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Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 8:53 pm
by Cold Room
I was catching up on some reading and I came across these comments from Neal Smith and Michael Bruce while skimming the Martin Popoff book on Alice's 50 Years. Since I know this site is a hot bed for Original Band discussion :x , I'll post them here.

Here's an excerpt from Neal Smith in the latest book about Alice Cooper by Martin Popoff.
"Just to have the four of us together is wonderful. We had talked, after the Hall of Fame, about doing a handful of shows on the East Coast, West Coast and Canada. Alice talked about it and we talked about, but I knew at the same time that he was booking his tour for 2011. Unfortunately, I knew it was never going to happen. But c'mon, you get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and you can't do a couple of dates around the country? I know I was swamped with emails. Dennis was swamped. People were disappointed. The current tour is called "No More Mr. Nice Guy" that's Michael's song. All the appearances were there that something was going to be happening with the original band, but it didn't happen."


Here's an excerpt from Michael Bruce in the latest book about Alice Cooper by Martin Popoff.
"I'm going to be 70.The clock is ticking.You know, if we're going to do something, we gotta do it now rather than later, because you never know. But every time we talk, Alice talks about getting the band back, and he goes, "Yeah, let's do an album like Killer". The next thing you know, he's getting songs from, ZZ Top, and all these other people. How can we do an album that's the band, when you got all this other stuff going on? That's what you do when you feed the beast and you have a foundation and it takes off all over the planet, and you have three bands, the original band, his regular band and the one with Johnny Depp ... That whole tour (England 2017), Alice came back after the Wembley show and said the reviews couldn't have been better if we had written them ourselves. He says, maybe we can do something in New York or Toronto. So I still hope that he has this in his vision, to do this stuff. A record, that would be... God, that would be to die for."

As we sit and wait.
(BTW: At the Q and A after the premier of the film
Live from the Astroturf
in Phoenix, Alice was asked a direct question about any original band projects in the works. He sluffed it off with a non-committal answer)

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 9:06 pm
by AliceFan
Keep dreaming, like Michael said it's never going to happen, maybe a few songs with the original ACG on An Alice solo album thats all I would count on at this point,. Sadly but it's the truth.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 9:42 pm
by Si
There's more on this topic in the new Goldmine article (June issue), which interviews Dennis, Neal and Michael, asking the same questions to each to get their own personal responses.
One of the questions is about more reunion shows. One of the reasons they give on why US reunion dates haven't happened in the last year or so, at least as it's been told to them, is promoters not being interested or prepared to pay the extra it would take for the original band to be included.
Not making any judgements on that, just reporting what they say.
Alice not giving a direct answer doesn't mean anything really. He probably doesn't really know (beyond any appearances on the next album, which hasn't even really been announced yet so is still a secret).

It's easy to blame Alice for it all, but really I don't think it's quite as simple as Alice saying "I wanna do this next". It's obvious he's open to the idea (appearances on albums, UK tour etc), and I think it's more likely then it's possibly ever been before, but money has to be a factor in anything. It's a business after all and lots of people have to be paid.
Alice has said before that he leaves all the money matters to Shep and his team (and this IS a money matter along with other factors). If he wants to do something he asks if it's viable and gets an answer. That's part of what the manager gets his money for, working out if it's possible to do something. From the bands replies in Goldmine it appears the question HAS been asked, and the answer has come back that currently it isn't viable, at least in the US. In the UK it was possible to work something out, and it's quite possible it will be again for more shows, maybe in the US. We just have to wait and see.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 12:48 am
by Saint&Sinner
I'm not sure what sort of venues Alice plays in the states, I know as a rule he has been more popular in the UK over the years than most other places.
The issue is the original band couldn't play some of his solo stuff (just not in their wheelhouse) so alice still needs his current band so before you know it you are paying for 9 or 10 band members to tour around. I'm sure that ups the cost considerably. If the venues are more 3000-5000 maybe that's just not enough to cover it with enough to spare?

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 1:36 am
by jacknifejohnny
Would love to see the original Alice Cooper group do a new album, maybe add Steve Hunter plus maybe a top notch vocalist. Still say “ When Hell Comes Home” is the best thing Alice has done for ages. Would they be able to record as The Alice Cooper Group ? Not sure with all the legalities. Surely that shouldn’t be a problem unless Alice is insecure they might put out a classic album

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:26 am
by pitkin88
AliceFan wrote:
Wed Apr 24, 2019 9:06 pm
Keep dreaming, like Michael said it's never going to happen, maybe a few songs with the original ACG on An Alice solo album thats all I would count on at this point,. Sadly but it's the truth.
You should really learn to read. Michael does not say that.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:33 am
by pitkin88
Saint&Sinner wrote:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 12:48 am
I'm not sure what sort of venues Alice plays in the states, I know as a rule he has been more popular in the UK over the years than most other places.
The issue is the original band couldn't play some of his solo stuff (just not in their wheelhouse) so alice still needs his current band so before you know it you are paying for 9 or 10 band members to tour around. I'm sure that ups the cost considerably. If the venues are more 3000-5000 maybe that's just not enough to cover it with enough to spare?

I'm guessing the venues in the USA are between 2-4 thousand. The last time I saw him at Viejas Casino it was very tiny probably less than a 1000. The band has enough classic material that there would be zero need for the solo stuff. I'm sure the casual fans could live without poison or a few shows. A band experience could easily be LITD and Killer in full or Schools Out and Billion Dollar Babies in full.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:39 am
by pitkin88
Si wrote:
Wed Apr 24, 2019 9:42 pm
There's more on this topic in the new Goldmine article (June issue), which interviews Dennis, Neal and Michael, asking the same questions to each to get their own personal responses.
One of the questions is about more reunion shows. One of the reasons they give on why US reunion dates haven't happened in the last year or so, at least as it's been told to them, is promoters not being interested or prepared to pay the extra it would take for the original band to be included.
Not making any judgements on that, just reporting what they say.
Alice not giving a direct answer doesn't mean anything really. He probably doesn't really know (beyond any appearances on the next album, which hasn't even really been announced yet so is still a secret).

It's easy to blame Alice for it all, but really I don't think it's quite as simple as Alice saying "I wanna do this next". It's obvious he's open to the idea (appearances on albums, UK tour etc), and I think it's more likely then it's possibly ever been before, but money has to be a factor in anything. It's a business after all and lots of people have to be paid.
Alice has said before that he leaves all the money matters to Shep and his team (and this IS a money matter along with other factors). If he wants to do something he asks if it's viable and gets an answer. That's part of what the manager gets his money for, working out if it's possible to do something. From the bands replies in Goldmine it appears the question HAS been asked, and the answer has come back that currently it isn't viable, at least in the US. In the UK it was possible to work something out, and it's quite possible it will be again for more shows, maybe in the US. We just have to wait and see.
At the end of the day if Alice wants it he gets it. He can make it happen. I think he doesn't really want a long term commitment with the band and is enjoying hob nobbing with Depp et al. Maybe England and Europe is more viable or a short stint somewhere in the same town in the US.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:09 am
by AliceFan
pitkin88 wrote:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:26 am
AliceFan wrote:
Wed Apr 24, 2019 9:06 pm
Keep dreaming, like Michael said it's never going to happen, maybe a few songs with the original ACG on An Alice solo album thats all I would count on at this point,. Sadly but it's the truth.
You should really learn to read. Michael does not say that.
I read it wrong you're right, pitkin88, I kinda have a habit of doing that, Michael actually said of all the appearancesthat were there in 2011 ex, Alice solo NMMNG tour it looked like it might happen but it never happened, that's what he stated. I just misquoted it,sorry.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:19 am
by AliceFan
In my opinion actually don't mistaken me this time,pitkin88, these are my words I personally think Alice enjoys playing with his solo band and Hollywood Vampires and that makes him happy and fulfills his life for him. I personally think Alice won't do a full on tour with the original ACG cause he doesn't like nostalgia /living in the past he's even said it in recent interviews. I think he likes to record songs with ACG members every few years on his solo albums and a few live appearances here and there with them satisfies him enough.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 5:08 am
by PFOLGORE
What is in it for Alice? It won't add anything to his career or bottom line. He has probably toured and collaborated with other musicians longer than the time spent with the original band. It wasn't working 45 years ago when they were relatively young and it certainly won't work now that they are seniors. He has gone through a lot of musicians and probably views them as being as relatively interchangeable and in a supporting role to his talent. I think Alice has more of a Movie Star mindset than a rock musician. Whereas things revolve around him rather than him being involved in something at least equal or bigger than himself.

Michael, Neal and Dennis are still clinging to a bunch of romantic ideas about the band that probably hasn't existed in Alice's mind since the 70's. They should find someone young who can actually sing, don't do any new or the solo material and tour, bars, pubs, fairs.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 5:15 am
by guttertrash
It’s just not feasible in my opinion. I could see them doing a residency type thing in Las Vegas or a three night stand type gig in one city on the East coast and one on the West coast. If it went over, you could schedule another weekend in a different region.

The biggest concern, I feel with promoters, is that the original band members are likely not going to draw any larger of a crowd in the U.S., but it will come with a larger price tag both for the promoter and finally to the attendees. Would people be willing to pay more or would it just be confusing and offputting? I am going to guess the fear is the latter would happen, so it has not garnered much, if any, interest.

Seeing the original lineup play those classic songs was a treat, and they make them sound fantastic all these years later. There is a chemistry and swing that Alice’s solo band has never achieved with those songs, but his solo band is not bad, and it suffices, and most people likely don’t know the difference anyway.

There are just too many variables that make me believe it’s just not worth the chance.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 6:41 am
by del
PFOLGORE wrote:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 5:08 am
What is in it for Alice? It won't add anything to his career or bottom line. He has probably toured and collaborated with other musicians longer than the time spent with the original band. It wasn't working 45 years ago when they were relatively young and it certainly won't work now that they are seniors. He has gone through a lot of musicians and probably views them as being as relatively interchangeable and in a supporting role to his talent. I think Alice has more of a Movie Star mindset than a rock musician. Whereas things revolve around him rather than him being involved in something at least equal or bigger than himself.

Michael, Neal and Dennis are still clinging to a bunch of romantic ideas about the band that probably hasn't existed in Alice's mind since the 70's. They should find someone young who can actually sing, don't do any new or the solo material and tour, bars, pubs, fairs.
Largely agree, 45 years is a huge amount of time in most people's lives and things inevitably change considerably. That said, I have no doubt that if there was significant money to be made Shep would have booked gigs, on the basis that Alice was interested.

I'm not critical of Alice in this one bit. He clearly still has ties with the guys but has spent 80% plus of his career on a different train.

I count myself lucky to have seen the UK tour as it fulfilled an ambition and I feel for those that still have that gap. However, it was a pure nostalgia trip for me and it's done now.

I'm also utterly convinced that one of the reasons the show is still on the road is the fact that the band is excellent and gives the show a vitality and currency that the original guys couldn't anymore.

I truly wish Dennis, Neal and Michael well and hope there are some more gigs in the not too distant future but I am more than happy to keep moving on.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:52 pm
by Cold Room
Responses as expected for this site. Only one poster hit on a major chord:

(paraphrased) "If Alice wanted to do this - it would get done."

71 years old and he still has some old man in Hawaii tell him what to do and not to do? Lordy - I hope not.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:29 pm
by mestreech
Why are people asking for a full tour as in a period of 3 months you can do a lot of shows in Europe and more.
Attendence of 2-4.000 in the US but in Europe he has a better audience. Look at the attention with the single, later the vinyl album and now the film on the reunion concert and tell me there would be no interest in putting out a (mini) tour with the originals. Can't believe that.
I also can't believe Alice being a puppet from Shep and have no control over his projects. Someone doesn't like the whole idea and I don't think it will ever happen.
So please tell us and the original band so everybody can keep on moving.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 8:49 pm
by padre_sliprat
Cold Room wrote:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:52 pm
Responses as expected for this site. Only one poster hit on a major chord:

(paraphrased) "If Alice wanted to do this - it would get done."

71 years old and he still has some old man in Hawaii tell him what to do and not to do? Lordy - I hope not.
This. He's always used people as scapegoats for his actions/inactions. That's been obvious since the original band's heyday. This game of making the real band wait is beyond cruel. They were already flying in a missing man formation at the Good Records show - and don't tell me there weren't plenty of opportunities to have a full band reunion before Glen had to leave us. If it ain't the fans gettin' blueba**ed with subpar material and stale stage shows, it's the Alice Cooper Group being left hung out to dry. His ego (and hatred of Michael) has hurt everybody who waited on him all of this time. I've been waiting a long time to let out my feelings on the matter, but this is a family website, so what little I did say will have to suffice. I'll probably be blacklisted from this site, and I will miss the members and STUK greatly. But...sometimes somebody has to quit giving the guy a pass and tell it like it is.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 10:56 pm
by Daggers & Contracts
padre_sliprat wrote:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 8:49 pm
But...sometimes somebody has to quit giving the guy a pass and tell it like it is.
Venting is good.
Could have something to do with AC's addictive personality.
Change - Bad. Open old wounds - Bad. Deal with it - Not gonna happen.
Iggy got back with the Ashton's & had a pretty good run before Ron passed.
However, the Lp's were just OK but he tried it & decided to go for it.

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 11:37 pm
by pitkin88
Well I am glad you said that Padre as I would have been fried for doing so. I've said very similar in the past and I am a bit tired of going back into the same argument. However, as the remaining three have brought this up I feel I should speak up.

1) I agree it is cruel. The three are offered crumbs. All 5 created the brand and the remaining three lost it and the rewards while one person took it all. Imagine if that happened to you. It's really not very Christian as Alice claims to be.

2) Although Mike has lost weight, to me, he doesn't look in the best health. Could be so a thirty date tour Im not too sure anymore. Could be play 10 dates in the UK and maybe Europe followed by a break and then a residency in NY or CA or Vegas? I think so.

3) To the band a short tour could fund their retirement and give them the chance to do what they love. Let them go out on a high. They deserve it.

4) Alice and Mike. It still looks like there is bad blood. He gets erased off dvds, his songs aren't up to snuff, Alice didn't like his book etc etc. It would be nice if they could mend some fences.

5) What has Alice got to gain asked someone. Why should he need to gain anything at this point?. He has everything he needs. I loved Iggy for seeking out the Asheton brothers. He did it out of love and no doubt to help them financially and for their well being. He had nothing to gain except to be a super mensch.

6) The stage show has been creaking for an eternity. It could do with being out out of its misery. It would be nice to hear the songs played more like they were played on the record and by the people who created them.

7) The fawning over this touring band never ceases to amaze me. All his touring bands have always been top notch musician. The remaining three plus Steve and I think Ryan sounded great.

8) Finally, I agree with Padre that Alice needs to sort this out. Enough Enough!

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 11:40 pm
by pitkin88
Daggers & Contracts wrote:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 10:56 pm
padre_sliprat wrote:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 8:49 pm
But...sometimes somebody has to quit giving the guy a pass and tell it like it is.
Venting is good.
Could have something to do with AC's addictive personality.
Change - Bad. Open old wounds - Bad. Deal with it - Not gonna happen.
Iggy got back with the Ashton's & had a pretty good run before Ron passed.
However, the Lp's were just OK but he tried it & decided to go for it.

I agree with you on the Stooges reunion records. They sounded a bit like The Stooges trying to record a solo Iggy record. A song about going to the ATM cmon!

Re: Interesting (from Popoff book)

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 12:06 am
by Cold Room
I'd like to ask....how many bands are out there NOW, or in the RECENT past, that are doing a 50th Anniversary Tour? What happened to the Alice Cooper 50th Anniversary Tour last year? Nothing planned - Nothing done! All you got was a crummy book!!! If that wasn't a slap in the face...I don't know what is. How those three guys can keep from punching the big nose off his face is beyond me! (I know, I know: royalties).
He couldn't set up his schedule so they could play 5-6 shows in the US, with the OG members, sometime during 2018??? Because it would cost too much? F'ing A....you can't take it with you Mr. Cooper/Mr. Gordon.
Sure the fans would want more....so make a 7'' album from a live show. I assure you - Shep would NOT lose money...since that seems to worry some of you.