Former Guns n’ Roses drummer Steven Adler’s new band ADLER released their first album back in November entitled “Back from The Dead”. For me, it’s one of the best albums released last year and I strongly recommend it! Adler consists of Steven on drums, Lonny Paul on guitar, Johnny Martin on bass and Jacob Bunton on vocals. We managed to catch Jacob to answer a few questions about Adler and his other band LYNAM just before he headed off on tour.
NI ROCKS – Thanks for taking some time to answer a few questions for Rock Radio NI. We’ll start off with your involvement in Adler before covering Lynam and a few more general things. Were you approached for the lead vocalist position in Adler or was there a process of auditions?
JACOB – Steven and Lonny were looking for a singer to start a new project. Those guys had been doing Adler's Appetite and they wanted to do an original project. We were introduced by a mutual friend (producer Jay Ruston) at Jani Lane's memorial at the Key Club. We hit it off and started working on songs. I think they went through a few guys before settling on me.
NI ROCKS – Tell us a little about who the members of Adler are apart from yourself and Steven and who was involved in the recording of the album “Back From The Dead”
JACOB – Lonny Paul is the guitarist and is an amazing songwriter. He's been in lots of LA bands over the years. Johnny Martin plays bass. He's played with Chelsea Smiles, Jesse Mallen, LA Guns, etc. Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Dio, Foreigner) produced and played bass on the record.
NI ROCKS – With the Guns n Roses connection have the press tried to make any comparison with Myles Kennedy who is now Slash’s permanent frontman? How do you react to that if they do?
JACOB – No. The comparisons for me and Myles both are always to Axl not to each other. Myles is an amazing singer and song writer. I'm a huge fan.
NI ROCKS – Was there such a thing as a typical song writing process for the tracks on “Back From The Dead”?
JACOB – Not really. Lonny wrote some songs, I wrote some songs, we wrote together. There was no set process. We just tried to do what was best for the song. There were no egos in the creative process. We sent each other ideas back and forth through e-mail. Once we started recording the record, me and Lonny would wake up at 6:00 am everyday and write together. It was a really fun record to make.
NI ROCKS – Can we expect any more singles and videos to be released from “Back From The Dead” in the near future?
JACOB – Absolutely! We plan on doing 2 or 3 more singles from this album.
NI ROCKS – Adler have just announced an extensive tour for the USA from May through July and we’ve been promised European dates for later in the year. Anything more you can tell us? How does the excitement of performing live for your fans weigh up against knowing you’re on the road with the same bunch of guys for so long?
JACOB – We plan on playing everywhere this year! The guys in the band are great, so we're all looking forward to hangin' on the road.
NI ROCKS – Is there any venue in the USA that is a particular favourite or thrill to play in and is there a venue anywhere that you haven’t played before that you have a real desire to perform in?
JACOB – I love all of the House Of Blues venues in the USA. I'm really looking forward to playing Japan in March. I'd love to play the UK.
NI ROCKS – You’re still fronting Lynam which you founded back in 2001 whenever Mars Electric broke up. You’re coming straight off touring with them to do a few shows with Adler, including some supporting Duff McKagan’s Loaded in Japan. How difficult is it juggling the two commitments?
JACOB – It's not difficult at all, it just all comes down to scheduling. Both are a lot of fun. I'm very lucky to be surrounded by amazing people.
NI ROCKS – Lynam had released 5 studio albums and a live recording before announcing that there would be no new albums. There seems to have been a change of heart, as Lynam are now planning two EP releases during 2013, with the first entitled “Halfway to Hell”. What made you want to get back into the studio?
JACOB – We said we wouldn't make any more full length records, but we always intended on making new music. The way the music industry is today it's easier to get music out now than ever.
NI ROCKS – What can we expect from the two EPs? Your website suggests that they are going to have different sounds!
JACOB – Right now we're only concentrating on Halfway To Hell
NI ROCKS – You had quite a bit of success with your first band Mars Electric, being signed to Columbia records and touring with the likes of Motley Crue, Nickelback and Alice Cooper in a fairly short period. What led to the break up of Mars Electric in 2000?
JACOB - We all had completely different personalities. It just wasn't fun anymore.
NI ROCKS – With your commitments to Lynam and Adler it looks like you’re going to have a busy 2013. What are your longer term plans for both bands? Is another Adler album being considered for later in the year?
JACOB - I'm actually on the road with Lynam now. I fly out to LA next week to start Adler dates. Adler will probably record some more this year. I like to stay busy
NI ROCKS – A few quickfire questions to finish with! First album you remember buying?
JACOB – Motley Crue - Girls, Girls, Girls & Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet. I got both of those at the same time.
NI ROCKS –First band you saw live?
JACOB – Beastie Boys
NI ROCKS – Five artists we’d find on your iPod /MP3 player if we pressed “shuffle”?
JACOB – Prince, Motley Crue, George Michael, Dream Theater, Lady Gaga
NI ROCKS – Some up and coming bands that you’d recommend we check out?
JACOB – Walking Papers (Note from NI Rocks – a band that includes Duff McKagan. They play Voodoo in Belfast on 12th June)
NI ROCKS – Favourite Guns n’ Roses track?
JACOB – My Michele
NI ROCKS – Thanks again for taking a few minutes to answer some questions. Best of luck with the USA gigs and we hopefully we’ll see you in Northern Ireland as part of the European tour later in the year!
JACOB - Thank you. Be sure to check out www.adlerrocks.com for tour dates and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/adlermusic and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/adlerrocks
As well as the Adler sites listed by Jacob above, check out his band Lynam at www.lynammusic.com or www.facebook.com/lynammusic
The first Adler dates in Europe were announced just before posting this interview, including the following dates in England. Nothing so far in N Ireland unfortunately!
23rd Sept – Railway Station in Ipswich, UK
24th Sept – Waterfront in Norwich, UK
25th Sept – Robin 2 in Bilson, UK
26th Sept – NQ Live in Manchester, UK
27th Sept – The Diamond in Sutton in Ashfield, UK
28th Sept - O2 Academy in Islington, UK