Obviously there’s a new breath of life in the monster beast that is Twisted Sister with the release of the new Twisted Christmas CD. Can you describe the meeting you guys had when this idea came up?
(laughs) I think it started with one song and we decided it would be cool to do an album. We all looked at each other and said ‘Why not?’ I don’t really think there are too many Christmas rock albums out. A lot of people do Christmas songs. It’s almost never heard of to see it from a heavy metal band these days. When we picked out the songs and started rehearsing we realized that it was really gonna work. It was either gonna be really good or not so good. A lot of times bands or groups or individuals try to do something out of the norm and it just doesn’t work. We had fun recording it and the album sounds great.
It definitely sounds like Twisted Sister. When you hear a lot of Christmas albums by certain groups they all tend to sound the same. You know from the start of each song that it’s Twisted Sister without a doubt.
Yep! Absolutely. That’s the best part about it. We didn’t bring in any horns or strings. We did it like we would do another album. It worked.
Did you have any hesitations at all about doing a Christmas record?
(laughs) It was suggested to do a record and I said, ‘OK. Tell me when, where and how.’ That’s that. It was one of those things where I didn’t even have to think twice about it.
It seems like the guys in the band have different ideas about what the band should be doing now or how long it’s going to last. Where do you stand? Would you have rather done a new studio album or was this the perfect project for Twisted Sister at this time?
I don’t know. These are some good questions. I think…I’m not going to say rather, but it would have been nice to do a new album. New songs. I think that this may spark us doing a new album. That’s just me. I don’t know what anybody else is gonna say about this. We haven’t recorded a new album since when, ‘86? I think this Christmas album is at the right place at the right time. I know a lot of people are gonna say, ‘Shit, how did they come up with this?’ The fan reaction from this may spark us to do a new album with everybody writing a bunch of stuff. That’s my opinion.
What would you say is your favorite track on Twisted Christmas?
My favorite to play is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” When those drums come in – just imagine a drummer using 90 inch bass drums, 50 inch toms and a 60 inch snare drum! It’s loud. I’ve thought about it but I don’t think there’s a drum company out there into an idea like that. There’s just so much power in my hands when the drums come in on that song. My favorite song to listen to has gotta be “Heavy Metal Christmas.” Every time Christmas comes around you hear the “12 Days of Christmas” and this is our take on it. It’s hysterical.
I thought putting “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” to the tune of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” was a pretty ballsy thing to do.
I think the concept fits perfect. The arrangement was done in great taste. We’re definitely not making fun of it. What better way to praise God at Christmas time than to do Christmas carols that people enjoy listening to?
What would you like to say to your fans?
Thank you for being here. You’re the reason I do what I do. Plain and simple. Keep listening.
