Every once in awhile, a young guitarist steps into the spotlight with an unique guitar style that creates a buzz in the music industry. Guitarist Alex Grossi is part of a new breed of Hollywood musicians that are carving an inspiring new edge to Metal. Alex Grossi has a Rock and Roll resume that would make any 80's musician proud These days, Alex is performing on the current Dizzy/Jizzy Tour 2008.
In the past, Alex has performed with Beautiful Creatures, and Quiet Riot to name a few. Alex Grossi has toured the world.
Alex Grossi was born and raised in CT., at age 15 he decided he wanted to be a "ROCK STAR" and has not looked back since........ 16 years, over 3000 gigs in over 15 different countries later,..................HE IS.
Alex has toured, written, performed and recorded worldwide with members of GUNS N' ROSES, KISS, QUIET RIOT, AC/DC, MOTLEY CRUE and SKID ROW among many others, He has also been signed to five major labels, including ATLANTIC, ELEKTRA, JVC and CENTURY MEDIA.
HOOKERS 'N' BLOW, the band led by GUNS N' ROSES keyboardist Dizzy Reed, and LOVE/HATE will team up for a 2008 tour.
Jizzy Pearl will be performing the music of LOVE/HATE for the first time in North America in over 15 years, including the MTV hits "Blackout In The Red Room", "Why Do You Think They Call It Dope?" and "Spinning Wheel".
Dizzy Reed of GUNS N' ROSES will also be on the bill with his ultra-fun side project HOOKERS 'N' BLOW, who will be performing a mix of covers as well as, for the first time, new music from Reed, including songs off "The Still Life" soundtrack, which he recently scored.
I recently caught up with Alex, as we discussed the Dizzy/Jizzy Tour 2008. Stay tuned for more Exclusives reviews on the current tour.
Alex, thank you so much for giving Metal Monthly a preview on the upcoming Dizzy/Jizzy Tour 2008. The tour kicked off on March 21. Tell us what the fans can expect to see on this tour.
GROSSI: HI Deb. Great to hear from you. This tour is shaping up to be a lot of fun. We're doing a solid hour of Love/Hate, including songs off of "Blackout in the Red Room" and "Wasted in America" followed by a newer, improved version of Hookers & Blow, featuring Chuck Wright (Alice Coooper, House of Lords, Quiet Riot) on bass and Dave Moreno (Puddle of Mudd, Bruce Dickenson, Earshot) on drums. More info and a complete list of dates can be found at www.myspace.com/dizzynjizzytour2008
Actually, you are no stranger to working with Jizzy and toured with him and Love/Hate in Europe. The U.S. fans are in for a great event, would you agree?
GROSSI: Yes, other than in L.A., Jizzy has not performed the music of Love/Hate in North America for over 15 years. People are definitely in for a treat. We will also be selling Hookers & Blow t-shirts...everyone seems to be wearing one these days!
What new songs do you have in the works for the Hookers & Blow set? Is it true that you will be performing a few songs off of "The Still Life" for the first time in the U.S.?
GROSSI: Yes, that is true. Dizzy did a score for a film called "The Still Life" and we will be incorporating songs from it into our set...the first time in Hookers & Blow history. Also, we have added some deeper cuts from the Illusion albums that the hardcore GnR fans will appreciate.
I know that yourself, Jizzy Pearl and Dizzy Reed are in the band, but are you also looking forward to working with your former Quiet Riot bandmate Chuck Wright? Tell us how the rehearsals are going.
GROSSI: Chuck has been great as always, we've done a couple warm-up shows and they've been awesome! Gene Simmons even came out to one.
The band will be perfoming at the legendary JAXX on April 4th. Are you looking forward to performing there?
GROSSI: Jaxx has always been fun. If those walls could talk!
Alex, a few months have passed, and it still seems so surreal that Kevin is gone. How are you dealing with the pain? Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
GROSSI: All you can do is to keep going out and playing. It's what Kevin would have wanted and I know he's up there looking out for us.
You have always been a guitarist that has been influenced by 80's metal. Do you feel that it is making a huge comeback here and in Europe? It seems to be coming full circle again, would you agree?
GROSSI: I don't think it ever really went anywhere. I think the media just stopped paying attention to it. The fans are very loyal, as you can see by the reaction to Rocklahoma and all those VH1 "metal specials." It's not just the music- it's the lifestyle.
You recently attended NAMM in January. Tell us about your new endorsement with Diamond Amplification.
GROSSI: NAMM was great! I am very excited about my new relationship with Diamond Amplification. I'll be putting them through the paces on the upcoming Dizzy and Jizzy Tour.
Also, you signed at the Paul Reed Smith booth. Tell us about your signature guitar endorsement.
GROSSI: PRS has always been great to me. It hardly seems like I've been with them for 10 years now. Some of their new models are killer! I highly recommend that any guitar player reading this goes and checks them out.
Is it true that you have opened the Grossi School of Rock? Tell us about the school. Also, please read Metal Monthly news for more info today!
After the Dizzy/Jizzy Tour 2008, what are your future touring plans?
GROSSI: We are planning to go to Europe and South America after the American run. There is also some talk about the summer festivals. Additionally, I will be contributing to the next IGNITE album, set for a summer release. www.myspace.com/alexgrossi
Thank you Alex for updating us on the upcoming Dizzy/Jizzy Tour 2008.
GROSSI: No, Deb, thank you. You rock.
DIZZY/JIZZY INITIAL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED!
Mar 18 2008 4:00P
RED and JERRY’S ROCKIN’ METAL REVIVAL***INTERVIEW*** @ WWW. ROCKINMETALREVIVAL. COM
Mar 18 2008 10:00P
HOOKERS & BLOW @ The SLIDE BAR
Mar 21 2008 9:00P
****DIZZY N JIZZY TOUR Kick-Off Show/Party @ Harper’s!!!!!**** Northridge, California
Mar 26 2008 8:00P
Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 27 2008 8:00P
Lucky’s Pub Wilmington, North Carolina
Mar 28 2008 8:00P
The Sound Garden Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Mar 29 2008 8:00P
Volume 11 Tavern Raleigh, North Carolina
Mar 30 2008 8:00P
Zakk’s Murfreesboro, North Carolina
Apr 1 2008 8:00P
Championship Bar & Grill (Hookers & Blow only) Trenton, New Jersey
Apr 3 2008 8:00P
Toad’s Place Richmond, Virginia
Apr 4 2008 8:00P
Jaxx West Springfield, Virginia
Apr 5 2008 8:00P
Doc Watson’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 6 2008 8:00P
Club 645 South Windsor, Connecticut
Apr 8 2008 8:00P
Unity College (Student Center) (Hookers & Blow only) Unity, Maine
Apr 9 2008 8:00P
The Heirloom Arts Theater Danbury, Connecticut
Apr 10 2008 8:00P
Backstage Pass New London, Connecticut
Apr 11 2008 8:00P
Crossroads Palmer, Massachusetts
Apr 13 2008 8:00P
Crazy Donkey Farmingdale, New York
Apr 14 2008 8:00P
Rock-n-Roll Heaven Buffalo, New York
Apr 15 2008 8:00P
Mo Doggies (Hookers & Blow only) Fenton, Michigan
Apr 16 2008 8:00P
Barfly Akron Akron, Ohio
Apr 17 2008 8:00P
Small’s Detroit, Michigan
Apr 18 2008 8:00P
The Back Alley Bar & Grill Pittsfield, Illinois
Apr 19 2008 8:00P
Main Street Live Jackson, Tennessee
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