Exclusive interview with Ross The Boss

The biggest Rock festival in Venezuela, Gillmanfest, is going to take place in the city of Cabimas, Zulia state. June 11th, 2011. On this occasion, the Gillmanfest promoters are bringing 3 international bands. Trendkill (a Pantera cover band), Death Metal/Grindcore band Brujeria, and none other than the legendary guitar player from The Bronx, New York City, Co founder of both, legendary bands, The Dictators and Manowar... Ross The Boss!

For this special event, we contacted Mr. Ross The Boss Friedman who was very kind to answer all of our questions about his first show in Venezuela. Here is the full interview transcribed for your reading pleasure.

Ross, first of all, thank you for taking the time out to do this interview. How are you doing? What´s the status of the band at the moment? 

We are working on the set for our upcoming shows and at the same time we always are coming up with new ideas and riffs for future CDs.

Not long ago, your second record, Hailstorm, was released. How do you think the album has been received so far?

Hailstorm has been received very well by the press and the fans! Unfortunately the CD market is not what it used to be.

New Metal Leader came out in the year 2008. It was a great CD without a doubt. Nevertheless, with Hailstorm, it seems you have released a stronger effort . What has changed, or improved since the release of New Metal Leader?

The main difference in my opinion between New Metal Leader and Hailstorm was we were more of a real band. We got signed very quickly. NML was a very good collection of songs where Hailstorm was a true band effort.

For a lot of people Hailstorm was one of the best Heavy Metal albums of 2010. Reaching a perfect balance between a Classic Manowar feel and a powerful Hard Rock vibe. Could you tell us about the creative process you had to make this album?

Creatively speaking the Hailstorm song writing was an amazing experience for us. I felt the way I did back in the day when Joey DeMaio and myself kept cranking out all those songs for Manowar!!! We were so happy with the whole process of songwriting for Hailstorm!!! A true joy it was! Sometimes it doesn't go easy and that's cool too but this one really did.

The Dictators, Shakin´Street, Manowar, Manitoba´s Wild Kingdom, Heyday, The Spinatras, The Thunderbolts, The Brain Surgeons NYC... Ross Friedman has had many musical facets. In which way all of your previous bands have influenced your guitar playing and the sound of your new band?

If you really listen to my guitar work throughout my career I there is a continuous thread that runs through! Melody, feeling, the blues, the power!!! I never purposely change! Ross The Boss is the sum of all its parts and life experiences.

All of your band members: Carsten Kettering, Patrick Fuchs and Matze Mayer are Germans. Your record label (AFM Records) is German. Was this done intentionally? What do you prefer? the American or the European Metal Scene?

Its true my band is from Germany so is our label AFM!!! This was not done intentionally but it was a result of happy events!!! and yes the metal scene is better in Europe.

Patrick Fuchs had a very serious accident on December 8th 2010. His car was completely destroyed.  How does he feel right now?  How was his recovery?

Thanks for your concern about Patrick! He is 100% OK... thank god.

Ross, most of the Manowar fans prefer the first 6 albums, the ones you were involved with the band, over the new stuff. What do you think about your contribution to the band 23 years after the split?

I am so proud of those first 6 Manowar CDs! I don't really know what Manowar fans prefer cause they always do a great job, but I am honored if they like my work and songs.

I hate to make this question, but i am sure that everybody wants to know this. In the year 2005 you played with Manowar at the Earthshaker Fest for a very special show. Lots of fans started to speculate about a possible reunion. Did Manowar offer you the chance to rejoin?

The Earthshaker Fest was a one off event and there was no talk of me re-joining the band.

I have 2 interesting questions; The fist one would be: On the Hailstorm CD booklet you wrote that  The RTB Band officially hate several airlines........ What´s the story behind this? What kind of situations you have had to face?

Well we hate airlines that constantly lose our luggage right before we have to play!!! That really sucks.

The second question is, as a fan of the German football league, it was a surprise to know that you recorded a song for the team FC Kaiserslautern. That track was written as a tribute to the team but did not appear on the CD. Not even as a single release or bonus track on the CD. Is it going to be released as a single in the future?

The FCK Fan Hymn was a gift from us to the club and the loyal FCK fans.

What can you say to your fans in Venezuela about the upcoming show in June 11th? Any surprises?

What can I say but WE WILL KILL !!! haha!!!

Are you going to play Manowar songs? Songs from your other bands?

The set will feature RTBs new stuff and classic Manowar of course.

On a sad note, Scott Columbus ( Ex Manowar drummer) passed away on April 4th 2011. Last year, he was invited as a special guest to play with your band a set of Manowar songs during the whole tour. Will the Ross The Boss band pay tribute to Scott Columbus here in Venezuela?

Scott's passing was a tremendous blow to all of us and I'm still not over it don't think I ever will be!!! I miss him! 

Any final comments?

Well thanks for your interest and thank you Carlo Pirazzo for everything!!!

We are looking forward to our visit to Venezuela!

HAIL and HAILSTORM!

We would like to give a very special thank you to Ross The Boss for taking the time out to do this interview and my good friend Carlo Pirazzo for his cooperation. See you in Cabimas!

Interview Julio Pereira Petit.

To read in Spanish here.