Wrong Side of Paradise: An Interview With ROBBIE CRANE Of BLACK STAR RIDERS
By
George Dionne,
Podcaster
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 @ 12:07 AM
“I think our songs reflect a snapshot of what’s going on in the world today.”
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BLACK STAR RIDERS are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut album All Hell Breaks Loose in 2023. Founded as a vehicle for members of the THIN LIZZY live touring band to make new music, the first incarnation of the group featured Ricky Warwick (ex-THE ALMIGHTY), Scott Gorham (THIN LIZZY), Damon Johnson (BROTHER CANE), Marco Mendoza (Ex-DEAD DAISIES), and Jimmy DeGrasso (Ex-MEGADETH).
While members of BLACK STAR RIDERS have come and gone over the years, the musicians involved consider themselves one big family. 2023 also sees the release of the 5th BLACK STAR RIDERS studio album, Wrong Side of Paradise, their first for new label Earache Records.
Frontman Ricky Warwick is still steering the ship along with his ‘favorite bassist’, Robert ‘Robbie’ Crane. Joining them on the album is guitarist Christian Martucci (COREY TAYLOR), but live and going forward will be Sam Wood (WAYWARD SONS). In-demand session drummer Zak St. John is behind the kit. I had the chance to speak with Robbie Crane shortly after the album’s release.
Highlights include:
-Discussion of new Wrong Side of Paradise album
-THIN LIZZY morphing into BLACK STAR RIDERS
-How Crane got the gig
-Meeting founder Scott Gorham for the first time, not realizing he was from the U.S.
-Recording the album well in advance
-Discovering new guitarist Sam Wood (WAYWARD SONS)
-Fan response to the album
-Earache Records enthusiasm for the the band
-Why Crane doesn’t write lyrics
-Collecting vinyl
-Learning Irish slang from frontman Ricky Warwick
-10th Anniversary European Tour
-Alumni Scott Goram & Jimmy Degrasso making appearances
-Why Alumni Damon Johnson & Marco Mendoza can’t make it
-Touring the U.S. in 2023
-Playing on Warwick’s solo albums
-Filling in live for Jerry Dixon of WARRANT
-Keeping in touch with his old RATT band mates
-Crane’s hopes for RATT members to settle their differences
-And much, much more
