BASSIST CHUCK GARRIC

Basically Chuck

and his new kick ass trio DRUTS (Pronounced DROOTS)

Hi Chuck,

KEN: First off, thanks so much for taking the time to conduct this interview with DioZine.com. I know it means a lot to the Dio fans to hear what the other great musicians who have worked with Ronnie are up to.

With that said, Let me ask a few questions about your background.

KEN: Now, I know you have played with the likes of LA Guns, Lynch Mob and of course Dio. Can you give us a bit of history on your career? Who else have you played with?

CHUCK: Basically I have been in and out of bands for quit a few years here in
La and in Seattle. La Guns was my first break with a band that was on a major
tour.

KEN: How did you get into the music business? Any defining moment when you KNEW this was it for you?

CHUCK: I was interested in music at an early age started off in orchestra as a
Trumpet player And the more I got into Rock music I put the Trumpet
down and pick up a Bass Guitar.

KEN: Also I understand that you are a left handed person, yet you play a right handed bass. Can you enlighten us as to how this came to be?

CHUCK: I didn't even think about it when you start to play a new instrument it
always feels a little awkward plus I ordered it from Sears I don't
think they made a left handed Bass.

KEN: On to some more recent news, you filled in for Jimmy Bain in Dio for the European leg of Magica as well as the Monsters Of The Millennium tour with Motorhead and ManOWar. Was it your first time overseas? And how did it feel to be a part of both the Dio band and the Monster tour package?

CHUCK: Yes, that was my first time overseas. I could not believe I was the Bass player in DIO I worked my ass off learning the songs before hand and plus I was such a huge fan. I have always s loved Jimmy's Bass playing and of course Ronnie's voice.

KEN: Any memorable events from those tours?

CHUCK: It was a huge honor to be part of such a great band. The
tour Monsters of the Millennium was an added plus I fuck'en love Motorhead.

KEN: LA Guns seems to have a shifting history of members, can you tell us what it was like to be a part of that California based band? Did you contribute to any of the material or help to steady that band out on the road? What did you see your role as in that band?

CHUCK: La Guns does have a history of member changes but they gave me a great
opportunity and I will never forget that. I felt that we where a good
band who had a lot of fun playing together.

KEN: Additionally, you were a solid member of the recent Lynch Mob’s return to their original sound on this recent tour with Dio and Armored Saint. What was it like working with Oni, George and the boys?

CHUCK: When I was working with the Lynch Mob that I had a great time
with the guys [they are] good people.

KEN: Anything stand out from this tour?

CHUCK: Ronnie invited me up to play Neon Nights which was
very cool.

KEN: San Diego you had to fill in all the vocal duties as well. Unfortunately I could not be there that night. How did that go?

CHUCK: Yes, I did have to feel in for Oni a couple of nights on vocals I had a
blast I love to sing and entertain and I was given the chance to do both the
audience really enjoyed it along with the band to. After the DIO tour I
left Lynch Mob to concentrate on the DRUTS.

KEN: I think I can think of at least one exciting story. The last night of the tour, in Anaheim’s HOB you sat in with the Dio band on Neon Knights. (And it really kicked ass too, by the way!) How was that night for you?

CHUCK: Neon Nights great song. Mickey Dee and I where hanging out after the
Lynch Mob show I think DIO sang I know Mickey Dee in stead of Long Live Rock
and Roll. But anyway Ronnie invited me up to play Neon Nights which was
very cool when I played with DIO in the past we never played that song live
together he gave me the chance to God bless em.

KEN: Now, on to your exciting new project. When I spoke with you in Anaheim you indicated that you were forging a new trio called DRUTS. Pronounced DROOTS, Right? Can you tell me what the significance of the name of the band is? Where does it come from?

CHUCK: Ya THE DRUTS Pronounced The DROOTS. The name means Rock Band I made it
up and that is the definition.

KEN: Who are the other players in the band? Where are they from? What experience or special talents do you feel they bring to the table?

CHUCK: The guys in the band: Chris Latham on Guitar and Dave Graybill on
Drums.

KEN: I have so far heard one track off the demo CD and I have to tell you, I was really impressed. Are you excited for this project? What more can you tell me about the demo?

CHUCK: I am so excited about this band we play with everything we got and
that's a lot BABY!! The demo is just that a Demo we are working very hard right
now to land a deal something will pan out soon I know it. If your readers what
to here the songs or see the band live e-mail me at Cgmix@aol.com and I
will let you know what's up with shows or send you a copy of the DEMO THE DRUTS.

KEN: Can you tell me, when writing the demo tunes, are there any interesting stories behind the writing of any particular tracks?

CHUCK: The first song Burn Like A Mutha was recorded at Gilby Clarkes studio
he did a great job for us. The second song FREAK Gilby Clarke and Tracii Guns
played Guitar for me. That song was actually recorded before I put the DRUTS
together.

We have also add a new drummer T.M. Burr formally from Substance D. great guy fantastic
drummer he is playing on the newer stuff, Misfit, the Bomb, C'Mon.

Burn Like A Mutha

Freak

Come On

KEN: Who does most of the writing for the band?

CHUCK: I do most of the writing and collectively we arrange or add new parts.

KEN: Do you see anything on the horizon concerning a record deal?

CHUCK: Keep your fingers crossed...

KEN: Also I understand that there might be a possibility of Wendy Dio managing the group. Is this true? What do you think her experience and connections can bring to the table for you and your new band?

CHUCK: No, Wendy DIO is not managing the DRUTS. She might help us put the CD
in the right hands.

KEN: Tell me more about what DRUTS has in mind for the future?

CHUCK: Just to keep playing, writing, and working hard on getting a deal.

KEN: What are some of your other influences? [This might be another one for each of the guys in the band.]

CHUCK: Influences: We all bring a lot of Rock & Roll influences and experience
to the band.

KEN: What about today’s musicians? What bands do you consider to have what it takes? What do you have spinning most in your own CD player?

CHUCK: I listen to all kinds of music The new Motorhead record finds its way
in my CD player a lot.

KEN: In closing, One of my readers favorite questions is when I ask the subject what the most interesting (funny, bizarre, embarrassing, etc) situation they remember facing while playing a gig. Could you relate something like that for us?

CHUCK: Story Time: When I as in DIO on the Monsters Of the Millennium tour one
night on stage my guitar cable got wrapped around my feet and I fell flat on
my face right at the end of Rainbow in the Dark. The place was sold out
6,000 people but I think only 5,999 saw the new guy fall on his face.

KEN: Yeah, I was there that night, Karlskogga, Sweden right? Well the cool thing was that you kept right on playing, got up and jumped right back in there--almost looked like part of the show!

KEN: Okay, Chuck, that about covers the bulk of info that I can use to build an interesting article. You have a good two or three weeks before I need it back to get it ready for publication.

CHUCK: Thanks for the question I enjoyed them. Keep in touch CHUCK GARRIC

and so, there you have it. Any of you guys who have seen Chuck in action KNOW this was the perfect guy to fill in for Jimmy Bain on those shows. He is one non stop energetic player that shows the confidence in his skills.

I look forward to seeing Chuck in the future with the success of his new Trio:

THE
DRUTS

Check 'em out!

All The Best,

KEN

Click HERE to see some more pictures I got of Chuck on the road