An interview with one of my beloved artists of all time? No, not even in my dreams…  Y&T’s name has long now been carved in the everlasting Hard Rock pantheon, plus their newest “Facemelter” comeback album really looks like it can melt your face (and ears, and ears). The band’s mainman (and a living legend for American Hard Rock) Dave Meniketti found the time to answer to our mag’s questions and, truth is, I would never expect to face such a down-to-earth and dynamic character, 35(!) years after the band released its first LP. The chat we had follows below. 

Solid Rock: Hello Dave, thanks for taking the time to do this interview for the mag’s readers! To begin with, Y&T’s back with a brand new album after a long time of studio absence. How did you start shaping the idea for what became the “Facemelter” album? Did you and Phil both decide it was time to record a new album? Did the other band members have a saying in this choice?

Dave Meniketti: The writing process was a very natural thing. We just started to get together and jam out ideas, along with all of us writing songs and ideas by ourselves, bringing them into the band to polish. As with most Y&T records, we write whatever comes into our minds at that time, with no preconception of what type of record we are going for. It’s all a very natural process.

Phil and I decided that it was time to do a new album. Everybody was in agreement that it was necessary to have new material and be creative again. Mike and John were already ready to go, even before Phil and I, so no convincing was needed.

Solid Rock: Was it easy enough to come to a decision for the album’s general guidelines? Meaning: did you have to consider if you should put any more up-to-date/modern elements in the band’s music so as to coincide with what Rock fans seek these days? Or you believed you should stay loyal to the Y&T principles and offer a ‘true’ album?

Dave Meniketti: As mentioned, we write whatever is in our heads at the time, with no concept and no limitations. Then after assembling all the songs, we pick what we believe to be the best of them, and only then do we make any decisions about what songs we feel will blend together for what we want to have represent a Y&T record – for ourselves and for what we think the fans will appreciate as well. We never set out to make a particular type of album; we don’t edit or stifle the creative process.

Solid Rock: “Facemelter” clocks to 60 minutes of music: how the heck did you come up with so much material? Are all songs written after your decision to record a new album or you anyway had enough songs all these years you were out of the studio?

Dave Meniketti: Only 1 song was written year before we wrote these new songs, and that was “Gonna Go Blind”. All the others were written around Jan and Feb 2009 and Dec 2009 through March 2010. We have a lot of other unfinished ideas that we never got around to and about 4 complete songs that we decided to leave behind for this record. The ideas were flowing very well and all the band members really worked well together for creating new ideas.

Solid Rock: Did you accept any help from John and Mike writing the songs? You believe you acted like a team for this album?

Dave Meniketti: Yes, we were open to all ideas from everyone. John brought in about many ideas and a few complete songs of which we then chose those that best represented the band’s sound as we saw it.  Mike also took an integral part in crafting the best out of every song with his expertise. However, at the end of the day, Phil and I were most responsible for the songs and ideas on the record, as we have been for 3 decades.

Solid Rock:  “Facemelter” is quite a dynamic title: who came up with the idea? Does it relate to your mood while recording the album or there’s another meaning?

Dave Meniketti: The terms ‘facemelting’ and ‘facemelter’ have been part of this band since before recording our very first record in 1974. A fan came back stage at a gig we played in Southern California and told us that we melted his face off. The band loved the term and used it for our publishing company name and many fans have associated Y&T and these terms for decades. So we figured it would be a natural name to use for a Y&T recording.  

Solid Rock: The cover artwork is impressive, too. Who created it? Who had the idea, too? Was it a conscious choice to relate to the covers you had in the early 80s?

Dave Meniketti: This cover was created by John Taylor Dismukes, who was responsible for the “Black Tiger”, “Meanstreak” and “In Rock We Trust” CD artwork. Those album covers have always been the favorites of the fans and we thought we should get JTD back to do our newest cover. We felt that with a title of “Facemelter” and a JTD cover that we were making a statement that we were back in form like those classic recordings. Phil was responsible for the concept and played a big part in directing the artwork design.

Solid Rock: Listening again to the album, as we speak, you certainly have given a new sense of experience to both John and Mike. Still, I think having some younger members in the bands also gives a boost to the originals like you and Phil, huh? It’s a ‘give and take’ status for the band’s benefit?

Dave Meniketti: Yes, definitely. Newer members always bring with them an enthusiasm that affects everyone in the band. The fact that this solid band we have now for over 4 years has been rocking the planet consistently every year was a big reason why we decided it was the right time for a new CD.

Solid Rock: Saw you live at Germany’s Bang Your Head! festival in summer 2009. You really kicked ass, and it was a pleasant surprise to see young metalheads banging to some of your songs. You believe Y&T can still attract the young fans of Rock/Metal with their traditional Hard Rock sound? Do you get any feedback from the new generation, really?

Dave Meniketti: We have seen a growing attendance of young rockers at the shows the last 3 years. How much that continues is anyone’s guess, but it seems from what we are hearing from the fans that we have indeed crossed over to many new young fans of our music.

Solid Rock: Have you lined up any dates in support of “Facemelter”? 

Dave Meniketti: We are currently touring on the “Facemelter” CD. There are 70 shows this year for the tour. We are touring the US, Europe, the UK and Japan. We will be back in Europe for a headline tour starting late September through early November.

Solid Rock: Are you anxiously waiting to get back on the road? I’m mentioning this because musicians of such experience like you may rarely be open to new excitements let aside the exhaustion…

Dave Meniketti: We have always been the type of band that thrives on touring. Each new tour represents a new excitement for the band, no matter if we are coming back to play the same places or not. We aren’t comfortable or happy unless we’re playing a live show. Even though the road can be a bit grueling, because Jill manages the band we have complete control of our destiny and decisions as to where and how much we tour each year, which makes for a more comfortable experience.

Solid Rock: Being partners with Phil for 35(!) years now, you think Y&T would not be the same band with one or the other member off duty?

Dave Meniketti: Phil and I have been the root to the band, as songwriters, producers, and guiding spirits for over 30 years. It would never be the same if either one of us was unable to continue to tour. A band with only one original member is certainly not what fans would consider a valid representation of that band, though I understand that in some situations, that’s all that can be done if the surviving member still wishes to play their material. As we all age a bit, those types of questions can arise.

Solid Rock: In addition, you believe Y&T would have a better or worse recognition/career/sales if located in Europe and not in the USA? European fans seem to be more faithful to their icons.

Dave Meniketti: Possibly a better career if we had all moved to Europe, I believe. Making a lasting impact in the US market is infinitely more difficult and finicky in my opinion. I believe our music has always been a perfect fit for the European fans and we are inspired by them every time we tour.

Solid Rock: With “Facemelter” you believe you’re kicking off a new era for the band? What’s the general plan you have for the band, starting with a new studio album after 13 years?

Dave Meniketti: I think we have a renewed career with this lineup and CD. I’m looking forward to many years to come of touring and more new records.

Solid Rock: Don’t want to waste your time anymore, Dave; thanx a lot for taking the time to answer to our questions and we really hope to see you in Greece some time, you’ve never been there!

Dave Meniketti: We would all like to play in Greece, just hoping we can get the right offer and time frame to make it work. Cheers.

 
Visit:
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