{"id":42913,"date":"2014-07-23T06:02:53","date_gmt":"2014-07-23T11:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=42913"},"modified":"2014-07-23T06:02:53","modified_gmt":"2014-07-23T11:02:53","slug":"interview-with-gregory-lynn-hall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/interview-with-gregory-lynn-hall\/","title":{"rendered":"Gregory Lynn Hall"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska<\/span>
\n– Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall is a name that all hard rock and melodic rock fans should be familiar with \u2013 from his Sunset Strip days and his tenure in Rat Sally back in the \u201880s to the contemporary AOR act 101 South he fronts. This year, however, marks a very important shift in Gregory\u2019s career as he embarks on a solo path with his new album Heaven To Earth<\/em>. The record\u2019s content was what the busy musician covered in his interview for Hardrock Haven, but not only \u2013 we also talked about his inspirations, his approach to songwriting, 101 South\u2019s current situation and Blackie Lawless\u2019 wild antics.<\/p>\n

\"g7\"Hardrock Haven: In the light of the fact your solo album is out this month \u2013 what\u2019s the current situation of 101 South? Is the band on hiatus, or do you plan to focus on your solo career now? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Yes, 101 South is on a break. I have talked with Roger about releasing a \u201cbest of\u201d album with a few new tracks, so we\u2019ll see. But at the current moment I am pursuing my solo career, and plan on making more solo records, working other musicians and so on.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Talking about the album \u2013 why the title Heaven To Earth<\/em>? I suppose it doesn\u2019t have much in common with your tenure in Stuart Smith\u2019s brilliant Heaven & Earth \u2026<\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: No, it doesn\u2019t indeed \u2013 it has to do with my faith. Here\u2019s the message: I like the idea of bringing Heaven to Earth<\/em>, and if I can do that in some small way, I feel like I can help people and bring them hope. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Heaven To Earth<\/em> explores slightly heavier territories music-wise than 101 South did. Was it the initial idea to gravitate more towards hard rock on your solo record? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: It wasn\u2019t a conscious attempt, it\u2019s just that I am primarily a guitarist and my personal influences are heavier.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: One of the album\u2019s assets is its diversity in terms of genres. What\u2019s inspired you throughout the process of writing the material and recording it? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Well, actually that\u2019s how the good records used to be made \u2013 there would be a heavy guitar riff song and then a mandolin bluegrass-type song. All the bands of any repute had that quality, the thing that tied it all together was the singer\u2019s voice. So I didn\u2019t set out to prove anything \u2013 I just let it flow, and this is what I got.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Especially interesting are the Americana\/Southern Rock\/blues vibes to the album, \u201cMama\u2019s Said\u201d being perhaps the most blatant example. Where did this inspiration come from? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: As I was saying, all styles are welcome to me, as long as I feel it. I love that swing bluesy thing \u2013 Aerosmith does that stuff the best \u2013 but I just came up with a guitar riff one day, and it went from there. I almost kept it off the album, but thought that maybe someone would say \u201cthat\u2019s my favorite song\u201d (laughs)<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Another unique thing about the album is that it\u2019s almost one-man band. Why have you opted for playing the majority of instrumental parts on your own rather than having the backing musicians? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: I wanted the challenge, and also wanted to hear the songs finished \u2013 the way I heard them in my head. Basically that\u2019s it.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: What was the difference between this approach \u2013 being a one-man band and using your multi-instrumental talents in the studio \u2013 and the usual work within a band? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Well, it was less confusion for sure (laughs). No, actually it was really a great time. I had to stay focused \u2013 very therapeutic, and rewarding feeling. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: It\u2019s often said that solo albums give the artist more freedom outside of the band. Do you see Heaven To Earth<\/em> as a chance to re-define yourself as an artist? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Yes, I think it shows more of where my influences are and what I\u2019m about personally for sure. It\u2019s all me, man, no hiding! (laughs)<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Talking about the instrumental parts on the album, we can\u2019t forget about the guest artists. There\u2019s many of them \u2013 Bandit Bellamia on drums and guest solos played by Craig Goldy, Billy Liesegang, Jeff Duncan, Mike Turner and Johnny Navarro. What\u2019s the reason for such personal choices? What influence did the guest musicians exerted over the sound on the album? <\/p>\n

\"g18\"Gregory Lynn Hall: I\u2019m so glad to have these great friends help and play on this album. After I did all the tracking, these guys added the spices, seasoning to finish the product, just like a gourmet meal \u2026 I am honored to have these guys on board!<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: A tough nut to crack \u2013 what is your favorite solo part on the album and why? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Well, obviously I love what Craig Goldy did on \u201cHeaven To Earth.\u201d He\u2019s such a great player and person. But all the solos are exceptional \u2013 Jeff Duncan smokes on some of those songs, Johnny\u2019s slide work rocks, Billy is always great, and Mike is class all the way.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: If you could have one more guest on the album and be able to collaborate with whoever you like to \u2013 who would it be? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Well, I almost had Doug Aldrich on the album. Doug and I go back thirty years \u2013 we used to rehearse at the same studios in the early \u201880s when we were kids. Scheduling didn\u2019t work out, but maybe next time \u2026<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Talking about favorites \u2013 what are your personal highlights of the album? Which songs you\u2019d pick as favorites? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Now that\u2019s a hard question to answer\u2026 because, as I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard before, every song is like one of my kids (laughs) So can\u2019t go there.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Where do you find your songwriting inspirations? Is it your own life, or maybe life in general? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Yes, inspiration does come from my personal life sometimes\u2026 sometimes a guitar riff, a string sound, a concept, a thought, a feeling \u2026 Just depends. A good tip for me is to sit quietly sometimes … And listen \u2026<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: How personal do you think an artist should be to communicate well with their audience? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: I think it\u2019s important to get real honest and communicate your vulnerability, so you can relate, identify with people, meet them where they are \u2013 they know if you\u2019re being honest. It translates.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Do you see how you evolved as an artist from the days of Rat Sally until now? Are you satisfied with the direction your musical path went in? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Oh yeah, for sure\u2026 back then I was writing really shallow stuff and my voice wasn\u2019t mature. Yeah, I\u2019ve come a long way\u2026 and I\u2019m glad to be where I am right now. Life is good.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Having just mentioned Rat Sally, could you share a story related to the \u201880s Hollywood scene, all these legendary Sunset Strip venues etc? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: Oh man, I\u2019ve got so many stories! I\u2019ll give you one. I guess it was around 1983-84. Me and some friends went to an after party after having been to the famous Rainbow Bar & Grill. I went to this apartment with Nikki Sixx, and some other bros\u2026 we walked in and there were about ten chicks that all looked like Elvira, they all had pale skin and long black hair. Then I walked into the living room and there was a throne type chair sitting in the middle of the room with sticks with skulls on the end of them on both sides of it\u2026 so now I\u2019m freakin’ out. Then all of a sudden I look up and there\u2019s a hole in the middle of the ceiling and out pops a ladder and Blackie Lawless from W.A.S.P. comes down (laughs) It was like a vampire coming out! (laughs) <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: With current \u201880s nostalgia and so many bands back, are there any plans for Rat Sally to reunite? What do you think about a potential reunion? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: We did a reunion in 1995, but there were some personal things going on at the time with a couple members that made it difficult and uncomfortable at times\u2026 so I would say probably not. I\u2019ve moved on and upward.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: What are your current plans?<\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: I would love to put a band together and support this album. Also, to collaborate with other pros that are open \u2026 <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Thank you for the interview! Is there anything else you\u2019d like to add? <\/p>\n

Gregory Lynn Hall: I think we covered everything. It was nice chatting with you \u2026 rock on and God bless! If anyone would like to get a hold of me, they can go to my website gregorylynnhall.com<\/a>. Cheers!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska – Columnist — Gregory Lynn Hall is a name that all hard rock and melodic rock fans should be familiar with \u2013 from his Sunset Strip days and his tenure in Rat […]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":42915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10850],"tags":[9610,9621,9608,203],"class_list":{"0":"post-42913","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arcint2014","8":"tag-101-south","9":"tag-blackie-lawless","10":"tag-gregory-lynn-hall","11":"tag-interview"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42913"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42913\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}