QUESTION:
How did you originally get the job in Doro?
JOHNNY DEE: Through my good friend, Jimmy DiLella. The band was based locally
and getting ready for the “Angels Never Die” tour. The drummer at the time
backed out a few weeks prior and Jimmy called me up. I went down to a rehearsal
room in Philly and played with them. Doro and I hit it off well and we all got
along great…it really felt like a family get together. Actually, Alex (Grob)
told me they HAD to hire me because I had “Doro” in my last name (DiTeodoro)…Ha!
QUESTION: Were you familiar with Doro’s music at the time?
JD: I was familiar with some of the Warlock stuff and the first two Doro
records. But I really wasn't familiar enough to walk in and play it...I had to
listen and learn a lot. Especially since I had to do it all in 2 weeks then, cut
the live CD/Video six shows into the tour!
QUESTION: Do you have any Doro/Warlock songs that are favorites of yours
to play live?
JD: I like different songs for different reasons. I’d have to say that I enjoy
playing the heavier songs the most. The old stuff like Hellbound, I Rule, All We
Are always gets the crowd pumping. I also really liked playing some of the stuff
from Love Me In Black. Do You Like It, Pain, Love Me In Black…Kiss Me Goodbye
was awesome live. Then there are songs like Fur Immer that are very strong and
emotional even though they aren’t heavy. When the crowd sings along, it’s really
a great feeling. Then there are the ballads where you have to really lay back
and let Doro’s vocal shine. The first tour I did with her was a great learning
experience. I had to concentrate a lot more on my dynamics.
QUESTION: How did the European festival shows go last summer?
JD: For some reason, we always tour Germany when it’s freezing out! But, being
in Europe in the summer is so great! To play a huge festival like Wacken is
always a thrill. It’s like a throw back to the old days of Metal!
QUESTION: How did the recent U.S. tour with DIO & YNGWIE go?
JD: It was great! Really a fun tour…a great package for fans that bought a
ticket. The crowds were really receptive to Doro after being away for so long.
Everyone on the tour was cool and we had some fun times. Watching Dio every
night was great as well. Actually, seeing Doro from the audience when she got up
and sang with Dio the last few shows blew me away! I’m so used to being on stage
behind her…now I know why she’s got such a loyal following! I’m a groupie now!
QUESTION: How did it feel to FINALLY be playing some U.S. shows with
Doro this time around?
JD: To finally play in the U.S. with this band after being in it for over 7
years was cool. The gigs in the U.S. were different from those in Europe. Going
from a headliner to an opener playing a 30 minute set, meant playing a lot more
heavy songs…no real time for ballads and things. Hopefully we’ll get to do a
longer show next time out.
QUESTION: How did the reunion dates with
Britny Fox go last year?
JD: It was a great time. We just fell right back into it…It was almost like all
that time hadn’t passed by…we really sounded fucking great and had a blast!
QUESTION: Tell us about the upcoming Britny Fox live album that will be
released through Spitfire.
JD: “Long Way to Live” is the title and it was recorded at those shows we did in
April/May of 2000. It’s sort of a “best of” but…really showcases the band in its
raw form. Also, it’s a chance for fans to hear Tommy singing his ass off on all
these songs. I had a lot of people come up to me telling me how great Tommy’s
voice is at the shows…I was like “yea…no shit, where have YOU been”? Haha!
QUESTION: Will there be a new Britny Fox studio album?
JD: That is the plan right now. Do some touring for the live CD and then record
some new material at the end of the year.
QUESTION: Before Britny Fox, you were in Waysted. How did that come
about and what was that experience like?
JD: It’s funny but I pretty much got that “in” through Jimmy also. Jerry Shirley
left the band and I got a call from Jimmy (from England) and he had pretty much
convinced them that I was the guy for the job. They took a huge chance on me but
it paid off.
Waysted was my introduction into the music business. I was a kid playing locally dreaming of “making it” and all of a sudden I’m living in England playing with Pete Way and Paul Chapman…idols of mine! I was a huge U.F.O fan! That was a cool time in my life for sure. I have a lot of great memories from that band…recording my first LP on a major label, doing my first video, touring arenas around the world. It was very satisfying to finally be able to do that. But there were also a lot of things I learned NOT to do as well!
QUESTION: When did you start playing drums and why did you choose drums?
JD: I had always been into music from an early age and I always had an interest
in drums. When I was about 13, I was really into riding dirt bikes and Moto-Cross.
One day I had a bad accident and broke my leg in two places. I spent that whole
summer in a body cast and basically had to learn to walk again after I got it
off. Since I really couldn’t do much else, I spent all my time listening to
records and learning how to play. My friends and I would get together and jam in
my basement and that’s really what started it all for me.
QUESTION: Who are some of your biggest influences?
JD: I am definitely from the KISS generation. Seeing that band (and Peter Criss)
was like a revelation for me. I was hooked after that. From there I just
discovered lots of other music, bands and drummers that influenced me. I could
name a million drummers that influenced me but I would have to say that John
Bonham is my all time favorite.
QUESTION: Are there any current drummers out there that you admire?
JD: I really dig anyone with their own personality or style. It seems like there
are so many faceless bands/drummers out there…nothing is setting them apart from
the rest. A drummer has got to be noticed! I admire the monster players just as
much as the guys that aren’t all chops but have something different to offer.
QUESTION: What bands are you currently listening to these days?
JD: Godsmack, STP, Foo Fighters, Radiohead. There’s some cool shit out there.
QUESTION: Besides playing with Doro, you are also in
Britny Fox, LeCompt and
Uncle Edna. Is it difficult to balance
your time between all four bands?
JD: Well, I really need to stay busy to stay sane! It’s not easy but all of
those bands have helped me grow as a player. I really like playing with everyone
in those bands but sometimes the hardest part is telling them that I have to go
do something else, ya know? The Britny thing kind of came out of nowhere last
year and we really had fun with that…I’m looking forward to doing another record
with them. LeCompt plays so many different types of music and the band is
constantly working. The guys are all great players and we really gel well
together. I can jump in and out of different situations and not feel out of
shape playing wise. I mean, I have to adjust a bit but not as much as if I
wasn’t playing as often. Uncle Edna is a project Tommy Paris and I are looking
forward to doing more with soon. I’d love to do some live gigs with that cause
it’s so different…I know we could pull off some crazy shit live.
QUESTION: Which band do you view as your top priority?
JD: Basically, the priority for me is to keep playing and making a living from
music cause, it's all I do. Whoever I am playing with at the time is what I
focus on. Britny Fox is a cool situation because it’s a band that I’ve been
involved with from the start. Everyone has equal input and we all work together
to make it what it is. I still think the ultimate is a band where everyone has
input in the music. It really is difficult sometimes but it's really a very
powerful and satisfying thing when it's done right. That being said, both Doro
and LeCompt have kept me working for years and I’m thankful for that.
QUESTION: When not playing music, what are some of your hobbies &
interests?
JD: Where do I begin? Sometimes when my ears are fried, I love to do the simple
things…unrelated to music. Just live a little…spend time with my wife, cook, eat
at great restaurants, watch movies, read, getting outdoors…mountain biking, etc.
I LOVE to travel…I could do that forever. Actually, art is another passion of
mine. I was headed in that direction before music took off for me. Drawing,
painting, designing on the computer, working with photos, video, etc. I still
love to do all of that.
QUESTION: What are your plans for the future? Are you working on any
other musical projects?
JD: Right now, I’m splitting things up between Doro, Britny and LeCompt. I’m
always open to anything during the in between times. I actually played drums for
Nick’s band for a while. That was fun. I also had a project with Nick, Mario and
a singer named Cory Massi that was very cool. We were all just jamming and
writing together and it was a great little band. I’m putting some of those songs
up on my web site, which will be up and running soon (johnnydee.com).
QUESTION: What has been the biggest highlight for you while playing with
Doro, so far?
JD: First, playing with a great artist. Doro is always thought of as this “Metal
Queen” but, she has so much more to offer. An awesome vocalist, a great
songwriter and a wonderful person. She’s very down to earth for all that she’s
been through. It’s pretty rare to find that. Also, I love this BAND! Getting to
play with Nick and Joe is always a pleasure. Oh yea, and then there’s the trips
to Europe! I love it…