W.E.T. - Jeff Scott Soto

Given the chance by  W.E.T.’s debut album release, Metalzone conducted an interview with the band’s frontman, Jeff Scott Soto. Here’s what he said to us: \r\n

\r\nMetalzone: Hello and welcome to Metalzone! It was a pleasure to be informed that you are "back in business" with your new melodic hard rock band, W.E.T. Tell us some things about this new project and about the co-operation with Erik Mårtensson and Robert Säll. \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Well, its funny that the way you put that as I was never ‘out of business’, I pride myself as an artist who follows & emulates the things that come naturally as an artist, much in the way Freddie Mercury did. He made an amazing career out of doing more than just rock or pop but is considered a legend & icon in the world of rock. People don’t remember things like Another One Bites The Dust or Staying Power that Queen did in a more funky side…I want to tap into all the things that excite me about music which is why I did an album like Beautiful Mess. With W.E.T., I let Erik & Robert handle the chores of something along this melodic rock genre as I wanted to go into with their perspective instead of mine, it worked really well for all. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Who is responsible for the production and what other musicians got involved with the recordings? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Erik took the chores of recording & production, he gets the majority of the credit for the overall production. Other members of his band Eclipse complete the picture along with Robert, I came in & filled in the dots! \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Some words about the whole composing process. Are you the main songwriter or the other members got involved in this part also, in order to "mix" everyones styles and influences? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: I didn’t write anything on this album as I was far too busy to get involved during the time this was being created as well, I didn’t know I would eventually become so involved personally & emotionally with this album. Musically, everything they sent me was perfect, I wouldn’t have changed a thing except for adding my own touch to how things were sung. There I was able to put my own touch to things. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: What are the differences of W.E.T. among the other hard rock projects that you had in the past years. \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Well this is one of the strongest albums aside of my solo efforts & Talisman that I have ever recorded in my eyes, I can listen to every song with pride & feel closer to these songs than just a studio project. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: How satisfied are you -up to now- with the efforts and the work of Frontiers Records? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Yes, very much so. I have been in the Frontiers family almost as long as they have been a label so we have grown together & they have proved to a lot of people that said they would fail that they are becoming a very strong contender to all the major labels that existed before them. They treat me very well & I have an amazing relationship with them. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Did the record company set the music direction and the style of W.E.T.? How "free" you were to compose? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Yes, the president of the company, Serafino Perugino, came with the idea of this project from the beginning; he saw the potential of putting the 3 of us together & was very instrumental in choosing the material from day one. He too gets a lot of credit for putting this together & if it is successful, he will insist I listen to him more often! \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: It has been announced that the albums "Prism" and "Lost in Translation" will be re-released during February with new covers and bonus tracks. Tell us some words about this decision. \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: It was a case of no more stock left on those albums, Frontiers were needing to do a re-order anyway so they asked how I felt in doing a re-issue instead, same price, nearly same packaging but it would have more music. It was not a ploy to sell the same album to those who bought the 1st versions, it was more about putting in more to those who haven’t bought it yet. Of course there are collectors out there who will buy it to have both but by no means was the intent to grab more money for an old release. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: You have done so great works in the past with great musicians that there is no way to avoid some questions about the past. Tell us about your best memories and best times that you had with Axel Rudi Pell, Y. Malmsteen and Takara. \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Well that would be a whole other interview & one that would require speaking instead of typing away at many pages here. To sum up, I had more fond memories with Axel than the other 2 you mentioned, there are no real memories from Takara as I only spent a little time in the studio with them to do a few albums but I was never ‘in’ the band, with Yngwie, it was more a learning process as I was only 19 & it went by so fast. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone:...and your favorite songs with these bands... \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Ummmmmm…… \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Who was the most easy-going guy to work with and who was the worst? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: I don’t dish any dirt, if there’s nothing nice to say, I wont say it at all….not to the media anyway J \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: How can an American singer with Puerto Rican roots, ended up messing around with Scandinavian musicians? And I don’t mean only W.E.T.! Apart from the fact that each and every one is/has been a great musician, do you find similarities, between your musical roots/influences and theirs? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: I grew up listening to Motown, pop radio & disco. I hated rock, detested it when I was a kid, it hurt my ears. It wasn’t until rock bands started incorporating groove & R&B into rock that got me interested. One of the 1st bands was Toto, they had a lot of soul & jazz mixed with heavy guitars. Journey was the next that made my head turn because Steve Perry was so influenced by R&B & this pleased my ears. Queen also made the transition to rock easy as they did everything else no one else would dare. It got easier to get into bands like Van Halen then eventually Iron Maiden & Judas Priest. So my overall influence fits with so much & many I work with. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: What do you recall back in the ’90s and evolving from a Heavy Metal singer (Kryst the Conqueror, A.R. Pell& Malmsteen albums), to one of the best voices in hard rock history? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Haha, I don’t really see it the way you wrote it but I’ll try to answer that….I guess it all came from not saying no to a session or style that challenged me as an artist. Every experience I’ve had adds or lends a hand to giving me so much variety to offer. I tried to exploit myself as more than just a metal singer, it’s all about variety for me, I cant do 1 thing for too long as I get bored too easily. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: You have, among others, participated in a soundtrack for a movie (Rockstar). How was this experience and what’s the story behind this cooperation? Any weird things that occurred? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: I was only there for my vocal sessions so no dirt to report there. But I have known Zakk Wylde & Jeff Pilson for many years as well as the producer of the soundtrack, Tom Werman. Tom was pulled out of retirement to do this album & he grabbed me for vocals based on the many albums we’ve done together in the 90’s. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: You are also a member of a band called Boogie Knights. How did it come up? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: I knew those guys when they were a rock band called Roxanne. They used to do a disco medley that was ‘rocked up’ to make people laugh & dance for the encore. That led to them doing a gig for someone dressed in 70’s clothes & wigs which led to them making an amazing living from it…when the singer decided to become only the manager, they asked me to join them which I did for 5 years. I made a boatload of money singing all those songs I loved from my youth. The encore on my upcoming live DVD shot in Madrid does that same medley in the encore, quite funny to see people in Metallica shirts doing the John Travolta move in the audience! \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: How can you manage to sing at such high standards and such great success, not only sensational ballads and hard rock songs, but also funk-disco covers? Is there any deal with the devil or something like that?? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Probably, haha….it’s all in the upbringing, I had & have such an open mind, like a sponge, but even more so, I wanted to incorporate this in all I do….whenever possible! \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: You have toured with many great musicians; can you recall a funny incident that you want to share with us? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: One funny moment was doing a club show with Yngwie in 1985 when he was still up & coming….half the audience was college kids with sweaters around their necks & the other half were wearing spiked bracelets & leather. We wondered what the hell was going on only to find out after the show that half the audience thought Yngwie ‘Malmsteen’ was an assumed name for ‘Bruce Springsteen’ & that The Boss was doing an unannounced club date as he was on tour in the same city that night. Our metal crowd were cool & calm, the college kids were hostile about it, haha! \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: “Humanimal” is one of the best records I have ever listened and Talisman one of the most gifted and inspiring band. Whose idea was this band and how did it came to life back in the 90s? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: One of my favorite albums I have done as well, thank you! It was all Marcel’s doing, he had a lot of this material for John Norum’s 2nd solo album but they fell out & he decided to make a solo album. He had the singer that toured with Norum, Goran Edman, sing on the demos but Goran decided to stay with John so Marcel called to see what I was up to. After a few details set, we made it happen that I would come to Stockholm & record this one time album called ‘Guitars On Fire’. When the album was released, Marcel changed it to Talisman & the longest band in my career was born! \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: You have a new cd out almost every year. Where does you inspiration come from? How can you sound so fresh even after so many years in discography? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: I think it’s answered already above, there is so much I want to do but could never possibly achieve with just one band…I am very fortunate that I get to do all this amazing work & have built a nice reputation for myself…the acceptance from fans around the world keeps me itching to do more & more. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: I can tell, from your statements and interviews that you are (were) sad with the "Journey experience”. Now, after the period of time that has passed and with clearer mind, do you want to make any comment? Is there any relevance between the "Farewell Talisman Tour" (and the split of the band) and the cooperation with Journey? I mean, did you think, back then, that you wouldn’t have sufficient time for both? To tell you the truth, I would much prefer you involved with Talisman, JSS band and other stuff, rather than only Journey. \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Well I knew I couldn’t do both so I got the band’s blessing to do a farewell tour as we had an album we were working on before I joined Journey so it was only fair to give it to our fans. Yes I was very disappointed & the only reason I still am is the way it went down & that no one in the band can even mention me as a part of them as well as not simply be friendly. It’s all so strange but hey, I cant beg people to be in my life, it’s their choice in what they do & did, I can only offer my hand in friendship so many times before I say ‘fuck it, it’s not worth it’. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: And now the "difficult" question? Is there any song in this cd, in memory of Marcel? Which song that you have sung in your career, would you dedicate to his memory and what will you remember of him as a fellow musician and a friend? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: I re-wrote the lyrics for the song Since You’ve Gone that I had to sing at his funeral. It was the hardest thing I had to do in my life…I may record it with the new lyrics someday & donate proceeds to a foundation we’re setting up in his name soon. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: What do you expect from this new effort with W.E.T.? Will it be a "one-release" band or will it be a more permanent one? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: Only the public demand can predict that, ‘one day at a time’ as the song goes….if it does well & there is a demand, I am sure the others will join me for more! \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Are there any plans already for an upcoming tour? Is there a possibility to add older songs of your past projects and bands in the playlist like you did with "Jeff Scott Soto" band? \r\n

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\r\nJeff Scott Soto: No plans yet but as we only have 1 album to draw on & wont do every song on the album to get through a show, I am sure we would combine songs from all 3 bands that made up the name, Work Of Art, Eclipse & Talisman….that would be cool! \r\n

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\r\nInterview by John “L.O.V.E. Machine” Litinakis and Nicoleta Sarantou \r\n

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