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ROCKNATION ISSUE 21
MOONSHINE
Interview by Tom Mathers
Rocknation: Hello Derek Davis of Moonshine and welcome
to Rocknation. The band will be releasing a “Self Titled”
CD on Southern Blood Records. Please tell us how this
band came together.
Derek: The band came together when Michael Anthony
from Van Halen’s guitar tech Craig De Falco put together
a really cool band and they were looking for a singer. So I
checked them out and sang some songs and right away it
was apparent that we had a really cool sound together.
Rocknation: You brought in a music heavy weight Michael
Anthony of Van Halen and Chickenfoot fame. How did
Michael come into the picture?
Derek: Michael was really behind the band from the start
he came to a lot of Practice sessions and jammed with us
all the time and gave us a lot of good advice.
Rocknation: The band recorded at Eddie Van Halen’s 5150
studio.This would be a dream come true for any musician
to record there. Please tell us some highlights you
remember from that.
Derek: Just being in that studio is like seeing where some
best guitar work and one of the greatest rock bands
recorded in history, and you feel very fortunate to be
recording in the same studio. Hanging with Alex and
Michael, seeing all the people that moved in and out of
their family’s lives. Seeing how VH worked as a band,
Watching the super bowl at Michael Anthony’s house while
“Right Here Right Now” was played at commercial time
and the VH guys hi-fiving every
time because they made something like a million bucks every
time that song played. It was
pretty f**kin amazing.
Rocknation: Did Moonshine ever
perform live or showcases for
labels?
Derek: We played a lot of shows
up and down the coast of
California. Sony, Columbia, A&M
Records were all interested in
USA. We also played at Sammy
Hagar’s “Cabo Wabo” a few times
in Cabo San Lucas. We had a lot
of people jam with us all the time
on stage, Zakk Wylde, James
Lomenzo, Sammy Hagar and
Michael Anthony. We had so many
great gigs and good times with
everybody.
Rocknation: You’ve always had
a blues influence seen in your
American Blues Box release. Have
you been in any other blues rock projects?
Derek: Besides American Blues box and Moonshine no I
have not, but when you here a guy like Buzzy James play
slide guitar like Duane Allman and Mike Malone play keys
and wail on the harp like he does Its very easy to write
lyrics an cool melodies to this southern blues style type of
music.
Rocknation: Please name of blues influences that was
most important to you.
Derek: For “Moonshine” its early Aerosmith, Lynyrd
Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Elmore James, Son House
& Muddy Waters. Real blues with a hard rock attitude.
Rocknation: Any funny band stories you had while being
in this band?
Derek: Watching Valerie Bertinelli Halen chasing and
yelling at Wolfie around the Van Halen back yard with no
make up and in a shower cap and house dress. That was
f**kin funny.
Rocknation: Thank you for taking time for this interview
and last words to the fans about this Moonshine release?
Derek: Just check us out We’ve got some really great tunes
on this record. People can get a chance to hear the tunes if
they like at either of our sites.
www.Southernbloodrecords.com
www.facebook.com/Moonshinesouthernrockband