THE BEAST

Interview with Wayne Olivieri, frontman of The NEW Bardots

Where is the band from?
New Jersey, USA

Has your upbringing/location played a role in your musical style and sound?
Well, my older brother used to play his records real loud and he unknowingly turned me on to The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Rail Road and all that great Rock and Roll back then...I would sneak into his room when he went out and play his records....As far as location, I would say No

Why “The New Bardots”? Where does the name come from?
The 60’s actress Brigitte Bardot...Our guitarist Gar came up with the name. We were going to call the band “The Bardots”, but there was a band by that name pretty popular in Austrialia...so we added “NEW”

What previous bands have you (each) been a part of?
I was in many band s from 7th grade through High School but my first real money making band I started with Gar was “The Rockids”....then After a 4 year run we broke up and I started “Olivers Twist” then Oliver Wilde” then After a 14 year break I started The NEW Bardots” with Gar.

What bands/artists have you toured with?
I have been lucky to have shared the stage with Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Yngwie Malmsteen,,Huey Lewis and The News, Twisted Sister and others

You have known and played with many famous rockstars in the past. Name those who left you with the best memories and who were awesome human beings as well as musicians.
I was involved with Jon Bon Jovi for over 15 years.....we were very close friends......too many stories to put down but I was lucky to know him when he was a fan of mine and then experienced his rise to superstardom first hand...along with performing with him on stage and teaching him some vocal techniques and the Harmonica among many other things.
I spent a few days with Huey Lewis playing golf and hanging out...he was a great guy. Dee Snyder is also a friend. Pat DiNizio (RIP) was a friend also who actually played in one of my high school bands with me. Eddie Brigati is also a friend and a GREAT, FUNNY guy!!! Joe Cerisano is also a good friend and we hang out often.

What artists have influenced your musical style or shaped you as an artist/band?
The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, The Who.

List at least 3 genres into which you think your music fits:
Rock, Country (Modern) and Metal

You have just released a rock cover of In The year 2525. What's the concept for this particular video?
I think 2525 is a statement of the times we live and the direction of where we as a species are heading.

What's your composing process?
We have released as a band over 25 songs or so, over the last two and a half years. Most all are created in the same fashion: Gar comes to rehearsal with an idea and plays it. Most of the time he has 80% of the music finished (verse and chorus chords). The band then puts in their ideas or suggestions and we all arrange the song. I create most of the melodies (unless Gar has one in mind) then I record the rehearsal and send it out to the guys the next day. I write the Lyrics within a few days, usually before our next rehearsal (we try to rehearse once a week) then we tweek the song or add a part, or a chord or a stop...whatever....then when we get a few songs arranged we head to the studio and record them.

What does it take to rock?
It takes passion...and the ability to take rejection as well as appreciation.

One thing that you like and one thing that you don’t like about contemporary music.
I ABSOLUTLY HATE the use of AUTO TUNE ........and most of the lyrics.
Some songs are good.

You have played in many legendary venues. Where would you go back to immediately to play again?
Too Many to mention......My Home venue is The Stone Pony in Asbury Park New Jersey.......Love that room.

In what country would you like to play and why?
Italy.....my heritage

What has rock and roll added to your personal life and lifestyle?
It is my life and lifestyle

What was your first love at first hearing with a song (of any music genre) that you played again and again?
Hard to remember that far back and there were so many but I can remember listening to The Who’s Album “Whos Next” over and over and over when I was very young.

Are you more the lighthearted kind of artist or do you feel like it’s important to bring messages together with your music?
I am both but as I get older and see what's going on in my country and the world... I’m very passionate towards the message statement side of the songwriting.

What can we do, collectively, to make this a better world? Is there some hope left?
Outlaw War on the planet..........Forbid oppression....outlaw pollution......Put together an organisation of countries like the United Nations, but in the sense of a peaceful rule of the world...No war allowed and no oppression of ANY KIND....and enforce these rules with a world court of military power used only with disciplined compassionate wisdom.

Any new release on the horizon?
Yes, we're going to mix our new single ON OUR OWN this weekend.

Any important message that you wish to deliver, as a band, to our readers?
Three  things:
1. You are where you are because that's where YOU choose to be.
2. LOVE
3. Download our songs