The singer Pino Scotto represents, without a shadow of a doubt, the most important icon of national rock. Charismatic and feisty singer with marked blues influences, gifted with a deep and scratchy voice, he represents the best incarnation of the rocker figure ever to appear in Italy. His career officially began at the end of the 70s, when he recorded his first 45 with Pulsar; after some time he became the frontman of Vanadium, the most important heavy rock band on the Italian scene, with which he released eight great albums (seven of these at the rate of one a year, unthinkable for a rock band from the peninsula) and with which he could afford to undertake regular tours within and outside the borders of our country.
UpTheVolume – Hi Pino, who are your traveling companions during Live?
Pino Scotto: As Live companions there have been many, starting when I was a kid in Naples with Dead Dream, then the Jews, Pulsar in Milan, I Vanadium, Sinrgia project, Fire Trails, and all my solo albums, I think the only one that changed maybe, in all my bands and projects that have accompanied me, the artist that surpassed me with Line Up changes etc. was David Coverd ale and his Whitesnake ehehhe. As an aside, my current traveling companions are: Steve Volta who really has been with me for a very long time, even in Fire Trails in the last line up, on guitar, Luca Mazzucconi on drums and Gian Felice on bass. I think, th ough, that, like, in the long run, playing with the same musicians all the time, it really amalgamates, the band factor and it’s very positive! But unfortunately, everyone has his own projects, and so sometimes it happens that line up changes are created, I apart from someone I sent away, but they really deserved the kick in the ass ahahahah, I never sent away anyone, except , clearly, for valid reasons.
UpTheVolume – How do you rate the Italian music scene?
Pino Scotto: The Italian music scene, buth, why, is there a music sc ene in Italy? Eheheh, I didn’t realize that ahahahha. There are so many guys, but really so many, who play, write and have so much to say! I’ve been a judge at San Remo Rock for almost 4/5 years now, and believe me, I’ve seen a mess of bands, jazz, fusion, blues rock, metal, I’ve heard so many of those bands that really deserve so much! Unfortunately in this country though, it has all gone down the drain, music wise! Ever since the various formats, contests, etc., they have really killed music! Those who or ganize these things should be put in jail just for “dealing in dementia”
UpTheVolume – From an artistic point of view, would you do it all over again or do you have any regrets?
Pino Scotto: Definitely! It was a very long journey, troubled, conquered, sweated, etc. I would d o it all over again for sure! Maybe with some mistakes to correct, in hindsight, I would redo some things better, that for sure. But I would do it all over again 100 percent. And this is a suggestion to a lot of bands, forget reality shows, formats etc., a ll that crap stuff , sweat it out down in the basements, in the rehearsal rooms! Make your own stuff! Write your own stuff! Play your own music!
UpTheVolume – Choose a prominent musician you would like on your next studio album!
Pino Scotto: Look, I am preparing a Rock/Blues album, the title should be Back to the Rouths, and I have recalled some musicians I played with in the 70s! There will be a lot of musicians from the Rock/Blues area of course, more Blues than Rock, but one musician I have wanted to collaborate with for y ears, who is always on my mind is definitely Zakk Wild! I really feel him as my guitarist in sound, character, etc.!
UpTheVolume – This may seem like a trivial question or maybe it is: Where is music going? And where is your music going?
Pino Scotto: Well, look, it’s not a t rivial question; in fact, it’s an important question! Because I think that for 20 years now, if not more, music has taken a path, which I wouldn’t even call a path, it has really taken a para ass path! A path, where they seek immediate success, since they have begun to understand, that the masses are ignorant (but not only in music) , they manage to sell shit the place of chocolate! And they have decided precisely, to take this path, where others write the songs for them, just for the sole and exclusive pur pose of profit, although it happens later, that clearly not everything goes according to plan, however in general, it has come to this total crap! We should go back to the good old Blues, rewrite history all over again! We Italians could do it ourselves! We have really e have really extraordinary musicians, singers! Instead, where is my music going? Well, it is going where it has extraordinary musicians, singers! Instead, where is my music going? Well, it is going where it has always gone! Where my heart sends me!Where my passion sends me! It’s my musical dignity!always gone! Where my heart sends me!Where my passion sends me! It’s my musical dignity!
UpTheVolume – What do you recommend to emerging bands?
Pino Scotto: Eh well, especially at this time in history, “Guys, stop believing that success is a good thing! Believe me, where you see the great masses, change your ways! Go to the opposite side! Surely Believe me, where you see the great masses, change your ways! Go to the opposite side! Surely where the great masses are, is the wrong side! Do everything with honewhere the great masses are, is the wrong side! Do everything with honesty and passion! Because sty and passion! Because music, it will save your life guys! To me, it saved the hell out of music! Remember this phrase! music, it will save your life guys! To me, it saved the hell out of music! Remember this phrase! MUSIC, IF YOU TREAT IT WITH RESPECT, WITH PASSION; IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE!” MUSIC, IF YOU TREAT IT WITH RESPECT, WITH PASSION; IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE!” Rock on Guys!Rock on Guys!
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