Bonham vocalist
Daniel MacMaster

03/17/08 - Daniel MacMaster has passed away. No official cause of death has been announced. We will keep you posted as new information becomes available. Our condolences go out to his familiy, friends, fans and bandmates.
FIB MUSIC:  What's new, what have you been up to lately and what's in the future?

Daniel:  As we speak, I am recording for future releases up and coming soon. I wish to establish myself as a solo artist...

FIB MUSIC:   How did you get started playing music? Give us a brief history of your life pre-Bonham days. Where you grew up? Bands you were in before?

Daniel:  I grew up listening to Motown and Country music singing along with tunes off the radio. I then tried out for a band and presto, instant singer. I was in a band called Scorcher, five piece band in the rock style, that's the only group prior to Bonham...


Daniel in SCORCHER

FIB MUSIC:  Who were your main influences at that time?

Daniel:  Sam Cooke, Otis Redding , Marvin Gaye, Robert Johnson, the Jackson Five , the Osmonds, Rod Stewart, Elvis Presley, to name but a few...


Jason Bonham
FIB MUSIC:  How did you meet Jason Bonham?


Daniel:   Through Brian Howe from Bad Company. Brian found me and informed Jason of my doing's...

FIB MUSIC:   Did you audition for the band?

Daniel:
  Yes I did , I flew to Los Angeles from Canada, to a studio in North Hollywood. It was a rehearsal studio I believe, and auditioned for a few hour's, which in turn led to a day, to being asked to join the band...
FIB MUSIC:  What was the story behind Joe Lynn Turner auditioning for the band?

Daniel:  The band was to be an all-star band with various member's, such as the aforementioned Joe Lynn Turner. As the line up grew, with Ian Hatton on guitars and John Smithson on bass, keys, violin and everything else the talented bugger could play. I suppose they were alright to gamble on me , myself and I....

FIB MUSIC:  Describe Jason Bonham not only as a musician, but as a person (at that time

Daniel:  Well, Jason was very easy to get to know, with a warming friendship lent, that could only grow from there. In a very short time we became good friend's, or mate's as it were, always kept in touch and were there for each other through and through...

FIB MUSIC:   When you joined Bonham was there an equal split of royalties / residuals / monies amongst all members of the band?

Daniel:  I don't believe I need to discuss that with anyone other than the band members, thanx...


FIB MUSIC:  Any memories come to mind from the Disregard for Timekeeping recording sessions. Anything stand out? Any cool, sucked, fun, brilliant moments come to mind? Feel free to share more than one.

Daniel:  It was great to work with Bob Ezrin, even if we locked horn's now and again. He brought us together as a recording group, and wrote with us. I was against this from the beginning, wanting everything to be our own as a band , but together with the band , they showed me the advantages of success as a single unit. At the time ... real learnig curve for myself...

FIB MUSIC:   Who were some of the bands you toured with to support Disregard?

Daniel:   Ah we toured with the Cult , Motley Crue, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Metallica "long time no see Larr's", Tesla, Tora Tora, Dangerous Toy's," hey Jason Macmaster, how ya doing chum'...



FIB MUSIC:  Describe a typical day in the life of Daniel MacMaster during the Disregard days.

Daniel:  Well, we had hair then you know, had to spend the time doing it up.he hee he... ah, being busy, very busy, giving the media, the world, and everyone you know, your time, breakfast show's , radio, radio ,radio, record label personnel... you name it...travelling was good...



FIB MUSIC:   How many copies of Disregard for Timekeeping were sold? If you don't know, how about a rough estimate.

Daniel:  Well we did get a gold album , lingo of late, as well cd, and cassette, in there can you believe it, so that's 500,000. US... as well I hear it's recently surpassed platinum ...and hey, where's my plak wall hanger!!!









FIB MUSIC:  Why did it take three years to release another record?

Daniel:  Time , money ,managers , need more info?

FIB MUSIC:  Any memories come to mind from the Mad Hatter recording sessions. Anything stand out?

Daniel:   Nice to be in a residential studio in England for a change for me, great to tour round the site's, the pub's, meet the band member's families an such...

FIB MUSIC:  Who were some of the bands that you toured with for that release? How long did you tour? Any memories stand out?

Daniel:  Ah, short lived touring on that one, Emerson, Lake and Palmer through Canada, we had a parting shortly there after, being me as the first member out of the group...I think all in all, a few short month's to tour then...

FIB MUSIC:   What was the state of the band at that time? Did everyone still get along? Were you aware that grunge had affected the music scene like it had?

Daniel:  The band was fine, and yes we followed what was turning outside our little world of thing's ...change is good...

FIB MUSIC:   Do you remember the day that Bonham broke up? What year? What happened?

Daniel:  Like I said, I was first, after the Mad Hatter tour ...after which only the other member's could justify...

FIB MUSIC:  Tell us about your first meeting with Robert Plant. Where was it? Describe the meeting. How did you feel about it? Etc.

Daniel:   I met Robert in England the first time , was great for me as he is an idol of mine anyway. He was showing me around the various band's he had playing at his daughter's wedding, and how that I should pay attention young Daniel!!!

FIB MUSIC:  How would you describe Robert Plant as a person. Your impression of him?

Daniel:   Very polite and forthright, witty and a whopping load of charisma...a great one to learn by...

FIB MUSIC:   Did you ever meet Jimmy Page? What was that like? Any good memories stand out?

Daniel:   I met Jimmy at a show once but too brief to know...hello how are you stuff...you get it...

FIB MUSIC:  Did Jason ever share any great Led Zeppelin stories with you? If so, would you be so kind to share a few of them with our readers

Daniel:   yes ...load' s and wouldn't you like to know...but ahh sorry, I would not betray our friendship or rather our bond of sort's...you can ask him if you like...

FIB MUSIC:  Did you see Jason in the movie Rock Star? If so, what did you think of his performance?

Daniel:   Great to see him on the silver screen , I thought he captured the role just fine...he alway's was good at performing at anything...


ROCK STAR
Jeff Pilson, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Bonham, Zakk Wylde







FIB MUSIC:   How did the 90's affect you? What did you do during that decade?

Daniel:  I turned off the radio, now and again they ask if I turned it back on ...I can't hear anything...

FIB MUSIC:   Out of all the bands you toured with..who were the coolest and who were the biggest jerks?

Daniel:   Of the band's I mentioned , every one of them treated us with respect and were open minded with us...

FIB MUSIC:  You have worked with Stephen Pearcy quite a bit, what is your working relationship?

Daniel:  Well I tell ya, we are, Stephen and I, gonna have something going in the very near future. We have already started out planning, and writing together will commence as schedule's allow ...we get along great ...

FIB MUSIC:  Tell us about the first time you met him?

Daniel:  He came to our cd release party for disregard ...that's how we met and hit it off...

FIB MUSIC:  How would you describe Stephen as a person? Were you a Ratt fan before you joined Bonham?

Daniel:  Excellent guy , very easy to get along with, we like alot of the same thing's ...he's a very busy guy though, always on the move, got lot's going on...I've been a ratt fan since they came out ...since I first heard them...weren't you?

FIB MUSIC:  Why can't Ratt get back together and quit touring as two separate bands? Have you ever talked to him about it?

Daniel:   No, I don't mention it, and you would of course have to get that information from him directly ...you know that...
FIB MUSIC:  Any chance of a Bonham reunion?

Daniel:  Why always why not ...and hey we're all still breathing and reasonably young... not bad at all ...hey good lookers too...

FIB MUSIC:   3 most fond memories of your days in Bonham.

Daniel:  Spending the time I had given with John, Jason , and Ian ...why you ask? Cause you can't buy that at any price....

FIB MUSIC:  Daniel MacMaster is transported back to the year 1988. Is there anything you would do differently?

Daniel:   Ah...shave my head??? Hey might be fitting ...



THE FAST 5

FIB MUSIC:  What is your most disgusting habit?

Daniel:  You don't want to know...

FIB MUSIC:  What is the most feminine thing you do?

Daniel:  Cut my nailz???

FIB MUSIC:  If there is a God, what is the first question you would ask God when you arrive?

Daniel:   So yeah, I can see now where you thought it was funny...

FIB MUSIC:  Greatest Rock band of all time?

Daniel:  The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles , The Who, Queen...how can you just name one, it's like eating peanutz...

FIB MUSIC:  What were you doing 40 minutes before you sat down to do this interview?

Daniel:  middle of recording with my brother Jody and took the time to do this in between ...see, how special you are?


Don't Forget to visit Daniel at his new website:


www.danielmacmater.com



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