ADRIAN WEISS was born in Germany in 1976 and began playing guitar at age 15. From 1996 – 2002, Weiss was a member of ThoughtSphere, and recorded 4 albums with the band. He has also been playing with the Progressive Metal band Forces At Work since 2000. The band has released 4 CDs. In 2007 Weiss began recording his first Instrumental solo CD with 11 songs that he has written since 1999. The CD is entitled BIG TIME, and includes quite a few of Weiss’ friends as guest musicians that he got to know in the music scene over the years, most notably Victor Smolski from the band Rage. The production was completed in March of 2011 and was engineered by Bjoern Sondermann in his studio in Düsseldorf. BIG TIME hit the streets in September 2011.
Adrian Weiss took some time out to tell Metal Express Radio more about himself and his musical tastes … check his music out further as Independent Band Of The Week from March 26 – April 1st!
Metal Express Radio:
What are 3 bands that you feel were most influential to you, and why?
Adrian Weiss:
I’d say Petrucci (and Dream Theater), Steve Vai, and Greg Howe. There are more I could list here, but I think these guys impressed me because of their ability to apply their great playing skills to creating really cool and moving songs. I started playing guitar in the early ‘90s and that’s also when Dream Theater really started taking off. Of course, as a guitarist, Petrucci’s style became the thing for me. I soon got to know all kinds of other players as well who impressed me immensely.
MER:
What are the 5 best Metal/Hard Rock albums of all times, and why?
AW:
Ok, I’ll try to leave out the usual evergreens that most rockers would agree on to be terrific albums of historical value and also name some that I came by relatively recently:
- Dream Theater – Images And Words – What can I say? It’s got great songs, mind-blowing playing, and the start — at least for me — of a new era in music. This is not a recent album, but it definitely has got to be mentioned.
- Greg Howe – Introspection – Makes you want to put on sunglasses and lean on your sports car — if you have one. Especially “Jump Start” and “Direct Injection” are so cool – those can turn any rainy day into a Daytona Beach party.
- Animals As Leaders – Animals As Leaders – Innovative and visionary, extremely progressive and intricate, and at the same time trancelike and meditative. Can’t get enough of it.
- Nevermore – Dead Heart In A Dead World – Probably one of the fattest Metal albums ever. The great combination of thick riffing, heartbreaking melodies, and perfect songwriting just has to blow your mind.
- Protest The Hero – Scurrilous – Unbelievably catchy songwriting, yet at the same time extremely intricate, technical, and progressive. A very tasty example of how Metal is developing in the new millennium.
MER:
What is the best concert you’ve ever attended, and why?
AW:
Not an easy question … I had the honor of attending a Psychotic Waltz concert in 1995, just before they disbanded. It was just so very soulful and positive … such a complete dedication to their music and fans – and, of course, a flawless performance. THAT was a concert.
MER:
What was the most memorable gig you ever played, and why?
AW:
The CD-release gig with my former band ThoughtSphere in the year 2000 was probably the most memorable gig I ever played. We had a violinist and backing singers on stage and lots of samples and a great crowd and everything actually worked out the way it was planned. Sadly we forgot to have it filmed.
MER:
What is the craziest thing any member of you or any member of one of your bands has ever done for the sake of Metal/Hard Rock?
AW:
At one gig back in 1997 at a German Metal Festival, I thought I could prove I was truly metal and cool and everything by doing things I thought most people would consider disgusting. Actually, I still often do that. So I drank several cups of weiner water (Wurstwasser) without realizing that it was considered a tasty drink in the part of Germany we were playing. So everybody watching helped themselves after me. Actually, during that gig at one point we all laid down on the stage and continued playing. Our keyboardist, Jan Ristau, who is now my bass player, had the hardest time doing that — but he did pull it off by leaving only one hand on the keys.
MER:
If you were appointed Ruler of the Metal World, what is the first law you’d make?
AW:
Boy, that’s a difficult question, but I think a general 4-day-week with a respective 3-day weekend would be an important issue. That way there would be more time for partying, concerts, and hangover recoveries, etc. Is everyone with me?
MER:
If you could tour with any band, who would that be, and why?
AW:
It would be great to tour with Andy Timmons, Steve Vai, or anyone of those guys to watch, enjoy, and learn every night … or tour with Animals As Leaders. In fact, with my band Forces At Work, we will be supporting AAL at a gig in Bochum on April 23, 2012. A complete tour would be awesome, of course. They’re really cool guys and their music is just mind-blowing and it’s really fun hanging out with them.
MER:
What do you think your fans and the music industry will say about you and your band in 10 years?
AW:
Well, of course I hope to become an Icon in the Instrumental Rock scene and I want my music to be putting people in good moods and to provide entertainment and, of course, tremendous sales, so everybody’s happy! I hope people say, “Adrian Weiss may be a late newcomer, but he certainly is here now!”
MER:
If you could have any wish fulfilled, what would it be?
AW:
Well, like I mentioned above, an extensive tour supporting a big Instrumental or Progressive act would just simply be awesome. Actually, having my own band now already is totally awesome and I’m looking forward to some really fun gigs with great audiences!
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