Ex-Trans-Siberian Orchestra Singer Opens Up About 'Old City Bar' And More
(Music and Art Interviews) Singer/Songwriter Steve Broderick may be known to a generation of Trans-Siberian Orchestra fans as the voice of their classic "Old City Bar", as he sang that song for a decade with the act's East Coast touring company. But there is so much more to music industry veteran Broderick - from fronting powerful rock bands and touring with Tesla and Ted Nugent, being represented by major industry management, and releasing a string of rootsy solo records in an on-again, off-again recording career - that is very much in the "on" mode once again.
In a brand new career-spanning interview with Dan Roth of Music & Art Interviews, Steve talks extensively about his experience as part of the TSO cast, his bands Mama Kettle, American Trash and 100 Watt Suns, and what he is up to musically today.
When asked about "Old City Bar", a song that he brought to life for a decade of TSO tours, he said: "I do think it's a masterpiece of a song and give [Paul O'Neill] all the credit in the world for that writing and the redemption that's built into it. I love the original recording and love the original vocals, done by John Margolis. I heard a live version from 1999 when he sang it and that was just "it". I never came close."
He continued: "I will say that that element of being in character - I love it as a fan. That was never something that was a good fit for me. The coat and props all came from Bart Shatto and really had nothing to do with me, and I'm not sure if I ever was comfortable with all of that, but it became part of the deal if I wanted to stay there. You know, I was really close with the late James Lewis. We were unbelievable friends. Other than a little John Hiatt, there is no one else that sounds like James. When "Christmas Nights in Blue" came along, it was just the perfect fit for James. All he had to do for that was go be James! In a perfect world, I would have had a song where all I had to do was be me! [Laughs]"
When asked about his brand new music, Steve talked about the meaning behind "Boots on the Ground": ""Boots on the Ground" is an expression we are all hearing too much on the news these days. But that lyric is not specific about military. For me, its more of a class warfare kind of thing. It's that gap and transference of wealth. I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth, not a silver spoon [Laughs] and its about that and a lot of strong feelings of something's gotta give. Starter homes are what mansions used to cost. People don't have access to health care anymore. So its a little approach to some political feelings that I have. I also think its funky as f*** and has a little Sly Stone in it. That works for me too. I worked with some great musicians here locally and Alex Wilhelm down in Nashville did the awesome mix."
Check out the full interview here
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]