Chad Macdonald former bassist with Jani Lane
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
Exclusive: Former Jani Lane Bass player Chad Macdonald Pays Tribute to Jani Lane
On Aug. 11, 2011 the Metal/Hard Rock genre lost former Warrant singer Jani Lane. In this exclusive interview for Hardrock Haven former Jani Lane bass player Chad Macdonald from the Jani Lane Band pays tribute to the late singer. Chad Macdonald is part of the new wave of musicians carving a name for themselves in the music industry today. Chad has a passion for ’80s music and has performed with some of the best. His resume includes performing with Kevin DuBrow (R.I.P.), Jani Lane (R.I.P.), Hookers n Blow (w/ Alex Grossi (Quiet Riot, Adlers Appetite), Dizzy Reed (GNR), Troy Patrick Farrell, (White Lion), Bang Tango, & currently Gene Love Jezebel. As well as up and coming AZ singer/songwriter JEORDIE (jeordie.com) daughter of legendary Woodstock artist Melanie who had a hit with the song, “Brand New Key” also known as “The Roller-Skate Song.”
Hardrock Haven: Chad, It has been a while since we spoke. We received the news that former Warrant singer Jani Lane passed away Thursday evening. Tell about performing with Jani in his solo band. Was your first gig with Jani at Mulcahy’s in Long Island with Dario?
Chad: My 1st show with Jani was indeed in NY at Mulcahy’s. But it was before Dario Lorina. It was Alex Grossi on guitar then. A memorable show because the plan was to rehearse all day as we had just put the band together and that day was to be our 1st rehearsal. Jani’s flight was delayed due to weather and he arrived in the nick of time for the show. We had no rehearsal with him whatsoever and just had to go on anyway and we nailed it! The adrenaline was pumping. Somewhere I have a CD of that show straight from the soundboard. It rocked.
Hardrock Haven: I remember that day well. I was in Boston. He phoned me from Long Island for an interview to promote the show and tour that day. Do you have any special memories that you would like to share with us performing with Jani?
Chad: There are many. We had some great times and great shows. He had a great sense of humor and was very humble. He always went out of his way to introduce the individual players in the band, and usually razz me a little when he did, which I actually really enjoyed. Perhaps unbeknownst to many he was an astonishing chef. He’d sometimes cook for the band on days off when we were on the road. He’d go out of his way to make something just for me because I was the only vegetarian in the band. Though it doesn’t have to do with music that’s among my fondest memories of him.
Hardrock Haven: What was your favorite Warrant song to play live?
Chad: I loved them all and especially his Solo songs off his ” Back Down To One” album. My favorite WARRANT songs to play were “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “Mr. Rainmaker.” Excellent songs. Very well written and arranged and a joy to play live.
Hardrock Haven: As a musician, what did you learn from Jani Lane?
Chad: I learned much. Including that you can really make magic even with just a few chord. The same ones we all know how to play but only a rare few can somehow arrange them into such great songs like Jani wrote. I am always amazed & inspired me how simple some of his songs are and they are still fantastic. He shall be missed.
Hardrock Haven: You first got your start performing with GNR keyboardist Dizzy Reed. I believe that was the first time we met. What was it like performing with Dizzy?
Chad: The “HOOKERS n BLOW” tours with Diz were extraordinarily fun. Though there’s parts I’m sure none of us remember! (Laughter) Wild times. Diz is a great musician and also very humble. A quality I admire as much as talent. It was incredible to getting paid to play Rock and Roll and see the country in the process and playing with such talented musicians immediately elevates your playing to a higher level.
Hardrock Haven: You have had an extremely busy year. You also performed with the Bullet Boys earlier this year.
Chad: I really enjoy having a schedule packed with gigs and I love playing different styles with many different artists. I did several national tours with Bullet Boys and a handful of fly-out dates if I recall. We too had some great times and great shows playing some good LOUD American Rock n Roll. I got the call to join just two days before the tour started! I was literally learning the set on headphones in the back of the bus. But I pulled it off and it just kept getting better from there. I suppose I work well under that type of pressure.
Hardrock Haven: It seems like there is a resurgence of ’80s music do you agree?
Chad: I’d agree. That was a fun era and a lot of the music was great. The ’90s had a lot of “downer rock” and in the ‘2000s there just doesn’t seem to be as many good hard rock bands as in the past. Perhaps that’s why there’s been a resurgence of the ’80s. Most of that stuff was about having a good time and good times never go out of style!
Hardrock Haven: What other bands have you performed with from the ’80s genre?
Chad: I did a solo tour with the late Kevin DuBrow, Jani of course, I’m currently playing with Gene Loves Jezebel, who I really dig. I did a handful of shows with Bang Tango as well.
Hardrock Haven: You hail from the Connecticut area and live on the West coast. How do both music scenes differ?
Chad: I’ll always be a New Englander at heart but I’m happy I relocated. I’m proud of my northeastern roots but the music scene is better here in the west, in my opinion. I live in Arizona but spend a lot of time in California and usually to play gigs. Jim Morrison summed it up when he sang ” The West Is The Best.” The west coast lifestyle just agrees with me more than the East and a more active music scene makes it all that much better.
Hardrock Haven: Also, you perform in the Las Vegas tribute band Nawgahyde. Do you enjoy playing classic rock tunes with them?
Chad: I absolutely love it. It’s a fun band with total pros and a great, rowdy, fun show. A lot of laughs! The quality of the songs of the ’70s was excellent. Especially, the bass lines. So it’s been a joy and even a challenge to learn and perform such classic songs with those guys.
Hardrock Haven: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?
Chad: Thank you Deb for the interview. I’ve really enjoyed it. I feel blessed for the many opportunities I’ve had. I live to play my bass guitar and making a living doing it has been wonderful. I’ve played with and met so many incredible people and seen much of the world in the process. It’s especially rewarding to notice yourself improving as a musician. As great as it’s all been I believe my best days are yet to come. As I write this Jani Lane recently passed away. I won’t forget all the good times and great music we shared. Or his cooking! We’ll miss you brother.
Visit Chad on the web:
www.myspace.com/chadmacdonald1
For the record..i NEVER played with the Bulletboys 🙂
Phew, Thanks for clarifying that Troy, god forbid.
Chad may want to read the review on you tube of Hollywood haunts under video comments on Gene loves jezebel 80s bar,Bellflower C.A 5.30.15.He will find the info enlightening im sure.