Joann Butler: '90s are back. Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah, man. Andy Patalan: The '90s had the best and most dynamic guitar sounds. Vinnie Dombroski: 30 years later, it’s almost like we’re seeing the light of day again.
We were on tour with Soundgarden in Europe. I just got on a plane and left. I’ve been having more fun lately and enjoying life more by accepting the fact that I’ve got some loose screws. The boys got some guitars stolen here.
Andy Patalan: The Candlebox guys already were like, "What can we do? Use anything we got." People come to the shows “Here, you can play this," or whatever. It's been great. Joann Butler: And final studio album.
Really final? Andy Patalan: You're watching Joann Butler In Studio With… Vinnie Dombroski: Vinnie Dombroski. Andy Patalan: And Andy Patalan from Sponge.
Vinnie Dombroski: Sponge. Joann Butler: Vinnie and Andy. Sponge in the house. Welcome to LifeMinute.
Vinnie Dombroski: Thank you for having us, Joann. Joann Butler: Aw, thanks for coming. So, how are you guys doing? Vinnie Dombroski: Slightly overwhelmed from the drive into town, you know, and the electricity of Times Square.
Had no idea that we were coming here. I mean, we saw the address, but I forgot exactly where it was. So, it was just like boom, overload. Joann Butler: Where did you come from?
Downtown? Vinnie Dombroski: Well, you know what? We were staying outside in Connecticut, outside of town. So, we came south down 95 and boom.
Andy Patalan: Played the Bowery Ballroom last night. So, yeah. Joann Butler: Yes. How was that?
On tour with Candlebox? Andy Patalan: It's fantastic. Yeah. Vinnie Dombroski: It's been a great tour.
Like the dates have been pretty much sold out and I think there's just this big new interest, a resurgence in the '90s music. Joann Butler: Yes. Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah. Joann Butler: How about that, huh?
It's amazing. Vinnie Dombroski: Real shot in the arm. We've seen it more over the last couple years. You know, we've been on tour with Everclear and Local H.
I think that was the last big tour we did. And it was just the same kind of thing. There's the old fans, but there's the new fans. And they're not necessarily the children of the old fans, you know?
Joann Butler: Yes, yes. I love that because that's like the last period. I think that's when I stopped with any like music, is the '90s is my thing. So I feel like ah like I'm reborn again.
It's amazing, and Candlebox. Have the fans been receptive to your new stuff? Like... Andy Patalan: Yes, very much so.
With the new single that we recorded off the new album, "Self-Inflicted Loss," it's pretty, I've noticed even more so that song is getting a reaction. You know, people love the classic songs that we play, but they're really, they're bringing up that one after the show. They're like, "I really like that song." You know, that's nice to hear, you know? Joann Butler: It's great.
The new album's great. Vinnie Dombroski: Well, it's not for everybody, you know? I mean, some Sponge fans might go, "This is weird." But, yeah, I think that it's truly not for everybody. Joann Butler: Do you think, why do you think that?
That they say this is weird? How do you think it sounds different? How would you describe it? Vinnie Dombroski: I think the feel, some of the vocal delivery.
There's a song about beef on the record, and you know, we never have done any songs about meat in the past. So people would be like, "What's up with this song about meat?" You know? Joann Butler: It sounds really good though, it’s really, really good. Andy Patalan: Yeah, a few warts, too.
It’s like, my instinct when we're working in the studio, it's like, "Hey, should we tweak this a little bit?" Vin’s like, "Nah, let's just roll with it," you know? We’ll roll with that first take, a solo. A lot of times, you know, those are the ones where you get the juice from, and you think, "Nope, we'll leave it right there." Joann Butler: That's cool. Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah.
So, it's real raw. Joann Butler: It sounds awesome. Really good. Let's see if I don't butcher this: Recuerda Tu Muerte.
Remember our death. Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah. Joann Butler: And final studio album. Really final?
Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah. Joann Butler: How come? Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah. It's not really an album world anymore.
We were talking to Leo, our publicist, and he's the publicist for Mötley Crüe, and he mentioned that Nikki was saying the same thing. Nikki Sixx from Mötley Crüe. Nikki was saying that it's just like… Joann Butler: He told me that actually.
Nikki Sixx: "I don't believe in making full-length records anymore." Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah. I mean, it's just like, you know, you’ve got 30 songs, you whittle them down to the 10 you want to record, and what do people listen to? Two songs, right? So, it's just like you go, "What's the point, man?" you know?
So we'll make singles or maybe an EP or something like that. We’ve got a live record that's coming out as well, but to make a studio record anymore, who listens to a whole album? You used to have to put it on the turntable, put the needle down, you listen to a whole one side, you know, or an 8-track or a cassette. And these days, it's just like you pull it up on, you know, the internet and you just play a song.
Joann Butler: That's changed since the '90s, hasn't it? Andy Patalan: Yeah. Yeah. Even last night, we never listen to music after shows.
You know, our ears are ringing and it was just something in the air last night. We put on, you know, our phone through the van stereo and start blasting song after, different song after different song, you know, playing DJ, because it was hard to DJ, you know, back in the '90s. It's like you would have to change the cassette or rewind it, or the vinyl or whatever. Now it's just like boom, everyone's a DJ, you know?
Joann Butler: Yeah. What's on your playlist? Andy Patalan: Wow. Vinnie Dombroski: Well, the album of focus was Screaming for Vengeance by Judas Priest.
One of the finest albums probably ever made. Joann Butler: Yes, I agree. Andy Patalan: We had a discussion last night about, on the way home from the gig about how the '90s had the best and most dynamic guitar sounds. So, we were going through the history of rock, you know, in the '90s and a little bit in the '80s and just talking about, you know, "Oh yeah, check this sound out.
Check this one out. Why is there no bass in this one?" That's because the guitars were rocking so much, you know? Vinnie Dombroski: Absolutely. No bass in Metallica, right?
But it's just like going all the way back to, you know, early, you know, the beginnings of grunge with the Melvins or putting on some Ted Nugent or, what else were we referencing, just guitar tone-wise? You know what I mean? So, it was just comparing Ted to Judas Priest. Andy Patalan: Judas Priest and Rage Against the Machine.
Yeah, it was just, it was a, like I said, we rarely listen to music because our ears are, give it a break, you know? We don't want to hear too much. But last night we were having fun. Joann Butler: That's so great.
And the guitar is really good on this album. It's really good. Andy Patalan: Well, thank you. Joann Butler: It's like, it’s simple and really good, you know it’s something so, you know, in a good way.
I mean that. Vinnie Dombroski: Some of it, you know, I don't often talk about what I play on the record, but "Self-Inflicted Loss," as we play it live, the opening riff is played by Kyle, our other guitar player, and he plays it really well. And it's really meant to be played childlike in a way. The way I play guitar, which I'm not accomplished, but I told Kyle to dumb it down.
Joann Butler: Really? Vinnie Dombroski: Don't play so good. Joann Butler: Yeah, it worked. It's really good, really good.
You're a drummer originally, huh? Vinnie Dombroski: Well, yeah, I do play drums. Yeah. Joann Butler: How did you become a frontman?
And realize you could sing? Vinnie Dombroski: I wanted to show off my shoes and socks. You can't see them behind the drums. Yeah, I certainly started out on the drums, but I was writing as well.
And when I was in a group called Loudhouse out of Detroit back in like 1990, the singer left the band. So, we were looking for singers, and in the meantime, we kept recording music, but I was singing on the demos. So from there, we really couldn't find someone we believed in vocally, so I just continued to sing and we started to do gigs and that was it. We just found another drummer.
That was it. Joann Butler: Like Chris Cornell's story with Soundgarden. Andy Patalan: Yeah, well Steven Tyler and Dave Grohl and on and on. That's a logical path from drums to guitarist, just, yup.
Joann Butler: Yeah, it's so funny. And what about you on a farm in Michigan? Andy Patalan: Yeah. Joann Butler: How did you end up in a Detroit rock band?
Andy Patalan: So, that's funny. Speaking of drummers, I’d just started college, but I wanted to pursue music in any capacity: playing, doing sound, anything. And Vinnie was in a band playing drums at the time. He was from Detroit, the band was based out of Milwaukee.
And I knew the management, and they plucked me, you know, out of college, and I'm like, "Okay." And off I went, and it's been ever since then. I was on the road for two years with him, you know, right out of, you know, dumped college. And yeah, it's been a blast. Joann Butler: So cool.
Vinnie Dombroski: Might have been like a pirate ship pulling up to your house, you know, this crappy van. And his mother always fed him so well, and none of us ate. We couldn't afford to eat. And he got in the van with all this food, and we immediately stole his food.
Andy Patalan: Yeah. Joann Butler: Forget the guitar, they just wanted food. Oh, that’s funny, it's awesome. Let’s talk about this record a little more.
What did you want this record to sound like? Vinnie Dombroski: You know, the tone of that record was kind of set with the lyric content, I think, out of the gate. So with what was going on lyrically, it had to match musically, tone-wise, color-wise of everything. And I think it was set, it's a darker lyric content to some degree, darker guitars to some degree, darker feel, but consider the title and the number 13.
That's it. Joann Butler: Yup. Andy Patalan: Yeah. It's a very first instinct, I think, with the layers of the instruments, the, not too many instruments that are on there.
It's like, like I mentioned before, a first solo, like that's what you felt. A lot of times guitar players, and I do a lot of producing, you overthink things. You'll do multiple takes, multiple, you know, versions, and different sounds, and Vinnie's like, "Nope, that's the first thing you heard. That's what you got." And then we just kind of run with it.
Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah, the instinct, you know? Andy Patalan: Yeah. Joann Butler: And what's the message in Remember Your Death? Vinnie Dombroski: It's a lovely thing.
I think, you know, really, maybe people don't need to be reminded of it, but I think it’s, you embrace what you, is clearly in front of you at all times. You know? And I see it in the faces of the crowd even more these days. There's less people standing out there with their phones, you know, and it's about really enjoying the moment and being in the moment.
And those moments are taken from us so often and so easily. So certainly Remember Your Death is a way to think about that. Joann Butler: Yeah. It's not so dark, it's actually uplifting, you know, to remember life is short.
Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah, yeah, yeah. For sure. Joann Butler: It's great. It's a great message, I love it.
And "Self-Inflicted Loss," tell us about that. And the video as well. Vinnie Dombroski: Wow. A lot of what we started with initially was some friends of ours from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios out in Burbank, California, Ciara Waggoner and Harv.
And they come from, you know, they're the Robot Chicken people, you know, all that wonderful stop-action stuff with clay. And they really were on board right from the beginning. They wanted to collaborate on something. So the song and the video, they actually picked that song, you know, to write a treatment for.
So it was something that began immediately before we even tracked the song. You know, it was a demo at the time when they got involved. So... Joann Butler: And candy corn.
What's the infatuation with candy corn? Andy Patalan: I think it was, like we talked about, if I'm not mistaken, the inspiration when people hear the music. And there was an artist that I believe just put these images together, you know, based on hearing the music way back in the day. The same thing with the new video for "Self-Inflicted Loss." It's like they just had a vision to incorporate some of that and some of what they do.
I think a lot of the album covers come in from that way. You hear the music... Joann Butler: So you didn't like love candy corn? You had no like, you know...
Vinnie Dombroski: No, there was definitely some candy corn in the studio when we were finishing up the record, too. Andy Patalan: Right. Yeah. Joann Butler: Yeah.
The Fisher-Price figures, that was cool, too. What about the words on that? What's it about? Where did it come from?
Vinnie Dombroski: "Self-Inflicted Loss." You know, just major dumb things, you know? Like when I think back at, you know, when you're an aspiring musician and you start to do things in bands, and there's a part of you that wants to, you've seen everybody else be a rock star, you go, "I'm gonna do that, too. I'm gonna be that person." You know, and there were some really dumb things that I did back then that I think I'm paying for to this day. You know what I mean?
I was on tour with Soundgarden. We were on tour with Soundgarden in Europe. I just got on a plane and left. Joann Butler: Why?
Vinnie Dombroski: Oh, how much can we talk about on this? You know... Joann Butler: We have time. Vinnie Dombroski: I mean, you know, I was being that guy, you know.
I was really being that guy. We were out in Europe and, you know, with a lovely woman, and I'm driving down the Autobahn, you know, 140 miles an hour and, you know, up for three days doing drugs and performing. And, you know, there's no shortage of all of that stuff. So it's like I'm having a great time.
And then, you know, we did a set, you know, over there, and we played a cover song, it's probably why I don't like Pink Floyd to this day, "Wish You Were Here," we played that. And our manager over there was like, she was so angry at me for doing that. She told me, she goes, "Vinnie, you might as well just go home." Joann Butler: Was that Susan? Vinnie Dombroski: I thought to myself, I go, "We've been making records and touring for a couple years now.
I'm burnt out. Good idea." So, I got out my credit card, I hopped on a plane from Germany, came to New York, and went right to rehab. And guess what, Joann? I'm certain that it's taken me all these years to kind of, the band has been so, like, busy.
We continue to tour, but all of a sudden lately things have been coming together. So 30 years later, it's almost like we're seeing the light of day again, you know. And self-inflicted loss, that is it, man. Joann Butler: I love that.
Well, that's good. Good for you that you did that. That's a good thing. Vinnie Dombroski: I don't know.
Joann Butler: Not a lot of people could do that. Vinnie Dombroski: Well, the comeback thing, you know, it's like that movie with Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler. It reminds me of that. Joann Butler: Oh, I love that.
It's inspiring that you fixed yourself. Do you have anything to say to people who are struggling? Vinnie Dombroski: Well, we have another song on the record, "Loose Screw." And "Loose Screw" is about living with your loose screws. I'm not interested in tightening them up anymore.
I'm done. I'm done recording, you know. Done making albums, I'm done trying to fix myself. I'm just done.
And I don't know, I've been having more fun lately and enjoying life more by accepting the fact that I got some loose screws. And that song, "Loose Screw," says it all to me. You know, I put it in a song, I forget about it. You know, I go, "Okay, I'm cool." I don't know, I wish I had something more to say that might sound helpful, but I don't.
Joann Butler: That sounds good. Vinnie Dombroski: I don't. I really don't. Joann Butler: Everything you say sounds good.
Vinnie Dombroski: I walk around like this every day, and I feel okay, you know. It's been a weird ride, but I'm pretty cool with it all now, you know? Joann Butler: Awesome. And yeah, Susan Silver, she's on the list here.
Vinnie Dombroski: She is? She's great. Well, Susan should remember all of that crap. I'm sorry I put her through that.
I'm really sorry. Susan Silver, I've learned things from her, but the one thing she was just, among other things, brilliant at, she was somebody who would always think before she said or reacted to anything. And it was, our first manager was a, you know, just a very worked up New York guy, you know, and everything happened fast. And we started working with Susan, and I'm going, "What's going on with her?
She's just so calm. What is this?" But, you know, the greatest manager for the biggest rock bands in the world. And that particular attribute was very, I think a major key, you know: calmly listen, don't react, think, then say something. Joann Butler: Yeah.
Vinnie Dombroski: What a talent. Joann Butler: What about Chris Cornell? What was he like? Vinnie Dombroski: Just really quiet, you know.
So, being on the road with him and their band, very, very quiet. I never got to spend time with him out on the road. I remember being over to the house for Lily, it was her first birthday, so Susan and Chris's daughter Lily for the first birthday, and he was very quiet then, too. So maybe he was just resting his voice.
I don't know. Joann Butler: Interesting. Well, you know what I didn't really realize until recently? You sound a lot like Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell.
Your voice sounds a lot like Alice in Chains. Vinnie Dombroski: I just love the group. I love those guys, you know. They're really special, cool, great guys.
Like no bulls***, you know. Just funny and fun. And… Joann Butler: That's cool.
But what was it like growing up? It was sort of post, I guess, that era for you guys, right? But was there competition between that scene for you? Vinnie Dombroski: You mean like those guys and us?
Joann Butler: Yeah. Vinnie Dombroski: No, I don't think so. You know, those guys are the Don Megas, so to speak, man. And me, I'm just like, you know, I'm some guy from Detroit that just likes to play music.
Joann Butler: Oh, well, Susan Silver had you. She saw something special. Vinnie Dombroski: Oh, she's so fantastic. So, you know, I couldn't apologize enough for...
Joann Butler: Hey, you had to do what you had to do. Vinnie Dombroski: ...putting her through all that crap. Joann Butler: Well you had to take care of yourself, so it's all good. Rotting Piñata, how has it aged for you 30-plus years later?
Vinnie Dombroski: Like any of the '90s stuff, if I sit down and listen to it, like that record, I'm really just blown away by not only, we were part of that, but all the other bands that are still around, some of them aren't, but I just, the music is just so profound, you know. It's so, it’s just so part of a cultural movement that we were a part of, and it’s just, I'm stunned by it, you know. But having thought about it a little more recently, prior to that, I never thought about it at all. Joann Butler: What was it like, like being from Detroit and then, I mean, Detroit's a huge music scene, but then to break it big, like what was that feeling like?
Vinnie Dombroski: I mean, we were kind of cocky, you know, back then getting signed, we never felt we had to come to LA or New York to get signed, and I never really believed it. Then when we finally had some management that said “The labels want to come and see you guys.” And we're just like, "Cool, tell them to come to the rehearsal space that's behind the bowling alley, next to the collision shop, where we share it with a bunch of other bands. And if they want to come there, tell them to come on by." And they did. Andy Patalan: Yeah, just you brought up the Detroit scene.
It's, everyone in Detroit’s always had a little bit of a chip because Detroit's been, you know, downtrodden for so long. But we carry that flag of music just historically, from Motown to anything, name an era, and there's just giant stuff that came in with the biggest rappers, biggest pop songs in the '60s, '70s, you know, rock and roll from Bob Seger and Ted Nugent, and then the '90s, you know. It's just never stopped. So yeah, that attitude of it's Detroit, you can come to us or there’s, you know...
Joann Butler: Interesting. Andy Patalan: Yeah. Joann Butler: Mike Cross, we lost him a few years ago. How do you look back on what you guys built together with him?
Vinnie Dombroski: I mean, Mike and Joe, the kind of things that they came up with and the attention to detail about what they put together, that's what I think that set Sponge apart slightly, where bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest that preceded us, they were really like metal bands with two guitar players. But we were a grunge or post-grunge band with two guitar players, not just two guitar players like one guy would lay back while the other guy did all the cool s***. It was two guys that really worked hard on putting together parts, you know what I mean? They paid attention to those parts like guys in Iron Maiden or Judas Priest would.
So, I think that if anything would set us apart, that certainly did. Joann Butler: So good. Andy Patalan: Yeah. A fan came to the show two nights ago with an envelope and wanted to share it with us.
And we opened it up, and it was a thank you note that Mike Cross wrote and mailed to this fan, you know, 28, 30, however many years ago it was. And it was really neat to see that. It was pretty touching, you know, that was like, that was a little insight into his, you know, what he cared about. Joann Butler: That's so nice.
That's so cool. Do you guys have a favorite song to play, or do you ever get sick of playing any of the old ones? Vinnie Dombroski: I really like playing the new song. You know, it's coming together really nice.
You know, the way the guys play on it is just really cool. I never shy away from playing the hits. You know, it's like those are still, to see people's reaction to those songs, it's very cool. So, what about you?
Andy Patalan: "Molly," I love "Molly," you know. It just never gets old to me, you know, playing it a million times. And "Got to Be a Bore" is always really fun, it's got one of the best, not that necessarily, the top… Vinnie Dombroski: Well it features you.
Andy Patalan: But the guitar riff in it is like, I just, I just, I still get chills when I, you know, when it was recorded, I remember it. I just, I love it. Vinnie Dombroski: You did something so cool last night. It was like, it was that pregnant pause, like you stop when you're doing that setup with the talk box.
You need to just wait a little longer because people will cheer even more. Andy Patalan: Yeah, that's true. That's true. Vinnie Dombroski: We're talking show biz right now.
Joann Butler: What happened? What happened? Andy Patalan: There's just a talk box intro, and… Vinnie Dombroski: You know what the talk box is?
Joann Butler: Yeah. Andy Patalan: Yeah, yeah. So the little freestyle thing at the beginning of it, and there's a pregnant pause. Is that the right way?
Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah, it's just like, you know, milk it, because they’re just like, people are pumped up because he's doing like a little solo thing with a talk box and he stops for a second, and you know, that's when the crowd just goes… Andy Patalan: Yeah. Vinnie Dombroski: Make it last longer. Milk it.
Joann Butler: Milk it. Oh, that's awesome. Where did the name Sponge come from? Vinnie Dombroski: So, we released a lost tracks record, was it last year?
And it's called The Electric Cattle Gods. And The Electric Cattle Gods could have been the name of the band. And so Electric Cattle Gods was first, the name Sponge was second on the list. And so we were playing a show near Detroit, and the owner of the club said, "What should I put on the marquee?" And we said, "Electric Cattle Gods." And he said, Joe Sgroi was his name, he said, "I don't have enough letters." I’ve got to imitate Joe.
"Vin, I don't have enough letters, enough for that." So I said, "Well, put Sponge up there." And he did. Sponge went up there, and that was it. Joann Butler: It's a good one. It's a good name.
Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah. Joann Butler: How has creating music changed for you guys, you know, in all these years? Or maybe it hasn't. Andy Patalan: I think that the origins haven't changed of where a song comes from.
It's an acoustic guitar and vocals, you know. It just comes from lyrics or whatever. But the major thing that has changed is the way it's recorded, or you know, it used to be a recording studio, and everyone gets together at the same time and does it. And now it's not only that, it is that, but it's also piecemealing things, you know.
During the COVID time, it was like emailing stuff, you know, files. Now it's gotten a little bit back more to normal, you know, in the studio recording, but it’s anything, anything goes, you know. "Hey, I got this crazy, you know, instrument or player or somebody wants to play, you know, jump in on this." And it's not like you have to fly them in to do it. You know, you could have anyone, you know, do their part and send it in if you want to.
There's a bit to say, we did a few years ago, we did an album called The Beer Sessions, which was old school: everyone in the room, one song, get it done in one day, mix it in one day, and be done with it, which was a lot of fun. You know, that was, it’s, I think almost every musician would agree, it’s like, that's the way they prefer to do it, you know: concentrate on one song and be in a room together. Yeah. Joann Butler: That's so cool.
Andy Patalan: Yeah. Joann Butler: How does the song come together, though? Like, do the lyrics come first and the sound, or how does it happen for you guys? Vinnie Dombroski: Sometimes it could be a guitar riff, you know, but generally I like to know where I'm starting, you know?
Usually there's a chorus, you know, there's an idea. And that idea, you know, it's like on the new record, "Stealing Shadows." I just go, "That's cool." And I'll go, "But what is it?" And then there's the sitting part: "What is it?" You know, what tuning goes with that idea? And then you got to kind of, what's the word? Expound on things and start to, maybe you get a line, you know.
But it's all about sitting and waiting, you know what I mean? It's like I don't use any AI or gadgets or programs, it's just sit in a room and go, "What is it?" And if you get one line, sitting around an hour and it's a good one, the rest of the song typically comes around, you know what I mean? And then the feel should follow that, the vocal idea and the melody, you know, and you fill in the blanks. Joann Butler: No, I don't know what you mean, because it's like amazing to me.
I can't... Vinnie Dombroski: I mean, I can explain it to that degree, but where it comes from is a whole different place. And really, the best thing, we could sit down and write you a song right now, no problem. But then those good ones, they come from some other place.
I really don't know what that is. But the more I get out of the way and let it come, then it's a worthwhile idea, I think. Andy Patalan: It could be we, when we strap you down and sledgehammer your legs, to the, and then you can’t go anywhere for, misery… Vinnie Dombroski: Does that mean I'm...
Andy Patalan: Then you have to write something. Vinnie Dombroski: I’m gonna be home for a while? Andy Patalan: Yeah. Vinnie Dombroski: Cool.
Joann Butler: That's so cool. And you have five kids Vinnie? Vinnie Dombroski: I do. Joann Butler: Wow.
My God. What's that like? Actually, I'm one of five, so... Vinnie Dombroski: Oh, you know, and…
Joann Butler: I’m the kid, I’m not… Vinnie Dombroski: It's just that, all the kids play music, you know? Joann Butler: Really? Vinnie Dombroski: Which is wonderful.
We do this thing by the house every once in a while, it's an acoustic thing. On the perfect day, all the kids come down and they sit in and they sing or they play, and my buddy's kids come. I mean, it's a lot of fun. You know, in the early days, my oldest boy is 45, and I have two grandkids, but in the early days, I was traveling with bands all the time.
So it’s like, those guys, they didn't see me for a long time. My youngest son from my first marriage, he was two when I finally kind of got home and didn't know who I was. He was afraid to look at me because he didn't know who I was. But, you know, that's that guy being out there trying to be that guy.
Andy Patalan: Now all you need is a big, colorful bus. Vinnie Dombroski: That sounds like a TV show, let's do it. Joann Butler: Wow, amazing. How do you hone your voice?
It still sounds really good. Vinnie Dombroski: I just got to get a t-shirt that says, "My back is killing me, my knee's hurting, my ears are ringing, and my throat is shot." It's holding up pretty good. You know, I always try to warm it up. And, you know, I got a mechanic, I call him a mechanic, my ear, nose, and throat guy, you know, which is not for just drugs anymore.
You know, back in the day, you know, there's a guy I go to for... never mind. But anyway, yeah, it's holding up pretty good. Joann Butler: It is. Andy Patalan: He's got a routine that he sticks to now, which is I think different from years back, you know, when...
Joann Butler: Like what? What does he do? Andy Patalan: Well, he'll disappear 45 minutes before the show or an hour before the show and warm up, just every single time do this warm-up. And everyone's got their different ways of doing it, but yes, he’s, I think that’s, consistency is important.
Vinnie Dombroski: Well, it's also, you know, don't eat three hours before the show, don't eat three hours before you go to bed, no dark liquor on show days, you know, very little alcohol, as a matter of fact, anymore. You know what I mean? Try to watch the coffee, no chocolate, no hot foods, blah blah blah. It's all this crap.
This is a lot of stuff, you know what I mean? That's why when I'm out here, I just after a while go, "Enough. I'm tired of this. I don't like pampering myself like this." Joann Butler: I know.
It's tough. It's got to be tough. You mentioned a little bit, influences. Who were your influences growing up?
And anybody of today you guys like, think are good, like good guitarists or good singers that you love? Andy Patalan: It's the gamut, really. I love, like, blue-eyed soul, if you know, The Spinners, the Detroit Spinners, and then rock and roll: Ted Nugent, Bob Seger back in the day. And then I, as a kid I loved, started to get into really heavy stuff, you know, like the early Metallica and Slayer.
And it just seemed the '90s rock thing, where guitars were like, where it was all about guitars, seemed to like, it all made sense then. So anything with big guitars, I enjoyed. Joann Butler: I'm right there with you. Andy Patalan: Yeah.
Joann Butler: I loved "Wango Tango." Andy Patalan: Yeah. Vinnie Dombroski: You do? Joann Butler: Yes. Vinnie Dombroski: Sweet.
Joann Butler: I still like Ted Nugent. Andy Patalan: Oh, I recorded his last three records. Joann Butler: Really? Andy Patalan: Yeah.
So, it's like a childhood dream came true. Yeah. Joann Butler: Oh my gosh. Andy Patalan: Yeah.
He's just a sweetheart, sweetheart guy. Joann Butler: He seems it. Andy Patalan: Yeah. And...
Joann Butler: That's so cool. Andy Patalan: Criminally insane guitar player, just out of this world still, you know, at his age, just… Vinnie Dombroski: The tone, man. Andy Patalan: Yeah.
Joann Butler: Is he really still? Andy Patalan: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everyone can give or take his politics, but if you deny what he does on the guitar, then you're out of your mind. Vinnie Dombroski: Right, right.
Or his influence on the guitar world. Joann Butler: That's so good. More, more. What else?
What about you? Vinnie Dombroski: Oh, influences? Joann Butler: Yeah. Vinnie Dombroski: Oh, man.
It’s like, when I think about that, you know, I just go, I mean, I think Iggy Pop is kind of the, he is the pinnacle go-to for, the prototype for any front person. You know, male, female, doesn't matter. And, you know, I would just start there. Certainly, I've had musical influences when I was a kid growing up, but when you boil it all down it’s, I think it's not only a performance thing, it's a lifestyle thing, it's a writing thing.
I just look at, you know, Hank Williams Sr. was a hero, Miles Davis, hero. What Miles played, how he lived, how Hank lived. And I just kind of boil it down to that anymore, you know. I certainly love some of the new bands.
Well, Amyl and the Sniffers aren't new anymore, but what she's done in the music world, the rock world, is pretty awesome, you know. Or the Idles or Viagra Boys, you know, just cool stuff. I just, I really enjoy that. There's plenty of new things going on that are great, but yeah, I boil it down to some pretty simple stuff.
Joann Butler: What about your favorite guitarists? Andy Patalan: Guitarists? Well, we talked about Ted. Eddie Van Halen, you know, was life-changing when, you know, first hearing his stuff.
And then, like I mentioned, the Metallica sound was just, that really made me start putting more distortion on my amp, you know? That was like, "Well, how do you get more?" Just more, you know? Yeah. And I guess it's less bass.
I guess that's how they get... Vinnie Dombroski: No bass. Andy Patalan: No bass. Yeah.
Joann Butler: And we didn't really talk about Candlebox too much. How's touring with them been? Vinnie Dombroski: They're really saving our asses, you know, because we had a situation where the boys got some guitars stolen here. So, we showed up to the gig, you know, we're just like, "You guys, can you loan us some guitars?" So, I mean, on top of everything else they've done for us...
Joann Butler: When did that happen? Andy Patalan: This was about I think a week and a half ago. We were in, outside of DC in… Vinnie Dombroski: Silver Spring.
Andy Patalan: Silver Spring, and we played, and at the hotel after the show, and we've been heisted before, so we've learned from it, you know, and we took, take precautions, you know. And they just worked their way around, you know, like they got big enough things that cut through whatever it is you got, and took only the guitars, you know. They didn’t, they couldn't, I don't know if they couldn't get everything else out or couldn't carry enough, but they, you know? So, like Vin said, the Candlebox guys already were like, "What can we do?
Take, use what, use anything we got." And there have been so much great outpouring from people offering, sending us a couple guitars, and offering, people coming to the shows, "Here, you can play this," or whatever. It's been great. You know, how bad and sad we are for losing, you know, a few of these, that the outpouring has just been a good feeling to see, you know? Joann Butler: Well, that's nice.
That’s good. Good. Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah. And they're a great sounding band.
Like talk about throat, voice, Kevin is just killing it, man. I just, it almost defies logic, you know? This guy is just sounding so good, and the band is killing, you know? They're just a great group of guys, and they're killing it.
So, it couldn't be going better. You know, we have three more dates on the tour, so I'm assuming it's going to all be, you know, steady as she goes. Joann Butler: That's awesome. What's next for you guys?
Vinnie Dombroski: Maybe just take a little bit of time off, you know. That would be nice. Andy Patalan: Yeah, we got in May, when is it? The Creed cruise.
We're playing a big cruise with Creed and Sevendust and Breaking Benjamin and lots of bands. So, that's coming up next year early. And a couple of these big festivals, too, we're on, which is really exciting. Louder Than Life, I think.
Joann Butler: Oh, yay! Yeah, that's a good one. Woohoo! The '90s are back.
Vinnie Dombroski: Yeah, man. Joann Butler: And better than ever. I love it, so good you guys. You guys are awesome.
Vinnie Dombroski: Thank you Joann, you too. Joann Butler: Thank you so much for coming. Andy Patalan: Thank you.
