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SNEW: "What's It To Ya"

SNEW and their third album "What's It To Ya" - loud, in your face, sleaze/hardrock from the US of A. Having gained a loyal following for their raw, electrified monster rock n roll, the band has taken another huge step towards world domination. Produced by Bobby Owsinski, a pioneer in surround sound music mixing whose production credits include projects for Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and Chicago. Recorded and mixed by Ken Scott who has recorded many of rock's seminal albums, including Beatles White album, David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and Supertramp's Crime Of The Century. SNEW are definitely ready for the next level and new bassist Willie Basse of classic metal pioneers Black Sheep fame, fits right in with the band. Here to Snew You and let you in about "What's It To Ya" , their lead vocalist:  CURTIS DON VITO...

How has the reaction to your latest CD been?

Well the album just came out a few days ago but so far the response has been amazing. Long time fans love it and we are picking up lots of new fans along the way. We are stoked.

How long did this CD take to make from start to finish, recording-wise?

We spent a total of nine months on it. The first month or so in pre-production with our producer Bobby Owsinski in our rehearsal studio. All the while sending recordings of it to Ken Scott then we moved into Total Access. We took our time and really took advantage of working with Ken and his vast experience and knowledge.

What kind of 'sound', production wise, did you have in the back of your mind, prior to entering the studio?

Well when we knew we were going to be working with Ken we knew the best course of action was to go for a "classic" sound. He's produced some of the best selling and most beloved albums in rock history. We wanted that vibe to be on this record. No one gets a sound like Ken except Ken.

What kind of input did the producer have during the process?

We've been working with Bobby a long time, he produced our first two albums. Since he knows us so well he's able to zero in on who we are and when we're at our best. He'll sit back in the control room and listen to a take and say "I think you got a better one in you" and he's always right because the next take will be better or sometimes it's the opposite we'll run through the song and he'll say "that's the one" but for whatever reason we want to do it again then when we listen back we realize the first take was on fire.
Bobby really is our fifth Beatle.

And are you pleased with the final outcome? (sound - production wise)

Oh hell yes. We recorded at one of the best studios in LA with Bobby and Ken Scott. What can I say, magic.

Did the producer (you) use any (weird) experimental miking and/or recording techniques?

Ken was fully in charge of that department. That man is an alchemist. I have no idea how he got the sounds he got. He'd say "let me try something" then he'd move some mics around, turn some knobs and WOW. Ken works rather silently and with no sweat at all, then he'd say "that's what I did on the White Album or on Ziggy Stardust" we didn't question it.

How did you go on about capturing your 'live sound' in the studio, or perhaps you didn't

We always try to capture our live sound but with a bit of something extra. We record the songs together as a band just like being on stage, bring the "live" energy to each song. All of us together in the same room laying it down. But it'll never be the same as at a concert because there is one very important missing element, the crowd. There are things you can do live that you can't do in the studio and there are things you can do in the studio that you can’t do live. So we take advantage of each to its fullest extent.

Please inform us about your favourite songs and lyrical highlights and why?

That's an unfair question. I love all the songs we've recorded. That's why we recorded them. We don't put "filler" tracks on our records. If the song isn't one we'll want to listen to a thousand times ourselves we write another one. I write all
the lyrics so I can comment on that but I won't reveal too much because it's the listeners job to interpret each song their own way. It's up to you what it's about. I did have fun writing "Pull My Stinger" it has lots of innuendo and is about way more than what you might think on the surface. I love doing that. Actually that's probably the case with just about all the songs.

Any overall theme of mood that you're trying to capture while writing songs?

Each album has a basic theme. The first one "Snew You" is about "here we are" we are who we are, deal with it. The next one "We Do What We Want" is about independence. With "What's It To Ya" it's all about going places and having deliberate experiences, one's you'll want to remember. Every day you wake up you feel differently about something and every day there's something new to inspire you. In music weather there's good times or bad there's always a way to take that energy and make it ROCK.

Did the record company interfere with anything on your "sound" and songs?

We are in complete control of our content. We have no one to answer to but ourselves. So, no.

Are there any 'crazy' behind the scenes anecdotes from these sessions that you can share with us?

We recorded the album at the last place Ronnie James Dio recorded. I swear I could feel his presence especially when I was recording my vocals. It wasn't spooky it was inspiring. Like he was there watching and rooting me on. I'm not kidding, Ronnie was THERE. That's why we dedicated this album to him.

How would you describe the sound of your new CD to any potential new fan? 

An awesome rock n roll party.

Who are your influences and heroes? (music-wise)

Kiss, Motorhead, Alice Cooper, Ramones, MC5, Zeppelin, Purple and of course AC/DC. Damn near every hard rocking band that came out of the 70s. That's my favorite period for hard edged music. Vocally of course I have to say Dio. He set the high water mark for power. I'll always strive to reach that. Ian Gillan and Steve Marriot of Humble Pie were big
early influence in my vocal approach as well. Actually every great rock n roll performance I've ever heard gave me something to think about.

If there's anything you'd like to add, say, please do:

Come by the website www.snewyou.com  send us an email or find us on Facebook and message us. We'll always reply. There's nothing better than getting to know a fan or well wisher. It's a big world and I want to know as many of you as I can.
Cheers!
Curtis Don Vito/ SNEW

Interview by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
Photos from the band's websites www.snewyou.com  and   http://www.facebook.com/snewyou/
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