AAAAHHHHH -- How did I miss this?????? Okay, calmed down now. I found this post on Warrant's myspace page. It is an interview with Steven Sweet. . .a.k.a. Sticky Sweet, their drummer.
Q: Warrant had played a lot of shows in the past two
years. Now that you've taken some down time, are you
restless to get back on the stage?A: Absolutely! After having just done our first "public"ÂÂ
performance on Rockline I can say we are all really anxious to keep going. The
band feels new again and, in my opinion, stronger than even.Q: Having been away from the band for a long period of
time, what was the selling point for returning to the
lineup in 04?A: I've made it known that a friend of my wife's and mine who sang
at our wedding was killed in an auto accident not too long after we
were married. The tragedy of her passing so unexpectedly left me with the
affirmation that you never know when your time might be up and to
embrace each opportunity to live your life to the fullest. My having spent
so much time away from the Warrant guys gave me the space to grow as a
person and realize that everyone has to travel their own path to
discovery. I had been presented with the idea of rejoining the group over the
years, and decided that the time finally felt right to let go of past
grievances and embrace the future. Knowing that you only go around once,
I really feel like I've been given a second chance to re-connect
with old friends and do what I am meant to do, which among other things,
is to be a part of Warrant.Q: It's known that Erik and Joey have "day jobs". What
keeps you busy while you're not on the road with
Warrant?A: Now and then I do session work as both a drummer and a singer. Much
of that work is with my brother Dave who owns and operates a swank
digital studio (check out dbwproductions.com). I also freelance as an A&R
screener for a company called Taxi Music (taximusic.com). I get to
listen to loads of new music by songwriters who are looking for a leg up in
the business, the job involves a lot of creative writing in the form of
song writing critiques. The company then forwards to the labels,
management companies, or music placement houses the material that meets the
given criteria.Q: It's been said that you'll occasionally do an
impersonation of Sharon Osborn. Do you have any other
impersonations and have you done any voice acting?A: Oh great, now everyone is going to be coming up to me with a...
"Hey do Scoobie Doo" or "let me hear your Homer Simpson" nothing
like being put on the spot. I'm joking, actually I had a period where
I was pursuing voice acting a number of years ago - loads of
competition, requires total commitment, I just wasn't able to put forth the
time or effort needed to climb that ladder. Reconnecting with an old
acquaintance, E.G. Daily, who does great voice acting work (Rug Rats, Power
Puff Girls, etc.) led to an agent and an IKEA radio spot where I did
the voice of a dream interpreting robot.Q: Last July, Warrant played the first annual Rock Fever
Fest (Rocklahoma) in OK. What are your thoughts on the
event as a whole?A: The whole multi-day, giant lineup festival idea is great. I can see
this kind of thing happening more often as people embrace the bands
they grew up with and share the love with younger generations. Rocklahoma
in particular was so amazing because it took a sampling of all facets
of the 80's melodic rock/soft metal genre and presented it it for 3
days straight. People came from all around the globe to participate. It
looks like this years event will be a continuation of the same only
bigger.Q: Please share with some some highlights of your
experience touring with the following bands.Firehouse: The best summer ever!
L.A.Guns: They're not really vampires, it's just red wine.
Motley Crue: Kick start my arena tour, great experience - The funniest
thing was when my mom and dad came out to a NY show and watched
Tommy's solo from the side of the stage. I had forgotten to give my mom the
heads up that Tommy likes to drop his G-string as the grand finale, she
caught an eye full to say the least.
Poison: Started out good, evolved into a lesson on how not to treat an
opening act, which we still abide by today.Q: What bands or musicians would you consider as your
biggest influences?A: Starting with Neil Peart and moving on to Steve Perry with the likes
of Terry Bozio, Rod Morgenstein, Steve Smith, Marvin Gaye, Prince and
Seal rounding things out only begins to cover the array of artists that
have and continue to influence my evolution as an artist/musician.Q: Are there any newer bands that you're currently
listening to?A: I really dig Gnarls Barkley, and of course Seal is always on my play
list. It's funny but I don't generally listen to a whole lot of
rock (Alt./Modern, etc.). Collective Soul and Pete Yorn are also really
inspired and inspiring to me.Q: How do you personally feel about the new digital age
of music downloads?A: From a technological standpoint, the ease of sharing and
manipulating the media is astounding. From a control angle, it's frustrating to
the artist because it is so easy to share and download and transfer
music that there is a lot of unchecked, unregulated funds that never go to
the people who created the music. That's why the big labels aren't
able to support artists the way they did in the past which leaves the
lion share of responsibility to the artists themselves. That in itself
isn't necessarily a bad thing because to be self sufficient is the
best way to guarantee control over your career. The downside is it's
harder and harder to make a living as a musician or artist because so
much of what used to be our income is being skimmed off by folks who sell
our goods illegally.Q: Since Warrant's heyday, the internet has drastically
changed the way bands are able to reach their fans. In what way do you
feel that internet has been the greatest
asset, and in what way has it become a nuisance?A: I for one had put off the whole Myspace thing because I do like my
privacy and why would I want a whole bunch of relative strangers
invading MY space? But as time goes on you realize it's just another tool
which enables you to reach people you otherwise would have no contact
with, so it is a good thing all in all. The internet is an awesome thing.
How else could you discover a strange spot on your toe and within
seconds have a diagnosis? SPAM although a tasty processed meat product to
some, is a bitch to others, myself included - BIG downside. I've had to
change email addresses more times than a new parent changes diapers.Q: Have you had an opportunity to play Cherry Pie on
Guitar Hero, and if so, what is your opinion on the
game?A: You know, I haven't ever played Guitar Hero, I'm more of a Dance
Revolution kind'a guy (I'm kidding, I'm not THAT coordiated,
everyone thinks because you play drums for a living that you're actually
coordinated on your feet, not always the case, though I'm not bad,
I'm no John Travolta.... THAT sounds dated, doesn't it? How about,
I'm no Justin Timberlake). Sorry, even though I haven't played the
game, I think it's created a whole new fan base for Warrant. I have a
drum student who pre-learned how to play Iron Maiden's Run to the
Hills with Rock Band.Q: Are you still doing your paintings?
A: If someone is interested and we can strike a deal, I'll be a
painting fool, otherwise, it's another business that requires time and
effort to really make it happen. Actually, I am in need of a fresh website
design and some advertising then my answer would be "Yes, I can
hardly keep up with the requests"ÂÂ. Check out fuzzychildren.com.Q: What would be the most memorable gift that fan has
ever given you?A: I've chosen to share this story with you because it is strange,
interesting, bizarre and funny. Warrant was in Tokyo (1992?) staying at
the Ropongi Prince Hotel, it was about 10pm and I get a knock on the
door. I look through the peep hole and there's a young woman standing
there telling me she has something she wants to give me. I open the door
(knowing full well that curiosity killed the cat - I am not, nor have I
ever claimed to be, a cat). There stands this person, small stature,
non threatening - holding a package wrapped in black tissue paper. She
says Steven? I say, yeah, hi (cause, I am... Steven, not hi). She says I
have a gift for you. I said something like, cool, that's really
nice. I take the package wrapped in black tissue paper and begin to close
the door. The young woman then says, but, can I come in with you? I,
being the decent (strike that, sometimes shy - at least in the face of
strange, slight Asian women bearing packages
wrapped in black tissue paper) say "nope"ÂÂ! I probably said sorry
after that but then I quickly close the door and pant heavily with my
back to the safety and security of my closed hotel room (okay, that last
part was merely creative license to make things a little more cinematic
for you readers). I then look back through the peep hole to make sure
she isn't waiting to press the detonator for the bomb I now have in
my possession (bomb = anything wrapped in black tissue paper, in this
case a package given me by a now really frightening, intrusive, special
agent for the "I hate Steven Sweet" coalition, Tokyo division). She
is gone from sight so I sit down on the end of the bed and ponder what
could possibly be inside this ominous black gift from the mysterious,
somewhat presumptuous stranger (I say presumptuous because, although
sometimes shy, I AM worldly enough to know whatever this package contained
was intended to be a sex bribe). After a
moment of thought, I tear open the tissue paper which up until this
moment enveloped the mysteries of a lifetime (because if it WAS a bomb,
well you know what bombs do), I was prepared to see my life flash before
my eyes as the room exploded into a bazillion tiny particles of man
made matter and my guts. I pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and
tear the black tissue paper as a small boy does a long package he knows
is a BB Gun (Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle) on Christmas
morning. What lay beneath was beyond all expectations... and I'll
tell you right now, not anything I have ever been given since. Now before
I tell you what the 10 PM Stranger in the hall deemed as sufficient
reward for a night of untold pleasures, I want to remind you. This gift
was meant to be in EXCHANGE for SEX. Okay, I'll just tell you, after
all the build up, I don't want you to be let down because lets face it,
there have been times when we've all
experienced things that don't live up to the hype... this is
PRECISELY one of those times. Okay, okay, I'm gonna tell you now, what was
intended as reason enough to let a strange woman into my hotel room for,
well you know, was a pair of black Mossimo boxer shorts bearing little
purple hearts and a random pair of light blue dress socks. TA
DAAAAAAA!!! Hey, at least it wasn't a bomb right?! I immediately put them on
and ran down the hall to thank her... the end.Q: Have you gotten any recent tattoos, and do you have
any planned for the near future?A: No and no. After that last question, I'm all answered out.
Q: Any closing comments to your fans?
A: Thanks for the support through all the changes this band has
endured. As I said at the top of this interview, life is too short to leave
things unfinished. I think everyone will agree that this year is what the
long journey is all about - here we come.
There goes, hope you folks enjoy it. . . .
"Do ya want me to be sleazy, Do ya want me to be eazy? Oh Baby, my heart goes boom!"
Scritt Scrat -- Piece of Me
"I Want Some Glam RockingZ in My StockingZ!!!" 
