Alex Skolnick

Interveiws :

Band : Testament
Interviewed : Alex skolnick
Interviewer :Alorchi Samir Date: 07/04/2007 Website : http://www.alexskolnick.com

Samir : Hi! Thanks for talking to us.

You're welcome

Samie: How's everything with the band?

Everything is good. It's been interesting to go back and forth between different styles of music, and
I'm having fun.

Samir : i have heard that you took lessons from Joe satriani that's true ?. so Tell me more about those
days .

True. I was fourteen years old. Joe was the local legend that everyone studied with, including
many that would go on to be in well known bands (Metallica, Primus, Counting Crows, Charlie Hunter and
more). I studied with him for about two years. He was
my first 'serious' teacher.

Samir : You created a name for yourself as a guitarist and on top list of guitar players.That what re you looking for or still looking about another thing ?

I felt very limited and that there was more out there. I didn't want to be stuck. I love metal but
feel that it's easy to fall in a trap of not being open to anything else as a listener and an artist. I
felt the only way I could truly grow was to step away
from it indefinately.

Samir : Tell me a short story about ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO. and differences between it and another projects?

I put the trio together while doing my university studies in New York, where I'm still based. Matt
Zebroski (drums) and I had some of the same classes and started playing together. At first it was like any
other jazz guitar trio, then we added our rock influence and it took on a life of it's own. Within a
few years we had albums out and were touring.

Samir : What can you tell us about "Last Day In Paradise"?

It's our latest album and has more originals
than we've ever done. We took a lot more chances, both with the production and the composition. I think it's my best work as a guitarist and composer and Matt and Nate really sound at their best.

Samir: What's the idea behind the title of the album?

It's a reflection of the state of the world. Things have gotten so dangerous in the last few years,
any day could be your last day here on Earth.

Samir: How was the reaction of the fans after the release?

So far it's been great. There is something for everyone- metal fans really like 'Western Sabbath
Stomp' which has heavy 70's riffs, and there is plenty
of jazz as well.

Samir : When did you start recording "Goodbye To Romance"? Your opinion about this album .

We started GTR in 2001 and released it in 2002.
To me, we sound very 'young' and new on the album, and we're all better players now. But it has a very
special energy to it. I enjoy listening to it.

Samir : Why did Eric choose you for playing with them? Did you know them previously? How did it all happen?

I knew Testament (which was called 'Legacy' back then) through the local music scene. When Eric's
cousin quit the band, they needed a guitarist and a friend recommended me. Steve Souza, our singer, left
a year or so later to join Exodus and we brought in
Chuck.

Samir : What's your favourite music? That is, what music does the band listen to and currently like?
Who would you cite as influences?

I like so many different artists and styles of music that it is shocking to most people. My favorite
music is good, honest, heartfelt music, whether it's jazz, blues, metal or country. For example, I love
Joe Henderson as much as BB King, Black Sabbath and
Willie Nelson.

Samir : What's the difference with playing with Testament and playing with Savatage ?

Savatage was almost operatic at times and had more of a pop influence with the piano/keyboards,
vocal melodies, slower parts and more quiet moments. Testament was more of an 'in your face' full on speed
metal experience, almost like punk rock but more polished playing. Both were terrific at what they did.

Samir : What is in your opinion the best song on "The legacy" and why?

I think I like 'The Haunting' best because it combines different elements. The intro is like prog
rock, the verses are thrash and the solo is like
blues.

Samir : What is in the future for Testament? Are there things that the band wants to achieve that you haven't achieved yet?

Right now the future is many more shows and bringing the band back with a new energy, hopefully
better and smarter than before.

Samir : What about a new album? Or are you not thinking about that yet?

Yes, we've been writing new music. Some fans and media have been impatient about it, but I only
rejoined in '06 (officially) and we just settled on a permanent drummer, Nik Barker. Before that the band
had many issues that kept them from recording a new album, which Nik and I had nothing to do with. We ARE
working on it!

Samir : Lets go back to the early days of Testament and go through the history of the band.What memories
do you have from those days?

It was a crazy time. I was sixteen years old and in high school. Several nights a week I'd meet them at
a rehearsal studio and we'd play every few months or so. Within a few years we were touring with Anthrax,
Slayer and other bands.

samir : Do you think you can influence some people or anything else with your music?

I wasn't aware of how strong the influence is but it's true. I hear from guitar players often, some
of them very famous, who say they were influenced by me. It's a huge honor and very touching. I just do
what I do and don't think about it, but if the
influence is there, than great.

Samir: Give me your opinion about those guys as guitar players .

James murphy : Good player and engineer/producer
Steve Smyth: one of my favorites of the guys that
played in Testament after me.
Marc rizzo : incredible technique. I like how he
has a 'flamenco' influence .
Chuck schuldiner : very innovative as a songwriter
and guitarist. A sad loss.

Samir : You have played with marc rizzo in the same stage. so tell me more about this specially show.

We toured together, his band and Dave Ellefson. It
was a lot of fun.

Samir: You played in Dubai. How was that experience for you? maybe this is the first experience in arabic country

It was an amazing experience. Arabic countries get such a bad reputation in the American media. It
was great to meet all these young kids who were warm and human and just like any other metal fans and came
from countries like Iran and Syria. Just because our governments don't get along doesn't mean that we can't
as people.

Samir : If you 'll be invited to playing here in morocco, do you accept about this invitation?

Absolutely.

Samir : What would you like to say to your fans out there?

Thank you so much for the support. I hope to
visit you in the future.

Samir : Thanks for appeasing us. Thanks so much for spending time with us

You'rewelcome

Links :

http://www.myspace.com/alexskolnicktrio
http://www.alexskolnick.com
http://www.myspace.com/alexskol
http://www.myspace.com/testamentlegions
http://www.testamentlegions.com