Leatherwolf is an Orange County and Los Angeles-based hard rock and heavy metal band, known for their triple lead guitar approach. Featuring; Mike Olivieri, Geoff Gayer, and Carey Howe. But even though conventional wisdom suggests one can never have too much guitar where heavy metal is concerned, this differential alone wasn't enough to break the band beyond the heavy metal underground.
Through the years, Leatherwolf has gone through multiple vocalists over the past decade. Original vocalist Michael Olivieri quit the band after the release of the 'Wide Open' live album and was replaced by vocalist Chris Adams who in turn recorded a demo with the band. Adams was later let go when Mike Olivieri rejoined and he also recorded a demo with the band. Mike Olivieri quit once again and Racer X vocalist Jeff Martin was brought in to record yet another demo. Martin also left and was replaced by Wade Black of Seven Witches fame. Wade Black eventually sang on the final product which materialized as the album 'World Asylum'. Ironically Wade Black also left the band after the album's release and a small tour. Mike Olivieri has returned to complete the original line-up and has re-recorded the vocals for the 'New World Asylum .
The Rocker and I caught up with Mike Olivieri about the band's latest release and what they have planned for the future. Here is what he shared with us.
AAM: First off, welcome back Mike! 'New World Asylum' sounds awesome!
MIKE OLIVIERI: Thank you guys very much. I am really proud of the new album, I think it’s a really, really good album.
AAM: How did it feel when you got that call to rejoin the band?
MO: You know, for me being out of the band for awhile and then getting a call from Geoff saying, 'Hey, Wade is out of the band, do you what to do this?'. I told him that I would do the record, but I would have to re-record it. When it was initially released it really didn't get any press. It was just sitting on there doing nothing, so I decided to re-do the whole thing. It’s like a bad cold. You can never get rid of it. I just really respected the product they put out. The World Asylum record was really good and Dean’s turning into a great engineer. Just working with Dean and Geoff, we’ve known each other going on 26 or 27 years so it’s a natural thing.
AAM: So, you re-recorded all the vocals? What guitar parts were you?
MO: Yes, I re-did all the vocals for 'New World Asylum'. The only solo I played was the ending solo on "Dr. Wicked". As far as the guitars go, we approached that carefully. All the guitar players were awesome and it was like, what can I do?
AAM: Are you happy with the response the new album is getting so far?
MO: I can't be more happy with the response we are getting. Mostly all positive. Then there were some that didn't like it, but you know, we can't please everyone. But on a whole, the response has been very good.
AAM: Is true that guitarist Geoff Gayer is no longer a member of Leatherwolf? Have you found a replacement?
MO: That is true, unfortunately Geoff is no longer with the band. We are working with this guy named Greg probably nobody's heard of him. He's just a really great player and he's got a great attitude. We haven't played a show with him yet. So we'll see how he does.
AAM: Are there tours scheduled for you guys?
MO: Yes, we will be doing the ROCK AGAINST DIABETES in August. Then there is METALFEST that will be taking place in Kansas.
AAM: What would the set list be like ?
MO: We'll probably be doing three or four songs from each album as far as our set list. We want to represent each phase of Leatherwolf.
AAM: What was the situation with Wade Black leaving the band?
MO: I really don't know the circumstance surrounding that. That is something you would probably have to ask Wade about. One thing is he lives Florida and the band is based in California, so that might have been part of it. It may have also been a money issue as well.
AAM: When you were not in Leatherwolf, you formed a tribute band called DESPERADO, an EAGLES Tribute band, right?
MO: Yeah, I did that for a while, about a year. I grew up on THE EAGLES and a friend of mine was doing it and asked me to join. It was kinda fun being in a vocals band. Five people sang and I’m into the vocal harmonies. I got tired of that really quick and left.
AAM: You played on a cruise ship right? What was that like?
MO: That is true. Although it was a cheesy lounge band I had a good time. People get crazy on those ships; teachers, librarians, secretaries… the funny thing was on Sunday when the husbands drop them off and say have a good time, these ladies turn into maniacs! (laughs).
AAM: Michael, thanks so much for your time. One last thing, what’s next for you?
MO: Thank you guys so much for your support. As for what is next, my solo album should be coming out in couple of months. I look forward to talking to you guys again when that album comes out.
The Rocker and I along with All Access Magazine would like to thank Michael Olivieri for sharing his time with us. As far as we’re concerned, there is nothing better than talking to one who makes the music that lift us up when we are down, in this case, Mike and the boys in Leatherwolf made us bang our heads!
FOR MORE INFO ON LEATHERWOLF:
www.myspace.com/leatherwolfmusic
FOR MORE INFO ON Mike Olivieri:
