In this interview, I was able to catch up with Greg Minier of the U.S. based project Applehead to ask him a few questions about the latest release 'The Light Side Of The Apple'.
(Jacob) It's so good to finally be having this interview with you:
(Band Member) Hey there, Jacob! Thanks for interviewing me.
(Jacob) So, can you give us some insight into what got you involved in the music industry and what is the ultimate purpose of the band?
(Greg Minier) When I was seven years old and I got my first KISS record, I decided that I either wanted to be a brain surgeon or a rock star. Brain surgeon didn't work out. Not sure about rockstar either lol... I've always just wanted to create music. It makes me happy. I like to create and play all types of music, but I prefer to have an uplifting message of hope through God in my songs. Not every song has to be that way, but it needs to be in there somewhere.
(Jacob) Who was the founding member(s) and when did the band officially form?
(Greg Minier) Applehead was a solo project consisting of me on all instruments and vocals with a few in-studio guests. The first album "Meaning" was released in 1992. The new album "The Light Side Of The Apple" started as a solo project with just me doing everything as well. After I met Jaymi Millard, I had him replace all the bass tracks I had already recorded. So on this new record, Jaymi is playing bass and I'm doing everything else. We are currently forming a band to take it to the stage.
(Jacob) Can you shed some light on where your band's name came from and what is the meaning behind it?
(Greg Minier) There is no real meaning behind the name. It was just a funny name I came up with for the first record.
(Jacob) What brand of instruments do you all use and why do you prefer that specific brand over another?
(Greg Minier) I have a variety of guitars - Fender, Gibson and Charvel as well as a couple of old Marshall heads and an original first-run Line 6 Flextone head and combo amp. I don't have any acoustic drums anymore, but do have an Alesis Strike Pro electric kit. The gear I have is pretty much what I've held on to over the years. Back when I played with The Crucified (and Applehead) in the late 80s/early 90s, I used Carvin guitars, ADA amplification and Mesa Boogie cabinets. Jaymi mostly plays a Yamaha "Attitude" along with some Jaydee basses. He gets his gnarly tone with the Dug Pinnick pedal.
(Jacob) Do you all have any hobbies outside of music that help to rejuvenate or inspire creativity within your music?
(Greg Minier) I don't have any real hobbies outside of music other than eating good food and riding my Harley. Wind therapy is good for clearing the mind! Oh, and I like to grill in the back yard while listening to tunes - mostly the 70s and 80s rock I grew up on.
(Jacob) Are there any artists that have played a part in influencing the members of your band along with your band's sound?
(Greg Minier) I really can't attribute an artist or band to the sound of what I write. People hear a lot of bands in it and usually those bands are ones that I've never listened to before. I listen to very little new music. Occasionally, I hear a newer song that I really dig but it's always something completely different than my own music. A recent example would be the song "Hungersite" by Goose. I love that song and the guitar playing is so good. It's a good song to listen to while driving. However, the whole reason I wanted to learn to play guitar at the age of seven was because of Ace Frehley. I was featured in Guitar World Magazine in 1993. When they sent me a copy, Ace was on the cover. I opened to the contents page and saw pictures of Ace, Dimebag, Snake Sabo, Zakk Wylde, Joe Perry, and ME. I was so happy that the issue I was in had Ace on the cover!
(Jacob) What is the biggest problem that you have had to overcome as a band?
(Greg Minier) No problems as a band because this will be the first time that Applehead becomes a band. I played as Applehead a few times way back (opening for The Crucified) and Applehead would usually consist of Crucified members and one other guy on guitar. Those other guitarists would come from the another band on the bill - Todd stevens (XL & DBD), Mike Phillips (Deliverance) and Jon Maddux (Deliverance) to name a few. We would just run through the songs during sound check and then play them right before The Crucified's set. So, I would open for myself lol.
(Jacob) Can you go into some detail about the musical direction on your latest release 'The Light Side Of The Apple'?
(Greg Minier) It has a lot of variety on it. Some slow, mid-tempo and fast stuff. I just refer to it as retro(ish) metal. I love Queen and how they would have albums made up of songs that didn't stick to a style, sound or even seem like they should be on the same record. When I was writing and recording this one, I had a "no rules" mindset. And because there weren't any other band members around to say "that's lame" or "don't play/sing like that", I got to do whatever I wanted. The beauty of the modern age helped as well - being able to record at home and not worry about how much time it's taking.
(Jacob) Do you feel like you achieved what you set out to accomplish on your latest project?
(Greg Minier) Absolutely! I'm more satisfied with The Light Side Of The Apple than anything else I've done in the past.
(Jacob) What is your favorite song to perform, whether live or in studio, and why?
(Greg Minier) I don't have a favorite. It usually comes down to how the audience responds. That's when I really dig it.
(Jacob) Were there any special or funny moments during the recording process of the album?
(Greg Minier) Plenty! But since I was the only one there for 90% of the recording process, those funny moments were just with myself. I suppose worrying about what my wife and daughter were thinking while I was upstairs yelling into a mic at 3:00am was somewhat unnerving.
(Jacob) At this time, are you planning to keep moving forward as a band and are there any plans for future projects in the works?
(Greg Minier) I'm already writing for the next record. I'm hoping the next one will be less of a "solo" album and more of a band thing. Recording almost everything on my own is fun, but exhausting.
(Jacob) Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses to each and every question. I am excited about your latest release and am looking forward to hearing more from the band in the future.
(Greg Minier) Thanks again for the interview Jacob. I'm really hoping that this Applehead album takes off and the band can get out and play all over the globe!
(Jacob) It's so good to finally be having this interview with you:
(Band Member) Hey there, Jacob! Thanks for interviewing me.
(Jacob) So, can you give us some insight into what got you involved in the music industry and what is the ultimate purpose of the band?
(Greg Minier) When I was seven years old and I got my first KISS record, I decided that I either wanted to be a brain surgeon or a rock star. Brain surgeon didn't work out. Not sure about rockstar either lol... I've always just wanted to create music. It makes me happy. I like to create and play all types of music, but I prefer to have an uplifting message of hope through God in my songs. Not every song has to be that way, but it needs to be in there somewhere.
(Jacob) Who was the founding member(s) and when did the band officially form?
(Greg Minier) Applehead was a solo project consisting of me on all instruments and vocals with a few in-studio guests. The first album "Meaning" was released in 1992. The new album "The Light Side Of The Apple" started as a solo project with just me doing everything as well. After I met Jaymi Millard, I had him replace all the bass tracks I had already recorded. So on this new record, Jaymi is playing bass and I'm doing everything else. We are currently forming a band to take it to the stage.
(Jacob) Can you shed some light on where your band's name came from and what is the meaning behind it?
(Greg Minier) There is no real meaning behind the name. It was just a funny name I came up with for the first record.
(Jacob) What brand of instruments do you all use and why do you prefer that specific brand over another?
(Greg Minier) I have a variety of guitars - Fender, Gibson and Charvel as well as a couple of old Marshall heads and an original first-run Line 6 Flextone head and combo amp. I don't have any acoustic drums anymore, but do have an Alesis Strike Pro electric kit. The gear I have is pretty much what I've held on to over the years. Back when I played with The Crucified (and Applehead) in the late 80s/early 90s, I used Carvin guitars, ADA amplification and Mesa Boogie cabinets. Jaymi mostly plays a Yamaha "Attitude" along with some Jaydee basses. He gets his gnarly tone with the Dug Pinnick pedal.
(Jacob) Do you all have any hobbies outside of music that help to rejuvenate or inspire creativity within your music?
(Greg Minier) I don't have any real hobbies outside of music other than eating good food and riding my Harley. Wind therapy is good for clearing the mind! Oh, and I like to grill in the back yard while listening to tunes - mostly the 70s and 80s rock I grew up on.
(Jacob) Are there any artists that have played a part in influencing the members of your band along with your band's sound?
(Greg Minier) I really can't attribute an artist or band to the sound of what I write. People hear a lot of bands in it and usually those bands are ones that I've never listened to before. I listen to very little new music. Occasionally, I hear a newer song that I really dig but it's always something completely different than my own music. A recent example would be the song "Hungersite" by Goose. I love that song and the guitar playing is so good. It's a good song to listen to while driving. However, the whole reason I wanted to learn to play guitar at the age of seven was because of Ace Frehley. I was featured in Guitar World Magazine in 1993. When they sent me a copy, Ace was on the cover. I opened to the contents page and saw pictures of Ace, Dimebag, Snake Sabo, Zakk Wylde, Joe Perry, and ME. I was so happy that the issue I was in had Ace on the cover!
(Jacob) What is the biggest problem that you have had to overcome as a band?
(Greg Minier) No problems as a band because this will be the first time that Applehead becomes a band. I played as Applehead a few times way back (opening for The Crucified) and Applehead would usually consist of Crucified members and one other guy on guitar. Those other guitarists would come from the another band on the bill - Todd stevens (XL & DBD), Mike Phillips (Deliverance) and Jon Maddux (Deliverance) to name a few. We would just run through the songs during sound check and then play them right before The Crucified's set. So, I would open for myself lol.
(Jacob) Can you go into some detail about the musical direction on your latest release 'The Light Side Of The Apple'?
(Greg Minier) It has a lot of variety on it. Some slow, mid-tempo and fast stuff. I just refer to it as retro(ish) metal. I love Queen and how they would have albums made up of songs that didn't stick to a style, sound or even seem like they should be on the same record. When I was writing and recording this one, I had a "no rules" mindset. And because there weren't any other band members around to say "that's lame" or "don't play/sing like that", I got to do whatever I wanted. The beauty of the modern age helped as well - being able to record at home and not worry about how much time it's taking.
(Jacob) Do you feel like you achieved what you set out to accomplish on your latest project?
(Greg Minier) Absolutely! I'm more satisfied with The Light Side Of The Apple than anything else I've done in the past.
(Jacob) What is your favorite song to perform, whether live or in studio, and why?
(Greg Minier) I don't have a favorite. It usually comes down to how the audience responds. That's when I really dig it.
(Jacob) Were there any special or funny moments during the recording process of the album?
(Greg Minier) Plenty! But since I was the only one there for 90% of the recording process, those funny moments were just with myself. I suppose worrying about what my wife and daughter were thinking while I was upstairs yelling into a mic at 3:00am was somewhat unnerving.
(Jacob) At this time, are you planning to keep moving forward as a band and are there any plans for future projects in the works?
(Greg Minier) I'm already writing for the next record. I'm hoping the next one will be less of a "solo" album and more of a band thing. Recording almost everything on my own is fun, but exhausting.
(Jacob) Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses to each and every question. I am excited about your latest release and am looking forward to hearing more from the band in the future.
(Greg Minier) Thanks again for the interview Jacob. I'm really hoping that this Applehead album takes off and the band can get out and play all over the globe!