SCOTT EARL - CULPRIT

💿Hi, it's a pleasure for us to have on Hardrockheavymetal SCOTT EARL of CULPRIT!! Welcome!! Thanks good to talk to you. 💿The debut of CULPRIT, the awesome "GUILTY AS CHARGED", came out in 1983 via SHRAPNEL RECORDS. Can you tell us somethin'about these years? Why there wasn't the chance for a second full-length? Well we basically had no support. The label wasn't doing anything for us we had no management and we were pretty young lol I wish we could have toured Europe but back then it seemed impossible. We got involved with Mike and Roger Fisher (Ex HEART) and did a 4 song demo, but we really changed the direction of the band and tried to write songs we thought could be played on the radio. At the time which I understand why we did it but in hindsight it was a mistake. Then life got in the way, Me and KJ got an offer to join TKO and the rest is history.  💿You had many reunions in thepast but now it seems, with a new line up, there will be a bright future for the band. Can you introduce to our readers new mates MINO MEREU and PATRICK ABBATE?  Well, Patrick and I have been friends for many years he was living in the U.S. when we met but he is from Italy. Sardinia to be exact.  

Anyway he grew up with Mino and we met a few years back and I just love the way they both play. 

So we actually started demoing some songs and then I asked them to do CULPRIT with me. For the record all the original members were asked to be involved but declined. Although Jeff and Bud came out and did a song with us at our Seattle show, which was really cool. 

💿To celebrate GUILTY AS CHARGED, we're in waitin' for the new version live. Can you tell us somethin about this choice? So we had played a few shows and then we got the offer to play Keep It True Festival. 

The plan was to release the Guilty as Charged Live!!! before we played because I thought it was important for people to hear the new line up doing the songs. Especially the guitar parts which are very different from the original record. Patrick really changed the songs the most in a good way. 

We tried to mix it ourself and then at the last moment we decided to get Kelly Gray (ex Queensryche) to do the mix. It took longer than anticipated so it did not come out be for K.I.T.  Another reason I wanted to do it was because I was never really happy with the production of the original release either. This new live version is much more in line with the vision and how I really wanted it to sound.  There is something special about the original but I'm really proud of the way this live record turned out and I hope people will give it a chance when it finally does get released. We are just now starting to play it for people and are looking for a label to release it. If no one is interested we will release it ourselves and move on.

 The plan is to finish writing this new record and start recording at the beginning of 2020 and hope to put it out by next summer. 

Really excited about new Culprit music for the first time in 35 years. 

💿Can you tell us somethin'about the birth of your passion for music? Which bands and artists have influenced you the most? My parents always played great music around the house when I was young and I played Piano and Trumpet until I was about 13 and then I discovered Kiss lol. 

But early on favorite bands were Zeppelin, Rush, Queen, Sabbath, Rainbow and then when I got older I loved everything from Maiden and Angel Witch to Prince and INXS. I love anything good lol. 💿The real "news" in music industry is the return of vinyl and cassette; what's your feeling about these classic format and the current music "business"? Vinyl is cool. I don't know about cassettes. I think people miss having something to touch and art work for Vinyl was always so cool. I always missed that. As far as the "business" I think that now there is not as much or any money in it like back in my day.

We should start seeing some amazing artist because you really have to love it to want to choose music as your life now. On the downside with technology any dipshit can make a record in their bedroom so there is so much material to hear it's very hard for bands to get noticed.

 Too many bands sound the same and I don't think being original and different are celebrated as much as the 70's and early 80's.  

Back then all kinds of amazing bands were coming out and they all sounded different until the Hollywood hair bands. 

I know there are some amazing bands out there but good luck finding them. 

💿Can you tell us somethin' about your next live projects? Are scheduled any gigs? We are really going to concentrate on finishing demos this summer for a new record and figure out if anyone is interested in putting out this live record.

 We are talking about doing a few west coast shows in the U.S. around October and possibly Italy in November but nothing is set for sure.  💿You're a brilliant musician with a lot of experience and you have the chance to share the stage with many artists  and bands..Who were the craziest which you met? Thank you! All musicians are crazy lol but I would have to say Van Halen is one that comes to mind. I got to hang around them a few times when I was like 15 and wow they were fun 24/7.

 Also Metallica could drink with the best of them back in the day. 💿Thank you so much for your time! See you soon on Hardrockheavymetal! You're welcome! #pics From Band 

#CULPRIT