Three Minutes With…Carmine and Vinny Appice

Three Minutes With………
Carmine and Vinny Appice

These brothers really don’t need an introduction, but for those who’ve been unconscious for the last twenty or thirty years, here we go…. Carmine Appice is recognized as the drummer for Vanilla Fudge,  also having worked with other noteable acts,  and as the guy who set the standard for heavy hitting showmen drummers. Vinny Appice played in a little known band called Black Sabbath and with the late Ronnie James Dio in Dio.  They were kind enough to give me three and a half minutes after a Drum Wars show at Vamp’d in Las Vegas. (Which I highly recommend if it comes through your town!!)

Draw your question, but don’t peek.
Vinny: I got ‘em ALL! Okay. That one.

Vinny, your question is – what is the wackiest question you’ve ever been asked?
Vinny: This question right now!
Carmine: This one!

Surprisingly, everybody says that!
Vinny: Do you get hemorrhoids from playing drums? Is that true?
<laughs> Wow.
Vinny: That’s wacky!
That IS wacky. I’m afraid to know the answer.
Vinny: It is false. You don’t get hemorrhoids from playing drums…. Guitar, right? 
Carmine: That’s right! You get them from playing guitar. 
Good to know!

Carmine: Okay! Let’s go! I gotta pick one….
<hands over every card in the Sack>
Carmine: The top one.
Carmine, your question is -  What are three albums you think everyone should own and why?
Vinny: Dio…. Sabbath….
Carmine: Blue Murder, King Kobra new album, and the new Travers and Appice album. Why? ‘Cause I’m on ‘em!

Drum Wars in Vegas - Photo by: Leah Burlington

Fair enough!  Now you guys can plug whatever it is you want to talk about – product, project, place – it doesn’t even have to necessarily be yours!
Carmine: Okay. We’re plugging Drum Wars, the new crazy music of me and Vinny;  Carmine and Vinny Appice. And we’re gonna be going around the world doing Drum Wars. Come check it out, because it does kick ass! Right ,Vinny?
Vinny: What?
<laughter>
Vinny: Right. Drum Wars. It’s gonna kick ass everywhere. We’re going to Japan next month too.

Gonna hit the East Coast?
Carmine: Yes. Going to hit the East Coast at the end of July. We have three shows – Providence, New York, and Long Island. I think we’re gonna be joined in New York by Ronnie Spector, of “Be My Baby” fame, with this kind of crazy drumming. She’ll probably have a heart attack!
Vinny: She’ll probably have a heart attack – she doesn’t know what she’s getting into!
WOW. That’s awesome!

##

For more info on DrumWars, check out the official website

Super super HUGE (as in, there aren’t anywhere near enough!) THANK YOUS go to Carmen Shortino for making this happen!

Are you or do you know a musician coming through Las Vegas that wants to give the shortest interview ever with probably the shortest interviewer ever? Forward me contact info or put them in touch with me. Do you have a query for the Sack O’ Questions? Email me at ThreeMinWith@yahoo.com. (Sorry, I can not guarantee any question to be asked to anyone specific, because it’s literally the luck of the draw, but if your question gets drawn, you’ll get props – make sure you note how you want to be thanked!)

Concert Gallery: Ted Nugent & The Les Paul Trio at Iridium in New York, NY

For over 12 years Les Paul called Iridium in New York, NY his home on Monday nights.  To honor Les’ legacy Iridium continues to present his music every Monday night feauturing his amazing Trio with Special Guests who embody his excellence and passion.  This week the special guest was Ted Nugent with a special guest appearance by drummer Carmine Appice!

Uncle Ted played two awesome sets, mixing Nugent classics ( Cat Scratch Fever, Stormtroopin’) with some of rock’s greatest anthems and classic American hits ( Johnny B. Goode, Star-Spangled Banner). 

TWRY contributer Ilya Mirman was on hand to capture the magic, check out photos from the show below.

Ted Nugent & The Les Paul Trio
May 16, 2011
Iridium Jazz Club - New York, NY
Photos by: Ilya MirmanView the gallery
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Catching Up With Carmine Appice

Catching Up With Carmine Appice

 It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from King Kobra but along with Paul Shortino on vocals the rest of the band is back with their self-titled debut on Frontiers Records.

I recently caught up with Carmine Appice to talk about what inspired their return.

Q & A by: Roger Scales

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