Guitarist Joel Hoekstra might be best known as a member of Whitesnake, but he also has his own solo project called Joel Hoekstra’s 13. The latter released their second album, entitled “Running Games” through Frontiers Music on 12th February. I spoke to Joel via Skype on 16th February to talk about the new album, Whitesnake and his involvement with Night Ranger, Cher, Rock of Ages and Trans Siberian Orchestra amongst other things!
That interview was on the Friday NI Rocks Show that was aired on 19th February. An edited version with 3 tracks from the album rather than 4 is now on our MixCloud page -
The interview can be read below -
Playlist for the Show –
SCREAMING EAGLES – Save Me
AC/DC – Sin City
AC/DC – Touch Too Much
MYLES KENNEDY – In Stride
RICK PIERCE GROUP – Tick Tock
RONNIE ATKINS – Scorpio
JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 – Hard to Say Goodbye
Interview with JOEL HOEKSTRA Part 1 (6 min)
JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 – Finish Line
Interview with JOEL HOEKSTRA Part 2 (6 min)
JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 – How Do You
Interview with JOEL HOEKSTRA Part 3 (6 min)
JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 – Fantasy
WHITESNAKE – Hey You (You Make Me Rock)
NIGHT RANGER – I’m Coming Home
SWEET SAVAGE – Eye of the Storm
TYGERS OF PAN TANG – Hellbound
KISS – Strutter
Promo Interview with Ricky Warwick Part 1
RICKY WARWICK – You Don’t Love Me
RICKY WARWICK – When Life Was Hard and Fast
Promo Interview with Ricky Warwick Part 2
TOBY JEPSON – Unwind
MATT PEACH – Cut Our Teeth
JACK J HUTCHINSON – World on Fire
HEARTWIND – Line of Fire
GARY HUGHES – Electra-Glide
BONFIRE – American Nights
BLACKFOOT – Highway Song
NI ROCKS – Hi Joel, thanks for taking some time to talk to Rock Radio NI. We just played the track “Hard to Say Goodbye” from your new album. What can you tell us about that track?
JOEL – That’s one that started with the melody first. Sometimes I’ll write a song where I’m singing it without a guitar in my hands. I remember coming up with that one as I was walking around Tokyo; being on tour with Whitesnake. For whatever reason that chorus just stuck in my head and I thought this has got to be something. It’s a very hooky chorus I think. (Laughs)
NI ROCKS – That was the first single from the new album wasn’t it?
JOEL – Yeah, that was the first single.
NI ROCKS - The new album is called “Running Games” and it was released last week by Frontiers Music. The album sees the return of the same people who performed on the first Joel Hoekstra’s 13 album back in 2015. Was that the plan from the outset?
JOEL – Hmm, I guess so. I just thought it made sense to have everybody back if they would come back because that gives it some consistency from album to album. People will know what to expect and what kind of sound. So it was a no-brainer and thankfully everybody wanted to do it.
NI ROCKS – The original line-up was Russell Allen, Vinny Appice and Tony Franklin. How did that line-up first come together?
JOEL – Tony Franklin and I met doing a project called VHF – it was kinda psychedelic instrumental rock. I had the concept of doing this in my mind – having a project that sounded like a band, but where I was doing all the writing. I asked Tony and he was into it. I asked who he’d want to play with on drums and he recommended Vinny Appice. I thought that sounded like a great, cool line-up. Right at that time Russell Allen joined Transiberian Orchestra and it became pretty clear that he was the singer for it. And Derek Sherinian is just the go to guy for great sounds and solos.
NI ROCKS – On the first album Russell Allen sang most of the tracks, but Jeff Scott Soto also sang a few tracks. This time Jeff is just providing backing vocals. Was there any reason for that?
JOEL – The original plan on “Dying to Live” was that Russell would sing all the lead vocals, but his schedule was such that it was going to delay the album. So Jeff helped me out. And he did an awesome job; I don’t regret that at all. I think it’s really cool. I think if there was one thing that people didn’t respond well to was having two different lead singers. People didn’t really get it. So, I thought this time around Russell was available to finish it and I thought it made better sense. And Jeff also has many, many projects…and it’s not like he needs another one!
NI ROCKS – Where was the new album recorded and who did you work with in terms of production, mixing etc?
JOEL – Everybody just records at home and does the file sharing thing – which I like because it lets everybody just be themselves and play the way they want and do as many takes as they want without feeling self-conscious. In regards to the mixes, that’s all Chris Collier, who is a very skilled guy and amazing engineer. But the best thing about him is that he is also open-minded and is willing to endlessly tweak with me because I really enjoy the mixing process.
NI ROCKS – You mentioned that during recording everybody was doing their own thing. Quite often now that is the way that it goes – people recording in their own houses and sending things in. Do you prefer that, or do you still like to get the band in the studio and record as a band in the studio?
JOEL – I like the file sharing thing. I think everybody has the opportunity to record exactly what they want with very little pressure on them. They’re the only ones that are watching and they don’t have time constraints and money issues hanging over their heads; or ‘hey we need it on this take otherwise we go into another block of time at the studio’. Personally, I think the file sharing thing is very under-rated. I think it works great.
NI ROCKS – When did writing for the new album actually start and who was involved in the process? Was it all you?
JOEL – Yeah. I don’t know when exactly I started writing it, but I tend to write in two different blocks. I assemble all the guitar riffs and usually each of the songs has a chorus in mind as well. From there, I’ll have a melody written at the same time. The next step is after Vinnie and Tony play on it and I’ll actually write the lyrics to those melodies. The chorus is usually the only thing with words when I first write a song. Yes, I did write everything on it. What I is record a guide vocal for Russell of me singing the whole album and he just listens to that and then sings it a whole lot better than I do (laughs).
NI ROCKS – Did the lockdown during the covid pandemic have any impact in delaying or speeding up the release of the new album?
JOEL – It was fully written; Vinnie and Tony were done recording and Russell had done about three songs. I would say definitely, it helped to expedite the process and get this across the finish line. So, there is a silver lining.
NI ROCKS – A difficult question at the moment maybe, but do you see a time when there might be some live shows from Joel Hoekstra’s 13?
JOEL – I would love that. Let’s get the world open and take it from there. If we get the opportunity I’ll do everything that I can to organise it. And that includes doing whatever I can to get people onboard and out there doing that. I think it would be a blast.
NI ROCKS – We’ll play another track from the album “Running Games” now. Do you want to pick a track and tell us something about it?
JOEL – We could pick the second single “Finish Line”. Obviously, a very Dio influenced track, but it sits right in the centre of the sound, I would say, of the project. Melodic hard rock - Dio-sih at its heaviest and Foreigner at its lightest. You’ll hear within this song, it feels kinda Dio-ish and dark and heavy, but it’s got a bit more of a commercial, catchy chorus than a standard Dio song would. I think it defines in many ways this album and the project.
NI ROCKS – I mentioned the covid pandemic earlier. It has had a huge impact on the music business. How have you personally been dealing with it?
JOEL – Typically, when I’ve been home from tour I spend the whole time at home anyway, being a dad. So, I’m not a big go out guy. It hasn’t really impacted me a ton with that. I’m just not touring and that has been significant; because I have obviously been touring a lot the last ten – twelve years in particular. But I’m very busy. Teaching is the biggest thing – one on one and masterclasses. And only doing sessions for people – doing guest solos, co-writing with people; I just turned in the riffs for a project with Michael Sweet and Nathan James and I’m still working on those songs. I’m also co-writing with my friend Jim Peterik for an album he is producing right now. Obviously, doing the quarantine video jams that people have been doing – I’ve done a lot of those – a couple with Dino Jelusick that have done really well online and gotten lots of views. I’ve a cool one coming up with that. What am I missing – cameos, personalised greetings for people, obviously finishing the album, doing press for the album. I’d say I’m pretty much busier now than when I’m touring. I feel that I’m working super, super hard. I don’t know that it’s as much fun as touring! It’s really hard to beat getting paid to travel the world and play for thousands of people – it just is! But maybe that’s just me being spoilt, so it’s ok. Life’s not so bad now. I can’t complain. There are many people who aren’t making any money and can’t pay the rent or buy food; so I’m certainly not one of those people so I’m not going to sit here and complain about it.
NI ROCKS – You mentioned touring. At the moment what are the next dates in your diary for touring? I know it’s very hard to say when things will happen but what is the next planned thing?
JOEL – Nothing. There is zero on the books right now. I think at this stage of the game people keep setting stuff up and cancelling. I just don’t care to have anything set up until we know we can actually keep it at this point. Even if I had to wait another six months to do it I’m ok with that. I’m actually doing well financially with everything right now; which is nice and reassuring to know that my savings aren’t going to dwindle away during this time period. In terms of touring – I miss it very much, but I’d rather have it be on solid ground; than let’s set it up and cancel.
NI ROCKS – The last time I saw you perform was actually in Switzerland at Rock The Ring in June 2019. You were due to play in Belfast with Whitesnake last year but that had to be cancelled of course. Do you know if that Whitesnake tour will be rescheduled at some stage?
JOEL – I have no idea man. I think at this stage anybody who is realistic is more on the lines of what is the news from the world, rather than what is Whitesnake going to do. I think David has said that he’d love to do a farewell tour. He’s kinda bummed that this whole thing is in the way of it at the moment. We’ll see. I’d love to get back out with Whitesnake. I love working with David – he’s awesome.
NI ROCKS – David Coverdale has been co-ordinating the release of what is called the red, white and blues trilogy over the last year or so. Has there been any discussion of possibly doing a new Whitesnake studio album?
JOEL – Not that I know of, but fingers crossed for that. But not that I know of bro.
NI ROCKS – I spoke to Reb Beach back in November when he released his new solo album – also through Frontiers. We were chatting about having DC as a boss – Reb does a very good impersonation of him! What has it been like working for David for the past seven years or so?
JOEL – Great man! So many great life experiences and its very hard to sum up in a couple of phrases. Just absolutely wonderful boss, band-mate and friend. A great dude. I really like David a lot. I enjoy the whole line-up that we have in Whitesnake right now. We’ve had some continuity happening there and having a steady line-up of the band for the last seven years or so. I’ve really enjoyed everything about it and that’s why I’m hoping that we can do more.
NI ROCKS – You co-wrote quite a few of the tracks on the “Flesh & Blood” album that was released in 2019. We’ll play something from that album later in the Show. Can you pick a track to play and tell us why you’d pick that one?
JOEL – I’ll go with “Hey You” because it rocks. It’s one of those songs that translated very well to the live environment. Even if people hadn’t heard it because it’s a new song they could latch onto that chorus right away an dget everybody in the crowd shouting “Hey You”. It was great fun to tour that and watch an audience who hadn’t heard the song respond the way they did. It’s very inspiring.
NI ROCKS – It’s a great track - we’ll play that one later, but for now we’ll get back to your new album “Running Games” and play another track from it. Do you want to pick a track from it and tell us something about it?
JOEL – Let’s go with “How Do You”. I’d say that this one is as close as you’ll get to a ballad until the end track. The title track is obviously an acoustic song. This song is as close as you’ll get to a ballad and I love Russell’s singing on it. I just feel like it’s the next level of inspiration from him on this one. I think it was Russell’s favourite as well – in terms of his vocals on this.
NI ROCKS – You self-released a few solo albums between 2000 and 2007, but your big break came when you joined Night Ranger back in 2008. You spent six years touring with the band, releasing two studio albums and a live acoustic album. Looking back, what would you say were your favourite memories from that period.
JOEL – Aw, that’s really hard to do too. I had so much fun with those guys. I went from being relatively unknown at that time – I’d worked with Jim Peterik’s band, which was like half way into Night Ranger, and working with Kelly (Keagy) a bit in Scrap Metal and that got me my opportunity. I’d say the excitement of joining the band. Too many great memories to summarise. I had a great time with them.
NI ROCKS – Again, we’ll play something from your Night Ranger period on the Show later. Do you want to pick a track from one of the albums that you did and tell us why you’d pick that one?
JOEL – Gosh, let’s see. Let’s go with “I’m Coming Home” off of “High Road. That’s one that I probably had the most to do with in terms of writing on the album. I wrote the guitar riffs for that one. Brad (Gillis) added one, but it’s the one that I got closest to having a sizeable contribution on a song I’d say.
NI ROCKS – Around the same time you became involved with two high profile, entertainment spectaculars – the Rock of Ages Show on Broadway and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra tour. How would you compare those two experiences?
JOEL – They’re very different from each other. Rock of Ages is funny and poked fun at itself. I would say it changed my life in that it gave me a steady gig for six years and I could also take off when I needed to tour during that time. It really changed my life and it’s a very fun show. I don’t know that I would have left any of the bands that I’ve been part of to do it, but it changed my life and led to a lot of opportunities like filling in for Mick Jones in Foreigner because I’d gotten to know Phil Carson (Foreigner’s manager) and he’d seen me play Foreigner in the show. So when Mick was sick I was the first person that came to mind – like maybe we can get Joel to fill in; I’ve seen him play some of the Foreigner stuff. We knew each other. That’s an example of the pathways that gig provided for me.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra has been my holiday tradition for the last ten years. An amazing group of musicians – amazing production – amazing fanbase. Just another life changing thing that I’m honoured to be a part of.
NI ROCKS – More recently you’ve also been touring with Cher and did a Las Vegas residency with her. I’ve only seen her perform once, about thirty years ago in Toronto, but it was a big entertainment event even then. What has it been like working with Cher?
JOEL – A great opportunity for a guy like me. It’s something that I would never have planned on. To work with the amazing musicians in her band and half the opportunity to play a really stylistically diverse set, because that music runs through many, many decades. Kinda fun for a minute not to play non stop hard rock in a set and interesting not to be one of the four or five people on stage that are the vocal point. We’re basically in the background on the bandstand and we step out and then all of a sudden there’s very intense pressure because it’s either with her or all on my own. A very unique experience. Amazing.
NI ROCKS – Getting back to the new “Running Games” album. I don’t think it has been released on vinyl as yet. Is that something that you’d be keen to see and are you a collector of vinyl?
JOEL – I’m not really a vinyl collector. I’m not really a collector of anything (laughs). I’m always working on music so much that I’m one of the world’s worst listeners sadly. People always bum out when I say that, but it’s true, if I’m going to be honest. I teach, I’m playing guitar I’d say five or six hours a day; if I do a session I’m playing 7 or 8 hours a day. When I’m done with that the last thing I want to do is like, hey lets fire on some music.
NI ROCKS – Would you like to see the album released on vinyl?
JOEL – I would like to, but I don’t know that it is going to happen. I don’t think they knew if there would be a demand for it.
NI ROCKS – We’ll finish off by playing another track from “Running Games”. Once again I’ll let you pick a track and tell us something about it.
JOEL – Let’s go with “Fantasy”, how about that. I’d say that this one was more or less something that started out as one of my ideas with Nathan James back when we wrote for the first Inglorious album. This was probably the oldest riff that made it onto this album. It was something that had been around for a while but I thought Vinnie Appice likes to play in those riffs with a lot if space and I thought this has got a great verse for him where he can have some room to let his playing breath a little bit. I liked the way that it turned out. It’s a cool mix of Dio with Zeppelin and maybe even a bit of the 90s kind of sound in the chorus.
NI ROCKS – We’ll play that now. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Good luck with the new album and hopefully we’ll see you out on the road sometime soon.
JOEL – My pleasure, thank you so much for your time; I really appreciate it.
