tour and who you are teaming up with for this? How did you decide to collaborate with Doyle Wolfgang of the Misfits? What do you admire about the people you are playing with on tour?
John 5: “I wanted to do this tour and, actually, Doyle was my first choice because I look at Doyle like a real life superhero. He really is. He’s gigantic and all muscular and wears his makeup and it’s like being in the presence of a real life superhero (laughs). The guy is incredible. That’s the point. Between his working out and the music he creates, it’s really inspiring. I really love that guy. As a result, he was my first choice. He was doing a tour already, but luckily we got to squeeze in some shows and I was so happy about that because I think the crowd will really enjoy it as well.
2. At your level of musicianship you have the opportunity to make observations of people at your level and higher. What do you personally admire about Doyle’s music and what do you feel challenged by?
John 5: “Well, first of all, I think he’s a great song writer and I think he wrote some of the greatest songs ever. That’s something you cannot teach someone. You cannot learn that. It’s something that’s just inside you. So, that’s a very special gift and he has that gift for sure. It’s something you can’t even describe. It’s like trying to describe the color purple or something like that. You just cannot describe something like that. So, I’m really excited about this tour.”
“We start in Ramona, California on November 4th, which is San Diego area and then we play November 5th at the Whiskey A Go Go. It’s all throughout the month of November.”
3. What is your idea of a strong tour, intrinsically?
John 5: “You know, I just like to play guitar. I just really enjoy having a guitar around me and being involved with really good musicians who are serious and who are doing a great job. I just like to play music. So, if I’m able to get up there and play music and have a good time, and have the audience have a good time, I think that’s a strong tour. I really love interacting with the crowd. I know how it feels to be on the other side. I was in a crowd when I went to shows. It’s important for these musicians to interact with the crowd. I think it’s really, really important. So, I think that’s what a strong tour is.”
4. What defines the word musician for you?
John 5: “Well, I think someone that enjoys playing music, enjoys what their doing, and is able to play an instrument, has a gift. If you write music; really, really have music as your life, or even if it is just a hobby, music is a gift. It gives you such an amazing feeling. I think that’s what it’s all about, just having that connection with the music and the instrument. That’s what makes you a musician and someone who appreciates music.”
5. How do you hear music? How do you initially take in sound? How do you light the creative spark?
John 5: “That’s very, very difficult. You don’t know who you are going to have a spark with. It’s like how you go out on may dates in your life and you don’t know if you’re going to have a spark with that person. It’s the same thing with music. You don’t really know what’s going to happen. You don’t know if that spark’s going to happen or if that magic is going to happen. However, when it does, you have to hold onto it. For example, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards get together and they create this amazing music. It’s magic you know?”
“It’s the same thing with everybody else. With all these successful bands there’s a magic thing in the air. There’s a connection. An energy there, that is undeniable.”
6. What do you feel are your strongest strengths in your craft as a guitarist?
John 5: “I don’t know. Luckily, I like to play guitar and people enjoy it. That’s great because all I’m trying to do is play guitar and hopefully inspire some people along the way. I think inspiration is on of the most important things that’s around. It’s magic. So, I like to hopefully play some guitars and inspire. The kids are going to take our place and I’m going to be going to see them play. That’s what happened with me. I was inspired and then hopefully it’s going to go down the road and hopefully I’ll inspire some people along the way.”
7. How has your process of writing music changed since you started making music in general?
John 5: “I think it’s the same thing as anything else. You get better at something the more you do it. Just like riding a bike or something. You’re a lot better riding a bike years later than you are the first time you get out and start. It’s the same thing with writing music. The first song you try to create probably isn’t the most successful song you’ve ever had. However, over years of collaborating, practice, and understanding certain aspects of writing you get better, better, and better each time.”
8. What observations have you made regarding your own music when see all of your “greatest hits” in one, collective album? Were there ideas sparked for new music?
John 5: “I call it the Greatest Hits and obviously there’s not a hit on it. It’s just the fan favorites throughout the years and it’s my favorites from my first record to my last record. It’s a look back. It’s an appreciation. I’m close with the fans.”
“Not only is there the physical CD, there’s a DVD as well, of one of my instrumental concerts. It’s one of the first. It’s really cool because it’s not edited, or mixed, or anything. It feels like you are at the show. So, it’s very, very, very special.”
9. As a whole, describe the dynamic of musicians on your level of playing? How do collaborations begin at this level, with your amount of experience? How do artists initially link up for collaborations?
John 5: “I thinks it’s a matter of just knowing people, friends. It’s statements like, “Hey, I know this person. Let me see. Let me reach out.” It’s such a small circle and it seems like such a massive untouchable circle. However, it is such a small circle and such a small musicians world out there. When we were in Pittsburg I ran into Eddie Vedder. It’s such a small world. So, it’s easy. People will say, “Lets collaborate,” or, “Give this guy a call,” or, “Give that guy a call.”
10. From your time with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson how do you feel it has shaped you and your career?
John 5: “It’s shaped me a great deal. That’s the answer. Manson gave me my name. I’m a sponge. There’s a reason why Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie are so successful. They’re making the right decisions. They understand what’s going on. So, I’m a sponge. I’m listening to all of this. I’m the fly on the wall. I’m listening in on what to do and what not to do. So, it’s kind of like having the answers to a test. This is imperative because you have to be aware of your surroundings and what’s going on. They have the answers. They’re taking the right roads. So, I’ve learned a great deal and I’ve been lucky enough to have been in Marilyn Manson and I’m lucky enough to be in Rob Zombie. It’s wonderful.”
11. Is there any specific quote or statement that Rob Zombie or Marilyn Manson said that still resonates with you?
John 5: “Well, it’s a daily thing. I’ll ask Rob questions all the time. I’ll call Rob, even in the middle of the day, and ask, “Hey Rob, what do you think if I did this and I did that? What would you do?” It works and he gives great advice. It’s wonderful to have that kind of friend and partnership that you can bounce certain ideas off of, as well as ask for constructive criticism. So, I ask them certain things on a daily basis. The wisdom they give me just depends on what the day brings.”
12. What’s your favorite thing about being a professional musician?
John 5: “I really enjoy making the records, being in the studio, being able to create. I also love being able to go out on the road and play those songs for people, see how they react. I like being able to take something out of thin air and then play it for the fans. It’s a great process and it’s really a cool thing. So, I think that’s one of my favorite things.”
13. What’s your go-to music for your soul? What music do you choose in your times of listening?
John 5: “Well, I guess it really depends on the situation. After the show yesterday (October 8th, 2015), rob and I got off stage and we were exhausted and we put on “Red Headed Stranger,” Willie Nelson. Both of us were like, “Oh man, that’s good stuff.” So, it depends. It depends on your mood and it changes all the time.”
14. How did Marilyn Manson end up giving you the name John 5?
John 5: “Well, we were at a lunch and I think he was already thinking about it. Then he pretty much said, “Your name is going to be John 5.” I was like, “Ok great.” I remember going home and practicing my autograph.”
15. Why do you feel music is important?
John 5: “Music has saved people’s lives. It gets you through tough times and it gives you joy, and it gives you sadness, and it can trigger certain memories in the brain. It’s been around since the beginning of man. I think it’s one of the most important things we have as humans. That’s what I believe.
Interview by: Laura DeSantis-Olsson