Exclusive Interview with Joey Tempest of Europe


RockGig
Since the 5 shows in South America in November what have you been up to?

Joey Tempest
Started working on new material. We've done around 100 shows on the LLAE album. We will tour this summer as well but will go into the studio in October.

RockGig
From the press release this week about the live dvd shoot at Shepherds Bush next weekend was that always the plan when the shows were announced in July?

Joey Tempest
We have been looking for a good opportunity to shoot a dvd for quite some time. When that tour was confirmed we thought Shepherds Bush would be a great choice.

RockGig
What songs can we expect from the Balls'n Banners tour? Any more songs off "Last Look At Eden" or more older songs? "Heart Of Stone" maybe?

Joey Tempest
Hopefully a brand new track and some songs from earlier albums we haven't played in the UK for a while.  Otherwise the big ones of course.

RockGig
After the 9 UK shows and a show in Belgium in April what are your plans for 2011?

Joey Tempest
About 10 - 15 Festivals around Europe then into the studio.

RockGig
Have you many ideas for the new CD?  Will it continue in Eden's footsteps with that classic rock feel?
Any idea on the producer yet?

Joey Tempest
Too early to confirm a producer. We touched upon some great stuff on LLAE and we will bring that with us. Its early to tell but we all like a straight forward rock feel with some blues undertones on the next one.

RockGig
I see you are releasing a Balls' n Banners Earbook in March. What does this contain and where was the CD/DVD shot?

Joey Tempest
The book will include exclusive photos from festivals around Europe and the UK, on and off stage. Live recordings mainly from the UK festivals but also from a few other European dates. DVD material we are still deciding upon.

Rock Gig
What do you see as success now? Sales figures, critical acclaim or more on a personal level?

Joey Tempest
I think we are finally learning to "let go" as a band. We want to take it up a notch. An even more spontaneous, contagious rock album next time. Just keep the circus going really. It would be great to cement the band even more in the UK.

RockGig
You had a 10 year gap between 1992-2002 do you think that's helped the bands longevity?  Would you still be together without that gap?  When you reformed what changed and were you looking for the long haul or just a comeback CD?

Joey Tempest
We said we would only do this again if it was for the long run, to properly re-establish the band. We knew it would take time. Now after 3 new albums we are finally getting there.

RockGig
I still can't believe its 28 years since your first album.  Did you ever think Europe would have such a long and successful career?

Joey Tempest
Well I knew that I had some like-minded and stubborn friends in the band and giving up the music was never an option.

RockGig
Something I've always wondered is about the song "Yesterday's News".  Probably the best B side ever but why didn't it make the album?

Joey Tempest
We didn't want too many songs on that album and Yesterdaze and Break free just didn't make the cut.  I seem to remember there were some disagreements with the record company as well......don’t quite remember...too long ago now.

RockGig
Do you ever get annoyed that people only seem to think of "The Final Countdown" when they think of Europe?

Joey Tempest
Not really. For us it''s still an interesting album track that we like to play live. I think a people around the world have different ideas what that song means to them.
The Final Countdown also invites a new audience to the shows, where they get to learn about our other material.

RockGig
Lastly congratulations on your Planet Rock radio show how did that come about?

Joey Tempest
Through my press-agent here in the UK.  I was honoured to join the other guest DJ’s Joe Elliot, Alice Cooper and Joe Bonamassa.

We'd like to thank Joey for his time, and wish him all the best for the UK tour.
(Photo credits: Fredrik Etoall)
ME.

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