Derek Sherinian

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by Matthew Hoffman
Staff Writer

HRH: As you read in my CD review, I really like the heavy aggressive slant your solo albums take vs. some of the top keyboardists out there like Vitaly Kuprij or Jordan Rudess. Last week I went on Kuprij’s site and it was split into two facets, a site for his work within rock and metal and a classical site. When I saw this I wondered if you had any desire to create or currently do participate in any classical piano endeavor’s?

DEREK: Yeah I read your review today and really appreciated it. Thank you very much.

HRH: Sure. No problem. I’m glad you liked it and agreed with its content

DEREK: Well I started my early training on classical and I am not a concert pianist by any right but I do know a few pieces and try and learn a new piece each year. I admire all the greats but I never pursued a career in that as it is too rigid a format and I always wanted to play in rock bands.

HRH: I wanted to commend and thank you for offering a solo instrumental music that is really truly melodic and progressive but still very heavy (metal). I mean it is impossible to get more “metal” than Zakk Wylde-Mr. Black Label Society (laughing)

DEREK: I agree too. Zakk and I have been friends for 20 years. And he always say’s Derek you play like I do but a keyboard version. You have the metal you have the fucking balls, all other keyboard players’ sound like video games, and I would have to agree with him very much, as there are a lot good players, guys that have very nimble fingers but with the exception of Jens Johannson (Staratovarius, Dio, Malmsteen, Solo), who I think is incredible, I don’t think any of these other guys have a clue about playing heavy. There sounds are cheesy so the music that they write sounds like computerized video games.

HRH: The fact that you also have neo-classic shred pieces shows a great diversity within your latest CD Molecular Heinosity especially.

DEREK: I hear you say neo-classical so let’s not forget that I’ve played with Yngwie
And he’s the fucking Godfather of that style. I have played on two of his records and he’ has played on two of mine over the past ten years. You just can’t play with a guy like that and not have it rub off and come through your sound. I always have been a bit of a purist, if you’re going to play something, go play with the masters and learn from them. That’s one of the things with the great guitar players I’ve played with Holdsworth, Zakk (Wylde) , Malmsteen, all of these people I have absorbed from, so part of my keyboard style, parts of my composition reflect that. That’s one of the edges I have over other keyboardists out there, I don’t think there is another one out there that has played with so many great guitarists that I have.

HRH: I saw that Rusty Cooley was on your record and I thought up ’til now he was only good at speed not melodies and didn’t necessarily care for his songs. On your record the song “Frozen By Fire” changed my mind into thinking that with some better production, a collaborative song writing approach possibly he could shine.

DEREK: Yeah Rusty is very talented and should wind up being recognized outside of simply the tiny shred world very soon. I also used Taka Minamono, a Japanese kid that’s 22 years old. He definitely is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

HRH: Taking it back to the source of all this madness, what did you hear when you were a kid that really made the hair stand up on the back of your neck and say shit this is what I want to do one day?

DEREK: Combination of two things: it was Van Halen and Randy Rhoads on one side and the other side I was into the fusion, Al DiMeola, Alan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, and I have always been obsessed to have a sound that had the ferocity of Van Halen I and Randy Rhoads live with the technical thickness like a DiMeola record or the sensitivity of a Jeff Beck Record. Soloing wise Holdsworth was the shit when I was 16 in high school, smoking tons of pot, on my huge walkman under my long hair and just listening to it over and over.

HRH: Are you currently into any music that fans of yours would be surprised to hear you were interested in?

DEREK: Yes in my car I only listen to hip-hop. I don’t listen to metal or any other progressive stuff. I only listen to stuff like Snoop, Dr. Dre, Ludacris.

HRH: I am often made fun of because of my background in Rap and R& B, but it gives a person a chance to relax. Is that what it does for you as well?

DEREK: It does its nice to hear something that I don’t have to analyze or dissect it like the music that is similar to mine.

HRH: What about things on the other side of the fence, like Satanic black or death metal, or even speed metal bands, because I review a lot of dark ambient metal on a regular basis?

DEREK: Meshuggah. They are the only ones, and I freely admit that they have had a big influence on my sound on this record and my last one. They are incredible I like everything that they do.

HRH: Who were the idols of yours within the piano world? Were you a fan of Elton John, Billy Joel or any other big time performers?

DEREK: Elton was a huge influence of mine; I think he is awesome.

HRH: What would you say was your biggest thrill in the world of rock and metal? Somebody that you said holy shit I am playing with “x”?

DEREK: Eddie Van Halen. I got a chance to play with him at his house. Was my musical hero since his first album came out in 1978 when I was only 12. He has always epitomized the top of Mount Olympus to me. So getting a chance to play a private gig in his home studio was awesome.

HRH: Is there anything else that you would like your fans to know?

DEREK: Yes. I am looking for a singer in a new progressive metal band. Along with Rusty Cooley I am forming a new band. We want to throw our hats in the ring in that genre. Songs just like “Frozen with Fire”, any American vocalists that are interested go to my web site and submit your samples. And dude cool, stay in touch I really appreciate the support, the great review and all the coverage.