Enuff Z’Nuff vocalist/bassist Chip Z’Nuff recently spoke during and interview conducted by Heavy New York. The full conversation can be viewed below. A few excerpts follow (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).
On becoming the group’s lead vocalist:
Chip: “It’s certainly a challenge. I’m up for it. I can wear this dress. It took me time to build confidence. We were out on the KISS tour — four shows with KISS. Those shows were so successful, and after the show, [KISS manager] Doc McGhee came up to me with Paul[Stanley] and said, ‘Chip, you should have been doing this ten years ago.’ That gave me a lot of confidence, and I came back to Chicago after that four-day run playing out in the Caribbean, Jamaica, wherever we were at, and I got a phone call from an agent who books Ace Frehley. He says, ‘Chip, you want to go out and do 30 shows with Ace?’ That was it right there. That showed me that we could do this as a band. That tour was really successful for us, and that put a little fire in everything for us.
I think that was the green light for us to be able to move forward… I really had to find the strength and the confidence to do this, and my band provided that. Now the fans have spoken, and they gave me the green light. I’m real confident [about] what the future holds.”
On the new album’s lyrical content:
Chip: “Most Enuff Z’Nuff albums are very autobiographical. Not this record. On this record, I’m singing about other people, too. I’m not going to say who they are, because that would take away from what the song’s about, and I want people to interpret the songs the way they hear them, but there’s some really strong words.
I’m the wordsmith now — I have no choice — and I think I’ve really nailed some wonderful stories that aren’t necessarily about me, but I thought it was good reading and nice listening… We’re in a world right now where there’s so much subject matter, there’s so much to talk about, that you’re going to find the songs. That’s what I do — I look around, what’s around me and all my surroundings, and that’s my inspiration.”
On maturing:
Chip: “In the old days, we did more cocaine than Guns N’Roses and Aerosmith put together. I’m not bragging about it, but… it was about promiscuity and substance abuse. That was first and foremost. Even though the songs were important, we just couldn’t go out there and play a tour and be together and focus and [be] straight. This is the first time I’ve been in a band where we talk about those things. Those were great parties back 20 years ago, everybody getting high and f*c*ing, but nowadays, it’s really about leaving an indelible mark with the audience and giving them a great show every single night… You’ve got to go out there every single night and nail it. You don’t get a second chance at a first impression.”
On the future:
Chip: “The next record, I’m writing right now. I’m not playing any games. I’m getting ready to go on a major tour, and I’m already writing the next record. It’s all about when you get ideas, put them down, because you don’t know when they’re going to stop… I want something that’s going to trip my trigger. Whether it’s a riff or a melody line, I’m coming up with new stuff all [the time]. The new Enuff Z’Nuff, the next one that’s coming out, it kills. I am so excited about it. I’ve gotten about a half-dozen songs now recorded, and I think it’s a juggernaut of a record.”
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Who?
Assuming each band did one line