Bluebeard is a band that has been almost famous twice with an unexpected tragic twist of having three lead vocalists during their history leading to a blessed reincarnation. Born in 1972 and playing on the Sunset Strip in the late 70’s with bands like Van Halen and The Motels, Bluebeard was highly celebrated as they sold out the Whisky a Go Go on multiple nights on a weekly basis along with any other venue they played. Today they are recreated, and Bluebeard plays with bands such as Kansas and Blue Oyster Cult as well as sharing the stage with popular local acts such as a recent performance at the Canyon Club with Wild Child (popular tribute band to the Doors). While their music fits in with classic rock and tribute bands, their original music is their unique calling card with their current play list including their original music enhanced with new material. They have such an intense library of their own music that is highly celebrated so catching them in concert is an amazing experience and a first class act that includes a fog machine and special lighting effects that enhance Bluebeard’s polished performance. AAM caught up with Vincent Bitetti (guitarist and founding member) who was part of the driving force that brought Bluebeard back together to do it again in style.
AAM: What has inspired you to be the guitar player for Bluebeard?
VINCENT: The band is a dual lead guitar with keyboards hard rock band with progressive elements. That being said, I have been in the band since inception and it all started because I wanted to be in an original band – as opposed to a cover band - with Robert Barry Leech – our original front-man and all around musical genius – may he R.I.P.
AAM: Was it hard to get back the game and reunite with both original and new membership including the new lead singer?
VINCENT: When we decided to reunite it was really amazing as it was like we never stopped. That being said, there have been some member changes for the better over the past three years including the addition of keyboardist/producer Barry Fasman, guitarist Brian Barnum replacing Vincent Penny and Lee Gordon replacing Elington Erin. These guys are multi-talented, and Lee is not only a front man/lead vocalist, but also an accomplished guitarist/musician, which we intend to introduce via the live shows this year. It all kind of fell together for our benefit and the result is the best incarnation of the band in my opinion.
AAM: Was it hard to go on with the band after losing your front-man?
VINCENT: Yes and no. We are on a mission to tell his story – which is our story as well – and as musical soul mates we know this is what he would have wanted. If anything, it made us more determined and gave us greater purpose.
AAM: As you previously stated has honoring him been a strong reason for the band’s reincarnation and strong continuance?
VINCENT: Yes that is true. It is also true that we are evolving and using our past as a springboard for the future. He will always be with us in spirit and his music will live on through us. This band definitely has a life of its own and you can tell by the powerful live shows that it has all the ferocity of metal and the musicality of progressive rock. Lee calls it, ‘’the mighty roar.’’
AAM: What is your favorite Bluebeard song?
VINCENT: It is a song called “The Other Side of Heaven.” It is a 7 minute musical and lyrical journey that digs deep into true faith and false gods. It was written in 1978 but never recorded. We have a live recording from the Whisky a Go Go of the song which includes a three minute thunderous encore. The song really touches people with its power and melodic sense, along with hills, valleys and lyrical imagery. The song lends itself well to our live theatrical approach utilizing fog, strobes, flame throwers, blinding flash bulb banks and pyrotechnics. Another epic song to work into the set!
AAM: Which original song of yours best highlights your love of the guitar?
VINCENT: “Take A Little Time Out” – it’s in E minor, which is one of my favorite keys as it is allows the guitar to weep and wail at the same time. I use an eerie echo/chorus effect for the intro and power chords in unison syncopation with Brian for the choruses. For my solo, I use the wha-wha pedal and whammy bar to extract powerful emotion that fit’s the song’s lyrical and musical content. All facets of my playing come out in that song.
AAM: From opening for Van Halen in ’79 to opening recently for both Kansas and Blue Oyster Cult at The Canyon Club and other high profile venues, how does it feel to still be performing with household names?
VINCENT: It is pretty cool to get on a stage and hold your own with bands that we respect and admire. We are a perfect fit with hard rock and progressive rock bands as our style incorporates both elements and that’s why we usually get the nod from their management to open shows we ask for.
AAM: Nearly being on the verge again of being a household name must be exciting for you and Bluebeard?
VINCENT: We have worked really hard the past 3 years to make up for lost time. Our myspace page has now had over 73,000 song plays, so it seems word is spreading. At NumberOneMusic.com the plays are way over 100,000. We are really excited about the prospects of touring and having the ability to tell our story – although in some ways sad and tragic, it is also very uplifting in terms of the human spirit having the last word – everybody can relate to that.
AAM: Who are some of your influences?
VINCENT: This is a long list! For the band it includes Led Zeppelin, Yes, Evanescence, Dream Theatre, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Queen, Kansas, Blue Oyster Cult, Van Halen, Ratt, Journey, Jethro Tull… it’s endless!
AAM: What advice would you like to give for the new bands and young musicians coming up?
VINCENT: Be true to yourself, be loyal to your band mates and don’t sell out or sell yourself short. If you have talent, develop it and don’t quit.
AAM: Is there anything else you would like to ad?
VINCENT: We believe music is being discovered by people every day and people are discovering Bluebeard. The internet is very powerful and unlike radio, it is not confined to a play list. We also believe it all emanates from the live act – that is the product. The music as embodied in recorded form is at best a version of the live acts’ performance. We are very interested in touring, playing festivals and other events to get our music and story out to people discovering music beyond the radio or Wal-Mart shelf. To that end, we would like to find a manager or agent that is up to the challenge of working with us to fulfill our destiny.
AAM: When is your next show, and where can AAM Readers buy your album and find out more information on Bluebeard?
VINCENT: As far as shows, we are working on a show with Y & T at the Malibu Inn on April 3rd which I hope to confirm this week, and we are opening for Blue Oyster Cult on May 9th at The Canyon Club. We would love to find an agent that books national acts to work with us to book more shows as we can really enhance the attendance at via our advertising and street team efforts. The current album can be purchased at most Best Buys and everywhere on-line, including iTunes and Amazon.com. The best place to check out our story is at www.myspace.com/bluebeardmusic - read all about it!
AAM: Thanks Vincent for taking the time to chat with AAM about Bluebeard today.
VINCENT: Thank you, it was my pleasure and good fortune to talk about the passion in my life.
It was great catching up with Bluebeard’s Vincent Bitetti (guitar) after their recent Canyon Club show with Wild Child (Doors Tribute Band). The current line-up also includes two other original members Gayle Hart (bass) and Danny Bogan (drums) along with the music producer Barry Fasman (Keyboard) that was recruited for Bluebeard’s comeback and Brian Barnum (guitar) that replaced original member Vincent Thomas-Penny (guitar). When the band was recreated the biggest challenge was what would be the right thing to do after their beloved front-man, founding member, and inspiration Robert Berry Leech committed suicide in 2004. Out of respect and to honor Leech’s spirit and the music, the remaining four founding members decided Bluebeard should live on. Ellington Erin stepped in temporary as Bluebeard’s lead vocalist for three years and in 2007 Lee Gordon stepped up to bat for Bluebeard becoming their new front-man doing an outstanding job of enabling the band to be able to proudly keep the spirit of Robert Berry Leech alive and rocking.
Check out Bluebeard’s myspace with nearly 59,000 profile views at www.myspace.com/bluebeardmusic and a few of their over 18,000 friends that include Slash, Gene “Doc” Snyder (who helped write some Bluebeard songs), U2, The Cult, Pearl Jam, Ozzy Osbourne, Vincent Neil, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Styx, MotorHead, Barbara Walters, Whisky a Go Go, and of course one you all already know, All Access Magazine. While you’re there, listen to “Paint It Black,” “Bad Dream,” “In The Streets Of LA,” and “I Don’t Know About Me.” You can buy Bluebeard’s original album Bad Dream for a fortune on E-Bay, but their reunion 13-track album Delux With Reverb is widely available at Best Buy, Borders, Target, iTunes, Starbuck’s Hear Music, Rhapsody, etc.
