New Jersey based Melodic Rockers
SILENT WITNESS released two albums on Escape Music and a third is
already in the making. But their bassplayer Hal B.Selzer keeps himself
pretty busy with a lot of session work as well. Reasons enough for TAKE
IT to speak to the man about all his activities. So read on to find
out all necessary details...
From
the first album to the second you have changed your line-up. Why did
Robert Mason leave? How did you get in contact with Anthony Fontayne?
And what has he done before?
"Robert was involved in many other things, including the LYNCH MOB, as well as a band on CBS called CRY OF LOVE, and some work with OZZY OSBOURNE. He was too busy to record more with us, so rather than wait until he was available,we found Anthony singing with a band at the Cat Club in New York City. Anthony was slated to be the replacement for Jani Lane in WARRANT when Jani left the group. Anthony was flown out to LA, and recorded with the band while out there. Then Jani came back, so Anthony was free to work with us. He also worked in the past with Joe Lynn Turner."
You already played live shows with
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and BON JOVI for example. How did you get in contact
with the bands / guys?
"I know those guys through the New Jersey music scene. I often play with a group led by Bobby Bandiera, the guitarist on JON BON JOVI's last solo album and tour. We back up Bruce, Jon and other artists at charity events or whenever they want to come out and play. They are both very down to earth, regular guys and like to come out to a club and jam."
Which other bands did you help out live?
"I do a lot of playing live, because it's my favorite thing to do! I've backed up people like GARY U.S. BONDS, SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY, Jon and Bruce and most recently toured with a band called LUXX, who have an album out on Push / BMG and which features Ian Hatton, the guitarist from BONHAM."
Is SILENT WITNESS your first band?
"No, I've been with a lot of bands, but SILENT WITNESS (originally called ADRIAN DODZ) was my first recording band that became somewhat well known."
Have you also done studio jobs for other bands?
"I've recorded with Eddie Ojeda from TWISTED SISTER, Frank DiMino of ANGEL,Ron Peyronel of UFO, Richie Ranno of STARZ, Rocco Fury of AMERICAN ANGEL, Danny Vaughn and Michael Clayton of TYKETTO and bands such as TENFOLD (Rockland Music) and MOTORBABY (Mercury Records). Lance, the drummer in SILENT WITNESS, and I produce a lot of bands also, as well as backing up local artists."
Please introduce your other band members: what have they done before and with which people have they already played?
"Lance Hyland Stark is my partner in a lot of projects, and has also backed up Bobby Bandiera, Bruce, Gary US Bonds, and bands such as Tenfold and Motorbaby. He's an awesome drummer live, both visually and musically. And as I explained, we do some producing of local groups together. Guitarist John Bushnell has played with a lot of local New Jersey bands, and I feel is one of the biggest secrets in the music business. Richie Ranno, the guitarist from Starz, heard him and said he thinks he's better than Eddie Van Halen, and asked why nobody knows this guy?"
Have you toured for the first or second album?
"We have done some Jersey shows in the past years, but no extensive tours. We would like to in the future, but it's hard, considering the lack of interest in the US in Melodic Rock these days. We are hoping to get to Europe and / or Japan some day."
Why haven't you worked with David Prater again?
"David had a different vision than us for the sound of theband. Working with him was definitely a learning experience, but we wanted to go in a different direction musically, a little more raw and live sounding. He's very into sampled drum sounds and overdubbed guitars; we wanted it to be more"real"."
Is SILENT WITNESS Lance's band (because he's the only one with a thanx list in the debut album)?
"No... if anything, it's me and Lance together that run the band. He had the thanks on the first album because nobody else really wanted to do anything... I wanted to save it for the second album, which I am really more proud of."
Is there a concept in your cover artwork?
"Robert was involved in many other things, including the LYNCH MOB, as well as a band on CBS called CRY OF LOVE, and some work with OZZY OSBOURNE. He was too busy to record more with us, so rather than wait until he was available,we found Anthony singing with a band at the Cat Club in New York City. Anthony was slated to be the replacement for Jani Lane in WARRANT when Jani left the group. Anthony was flown out to LA, and recorded with the band while out there. Then Jani came back, so Anthony was free to work with us. He also worked in the past with Joe Lynn Turner."
You already played live shows with
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and BON JOVI for example. How did you get in contact
with the bands / guys?
"I know those guys through the New Jersey music scene. I often play with a group led by Bobby Bandiera, the guitarist on JON BON JOVI's last solo album and tour. We back up Bruce, Jon and other artists at charity events or whenever they want to come out and play. They are both very down to earth, regular guys and like to come out to a club and jam."
Which other bands did you help out live?
"I do a lot of playing live, because it's my favorite thing to do! I've backed up people like GARY U.S. BONDS, SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY, Jon and Bruce and most recently toured with a band called LUXX, who have an album out on Push / BMG and which features Ian Hatton, the guitarist from BONHAM."
Is SILENT WITNESS your first band? "No, I've been with a lot of bands, but SILENT WITNESS (originally called ADRIAN DODZ) was my first recording band that became somewhat well known."
Have you also done studio jobs for other bands?
"I've recorded with Eddie Ojeda from TWISTED SISTER, Frank DiMino of ANGEL,Ron Peyronel of UFO, Richie Ranno of STARZ, Rocco Fury of AMERICAN ANGEL, Danny Vaughn and Michael Clayton of TYKETTO and bands such as TENFOLD (Rockland Music) and MOTORBABY (Mercury Records). Lance, the drummer in SILENT WITNESS, and I produce a lot of bands also, as well as backing up local artists."
Please introduce your other band members: what have they done before and with which people have they already played?
"Lance Hyland Stark is my partner in a lot of projects, and has also backed up Bobby Bandiera, Bruce, Gary US Bonds, and bands such as Tenfold and Motorbaby. He's an awesome drummer live, both visually and musically. And as I explained, we do some producing of local groups together. Guitarist John Bushnell has played with a lot of local New Jersey bands, and I feel is one of the biggest secrets in the music business. Richie Ranno, the guitarist from Starz, heard him and said he thinks he's better than Eddie Van Halen, and asked why nobody knows this guy?"
Have you toured for the first or second album?
"We have done some Jersey shows in the past years, but no extensive tours. We would like to in the future, but it's hard, considering the lack of interest in the US in Melodic Rock these days. We are hoping to get to Europe and / or Japan some day."
Why haven't you worked with David Prater again?
"David had a different vision than us for the sound of theband. Working with him was definitely a learning experience, but we wanted to go in a different direction musically, a little more raw and live sounding. He's very into sampled drum sounds and overdubbed guitars; we wanted it to be more"real"."
Is SILENT WITNESS Lance's band (because he's the only one with a thanx list in the debut album)?
"No... if anything, it's me and Lance together that run the band. He had the thanks on the first album because nobody else really wanted to do anything... I wanted to save it for the second album, which I am really more proud of."
Is there a concept in your cover artwork?
Have they been inspired by BOSTON in any way?
"I love the "space" theme and I've always been a fan of spaceships and stuff like that. But I have to be honest... the credit for the covers has to go to Khalil Turk at Escape Music, it was his concept. The idea was that out in space, there is no sound... you can only be a "Silent Witness" to whatever happens!"
You had Stephen Ross and Dave
Gustufson as guest musicians on your
second CD. Are these two studio musicians or are they playing in bands?
"Stephen Ross is a phenonmenal guitarist known in "shredder" circles (shredders are guys that play blindingly fast, usually instrumental Rock, such as Yngwie, Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore etc.) In fact, Stephen has a solo album out on Shrapnel Records called "Midnight Drive", and he's working on a new one. You can check him out at www.stephenross.com. Dave Gustufson is a local guy who has done work with Lance before."
Are you already working on a new album?
"We are! In fact, we are hoping to start recording in December and January!"
Is Anthony still your vocalist or will you present a new one again on the next release?
"We'll have to let that be a surprise..."
Will you continue to work with Escape Music?
"I love the "space" theme and I've always been a fan of spaceships and stuff like that. But I have to be honest... the credit for the covers has to go to Khalil Turk at Escape Music, it was his concept. The idea was that out in space, there is no sound... you can only be a "Silent Witness" to whatever happens!"
You had Stephen Ross and Dave
Gustufson as guest musicians on your
second CD. Are these two studio musicians or are they playing in bands?
"Stephen Ross is a phenonmenal guitarist known in "shredder" circles (shredders are guys that play blindingly fast, usually instrumental Rock, such as Yngwie, Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore etc.) In fact, Stephen has a solo album out on Shrapnel Records called "Midnight Drive", and he's working on a new one. You can check him out at www.stephenross.com. Dave Gustufson is a local guy who has done work with Lance before."
Are you already working on a new album?
"We are! In fact, we are hoping to start recording in December and January!"
Is Anthony still your vocalist or will you present a new one again on the next release?
"We'll have to let that be a surprise..."
Will you continue to work with Escape Music?
"As of now, yes, although we initailly had a 2 album deal, so
nothing is written in stone. But they've been pretty good to us,
so we'll probably continue."
You can contact Hal and the band at:
e-mail: CaptainHal@aol.com
Interview: Tina Ehmke
Intro: Frank Stöver