Rock of Ages

Let the Games Begin Joel Hoekstra’s 13 was created as a side project in 2015 by current Whitesnake and Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist Joel Hoekstra.  Under the 13 moniker Hoekstra released Dying to Live that same year.  On February 12, 2021 the group returns with it’s follow-up Running Games. Hoekstra is once again flanked by Russell Allen (Symphony X), Vinny Appice (ex-Black Sabbath, Dio), Tony Franklin (Every Hard Rock band that had a record in the 80s), Derek Sherinian (Sons of Apollo), and Jeff Scott Soto (Sons of Apollo, W.E.T.).   I jumped at the chance to speak with Joel Hoekstra about the new album. Highlights Include: Discussion of Running Games Why he prefers home recording and file sharing to recording in the studio Were any songs on Running Games leftovers from the last Whitesnake album Why Jeff Scott Soto is only doing background vocals this time around His YouTube jam sessions Is there any future with his Echobats project with Tony Harnell (TNT) How he got the gig as the live guitarist for Cher Is Whitesnake working on new material How Jim Peterik (Ex-Survivor) helped jump start his career … and much, much more! Joel Hoekstra’s 13 is: Joel Hoekstra – Guitar Russell Allen – Vocals Vinny Appice – Drums Tony Franklin – Bass Derek Sherinian – Keyboards Jeff Scott Soto – Backing Vocals