Metal Sludge The Power and the Glory
Metal Sludge Editor at Large
LOS ANGELES — Chip Z’Nuff, the primary force behind glam favorites Enuff Z’Nuff, releases a solo album Feb. 3 called “Strange Time,” and the bassist takes over lead-singer duties while promising fans they’re going to be in for a treat.
“If I put my name to it, you know the quality is solid,” Z’Nuff said. “It’s going to have personality. I mean, come on, I’m Chip Z’Nuff, and I’ve been doing this for the last 30 years. If you know Enuff Z’Nuff, you know what I do, and this time I’m in the driver’s seat.”
Z’Nuff has taken over lead-singer duties, though he does manage to bring in a guest singer of the highest quality in Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander for a cover of the Kinks classic “All Day and All Night.”
“Robin and I spent so many years together, and if nothing else he knows how much I respect him,” Z’Nuff said. “In the old days, the guys from Cheap Trick and I used to record demos together. Later we would tour together, and (ex-Enuff Z’Nuff singer) Donnie Vie and I would come out for the last song. Those moments, you can never take those away.”
Meanwhile, ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler plays on five tracks, putting aside the notion there is any bad blood between the two since Z’Nuff left Adler’s band Adler’s Appetite in 2011.
“We never had a falling out,” Z’Nuff said. “I had kept that band together for years, one of the catalysts, and I love Steven Adler dearly, even living in his hourse. I played with him on those tours, tons of dates, not to make me rich but to play those incredible (Guns N’ Roses) songs every night.”
Rumors that Z’Nuff was forced into a role as drug-troubled Adler’s “babysiter” are ridiculous, Z’Nuff said.
“To make a long story short, at the time his jack-off brother Jamie decided this was Steven’s last chance, so he wanted to put a bunch of younger guys in the band,” Z’Nuff said. “For the four previous years, we were building something nice. I wish nothing but the best of luck to Steven. We’re closer than ever now, closer than he is to his own brother.”
As the main songwriter for 13 Enuff Z’Nuff records, Z’Nuff was ready to branch out and do his own thing, and “Strange Time” is the result; no longer are The Beatles the primary influence, as Z’Nuff calls the new style “stoner rock.”
“I think the Enuff Z’Nuff records have passed the test of time, and the songs still hold up today. On this record, I took a different approach,” Z’Nuff said. “I had tons of bad stuff going on — family stuff, medical conditions, divorce, lots of grief, and I wanted to get it all off my back and make a fresh start. These songs, I didn’t think about radio, but you can fuck to ‘em, you can dance to ‘em. I guess I was selfish and just wanted to write them for me.”
As for Vie, the singer has his own solo record coming out, but he has otherwise been keeping a low profile since ugly reports surfaced last year about continued drug use and other misdeeds.
“I don’t want to throw dirt. I just want to talk about my solo record,” Z’Nuff said.
Also, Z’Nuff is putting the finishing touches on a book about his life that’s expected to be published this year. James Reardon, who wrote The Doors book “Break on Through” is co-authoring.
“James took all my words and has done a really nice job,” Z’Nuff said. “This book will absolutely show all the scars and warts and tattoos, and it wasn’t easy to write — from being discovered by Doc McGee to working with Bob Bringham and Herbie Herbert, who helped us get our record deal, all the way through the broken promises, the divorces, the substance abuse.
“There were great times, too, fun times, so this covers the good and the bad about being with a big record company and about taking accountability. I mean, you can’t nail it perfectly every time, every show, and when you slip and fall, it’s hard to get up sometimes. It takes the best to be able to do that, and I’m still standing.”
Enuff Z’Nuff has seen its share of tragedy. Vie has worn out his welcome, guitarist Derek Frigo and drumer Ricky Parent have both died, and original drummer Vicki Foxx moved on years ago.
Johnny Monaco is doing the singing and playing guitar in what is now his second stint in the band, and Enuff Z’Nuff plays the Whisky on Feb. 20.
“In the old days, we would never rehearse, figuring everyone knows the songs, but now we’re taking it more seriously,” Z’Nuff said. “The band sounds really good now.”
Chip Z’Nuff @ Facebook – Twitter – iTunes – Enuff Z’Nuff
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gspot@metalsludge.tv
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