Interview
with Chip from Enuff Z'nuff
by
Keavin Wiggins
If I had my hand in creating the rock-n-roll
dictionary you would find Enuff Z’nuff when you looked up the words persistence
and determination. For over a decade this band has continued putting out
critically acclaimed albums, outlasted two major trends in rock, recorded
for two major labels and a handful of independents and still continue to
do what they do best, create music that is loved by critics, musicians
and has made them a favorite among a legion of loyal fans. All of this
despite the fact that chart topping success has so far eluded them.
You hear a lot of hype in the music world
and  you see
a lot of tragic decisions made. If there were any logic to the universe,
Enuff Z’nuff would be topping the charts with their eclectic mix of rock
and power-pop. They have survived trials and tribulations that would have
sent other bands scurrying for cover and through it all they kept their
perspective and concentrated on what was most important, the music.
Now with the release of their 10th album,
Enuff Z’nuff is getting a second chance at the spotlight and this album
is helping even the most jaded critics take a second look at this rock
band from Chicago that refuses to give up.
If you are a long time fan, or never heard
this band, please take this opportunity to sit back, relax as we discuss
with bassist- cofounder Chip Z’nuff the band’s latest album, this summer’s
tour with Poison, Warrant and Quiet Riot and what the band has in store
for music fans this go around.
Keavin for Rocknworld: It looks
like you guys have some real momentum behind you right now. Another critically
acclaimed CD and a national arena tour to promote it. Was there any difference
in your approach this time, in marketing 10?
Chip Z’nuff: No, it’s pretty much
the same approach: Father, Son – Holy Spirit - Amen. Say a prayer, cuz
that’s exactly what we need. And I think some of these prayers have been
answered. We have a chance to play arenas with twenty to thirty thousand
people a night, where we have been playing in the clubs for the past five
years to 500 people a night – and  that’s
a good night. We’re gonna reach a lot of people. We’re the only band on
the tour that has a brand new album out. So we feel pretty
good about that, nice fresh music. We certainly don’t have the hits that
Poison, Quiet Riot or Warrant has, but we think we have some good songs
and we’ll be a nice addition to the tour. I think quite frankly we’re a
good opening act for this tour.
Rnw: You guys have spent the last
decade trying to distance yourself from the whole glam scene (even before
Nirvana took over the rock world). Do you think you are going to stand
out a little on this tour, I mean your music fits in there but it is quite
different than the stuff Poison and Warrant is putting out?
Chip: I think it will be good because
this tour has a whole diversified lineup; A very eclectic lineup. I don’t
know if we’ll stand out or not, to be honest with you. I think no matter
who we went on tour with we would stand out a little bit, whether good
or bad. We have got some good songs and even though we don’t have the commercial
appeal of those other groups, it’s gonna be a nice mix. The only drag for
us is we only get a chance to play 35- 40 minutes a night. We have ten
albums out, we’d like to play at least a couple of songs off of every record,
especially for the die hard Enuff Z’nuff fans out there. That’s not the
case, that’s not gonna happen. Nevertheless, we’re gonna go out there
and kick ass for 35-40 minutes and put on a great rock show and maybe the
other boys will call us up there to join them for their encores.
RNW: Any thought into what the set
list is going to be? Are you gonna try and throw something in for everybody?
Chip: Well, we have to do the obvious
stuff Keavin.
RNW: Oh yeah I know that, Fly High
Michelle…
Chip: We’ll probably start out chronologically
– New Thing was our first song that was a quote hit and then Fly High Michelle
and then after that probably one song off of Strength. We  definitely
want to showcase the new album. Maybe we’ll do something off of Paraphernalia,
the one that had Rick Neilson, J Y [Styx] and Billy Corgan playing on it.
Or we’ll do a couple songs off of the new album 10, two or three of them.
The single - There Goes My Heart, Fly Away, which is a great rock arena
song and possibly The Beast – our little autobiography. Besides that
it’s a guessing game, I’m sure we’ll switch it around just so we don’t
get bored.
Continue....
|
