May 2, 2023 • 32 mins
Richie Faulkner is an English musician best known as one of the lead guitarists for the heavy metal band Judas Priest. He has a new project called Elegant Weapons and they are releasing a new album on May 26 titled “Horns for Halos.” We discuss Elegant Weapons, the future for Judas Priest, a paranormal experience while recording, Richie's near death experience and more!
00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Elegant Weapons & Melody
01:17 -" Blind Leading the Blind" Single
02:59 - "Do Or Die" Single
03:56 - "Horns for Halos" Single
04:58 - "Ghost of You" Song
07:10 - "White Horse" Song
07:52 - Occult Interest & Experience
11:02 - Near Death Experience
13:45 - "Rose Girl" Song
14:55 - Elegant Weapons Band & Live Shows
16:28 - Playing with Adam Jones & Tool
17:55 - Early Days, Steve Harris & Iron Maiden
21:00 - Elegant Weapons American Dates
22:35 - Working with Rob Halford
25:05 - Judas Priest New Tour & Album
29:05 - Elegant Weapons Plans
29:45 - John Ritter Foundation
31:35 - Outro
Richie Faulkner website:
http://richiefaulkner.com/
Elegant Weapons website:
https://elegantweaponsband.com/
Judas Priest website:
https://www.judaspriest.com/
John Ritter website:
https://johnritterfoundation.org/
Chuck Shute website:
https://chuckshute.com/
Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Chuck Shute (00:00):
Well, this was a fun one. It's not often that you
get to interview the guitaristof one of the biggest metal
bands in the world. But RichieFaulkner from Judas Priest is my
guest today. And he's got a newalbum out May 26, with his band,
elegant weapons. The album iscalled horns for halos. And
we're gonna break down the newalbum, talk a little Judas
Priest, and he opens up abouthis health scare, hearing a
(00:22):
ghost and so much more stayright there
No, it's all good. So thisexciting, elegant weapons, the
new band horns for a halo may26. And you described it as a
(00:45):
mix of Hendrix, pre Sabbath soloOzzy and Black Label society.
But with Melody.
Richie Faulkner (00:53):
Yeah, I mean, when I say But with all that
stuff has got melody, althoughall those influences have got
melody in it.
It's heavy, but it's it's gotmelody, you know. So that's
always been an attraction of mymusically I like the heavier
side of stuff. But melody hasalways been a priority of mine
really something to get yourteeth into musically and sing
(01:15):
along to really? Yeah, the blindleading the blind, a single
that's like, it's kind of got amelodic sing along chorus. Like
I could see myself chanting thatchorus, like singing along at a
concert. Very cool solo. It'smore of a fun song. But what is
it about? Is it about? BecauseI'm thinking blindly in the
blind could be like Americaneducation system could be a lot
(01:37):
of things like what?
You're absolutely right. Itcould be a lot of things. I
mean, it's represented in thevideo as kind of like a
politician type figure leading,you know, people, but you're
right. It could be it could bereligious connotation,
political. It could be I mean,I'm a relatively new father. So
I've got an almost three yearold, so I'm kind of that's the
(01:59):
blind leading the blind rightthere. I haven't got a clue what
I'm doing. You know. So it couldbe it could be like a few
different things. Butit was a more dramatic take on
it, from a video point of viewto have the pig like the rich
pig type, political figureleading the people. And at the
end of the day, he when youstrip him down, he's just a pig.
(02:21):
And people kind of come to thatrealisation themselves that he
doesn't know what's going on.
And we have to kind of find ourown way, you know, so that's
what was represented in thevideo.
Chuck Shute (02:31):
Oh, that's yeah, like, that's very true. I mean,
people put too much faith inpoliticians or, or anybody
really even rockstars. Sometimeswe think they know everything.
Nobody knows anything. We're allthe blind leading the blind,
right?
Richie Faulkner (02:42):
Yeah, sometimes we just have to kind of make our
own mistakes and find out whatto do on our own. You know, we
can put faith in other people.
But fundamentally, sometimes weneed to find out those answers
ourselves.
Chuck Shute (02:56):
Yeah, I mean, you definitely know guitar, though.
Like in the second single Do ordie. I mean, you're just
shredding in that it sounds likeyou're having a lot of fun, like
the solos and stuff. Is that afun song to play?
Richie Faulkner (03:09):
Actually, it's a pain in the butt to play and
(03:41):
It's going to be it's going tobe an enjoying. We're not trying
to say it's going to be a funsong. I can't even talk
properly, let alone play thebloody thing. But it's going to
be fun to play live for surewhen we get out on the live
circuit. Yeah, that's good. Andthen are you gonna do horns for
Halo? That's the third singleand that's kind of got like a
dark intro heavy. It's heavy.
You described as Tony Iommicross with Allison chains. Yeah,
(04:03):
I think that's accurate. Sothat's what I get from it.
Anyway.
I actually called when I waswriting the song or when I was
writing the riff, you know, yougot to say, you know, you save
your, your ideas and stuff. AndI actually put the working title
down, as I owe me because Ithought it was something it
reminded me of something like alike a vibe that I only would
(04:26):
play you know, that kind ofBlack Sabbath, dark and broody
type riff that reminds me ofr&b. So that's how it took shape
initially. But yeah, again, it'skind of Bodek notes. It's got a
singalong chorus. And yeah,definitely more brooding, darker
sounding. And that's the thirdsingle that comes out around the
(04:47):
same time as the record, Ibelieve.
Chuck Shute (04:50):
Okay, so that one's on out to the public. Yeah,
they're gonna like that. Thatsong is actually in my head
right now. So it's really good.
What about the song I didn't geta chance to hear it. but I know
there's a song called ghost ofyou, that's a it's kind of a
mellow song. It's got a detuned1920s piano on it. And it's
about a song of a memory orghost.
Richie Faulkner (05:12):
Yeah, basically, it's it's a little
bit of ambiguity, you know, itcould be either a lost love or
someone that's passed on, youknow, but basically, it's about
someone that keeps showing up inour memory, you know, which I
think a lot of people a lot ofus can relate to, you know,
we've all been in love beforeand lost level, we've lost loved
ones and whatever. So I thoughtit was a universal kind of
(05:35):
concept. And I just thought,yeah, it's got a bit of a kind
of like a smoky, kind of bluesy,jazz, clubby type vibe, which I
thought was quite strong on theon the imagery type thing. And
again, with that kind ofconcept, I thought it was just a
bit different, but somethingthat kind of fit in with the
(05:57):
with the record, so I went withit.
Chuck Shute (05:59):
Okay, yeah, cuz I think you said, you don't really
get along with acoustic guitars,is there actually acoustic on
there or it's just more strippeddown?
Richie Faulkner (06:06):
No, no acoustic guitars at all. There's one
guitar on it in various forms,so it might be it might be a
clean guitar, or it might be aheavy guitar, but it's just one
guitar. It's a it's a prototypefor Gibson Flying V that we've
been working on for a while.
should be coming out this year.
(06:27):
But it seems to tick all theboxes sonically. So I went with
that and I didn't really needanything else. And, you know,
maybe in the future, I'll pickup a acoustic guitar if I need a
different texture or somethinglike that. But I'm not drawn to
an acoustic guitar like I'm anelectric. So on this one, I went
with the electric and stay withit.
Chuck Shute (06:45):
Interesting was your first guitar electric. Did
you ever play acoustic as a kidor anything?
Richie Faulkner (06:52):
Again, bits and pieces, it's more of a tool. You
know, I'll pick it up if I needa certain texture. But, you
know, if, if I walk in a guitarstore, I'll go straight to the
electric section. I'm not reallyattracted to the acoustic in the
same way. Yeah,
Chuck Shute (07:07):
well, I like you playing the electric I think it
fits. So what about the song awhite horse? I don't know
anything about that one. I justknow there's a song called white
horse. What is it about?
Richie Faulkner (07:16):
Well, what horse is it's got a bit of a an
occult connotation. And it's nota radio single put it that way.
It's not like, it's not one ofthose songs. That is it's not a
verse chorus, verse chorus, solofinishes, it's got a few more
twists and turns in that one.
And I liked that in, in music ingeneral, but definitely in heavy
(07:41):
music where it takes you on ajourney. And as I said, it's a
few more twists and turns. Soyeah, it's one of my favorite
songs on the record that one?
Chuck Shute (07:51):
So a cult, or is that something that you're
interested in?
Richie Faulkner (07:55):
Um, I mean, it's definitely entertaining to
read up on that stuff. I don'tknow if I believe in that sort
of stuff or not actually, therewas an instance in the studio
where I was sitting there onenight, and there was some voices
that were coming out of thestudio speakers, I actually ran
out of the studio. So I've mightsay that I don't believe in it.
But I ran, I believed enough torun out of the studio. So I must
(08:20):
have believed that believe in itenough to run out. So. So yeah,
he actually said a word out ofthe speakers, and I've no idea
what it was. So maybe there'ssomething goes, I honestly don't
know what what happened was Iwas sitting here editing and
stuff. And there was a low growlthat came out of one of the
studio speakers and actuallysaid out loud, I said, What the
(08:41):
eff is that? And as I said that,right after there was a word
that came out of the stick outof one of the speakers and it
said a word. I've no idea whatit said. I don't know what the
word means. But I just opt inand run out the studio. And
yeah, that's that's whathappened. I don't think I've
told anyone that before becauseit's a bit ridiculous. But you
(09:03):
know, we brought up the cold. Sowho knows? No,
Chuck Shute (09:05):
I think that's what was fascinating. Is this, like
an older building? Like is itmaybe have some haunted things
on there?
Richie Faulkner (09:12):
I don't know.
The house was built in the 60s.
So it's not that old, but it'snot modern. But I think the
studio the building the studiosin was a newer, newer build, but
we've we've, we've kind of madethe studio as a recent
modification. But I don't know Idon't know the history of the
(09:34):
land. It's on or anything but itwas definitely like a I don't
want to say demonic voice but itwas definitely like a like a low
growly voice that said the wordthat came out of the speaker.
And what it said was by thisrecord, no, I didn't. It was a
word that I'm not familiar with,and I have no idea what it means
(09:55):
but it was definitely a word andas I said it was freaked me out
enough to run out the studio.
Chuck Shute (10:00):
That's creepy. You might have been Latin or
something and like, no idea,man, and you watch horror movies
and stuff. You ever see theexorcist stuff like that. I
mean, that's I love
Richie Faulkner (10:09):
horror movies.
As I said, I don't reallybelieve in that stuff, but I
find it entertaining to watchand be scared. You know, for
sure. Just, you know, not a lotreally scares me anymore. You
know, the older you get you see,behind all that stuff, you know,
especially in Hollywood andwhatever, but if something
scares me in film, I like thatexperience. You know, if I go to
(10:32):
the movies, and I'm scared bymoving and I like being scared,
but that really scared me. So wecame in and we I don't I don't
know if this works or not, butmy other arm she she came in
with the sage and stuff, and ifthat works, whatever. So I've
had a few electrical things goon in here, but I don't know if
(10:53):
that's otherworldly or justelectrical stuff. So but yeah,
all interesting stuff, man thesame nonetheless.
Chuck Shute (11:02):
Well, because you had a health scare. Obviously
people know about that a fewyears back. Was that like a near
death experience? Like, did yousee the white light and stuff? I
mean, how close did you come?
Richie Faulkner (11:12):
Do you know what man? Well, my heart, I had
a heart bypass. They turned mybrain off. And they they chill
you down. They chill your bodydown that you're technically
dead. You're dead. So I tell youwhat I saw. I saw nothing. There
was no, I mean, I've got nomemory. There was no white
(11:34):
light. There was no beautifulsound. So I know where I'm
going. There was you know, Iknow where I'm not going but
that way. But yeah, I rememberwhen I when I came to when I
came around, I had no memory I'dno recollection of any tunnel
any white light any any chanceany beautiful music or anything
like that. So it kind of it waskind of set my mind at ease. To
(12:02):
some degree. Once you're gone.
You kind of gone. That's what Igot from it. It was just there
was nothing, though. It wasliterally nothing. There was no
memory. There was no thoughtthere was no anything. So yeah,
but it was I was technicallydead. So put it on. So I'm glad
to be here talking to you aboutall this nonsense.
Chuck Shute (12:23):
Yeah. Well, I mean, so wasn't anything positive. But
at least it wasn't you weren'thurting. You weren't in pain. So
that's good, too.
Richie Faulkner (12:30):
Exactly. That's exactly what I got from it.
There was nothing, nothing good.
Nothing in the true sense of theword. Nothing, nothing. Nothing.
There was no, I wasn't thinkinganything. I wasn't feeling
anything. There was no memories.
There was nothing. So yeah,that's what I got from it. I
know people get different thingsfrom it. But that's what I've
got.
Chuck Shute (12:48):
Yeah, it's interesting. How did that
experience inspire any songs onthis record?
Richie Faulkner (12:55):
All the older stuff was, I think, written
recorded. Before that happened.
I think all I had to do when Iwas better from that I had to
finish mixing it with AndySneap, the producer and
mastering it and then all thestuff like the packaging, the
artwork and the label andmanagement and stuff like that.
So no, all the all the orderwriting was done. I've actually,
(13:20):
we've been working on the secondrecord. And there's a couple of
stuff a couple of songs, orthere's one song on the new
record that was inspired by thisinstrumental and it's like a
heartbeat going through it andstuff. So yeah, it's kind of
like a musical interlude.
(13:41):
Inspired by that, but nothing,nothing lyrical. No.
Chuck Shute (13:44):
Okay. And then the other song that I just know
about titles rose girl, which isthis one's supposed to have a
psychedelic 60s, hippie vibe.
It's about a rose girl who sellsroses to people the strip club
about what life is about.
Richie Faulkner (14:00):
Yeah, that didn't make the record,
unfortunately. So no, we had tomake some cuts to you know, just
to make the record a bit moreconcise. But yeah, that was
about the guy that wrote thelyrics for that Tommy Williams,
he used to go to a strip clubdown down in Miami. He used to
date one of the strippers there.
And when he used to wait for herto pick her up after a shift.
(14:22):
There used to be a lady thatused to come in selling roses to
the patrons of the club. And heused to wonder what her story
was where she came from, whereshe was going to what was the
story of the rose girl that cameinto the strip club in South
Miami. And that's what that songwas about, but it didn't make
the record. So maybe we'll seeon a future release.
Chuck Shute (14:46):
Okay, how many songs are on this record?
Richie Faulkner (14:49):
I think it was 10 or 11. I don't remember 10 or
11. Yeah,
Chuck Shute (14:53):
yeah. Tell me Tell me about the band because I
mean, would you call this asupergroup because you got
Ronnie Romero who's I workedwith Michael Schenker and
Vandenberg and rainbow, and thenyourself, obviously, Judas
Priest, and then the bassplayers from Uriah Heep. And the
drummer from except,
Richie Faulkner (15:10):
well, I'm just incredibly fortunate to know,
like some of my best friends,you know, incredible musicians,
that's just the way the dicelanded. And I'm fortunate to be
in those kinds of circles, youknow, it, I mean, it's important
to me really to have thatcamaraderie, especially if
you're going to be on tour withthese guys. You know, you're in
airport lions, or in planes ortour buses, or, you know, you're
(15:33):
waiting around a lot, you know,you you're on tour a lot with
him. So it's important to get onwith each other. But, you know,
and especially, you know,there's Rex Brown, and Scott
Travis on the record as well.
And they're legends. You knowwhat I mean? I'm just fortunate
enough to have those people inmy circle, when I'm able to call
them up and say, Hey, bro, canyou be on the record? Or do you
want to be in my band? You know,I'm fortunate enough to be able
(15:55):
to have those guys at the end ofthe phone. So I'm just lucky to
be in in that situation. Really?
Chuck Shute (16:03):
Yeah. Now you're doing? You're doing shows with
Pantera? Is that correct?
Richie Faulkner (16:08):
Yeah, where is I think there's four or five
shows that we're joiningpencarrow For in Europe, and in
the rest of them are somefestivals around Europe. So we
got June and July. We were outfor a couple of months with
weapons. And yeah, for thoseshows that would Panthera Yeah.
Chuck Shute (16:27):
That's cool. So you said you mentioned that a lot of
your friends are musicians, Isaw a picture of you with Adam
Jones from tool. I was like, Oh,that's interesting that you
know, it's not something a bandthat you would think Judas
Priest and tool but you're a fanof tool.
Richie Faulkner (16:40):
Yeah, I'm good friends with Adam. I know Adam
through the Gibson connection,we're part of the Gibson family.
And he contacted me throughGibson and asked me if I wanted
to get up and do a song withthem. And without thinking, I
was like, Yeah, of course, I'dlove to do that. And then when I
thought about it, I was like,bloody hell, that's, now I've
(17:02):
got to learn the song properly.
I know, I know, some tools,songs, like bits and pieces. But
if you've got to get up thereand play it in front of people
with the band, you've got toknow it properly. You know, so I
think it took me about a weekevery day, like are sitting
there for like, eight hours aday. Learning the song properly,
man, it was it was a it was nosmall. No small feat. But uh,
(17:23):
Danny, it was great. It wasgreat to, you know, play with
the guys and meet the rest ofthe band. And Adams, a sweet
guy. He's a lovely guy.
We talk you know, every now andagain and yeah, again, it's just
you pinch yourself sometimes,you know, these guys are at the
end of the phone and you cancall them up and, you know, Hey,
(17:43):
man, have you seen this film?
Or, you know, what do you thinkabout it? It's, it's a trip. You
pinch yourself all the time,
Chuck Shute (17:49):
was the biggest, like have been friends all these
rock stars? Was that after youjoined Judas Priest or did you
kind of already have someconnections before that? Because
when I heard you were living inSteve Harris's garage when Judas
Priest College, is that true?
Richie Faulkner (18:05):
Yeah, he didn't know. I was in a Steve daughter,
Lauren's band joined priest andyeah, we went out we were out in
Maidan for a while. We were outwith thunder a motley crew
Within Temptation. So we weredoing the rounds a bit. So yeah,
I knew I knew Steve. So yeah,but I mean, since joining
(18:29):
priest, obviously, we've, youknow, we've had a few bands that
we've been playing with a fewbands, obviously, with priestly,
they're opening up for us are inthe same bills, festivals and
stuff like that. So you do getto meet a lot of people through
that connection. So yeah, it'sbeen it's been fantastic.
Chuck Shute (18:44):
Yeah. Speaking of Iron Maiden, and I was
wondering, I want to get yourthoughts. Do you think that
they're going to be finallyinducted into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame? Because I thinkthey're on the ballot again, the
second or third time thatthey've been nominated?
Richie Faulkner (18:57):
I don't know, man. I mean, that whole hall of
fame thing. You'd never knowwho's gonna get in these days
it's it's I don't know,especially the metal What do you
call it? The metal nominations.
They might be on there but otherthan it just seems like such a
(19:18):
wild card these days. They mightalso underrepresented on the on
the Hall of Fame ballot isridiculous. So there's kind of
it almost doesn't mean anythinganymore. I mean, maiden or
another band like priests,they're touring the world. After
almost 50 years. They're puttingout new music. That's I've said
it before about presets. That'smore of an accolade than any
(19:40):
trophy on the shelf. You know,like they're, they've got a fan
base that's legendary. They'reputting out great records,
fantastic tours, greatproductions. That's what it's
about, you know, to me anyway.
So whether they get in or not, Idon't think they're too bothered
to be honest with you. I couldbe wrong. But from what Bruce
(20:01):
has said, it doesn't seem likehe's too bothered. I think
they're more concerned aboutputting out great music to their
great fans around the world. Andthat's the way it should be.
Chuck Shute (20:10):
Yeah. And we're both playing to these large
audiences. I think that's theother thing. Yeah, you can be
around for 50 years, but youcould be playing a sports bar,
but you're playing like arenasand stadiums. Well, it's
Richie Faulkner (20:21):
the fans that put these bands there, you know,
and that's the accolade that'sthe you know, I think even if
you're around for 50 years andyou're playing sports bar, so
what the you're doing what youwant to do, but you're right,
they're playing to legions offans around the world have put
them there for you know, 50years, almost 50 years in
(20:41):
maidens case. And that's, Ithink that's what that's the
biggest accolade you can have isthat those fans put you there
for that long doesn't get anymore meaningful than that in my
opinion.
Chuck Shute (20:57):
No, absolutely.
With elegant weapons would youguys you have obviously the
European dates would you do anyAmerican tour dates? And if so,
like what bands? What bandswould you want to tour with?
Like, is there anybody that'sput out new music that you
personally are enjoying?
Richie Faulkner (21:11):
Oh, I'd love I'd love to play the states you
know, hopefully in the futurewould be able to pick up some
dates in the States or supportor something. I love Wolfie Van
Halen is band mammoth. That'd bethat'd be cool. Allison chains
are lots of players in chains,black levels of society. I mean,
it's a few of them. You know,Metallica, I'd love to favorite
(21:34):
selling it is a few of them. I'dlove to you know, I've consider
tons of bands really? If it wasappropriate, you know, just just
a few I've mentioned off the topof my head out there. They'd be
great villains. I think. Soyeah, we'll see what the future
holds.
Chuck Shute (21:49):
Yeah, you mammoth Black Label society. That'd be
fun. That'd be I feel likeMetallica would be cool too. But
it's like, it's gonna be toobig. I want something like more
intimate you know, I like that'smammoth just came to my city and
I missed them. It was like on aTuesday or something. But I'd
love to see them live. I'd loveto see elegant weapons like
sounds like I said, like, yoursongs are so catchy. I feel like
I'm the singing along while youplay him.
Richie Faulkner (22:11):
I appreciate you saying that man. Yeah, it's
as I said, we said right at thebeginning of this interview,
like, melody has always been animportant thing to me. So and I
think Wolfie stuff is the same.
Really. You can you can singalong to him. They're heavy.
They're catchy enough withoutbeing cheesy. And he's doing
great. He's out with Metallicaat the moment, on some of them
dates. And yeah, I think that'dbe a good parent, to be honest.
Chuck Shute (22:34):
Now, how does that work? Because obviously, you're
still in Judas Priest too. Didyou have to you have to play the
the riffs before Rob Hallford.
And he goes, Yeah, you can havethat because I mean, some of
these songs, I'm like, I'mthinking Rob would have gone.
No, I want that for the nextpriests record.
Richie Faulkner (22:50):
Well, the one of the things about this was,
you know, during the COVIDpandemic, we had to, we were off
the road. lockdowns prevented usfrom going out on the road. So
we weren't touring. Also, thepriest record was written. So
all the creative ideas, I coulddraw a line underneath those.
(23:11):
And so anything new that I wascoming up with, I could dedicate
to this record. Soit was that that was the
situation really, so I knew thatanything I was coming up with I
could I could, I didn't have togive it to the pre trip when it
was done. So that was that wasthe luxury really. But no, it
showed rob the Sun's right inthe demo stages. And he loved me
(23:33):
in the he's always beeninterested to hear more stuff.
And he's interested in you know,who the singer was, obviously,
and stuff like that. So he'salways been a supporter. And Rob
has always, you know, had hisown side stuff as well, you
know, outside of priest andduring priest, you know, I think
(23:54):
he had his Christmas stuff. Notso long ago, Glen's had some
solo stuff outside of priest,you know, so they've always flex
their creative muscles outsideof priest and this is no
different really,
Chuck Shute (24:08):
is there? Is there rules for being a member of
Judas Priest? I mean, becauseRob's basically your boss like
does is there certain thingslike you have to sign non
disclosure agreements or likerules and things like that? Or
is he has pretty much trust youto use good judgment on
everything?
Richie Faulkner (24:23):
Yeah, I think it's so pretty much you know,
you got to use your brain youknow, just don't do anything
stupid. We will talk to eachother about ideas we've got
other things we want to do is ahealthy level of respect between
the band members and themanagement and so does you know,
(24:43):
it's like me knew if I wanted todo something and you know, me
and you're in a band, it's I'drun something by this like
Sportsman's agreements and, youknow, like, you know, I've got
an idea I want to try and dothis. What do you think about me
doing that? Would you everproblem or what do you think
about it? It's just like normalstuff, you know? It's it's not
really Rocket Science. And youknow, that's the way it's always
been since I've been in theband.
Chuck Shute (25:03):
Now. That's cool.
So yeah, I just saw today thatyou guys announced new tour
dates for Judas Priest. I thinkit's not till like 2024. Is
this? No, this isn't going to bethe final tour, is it? Because I
know Aerosmith just announcedthat they're doing their piece
out tour. So they're done aftertheir tour. What about for Judas
Priest?
Richie Faulkner (25:22):
Well, not that I know of. A could be who knows
now? I don't know. I'm not sure.
I mean, as I said, we've beenworking on the record, I think
the record is almost done. So,you know, once that's done,
we'll let everyone know, usuallywith a record as dates to come
with it. So I mean, I don'tknow, I don't really think about
(25:45):
I mean, obviously when I joinedthe band, it was the final. It
was supposed to be the finaltour. So I was thinking about it
then. But it's not reallysomething I know, some some time
at some point. It's going tohappen. You know, the guys are
over 50 years in, you know, soone day it will happen. But you
know, when when it happens?
(26:07):
There'll be the ones to tell us,you know,
Chuck Shute (26:09):
yeah, well, that's what's smart, too, about you
doing elegant weapons to preparefor the future. I mean, because
it's Judas Priest is going to bearound forever. So you got to
have some other things to workon.
Richie Faulkner (26:18):
Well, yeah, hopefully it lays the groundwork
for what comes after. As I said,I joined on the on the farewell
tour. Fortunately, the band isstill around. Today, I'm still
talking to you about you know,new tools and new albums and
stuff like that. And that'sfantastic. But I had a
conversation with Glenn Tipton,over 10 years ago, when I joined
the band, the band aren't goingto be around for 2025 years. So
(26:41):
it was a, I was very much awarethat I needed to think about
what I was going to do afterpriest but as I said, you know,
it's up to them when they dothat. And, you know, when they
tell us we'll figure it out, youknow?
Chuck Shute (26:54):
Yeah. So is there anything you can tell me about
the new priest album withoutgetting in trouble?
Richie Faulkner (27:02):
It's a heavy Jazz Blues influence. No, it's
not.
No, it sounded great. I was inPhoenix a few few weeks ago with
Andy Sneap. And Rob Halford,putting down some vocals and it
was sounding fantastic. It'slike, you know, you're you're
working on new, free stuff thatthe world hasn't heard. And you
(27:25):
hear in that legendary voice,putting down new experiences in
the priest universe, you know,so it's always a thrill to be a
part of that and hear those newsongs take shape. And those new
kind of sorry, my battery'staking a shit here. You know,
those new those new songs thatmight be part of the live
(27:53):
experience, take shape, youknow, that kind of thing is
really exciting. So we can'twait for the world to hear it
when it comes out.
Chuck Shute (27:59):
Yeah, I can't wait.
I'm gonna love the firepower. Imean, that was such a heavy,
heavy, critically acclaimedalbum, I got such great reviews
from critics and fans. So I'msure the next presale will be
amazing as well.
Richie Faulkner (28:12):
Well, you know, it's a, it's a dedication really
to do something that's, quoteunquote, better than that. I
mean, that's, I think, whatthey've always strived for, you
know, with every album, that howcan we do something that's, you
know, a better performance, abetter song a better take a
better sound, but whateverbetter means. And this is no
(28:36):
different, really, how do wemake something that's better
than firepower? And it's toughbecause it's subjective to so
many different people, you know.
But that's, that's the challengeand one that we have to rise to,
and hopefully we get, get itright. And so yeah, we're
trying, and I think it's great.
It's different than firepower.
It has to be It can't be thesame thing. There's no point
(28:57):
doing the same thing twice. Soit's going to be a different
experience. But I think I thinkyou guys are gonna dig it.
Chuck Shute (29:04):
Yeah, one in the meantime, fans should definitely
check out elegant weapons. Ithink if their fans a priest
than you, they're gonna lovethis band. I think it's great.
May 26, that comes out and thenhopefully, you're gonna tour you
Europe, and hopefully, thestates will have see some shows.
That'd be fun. Hopefully, yeah,
Richie Faulkner (29:20):
we're looking at different options, you know,
beyond Europe, Europe, June,July. And then beyond that,
we're looking at options.
Obviously, before the prieststour rolls around, and that'll
be before we know it, you know,as time goes these days, it's
like you blink your eyes andit's may already you know what I
mean? So June July in Europe andand hopefully we get some
options and opportunitiesopening up in the States and
beyond. So watch this space, andwe'll let you know.
Chuck Shute (29:44):
Okay, awesome. And then I always end up promoting a
charity or nonprofit orsomething you want to promote
here at the end?
Richie Faulkner (29:51):
Oh, yeah. The genre the foundation for aortic
health. The, the it's always theaorta is what blew up on me. It
wasn't the My heart it was theaorta. So it was the big artery
that goes through our bodies.
And sometimes it getsmisdiagnosed as a heart attack.
And that's what you don't wantto do. So it's great. They raise
awareness for aortic health, andpreventing, you know, raising
(30:14):
awareness for and just basicallytaken care of aortic health and
stuff like that. So it's theJohn Ritter foundation.
Chuck Shute (30:24):
Okay, I'll put that in the show notes. So yeah, cuz
I was just curious, because yousaid your cholesterol was good.
Obviously, you're not obese oranything, and you're young. So
it's just sort of a freak thing.
So if people go to the doctor,can they get checked for
something like this, that thatwould be able to prevent it?
Richie Faulkner (30:38):
You can't you have to specifically ask for it.
Because they usually they checkyour heart and you know, your
blood pressure and stuff likethat. But you have to
specifically ask them to look atthe aorta because the aorta at
my you know, they won't look atit if you don't ask them. So if
you look at the John Ritterfoundation that they there's
certain checkpoints, they adviseyou to look for. So that you can
(31:04):
you know, you can go to thedoctor and look at certain
points to make sure thateverything's okay.
Because it's not something thatpeople normally are aware of, or
asked to check. So it'sdefinitely worth making a note
of.
Chuck Shute (31:18):
Okay, awesome.
Thank you. I'm so glad that youmade it through that because you
got a great gift of music, andyou're bringing that to the
world. So appreciate it
Richie Faulkner (31:26):
Thank you, Chuck. I'm very grateful to be
here, man. So hopefully see yousoon in the future.
Chuck Shute (31:30):
All right. Thanks so much, Richie. I'll let you
get to the next one.
Richie Faulkner (31:33):
Thank you, bro.
Second,
Chuck Shute (31:35):
great stuff from Richie Faulkner. Seems like a
very cool dude, I really enjoyedthis interview. And I hope you
guys did as well. You can let meknow by liking, commenting or
sharing the episode on YouTubeand social media. And make sure
to follow Ritchie on socialmedia as well. And of course,
check out the new album fromElegant weapons. It's available
may 26. If you're a fan ofmetal, I think you're gonna
(31:56):
enjoy this great guitar work andsinging and drums and bass and
songs and just overall kick assbands. So check their website in
the show notes for tour dates,and support the band by buying
some merch. They have somereally cool T shirts, my guests
appreciate your support. Iappreciate your support of the
show. And again, please makesure you're subscribe wherever
(32:17):
you watch or listen. We havesome great guests coming up so
you'll want to stick around forthose. Thanks so much. Have a
great day and shoot for themoon.
Well, this was a fun one. It's not often that you
get to interview the guitaristof one of the biggest metal
bands in the world. But RichieFaulkner from Judas Priest is my
guest today. And he's got a newalbum out May 26, with his band,
elegant weapons. The album iscalled horns for halos. And
we're gonna break down the newalbum, talk a little Judas
Priest, and he opens up abouthis health scare, hearing a
(00:22):
ghost and so much more stayright there
No, it's all good. So thisexciting, elegant weapons, the
new band horns for a halo may26. And you described it as a
(00:45):
mix of Hendrix, pre Sabbath soloOzzy and Black Label society.
But with Melody.
Richie Faulkner (00:53):
Yeah, I mean, when I say But with all that
stuff has got melody, althoughall those influences have got
melody in it.
It's heavy, but it's it's gotmelody, you know. So that's
always been an attraction of mymusically I like the heavier
side of stuff. But melody hasalways been a priority of mine
really something to get yourteeth into musically and sing
(01:15):
along to really? Yeah, the blindleading the blind, a single
that's like, it's kind of got amelodic sing along chorus. Like
I could see myself chanting thatchorus, like singing along at a
concert. Very cool solo. It'smore of a fun song. But what is
it about? Is it about? BecauseI'm thinking blindly in the
blind could be like Americaneducation system could be a lot
(01:37):
of things like what?
You're absolutely right. Itcould be a lot of things. I
mean, it's represented in thevideo as kind of like a
politician type figure leading,you know, people, but you're
right. It could be it could bereligious connotation,
political. It could be I mean,I'm a relatively new father. So
I've got an almost three yearold, so I'm kind of that's the
(01:59):
blind leading the blind rightthere. I haven't got a clue what
I'm doing. You know. So it couldbe it could be like a few
different things. Butit was a more dramatic take on
it, from a video point of viewto have the pig like the rich
pig type, political figureleading the people. And at the
end of the day, he when youstrip him down, he's just a pig.
(02:21):
And people kind of come to thatrealisation themselves that he
doesn't know what's going on.
And we have to kind of find ourown way, you know, so that's
what was represented in thevideo.
Chuck Shute (02:31):
Oh, that's yeah, like, that's very true. I mean,
people put too much faith inpoliticians or, or anybody
really even rockstars. Sometimeswe think they know everything.
Nobody knows anything. We're allthe blind leading the blind,
right?
Richie Faulkner (02:42):
Yeah, sometimes we just have to kind of make our
own mistakes and find out whatto do on our own. You know, we
can put faith in other people.
But fundamentally, sometimes weneed to find out those answers
ourselves.
Chuck Shute (02:56):
Yeah, I mean, you definitely know guitar, though.
Like in the second single Do ordie. I mean, you're just
shredding in that it sounds likeyou're having a lot of fun, like
the solos and stuff. Is that afun song to play?
Richie Faulkner (03:09):
Actually, it's a pain in the butt to play and
(03:41):
It's going to be it's going tobe an enjoying. We're not trying
to say it's going to be a funsong. I can't even talk
properly, let alone play thebloody thing. But it's going to
be fun to play live for surewhen we get out on the live
circuit. Yeah, that's good. Andthen are you gonna do horns for
Halo? That's the third singleand that's kind of got like a
dark intro heavy. It's heavy.
You described as Tony Iommicross with Allison chains. Yeah,
(04:03):
I think that's accurate. Sothat's what I get from it.
Anyway.
I actually called when I waswriting the song or when I was
writing the riff, you know, yougot to say, you know, you save
your, your ideas and stuff. AndI actually put the working title
down, as I owe me because Ithought it was something it
reminded me of something like alike a vibe that I only would
(04:26):
play you know, that kind ofBlack Sabbath, dark and broody
type riff that reminds me ofr&b. So that's how it took shape
initially. But yeah, again, it'skind of Bodek notes. It's got a
singalong chorus. And yeah,definitely more brooding, darker
sounding. And that's the thirdsingle that comes out around the
(04:47):
same time as the record, Ibelieve.
Chuck Shute (04:50):
Okay, so that one's on out to the public. Yeah,
they're gonna like that. Thatsong is actually in my head
right now. So it's really good.
What about the song I didn't geta chance to hear it. but I know
there's a song called ghost ofyou, that's a it's kind of a
mellow song. It's got a detuned1920s piano on it. And it's
about a song of a memory orghost.
Richie Faulkner (05:12):
Yeah, basically, it's it's a little
bit of ambiguity, you know, itcould be either a lost love or
someone that's passed on, youknow, but basically, it's about
someone that keeps showing up inour memory, you know, which I
think a lot of people a lot ofus can relate to, you know,
we've all been in love beforeand lost level, we've lost loved
ones and whatever. So I thoughtit was a universal kind of
(05:35):
concept. And I just thought,yeah, it's got a bit of a kind
of like a smoky, kind of bluesy,jazz, clubby type vibe, which I
thought was quite strong on theon the imagery type thing. And
again, with that kind ofconcept, I thought it was just a
bit different, but somethingthat kind of fit in with the
(05:57):
with the record, so I went withit.
Chuck Shute (05:59):
Okay, yeah, cuz I think you said, you don't really
get along with acoustic guitars,is there actually acoustic on
there or it's just more strippeddown?
Richie Faulkner (06:06):
No, no acoustic guitars at all. There's one
guitar on it in various forms,so it might be it might be a
clean guitar, or it might be aheavy guitar, but it's just one
guitar. It's a it's a prototypefor Gibson Flying V that we've
been working on for a while.
should be coming out this year.
(06:27):
But it seems to tick all theboxes sonically. So I went with
that and I didn't really needanything else. And, you know,
maybe in the future, I'll pickup a acoustic guitar if I need a
different texture or somethinglike that. But I'm not drawn to
an acoustic guitar like I'm anelectric. So on this one, I went
with the electric and stay withit.
Chuck Shute (06:45):
Interesting was your first guitar electric. Did
you ever play acoustic as a kidor anything?
Richie Faulkner (06:52):
Again, bits and pieces, it's more of a tool. You
know, I'll pick it up if I needa certain texture. But, you
know, if, if I walk in a guitarstore, I'll go straight to the
electric section. I'm not reallyattracted to the acoustic in the
same way. Yeah,
Chuck Shute (07:07):
well, I like you playing the electric I think it
fits. So what about the song awhite horse? I don't know
anything about that one. I justknow there's a song called white
horse. What is it about?
Richie Faulkner (07:16):
Well, what horse is it's got a bit of a an
occult connotation. And it's nota radio single put it that way.
It's not like, it's not one ofthose songs. That is it's not a
verse chorus, verse chorus, solofinishes, it's got a few more
twists and turns in that one.
And I liked that in, in music ingeneral, but definitely in heavy
(07:41):
music where it takes you on ajourney. And as I said, it's a
few more twists and turns. Soyeah, it's one of my favorite
songs on the record that one?
Chuck Shute (07:51):
So a cult, or is that something that you're
interested in?
Richie Faulkner (07:55):
Um, I mean, it's definitely entertaining to
read up on that stuff. I don'tknow if I believe in that sort
of stuff or not actually, therewas an instance in the studio
where I was sitting there onenight, and there was some voices
that were coming out of thestudio speakers, I actually ran
out of the studio. So I've mightsay that I don't believe in it.
But I ran, I believed enough torun out of the studio. So I must
(08:20):
have believed that believe in itenough to run out. So. So yeah,
he actually said a word out ofthe speakers, and I've no idea
what it was. So maybe there'ssomething goes, I honestly don't
know what what happened was Iwas sitting here editing and
stuff. And there was a low growlthat came out of one of the
studio speakers and actuallysaid out loud, I said, What the
(08:41):
eff is that? And as I said that,right after there was a word
that came out of the stick outof one of the speakers and it
said a word. I've no idea whatit said. I don't know what the
word means. But I just opt inand run out the studio. And
yeah, that's that's whathappened. I don't think I've
told anyone that before becauseit's a bit ridiculous. But you
(09:03):
know, we brought up the cold. Sowho knows? No,
Chuck Shute (09:05):
I think that's what was fascinating. Is this, like
an older building? Like is itmaybe have some haunted things
on there?
Richie Faulkner (09:12):
I don't know.
The house was built in the 60s.
So it's not that old, but it'snot modern. But I think the
studio the building the studiosin was a newer, newer build, but
we've we've, we've kind of madethe studio as a recent
modification. But I don't know Idon't know the history of the
(09:34):
land. It's on or anything but itwas definitely like a I don't
want to say demonic voice but itwas definitely like a like a low
growly voice that said the wordthat came out of the speaker.
And what it said was by thisrecord, no, I didn't. It was a
word that I'm not familiar with,and I have no idea what it means
(09:55):
but it was definitely a word andas I said it was freaked me out
enough to run out the studio.
Chuck Shute (10:00):
That's creepy. You might have been Latin or
something and like, no idea,man, and you watch horror movies
and stuff. You ever see theexorcist stuff like that. I
mean, that's I love
Richie Faulkner (10:09):
horror movies.
As I said, I don't reallybelieve in that stuff, but I
find it entertaining to watchand be scared. You know, for
sure. Just, you know, not a lotreally scares me anymore. You
know, the older you get you see,behind all that stuff, you know,
especially in Hollywood andwhatever, but if something
scares me in film, I like thatexperience. You know, if I go to
(10:32):
the movies, and I'm scared bymoving and I like being scared,
but that really scared me. So wecame in and we I don't I don't
know if this works or not, butmy other arm she she came in
with the sage and stuff, and ifthat works, whatever. So I've
had a few electrical things goon in here, but I don't know if
(10:53):
that's otherworldly or justelectrical stuff. So but yeah,
all interesting stuff, man thesame nonetheless.
Chuck Shute (11:02):
Well, because you had a health scare. Obviously
people know about that a fewyears back. Was that like a near
death experience? Like, did yousee the white light and stuff? I
mean, how close did you come?
Richie Faulkner (11:12):
Do you know what man? Well, my heart, I had
a heart bypass. They turned mybrain off. And they they chill
you down. They chill your bodydown that you're technically
dead. You're dead. So I tell youwhat I saw. I saw nothing. There
was no, I mean, I've got nomemory. There was no white
(11:34):
light. There was no beautifulsound. So I know where I'm
going. There was you know, Iknow where I'm not going but
that way. But yeah, I rememberwhen I when I came to when I
came around, I had no memory I'dno recollection of any tunnel
any white light any any chanceany beautiful music or anything
like that. So it kind of it waskind of set my mind at ease. To
(12:02):
some degree. Once you're gone.
You kind of gone. That's what Igot from it. It was just there
was nothing, though. It wasliterally nothing. There was no
memory. There was no thoughtthere was no anything. So yeah,
but it was I was technicallydead. So put it on. So I'm glad
to be here talking to you aboutall this nonsense.
Chuck Shute (12:23):
Yeah. Well, I mean, so wasn't anything positive. But
at least it wasn't you weren'thurting. You weren't in pain. So
that's good, too.
Richie Faulkner (12:30):
Exactly. That's exactly what I got from it.
There was nothing, nothing good.
Nothing in the true sense of theword. Nothing, nothing. Nothing.
There was no, I wasn't thinkinganything. I wasn't feeling
anything. There was no memories.
There was nothing. So yeah,that's what I got from it. I
know people get different thingsfrom it. But that's what I've
got.
Chuck Shute (12:48):
Yeah, it's interesting. How did that
experience inspire any songs onthis record?
Richie Faulkner (12:55):
All the older stuff was, I think, written
recorded. Before that happened.
I think all I had to do when Iwas better from that I had to
finish mixing it with AndySneap, the producer and
mastering it and then all thestuff like the packaging, the
artwork and the label andmanagement and stuff like that.
So no, all the all the orderwriting was done. I've actually,
(13:20):
we've been working on the secondrecord. And there's a couple of
stuff a couple of songs, orthere's one song on the new
record that was inspired by thisinstrumental and it's like a
heartbeat going through it andstuff. So yeah, it's kind of
like a musical interlude.
(13:41):
Inspired by that, but nothing,nothing lyrical. No.
Chuck Shute (13:44):
Okay. And then the other song that I just know
about titles rose girl, which isthis one's supposed to have a
psychedelic 60s, hippie vibe.
It's about a rose girl who sellsroses to people the strip club
about what life is about.
Richie Faulkner (14:00):
Yeah, that didn't make the record,
unfortunately. So no, we had tomake some cuts to you know, just
to make the record a bit moreconcise. But yeah, that was
about the guy that wrote thelyrics for that Tommy Williams,
he used to go to a strip clubdown down in Miami. He used to
date one of the strippers there.
And when he used to wait for herto pick her up after a shift.
(14:22):
There used to be a lady thatused to come in selling roses to
the patrons of the club. And heused to wonder what her story
was where she came from, whereshe was going to what was the
story of the rose girl that cameinto the strip club in South
Miami. And that's what that songwas about, but it didn't make
the record. So maybe we'll seeon a future release.
Chuck Shute (14:46):
Okay, how many songs are on this record?
Richie Faulkner (14:49):
I think it was 10 or 11. I don't remember 10 or
11. Yeah,
Chuck Shute (14:53):
yeah. Tell me Tell me about the band because I
mean, would you call this asupergroup because you got
Ronnie Romero who's I workedwith Michael Schenker and
Vandenberg and rainbow, and thenyourself, obviously, Judas
Priest, and then the bassplayers from Uriah Heep. And the
drummer from except,
Richie Faulkner (15:10):
well, I'm just incredibly fortunate to know,
like some of my best friends,you know, incredible musicians,
that's just the way the dicelanded. And I'm fortunate to be
in those kinds of circles, youknow, it, I mean, it's important
to me really to have thatcamaraderie, especially if
you're going to be on tour withthese guys. You know, you're in
airport lions, or in planes ortour buses, or, you know, you're
(15:33):
waiting around a lot, you know,you you're on tour a lot with
him. So it's important to get onwith each other. But, you know,
and especially, you know,there's Rex Brown, and Scott
Travis on the record as well.
And they're legends. You knowwhat I mean? I'm just fortunate
enough to have those people inmy circle, when I'm able to call
them up and say, Hey, bro, canyou be on the record? Or do you
want to be in my band? You know,I'm fortunate enough to be able
(15:55):
to have those guys at the end ofthe phone. So I'm just lucky to
be in in that situation. Really?
Chuck Shute (16:03):
Yeah. Now you're doing? You're doing shows with
Pantera? Is that correct?
Richie Faulkner (16:08):
Yeah, where is I think there's four or five
shows that we're joiningpencarrow For in Europe, and in
the rest of them are somefestivals around Europe. So we
got June and July. We were outfor a couple of months with
weapons. And yeah, for thoseshows that would Panthera Yeah.
Chuck Shute (16:27):
That's cool. So you said you mentioned that a lot of
your friends are musicians, Isaw a picture of you with Adam
Jones from tool. I was like, Oh,that's interesting that you
know, it's not something a bandthat you would think Judas
Priest and tool but you're a fanof tool.
Richie Faulkner (16:40):
Yeah, I'm good friends with Adam. I know Adam
through the Gibson connection,we're part of the Gibson family.
And he contacted me throughGibson and asked me if I wanted
to get up and do a song withthem. And without thinking, I
was like, Yeah, of course, I'dlove to do that. And then when I
thought about it, I was like,bloody hell, that's, now I've
(17:02):
got to learn the song properly.
I know, I know, some tools,songs, like bits and pieces. But
if you've got to get up thereand play it in front of people
with the band, you've got toknow it properly. You know, so I
think it took me about a weekevery day, like are sitting
there for like, eight hours aday. Learning the song properly,
man, it was it was a it was nosmall. No small feat. But uh,
(17:23):
Danny, it was great. It wasgreat to, you know, play with
the guys and meet the rest ofthe band. And Adams, a sweet
guy. He's a lovely guy.
We talk you know, every now andagain and yeah, again, it's just
you pinch yourself sometimes,you know, these guys are at the
end of the phone and you cancall them up and, you know, Hey,
(17:43):
man, have you seen this film?
Or, you know, what do you thinkabout it? It's, it's a trip. You
pinch yourself all the time,
Chuck Shute (17:49):
was the biggest, like have been friends all these
rock stars? Was that after youjoined Judas Priest or did you
kind of already have someconnections before that? Because
when I heard you were living inSteve Harris's garage when Judas
Priest College, is that true?
Richie Faulkner (18:05):
Yeah, he didn't know. I was in a Steve daughter,
Lauren's band joined priest andyeah, we went out we were out in
Maidan for a while. We were outwith thunder a motley crew
Within Temptation. So we weredoing the rounds a bit. So yeah,
I knew I knew Steve. So yeah,but I mean, since joining
(18:29):
priest, obviously, we've, youknow, we've had a few bands that
we've been playing with a fewbands, obviously, with priestly,
they're opening up for us are inthe same bills, festivals and
stuff like that. So you do getto meet a lot of people through
that connection. So yeah, it'sbeen it's been fantastic.
Chuck Shute (18:44):
Yeah. Speaking of Iron Maiden, and I was
wondering, I want to get yourthoughts. Do you think that
they're going to be finallyinducted into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame? Because I thinkthey're on the ballot again, the
second or third time thatthey've been nominated?
Richie Faulkner (18:57):
I don't know, man. I mean, that whole hall of
fame thing. You'd never knowwho's gonna get in these days
it's it's I don't know,especially the metal What do you
call it? The metal nominations.
They might be on there but otherthan it just seems like such a
(19:18):
wild card these days. They mightalso underrepresented on the on
the Hall of Fame ballot isridiculous. So there's kind of
it almost doesn't mean anythinganymore. I mean, maiden or
another band like priests,they're touring the world. After
almost 50 years. They're puttingout new music. That's I've said
it before about presets. That'smore of an accolade than any
(19:40):
trophy on the shelf. You know,like they're, they've got a fan
base that's legendary. They'reputting out great records,
fantastic tours, greatproductions. That's what it's
about, you know, to me anyway.
So whether they get in or not, Idon't think they're too bothered
to be honest with you. I couldbe wrong. But from what Bruce
(20:01):
has said, it doesn't seem likehe's too bothered. I think
they're more concerned aboutputting out great music to their
great fans around the world. Andthat's the way it should be.
Chuck Shute (20:10):
Yeah. And we're both playing to these large
audiences. I think that's theother thing. Yeah, you can be
around for 50 years, but youcould be playing a sports bar,
but you're playing like arenasand stadiums. Well, it's
Richie Faulkner (20:21):
the fans that put these bands there, you know,
and that's the accolade that'sthe you know, I think even if
you're around for 50 years andyou're playing sports bar, so
what the you're doing what youwant to do, but you're right,
they're playing to legions offans around the world have put
them there for you know, 50years, almost 50 years in
(20:41):
maidens case. And that's, Ithink that's what that's the
biggest accolade you can have isthat those fans put you there
for that long doesn't get anymore meaningful than that in my
opinion.
Chuck Shute (20:57):
No, absolutely.
With elegant weapons would youguys you have obviously the
European dates would you do anyAmerican tour dates? And if so,
like what bands? What bandswould you want to tour with?
Like, is there anybody that'sput out new music that you
personally are enjoying?
Richie Faulkner (21:11):
Oh, I'd love I'd love to play the states you
know, hopefully in the futurewould be able to pick up some
dates in the States or supportor something. I love Wolfie Van
Halen is band mammoth. That'd bethat'd be cool. Allison chains
are lots of players in chains,black levels of society. I mean,
it's a few of them. You know,Metallica, I'd love to favorite
(21:34):
selling it is a few of them. I'dlove to you know, I've consider
tons of bands really? If it wasappropriate, you know, just just
a few I've mentioned off the topof my head out there. They'd be
great villains. I think. Soyeah, we'll see what the future
holds.
Chuck Shute (21:49):
Yeah, you mammoth Black Label society. That'd be
fun. That'd be I feel likeMetallica would be cool too. But
it's like, it's gonna be toobig. I want something like more
intimate you know, I like that'smammoth just came to my city and
I missed them. It was like on aTuesday or something. But I'd
love to see them live. I'd loveto see elegant weapons like
sounds like I said, like, yoursongs are so catchy. I feel like
I'm the singing along while youplay him.
Richie Faulkner (22:11):
I appreciate you saying that man. Yeah, it's
as I said, we said right at thebeginning of this interview,
like, melody has always been animportant thing to me. So and I
think Wolfie stuff is the same.
Really. You can you can singalong to him. They're heavy.
They're catchy enough withoutbeing cheesy. And he's doing
great. He's out with Metallicaat the moment, on some of them
dates. And yeah, I think that'dbe a good parent, to be honest.
Chuck Shute (22:34):
Now, how does that work? Because obviously, you're
still in Judas Priest too. Didyou have to you have to play the
the riffs before Rob Hallford.
And he goes, Yeah, you can havethat because I mean, some of
these songs, I'm like, I'mthinking Rob would have gone.
No, I want that for the nextpriests record.
Richie Faulkner (22:50):
Well, the one of the things about this was,
you know, during the COVIDpandemic, we had to, we were off
the road. lockdowns prevented usfrom going out on the road. So
we weren't touring. Also, thepriest record was written. So
all the creative ideas, I coulddraw a line underneath those.
(23:11):
And so anything new that I wascoming up with, I could dedicate
to this record. Soit was that that was the
situation really, so I knew thatanything I was coming up with I
could I could, I didn't have togive it to the pre trip when it
was done. So that was that wasthe luxury really. But no, it
showed rob the Sun's right inthe demo stages. And he loved me
(23:33):
in the he's always beeninterested to hear more stuff.
And he's interested in you know,who the singer was, obviously,
and stuff like that. So he'salways been a supporter. And Rob
has always, you know, had hisown side stuff as well, you
know, outside of priest andduring priest, you know, I think
(23:54):
he had his Christmas stuff. Notso long ago, Glen's had some
solo stuff outside of priest,you know, so they've always flex
their creative muscles outsideof priest and this is no
different really,
Chuck Shute (24:08):
is there? Is there rules for being a member of
Judas Priest? I mean, becauseRob's basically your boss like
does is there certain thingslike you have to sign non
disclosure agreements or likerules and things like that? Or
is he has pretty much trust youto use good judgment on
everything?
Richie Faulkner (24:23):
Yeah, I think it's so pretty much you know,
you got to use your brain youknow, just don't do anything
stupid. We will talk to eachother about ideas we've got
other things we want to do is ahealthy level of respect between
the band members and themanagement and so does you know,
(24:43):
it's like me knew if I wanted todo something and you know, me
and you're in a band, it's I'drun something by this like
Sportsman's agreements and, youknow, like, you know, I've got
an idea I want to try and dothis. What do you think about me
doing that? Would you everproblem or what do you think
about it? It's just like normalstuff, you know? It's it's not
really Rocket Science. And youknow, that's the way it's always
been since I've been in theband.
Chuck Shute (25:03):
Now. That's cool.
So yeah, I just saw today thatyou guys announced new tour
dates for Judas Priest. I thinkit's not till like 2024. Is
this? No, this isn't going to bethe final tour, is it? Because I
know Aerosmith just announcedthat they're doing their piece
out tour. So they're done aftertheir tour. What about for Judas
Priest?
Richie Faulkner (25:22):
Well, not that I know of. A could be who knows
now? I don't know. I'm not sure.
I mean, as I said, we've beenworking on the record, I think
the record is almost done. So,you know, once that's done,
we'll let everyone know, usuallywith a record as dates to come
with it. So I mean, I don'tknow, I don't really think about
(25:45):
I mean, obviously when I joinedthe band, it was the final. It
was supposed to be the finaltour. So I was thinking about it
then. But it's not reallysomething I know, some some time
at some point. It's going tohappen. You know, the guys are
over 50 years in, you know, soone day it will happen. But you
know, when when it happens?
(26:07):
There'll be the ones to tell us,you know,
Chuck Shute (26:09):
yeah, well, that's what's smart, too, about you
doing elegant weapons to preparefor the future. I mean, because
it's Judas Priest is going to bearound forever. So you got to
have some other things to workon.
Richie Faulkner (26:18):
Well, yeah, hopefully it lays the groundwork
for what comes after. As I said,I joined on the on the farewell
tour. Fortunately, the band isstill around. Today, I'm still
talking to you about you know,new tools and new albums and
stuff like that. And that'sfantastic. But I had a
conversation with Glenn Tipton,over 10 years ago, when I joined
the band, the band aren't goingto be around for 2025 years. So
(26:41):
it was a, I was very much awarethat I needed to think about
what I was going to do afterpriest but as I said, you know,
it's up to them when they dothat. And, you know, when they
tell us we'll figure it out, youknow?
Chuck Shute (26:54):
Yeah. So is there anything you can tell me about
the new priest album withoutgetting in trouble?
Richie Faulkner (27:02):
It's a heavy Jazz Blues influence. No, it's
not.
No, it sounded great. I was inPhoenix a few few weeks ago with
Andy Sneap. And Rob Halford,putting down some vocals and it
was sounding fantastic. It'slike, you know, you're you're
working on new, free stuff thatthe world hasn't heard. And you
(27:25):
hear in that legendary voice,putting down new experiences in
the priest universe, you know,so it's always a thrill to be a
part of that and hear those newsongs take shape. And those new
kind of sorry, my battery'staking a shit here. You know,
those new those new songs thatmight be part of the live
(27:53):
experience, take shape, youknow, that kind of thing is
really exciting. So we can'twait for the world to hear it
when it comes out.
Chuck Shute (27:59):
Yeah, I can't wait.
I'm gonna love the firepower. Imean, that was such a heavy,
heavy, critically acclaimedalbum, I got such great reviews
from critics and fans. So I'msure the next presale will be
amazing as well.
Richie Faulkner (28:12):
Well, you know, it's a, it's a dedication really
to do something that's, quoteunquote, better than that. I
mean, that's, I think, whatthey've always strived for, you
know, with every album, that howcan we do something that's, you
know, a better performance, abetter song a better take a
better sound, but whateverbetter means. And this is no
(28:36):
different, really, how do wemake something that's better
than firepower? And it's toughbecause it's subjective to so
many different people, you know.
But that's, that's the challengeand one that we have to rise to,
and hopefully we get, get itright. And so yeah, we're
trying, and I think it's great.
It's different than firepower.
It has to be It can't be thesame thing. There's no point
(28:57):
doing the same thing twice. Soit's going to be a different
experience. But I think I thinkyou guys are gonna dig it.
Chuck Shute (29:04):
Yeah, one in the meantime, fans should definitely
check out elegant weapons. Ithink if their fans a priest
than you, they're gonna lovethis band. I think it's great.
May 26, that comes out and thenhopefully, you're gonna tour you
Europe, and hopefully, thestates will have see some shows.
That'd be fun. Hopefully, yeah,
Richie Faulkner (29:20):
we're looking at different options, you know,
beyond Europe, Europe, June,July. And then beyond that,
we're looking at options.
Obviously, before the prieststour rolls around, and that'll
be before we know it, you know,as time goes these days, it's
like you blink your eyes andit's may already you know what I
mean? So June July in Europe andand hopefully we get some
options and opportunitiesopening up in the States and
beyond. So watch this space, andwe'll let you know.
Chuck Shute (29:44):
Okay, awesome. And then I always end up promoting a
charity or nonprofit orsomething you want to promote
here at the end?
Richie Faulkner (29:51):
Oh, yeah. The genre the foundation for aortic
health. The, the it's always theaorta is what blew up on me. It
wasn't the My heart it was theaorta. So it was the big artery
that goes through our bodies.
And sometimes it getsmisdiagnosed as a heart attack.
And that's what you don't wantto do. So it's great. They raise
awareness for aortic health, andpreventing, you know, raising
(30:14):
awareness for and just basicallytaken care of aortic health and
stuff like that. So it's theJohn Ritter foundation.
Chuck Shute (30:24):
Okay, I'll put that in the show notes. So yeah, cuz
I was just curious, because yousaid your cholesterol was good.
Obviously, you're not obese oranything, and you're young. So
it's just sort of a freak thing.
So if people go to the doctor,can they get checked for
something like this, that thatwould be able to prevent it?
Richie Faulkner (30:38):
You can't you have to specifically ask for it.
Because they usually they checkyour heart and you know, your
blood pressure and stuff likethat. But you have to
specifically ask them to look atthe aorta because the aorta at
my you know, they won't look atit if you don't ask them. So if
you look at the John Ritterfoundation that they there's
certain checkpoints, they adviseyou to look for. So that you can
(31:04):
you know, you can go to thedoctor and look at certain
points to make sure thateverything's okay.
Because it's not something thatpeople normally are aware of, or
asked to check. So it'sdefinitely worth making a note
of.
Chuck Shute (31:18):
Okay, awesome.
Thank you. I'm so glad that youmade it through that because you
got a great gift of music, andyou're bringing that to the
world. So appreciate it
Richie Faulkner (31:26):
Thank you, Chuck. I'm very grateful to be
here, man. So hopefully see yousoon in the future.
Chuck Shute (31:30):
All right. Thanks so much, Richie. I'll let you
get to the next one.
Richie Faulkner (31:33):
Thank you, bro.
Second,
Chuck Shute (31:35):
great stuff from Richie Faulkner. Seems like a
very cool dude, I really enjoyedthis interview. And I hope you
guys did as well. You can let meknow by liking, commenting or
sharing the episode on YouTubeand social media. And make sure
to follow Ritchie on socialmedia as well. And of course,
check out the new album fromElegant weapons. It's available
may 26. If you're a fan ofmetal, I think you're gonna
(31:56):
enjoy this great guitar work andsinging and drums and bass and
songs and just overall kick assbands. So check their website in
the show notes for tour dates,and support the band by buying
some merch. They have somereally cool T shirts, my guests
appreciate your support. Iappreciate your support of the
show. And again, please makesure you're subscribe wherever
(32:17):
you watch or listen. We havesome great guests coming up so
you'll want to stick around forthose. Thanks so much. Have a
great day and shoot for themoon.
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