Tower coming to Reggies Rock Club, in Chicago on May, 16, 2020
Interview conducted on Nov. 11, 2019
by Dan Locke
Formed in the concrete jungle of New York City, TOWER has been on a raucous journey for the past four years. Featuring members Sarabeth Linden (lead vocals), James Danzo (guitar), Zak Penley (guitar), Jeff Filmer (bass) and Claire Vastola (drums), the band delivers a fresh take on a classic style, with guitars in the vein of Scorpions and Priest, topped with Linden’s vocals, which resemble a metalized version of Ann Wilson or Pat Benatar. With a new E.P. up their sleeve , Tower is prepared to take their brand of metal world wide to party with the masses!
Dan Locke: How did the band start?
James Danzo : It started as a band called Dog Food who thankfully changed their name to Tower just before I came on board. I first jammed together with Sarabeth (vocals), Zak (guitar), and Joey Bouchard on drums in spring 2015. I’d played in several cover bands with Sarabeth in the past, but we never tried anything original until Tower formed. So far, so good, eh?
What was your first gig as a band?
July 16th, 2015 at Saint Vitus Bar, opening for Autograph.
After your video “Run For My Life” was released, record companies came knocking at your door. Can you tell me some of the companies you turned down?
We could, but I don’t want to come across as talking shit on who we didn’t go with – they really were all good labels, we just went with the best.
You went with CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC for the label. Which is a label based out of Italy? Any plans to do live press in Italy?
Si signor! The Danzos is originally from Naples. I wonder if they’d welcome me back, haha!
Linden and Danzo you were members of Psycho Hippies. Tell me about that band and what made you decide to start your own band?
That was a fun project, doing mostly ‘50s to ‘70s material. We sounded kinda similar to what Van Halen did with “Dancing in the Street”. I’ve been in a long list of original bands, but Tower was Sarabeth’s first. When she invited me in, I was actually reluctant, being the jaded individual I am! Glad I listened to her.
Have you heard of the of the music psychobilly (is a rock music fusion genre that mixes elements of rockabilly and punk rock. TheFreeDictionary.com defines it as “loud frantic rockabilly music”, while according to About.com it “takes the traditional countrified rock style known as rockabilly, ramp[ing] up its speed to a sweaty pace, and combin[ing] it with punk rock and imagery lifted from horror films and late-night sci-fi schlock,…[creating a] gritty honky-tonk punk rock.” Dark imagery is also central to an offshoot of psychobilly known as gothabilly.)?
Yeah I have, what is that like, The Hellacopters? I guess it’s a thing in America. It ain’t our thing!
What musical influences did you have growing up?
The Monkees were my first favorite band. As a baby, I really liked Van Halen, The Police, Michael Jackson, pretty much all the popular music of the mid-80s. I still love all that stuff. As I got older, my mom started buying me tapes from harder bands like AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden and stuff like that. Once I was considered old enough to own tapes from Metallica and Megadeth, forget it, I was forever lost in the world of Metal!
What was the first and last concert you went to?
First was Les Paul, November 9th, 1992, my tenth birthday. Most recent: Violence at Brooklyn Bazaar, November 8th, 2018.
Sarabeth tell me about The Apollo Theater?
SB: I sang “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey. I was 16! The rehearsal went really well but I still got booed. It’s an honor to get booed at the Apollo – even Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys got booed. I hit those fucking notes!
I looked over the list of bars you have played in the past include places like Philly Kung Fu Necktie and Chicago’s Reggies. Do you like playing in Dive Bars?
We just like playing! You have to take what you can get. We haven’t been able to play too many large venues in the States, but we’ll see if that changes.
Did you know that your band is listed on the music.apple.com website as music 1972?
Yeah, and looking at the album cover, you probably wouldn’t know it was a mistake unless you carefully at our t-shirts.
Since they have you listed as 70s rock. I am going to ask you about some bands in 1972. Who were on the Top 100 for 1972. I would like you to say something about each if you can.
I’m gonna answer honestly and NOT look up anything I don’t know…
Don McLean- American Pie
J: Classic song that’s fun to sing when you’re drunk. I never thought it was a spectacular tune.
Harry Nilsson – Without You
J: Nilsson Schmilsson was a record my stepmom showed me when I was a kid. You’re Breaking My Heart, You’re tearing it apart, so fuck you! I guess he wrote “Without You” after that one.
Bill Withers- Lean on me
J: Classic! I love it. One of the few songs where the lyrics also mean something to me. Supposedly the music was written by Bill the first time he ever tried to play the piano. Goes to show it’s the hook and not the technique that counts.
Chuck Berry – My Ding a Ling
J: Sorry Elvis – Chuck and Little Richard are the Kings of Rock!
War- Slipping Into Darkness
J: Can’t recall this one but I love Low Rider, Why Can’t We Be Friends and The Cisco Kid.
The Hollies- Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
J: Don’t recall this one either off the top of my head, but Bus Stop and He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother are among my all-time favorite songs./ i felt really stupid after looking up that Hollies song. of course i knew Long cool woman in a black drees, just didnt know that was the title 😁
Raspberries- Go All The Way
J: Yes! For the longest time, I thought the lyric was “Please go away” – says a lot about my mentality!
Badfinger – Day After Day
J: Uh, guess I know the band name more than any of their songs.
Argent- Hold Your Head Up
J: I really only know Argent for writing God Gave Rock N Roll To You.
Alice Cooper- School’s Out
J: Oh fuck yes, we almost played a set as Alice this past Halloween. Major major influence.
Todd Rundgren- I Saw the Light
J: Wish I could say “I Know the Song” !
Yes- Roundabout
J: Real popular in the ‘70s, still gets played on the radio. Good single but prog isn’t exactly up my alley.
Rick Springfield- Speak to the Sky
J: I didn’t know Rick was making songs back then! I know him from the ‘80s.
Sailcat- Motorcycle Mama
J: Never heard of them – cool name though, I’ll check ‘em out!
How is your new studio release coming?
J: We’ve got an album’s worth of songs written already, but we’re not sure if we’ll use all of them, or write some new ones. Ten songs would be ideal. We have a few months before going in the studio, so we’ll see what happens.
The CD came out Jan. 24, 2020.
Any plans for touring?
J: We’ve got two fests already booked, Legions of Metal in Chicago, and another one in Germany that hasn’t been announced yet. Pretty sure we’ll do some touring in the States at some point this year. It’s been a while.
What are your plans for the holiday?
J: Writing songs and doing interviews! Happy festivities to you and happy new year! Thanks!!
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