A Q&A with guitar legend Michael Schenker

: Interviews

Hi Michael, how's life for you in the music industry in 2014 compared to previous years?

Funny thing is it has always been the same. I have my fan base and most are musicians and it seems I have had the same fans all my life. Having said that, since 2007 when I felt right to be back in the loop of Rock’n Roll my fan base started to become bigger year after year. Right now is a fantastic time and with a real good new album to be released in spring 2015 titled Spirit on a Mission it should be getting even better. I have a steady record company supporting me very well and I enjoy my freedom of creativity. I am very fortunate.

Did you make any changes to the recording process for the 'Bridge the Gap' album or try any new approaches to the record as a whole?

I am always current with myself meaning I create in the now and what comes out is what I believe in at the time. Since Bridge The Gap I feel like my youth is coming back and I feel very connected with how I felt when I was 17 years old. I want it fast, heavy and melodic. With Wayne’s 7str guitar added to it (especially on the new album -Spirit on a Mission-) it all becomes very big. It’s a lot of fun.

What is your favourite guitar and what guitar would you suggest as a starter for all the kids out there picking the instrument up for the first time?

I think it comes down to personal taste. Of course a Dean is a great guitar for experienced and inexperienced people alike. Dean has cheaper guitars that sound and play amazing. I just tried one of the cheaper models that was lying around in my house on some songs on the new album and it and sounds and played fantastic. It was a Strangers model made in Korea.

Do you have much music stored away in an archive that might see the light of day sometime?

I play and discover on a regular basis. By the time I do my next album I have enough new material.

Where did you play your first gig and last gig. Any particular memories of both?

My first gig I think was with the Scorpions age 11. I went with my parents to Elze where the Scorpions had a concert and ended somehow up on stage with them playing a Shadows instrumental song.I don’t remember how I felt or anything about the gig itself. Last Gig was in Germany in August; The sound on stage was one of the worse it felt especially after all the great sounding festival stages. My equipment broke down and I thought how am I going to make it through this. It ended up a fantastic show. It was like a miracle.

What was the first record you ever brought and the most prized record in your music collection today?

I only remember having bought 1 record with my friend at age 14 or 15.It was Deep Purple in Rock. We heard about the singer singing really high so we were curious and bought it.

A December UK coming up, what can the audience expect this time around?

We play a new song off our new album- Spirit on a Mission- a bunch of the Bridge The Gap album and a bunch of different classics we haven’t played before and of course the Must Play ones.

How do you keep healthy enough for your relentless touring schedule and is there any downtime away from music?

My life is music. It’s all fun. It never feels like work.

Finally, who controls the music or TV on the tour bus and what are the current favourites?

I travel by car and train whenever I can. It makes it feel like being on a sight seeing trip or holiday