GODSMACK Frontman Says He Gets Along Well With Three Members Of MÖTLEY CRÜE

M. Drew of the horror webzine Bloody Good Horror recently conducted an interview with GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Bloody Good Horror: Sully, I know you wrote a book about the trials and tribulations of working up the music ladder to stardom. What's it like to be at the top, and do you ever have moments where you look back and are just in awe of it all?

Erna: There was a time when all I wanted was to be a simple regular guy. Then I wanted to be a rock star, and thankfully the stars lined up after many many years of hard work and suffering. And I enjoyed that ride as much as I could. And I still enjoy it from time to time. But life is funny, and now, the more successful I’ve become, the more I just crave to be a simple regular guy again.

Bloody Good Horror: What was the moment when you knew GODSMACK had "made it" as a band?

Erna: I believe for me it was the day we stepped off a red-eye flight from L.A. to New York after finishing a three- month tour on the Ozzfest, and onto the stage at Woodstock 99' and looked at 250,000 people holding up GODSMACK signs and singing our songs. That was a day I’ll never forget.

Bloody Good Horror: You've said in other interviews that "The Oracle" is a return to the musical roots of GODSMACK. What should fans expect from the album?

Erna: They shouldn't expect a single thing. But they should KNOW that this record was built and written for them only. This is not an album that is trying to reinvent music or get all fancy shmancy with. We just wanted to write what we feel the fans have been asking us to sound like all along. So enjoy!!

Bloody Good Horror: What was the writing process like? Did "The Oracle" end up being a return to GODSMACK's roots through a conscious effort, or did it just happen that way?

Erna: It was truly an equal collaboration between all four of us. We all sat down and discussed what we wanted and expected from each of us on this album, and goddamn it, we delivered every speck of it.

Bloody Good Horror: Will there still be something on the album that long-time fans will have never heard before?

Erna: No. This is us just doing what we do. Love it or hate it, I don’t give a fuck! This record rocks!!

Bloody Good Horror: What drove the decision to leave "Whiskey Hangover" off of the album?

Erna: I hate the song. It's boring and we were forced to write it to be on Crüe Fest. It sucks!!

Bloody Good Horror: Sully, how was it combining production forces with Dave Fortman, who has some pretty solid musical chops of his own? Did he bring anything to the table that you wouldn't have had otherwise?

Erna: Let me tell you this... I will DEFINITELY record another record with him again. If not every one. That dude is not only the funniest guy I’ve ever met, but he really knows how to produce and make suggestions that are relevant and important to the decision of the song. Great fucking guy!!

Bloody Good Horror: So, based on "Cryin' Like a Bitch", I suppose you won't be touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE again anytime soon? Given the brass ring, who do you dream of touring with?

Erna: I'm a fan of MÖTLEY CRÜE, always have been. Still great friends with Tommy Lee. And Mick [Mars] and Vince [Neil] were also very very cool guys to all of us. That's all everyone, right?? Ahem!! So, anyway.... We've been blessed with having the opportunities to open for some of our childhood heroes, OZZY [OSBOURNE], BLACK SABBATH, METALLICA, etc. So, in our eyes, there's only one band left on this planet that we would consider opening for. AC fucking DC!! If not them, we'll headline ourselves.

Read the entire interview from Bloody Good Horror.