Nick Catanese jumped on stage with Uncle Sam during the opening show for Slaughter: What a cool night for Uncle Sam. And boy did they rock out “The Mob Rules” with Nick on guitar. I talked to Nick a little before the show, and what a great but quick conversation… So I thought I would ask his father a few questions as Nick was hanging out. Here are a few things I found out – and what another great conversation.
AAM: I’m here with Nick Catanese. Mr. Catanese, how are you tonight?
Mr. Catanese: Great; you?
AAM: I’m great, you are…?
Mr. Catanese: Well, Nick Catanese; my son is Nick Catanese, “Evil Twin” guitarist, working with Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society.
AAM: You are in Chicago meeting with the Washburn team/Bill Abel from Washburn, who sponsors your son, correct?
Mr. Catanese: Yes, we are talking about some new things. And to play and jump on stage too! Nick anyway…ha ha ha!
AAM: Wow, that was some cool stuff when Nick jumped up on stage tonight and played with the Uncle Sam boys, Bill Abel’s band, Bill, Larry, Rob and David.
Mr. Catanese: Since we were in town Bill asked Nick to get up and jam to “The Mob Rules.” I think it was great fun and those guys had some fun too.
AAM: It is very cool that you support your son like this, and you are also his manager, correct? Or, his band manager?
Mr Catanese: Yes, I’m Nick’s manager, and right now he is working on putting a new project together, a side project with Nick and Mike Stone from Queensryche, and Mike Froedge and Josh Sattler from Double Drive. The new project coming out will be called Speed X. We’ve been in the studio for a few, and have put down 16 or 18 tracks now. We’re working on some label interest already, and we are hoping to launch something in November and see what happens. It’s a total side project while staying with Black Label Society, but he and the other guys all talked about doing this side project while being in their respective places…so I’m helping out on that.
AAM: So I’m interviewing you for All Access Magazine and I’m ending up with a little story here, huh? Thank you, thank you….
Mr. Catanese: Oh yeah, it’s all up-and-up. We aren’t hiding anything, just a bunch of artists wanting to get together and play. Zakk even called while we were working in the studio and asked how we were doing and how the tracks were working out. He was anxious to hear how the project is sounding, and is being very supportive. Black Label Society has been on a little break here and Zakk is going to start writing a new CD this fall, and there are thoughts of a planned tour starting maybe March or April.
AAM: Wow, that’s great!
Mr. Catanese: They have been out of the country and now plan to hit the states pretty hot and heavy, and once Zakk gets that ready, Speed X may just open up for Black Label Society, with Nick doing double duty if everything works out to plan.
AAM: So you mean Nick playing for five hours straight, with Speed X opening and the BLS right after?
Mr. Catanese: Oh yeah, and maybe Zakk can jam with us for a few too. It will be a lot of fun and it gives Nick an opportunity to get into some writing and try his hand at that, and Mike Stone is a very proficient writer, Mike Froedge a great drummer. And then with Josh Sattler on Bass, ya know, it’s just a great bunch of guys and everyone gets along so we’ll have another little thing here.
AAM: Very cool. You are from Pittsburg, correct?
Mr. Catanese: Yes.
AAM: How proud you must be working with your son. What does it mean to see him up on stage, and how proud do you feel when you see him up there doing what you know he loves to do?
Mr. Catanese: Ya know (very humbly stating this), I am sure I am like any other parent watching their kid become successful. Seeing him from a little kid, when he first picked up a guitar when he was seven or eight years old, fumbling around and progressing to the artist he is today, and hookin’ up with Zakk… You don’t stand next to that guy and only pretend to know how to play guitar. And to be part of what he has achieved… I’m very proud. But I have to say I am more proud of who Nick is and how he handles himself. If you would have met him 10-15 years ago, he is the same down-to-earth guy. He doesn’t have that “movie/rock star” persona, he is just the same down-to-earth guy who helps the younger kids with music. I am more proud of that than anything he’s accomplished. I’m mean, I’m proud of that too, but he is just a great guy to be around. I’m just really proud of the person that he has become. He remains approachable, grounded, open to the younger generation with music.
AAM: That is awesome. I talked to him earlier and in just a short conversation, I completely understand what you are saying and agree. So I have to ask: When Nick was growing up, the first time he picked an instrument up, were you like, “Oh…the noise!”? Or did you support him from the beginning? All those years ago…do you remember…was it an, “Oh no, what are you doing, put that thing down!” or…?
Mr Catanese: (with a little chuckle) Ya know, it’s kind of funny, my wife’s – Nick’s Mom’s – side of the family had many musicians in it, all on her side not mine, and the last thing that she wanted was for Nick to be a musician and go through that hard life. And I was going that way too, but I kind of thought that when he was young, let him do it, let him maybe get it out of his system, that kind of thing. Maybe get to a point where he might grow out of it… Then the girls are going to come along and he might go a separate way, not follow the music. And it just never happened, it just got bigger and bigger and he followed what he liked to do, with his first band for about 10 years. And when that fell apart, like overnight Zakk called up and said, “Let’s go!” and really here we are.
AAM: So your support, guidance, is why we are here today.
Mr. Catanese: well we never pushed him into it and never pushed him away with it. It was what he wanted to do and I said to my wife that if this is what he wanted, then we needed to get involved and support him 100% - never imagining that it would ever go this far and be this fun. I figured I would have been retired a long time ago.
AAM: Well, I have to say it’s kind of cool that you’re not. Who are some of the big…
Mr. Catanese: You mean like Bill Abel from Washburn guitar? (laughing a little as Bill walks up).
AAM: And with that we are joined by Bill Abel from Uncle Sam and Washburn Guitar. Bill, how ya doin?
Bill Abel: Good, good; actually I’m doing great!
AAM: You just got off stage, finishing your set with Uncle Sam and jamming with Nick up there. How was that and opening for Slaughter and all?
Bill: Yep, Nick Catanese from Black Label Society joined us up there tonight, which was the highlight of my life! Which was awesome!
AAM: I thought so!
Mr Catanese: Yeah, that looked like fun. Bill is like family; we love his kids, his wife; he is why we are here tonight and just another reason why Nick plays Washburn stuff: They make great guitars and Bill is there for us no matter what and follows through with what he says. We love him.
AAM: Bill, wait until you see the shots I took (patting myself on the back a little). You are going to love them. (As Nick walks up) Hi again Nick! And we are done here so…
Nick: Nice, real nice (laughing).
AAM: Nah, joking; we talked earlier and we are good. You dad is a cool guy.
Nick: Yes he is.
AAM: Mr. Catanese, it was a pleasure meeting you and your son. I really appreciate your time tonight for All Access Magazine.com. Nick, our conversation was great earlier and your dad followed up with some for the same things we talked about and a little more… You rock!
Nick: My pleasure, my pleasure. Great to meet you and all the guys, and jam on stage.
Mr. Catanese: Yes great to meet you. And Bill, always a pleasure.
AAM: Again, thanks Nick, Mr. Catanese, and Bill. You guys rock! This is Obos signing off for All Access Magazine.com. Check us out online!
Get more information on Nick Catanese’s new project at www.myspace.com/nicket13, or at www.blacklabelsociety.net for his work with Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society and for any upcoming events. Also Check out information on Double Drive at www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic
