Metal Sludge The Power and the Glory
WEST COAST
Is Blacklist Union Ready For Next Level?
A Metal Sludge exclusive with outspoken band leader Tony West
By Gerry Gittelson
Metal Sludge Editor at Large
LOS ANGELES — It’s been a decade since Blacklist Union first began winning over rock fans and critics alike, but where is the big reward, the brass ring, the gold and platinum records and celebratory arena tours?
If ever an up-and-coming rock band has deserved to make a name for themselves, it’s Blacklist Union, particularly founding singer Tony West, who writes the songs and makes all the decisions — including a lot of member changes through the years.
“It doesn’t matter who the other names are by this point. It’s Blacklist Union, and that means it’s Tony West,” West said.
There is an air of confidence to West, who looks just like Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee and acts a bit like him, too — including the wild highs and lows.
West just completed Blacklist Union’s fourth CD entitled “Back to Mo Mo,” and just like the preceding three releases, there are a lot of good songs on offer, all of them professionally produced and engineered and well-executed and, best of all, very catchy.
This band is great. Metal Sludge is not the first to proclaim so. Blacklist Union has gotten lots of good press through the years, but obviously that’s not enough.
West, also a successful businessman, says he has put a total of $1 million into Blacklist Union — not a hard thing to do in the music business if you’ve got deep pockets — combined with a million dollars worth of hard work.
What it all comes down to is a lucky break, or the lack of one. If the right record executive would simply give the nod, Blacklist Union can be huge, perhaps even the next Jane’s Addiction in terms of attitude, the next AC/DC in terms of pure volume, the next Guns N’ Roses in terms of crossover appeal.
West is ready. But is the world? That’s the burning issue.
Blacklist Union on the video set for “Alive N Well Smack in the Middle of Hell”
Tony West shows off his Cherokee Indian roots as the character Chief Smack A Ho
Tony West and Blacklist Union
“I believe you’re either a rock star or you’re not,” West said, sitting together with Metal Sludge for lunch just the other day. “As far as the success, it’s really frustrating.”
The CD comes out soon, West said. In the meantime, plans are being laid out to concentrate on first breaking Blacklist Union in Europe in addition to the states.
“Most of the promotion and touring is going to be in Europe because we’re so bummed out with the U.S. music scene right now,” West said. “We have to set up the release and promote it and make sure people know it’s coming out.”
West has every right to be bitter, but the real truth is, the transplanted New Yorker is an eternal optimist. He knows Blacklist Union is a great band, and so West continues the quest, year after year, always pushing forward and never retreating.
“We keep putting quality product out, and we have all these fans all around the world,” West said. “We’ve done this with no label or agent, no real manager with a big name, no nothing. Just us. I’m in love with the music, you know, and yes, I’d like to travel and play music for a living, but I don’t know if that even exists anymore. I just don’t know.”
This would all be Rainbow talk until you actually listen. Blacklist Union has the tracks to match the smack. “Alive N Well Smack in the Middle of Hell,” “Superjaded,” and “Evil Eye” all sound like hits that could have been on “Appetite For Destruction,”; plus, a cover of “Rock and Roll Outlaw” positively burns.
The CD “Return to Momo” will have your heart reeling and your finger reaching for the replay button.
West calls it street music.
“That means music with integrity and zero B.S.,” he said.
He goes on.
“Here is a record that can make a big impact like Guns N’ Roses or Alice in Chains, but where is the backing and the record labels? Not here,” West said.
He has come up with the only solution: Keep trying even harder.
Doug Goldstein has signed on as manager, and he was with Guns N’ Roses in their prime.
“He’s got the best stories for sure,” West said. “He’s a great guy, a good dude.”
Vicky Hamilton, known for her early work with Guns N’ Roses, Poison and Motley Crue, is also helping out, West said.
“The first three Blacklist Union CDs, I’m really proud of them, but they’re all very dark and lack blues hard rock, which is something I always have wanted in the mix,” West said. “We definitely have that now with the new CD, and the influences are pulled from the best like AC/DC and Sex Pistols and the Ramones. I love it. I think it’s great. I’m really proud of it. I think it’s a contender.”
The first CD was “After The Mourning” in 2006. Next came “Breakin’ Bread With The Devil” in 2008, then “Till Death Do Us Part” in 2012.
Blacklist Union @ WebSite – Facebook – Spotify – CDBaby – Twitter – YouTube
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gspot@metalsludge.tv
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