Subsequent yr marks the thirtieth anniversary of Massachusetts-based rock band Godsmack, at present led by co-founders Sully Erna on vocals and Robbie Merrill on bass, together with Tony Rombola on guitars, and Shannon Larkin on drums (ex-Ugly Child Joe and ex-Candlebox).

Over the previous three many years, Godsmack has produced a formidable catalog together with eight studio albums, an EP titled “The Different Facet,” 4 DVDs, a compilation album named “Good Occasions, Unhealthy Occasions… Ten Years of Godsmack,” and a reside album titled “Reside & Impressed.”

The band achieved three consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 with “Faceless,” “IV,” and “The Oracle.” Notably, they boast 25 top-ten rock radio hits, with 18 songs touchdown within the prime 5 and 12 on the coveted number-one spot.

Their seventh album, “When Legends Rise,” debuted on April 27, 2018, adopted by their eighth launch, “Lighting Up the Sky,” on February 24, 2023. After the discharge of the final album, Godsmack introduced that it could be their last challenge of recent music, though they don’t have any intentions of disbanding.

Presently, Godsmack is on the Vibez Tour throughout North America, with simply two Canadian stops, together with a efficiency on the OLG Stage at Fallsview On line casino Resort in Niagara Falls on April twenty fifth. Becoming a member of Godsmack shall be particular visitor Bastian da Cruz.

In a current Zoom interview with Music Life Journal, Erna mentioned the Vibez Tour and what followers can anticipate, the band’s future plans, his documentary launch “I Stand Alone: The Sully Erna Story,” (based mostly on his 2007 memoir, “The Paths We Select”), and extra. In the course of the interview, Erna shared insights into the band’s determination to cease recording new albums after final yr’s “Lighting Up the Sky” launch.

For more information and tickets to this present and upcoming reveals at OLG Stage click on right here.

Due to Sully Erna for taking the time to speak to me. Right here is my interview with Erna which occurred by way of Zoom two weeks previous to the beginning of the Vibez Tour which started mid-February:

MLM: How are issues going? In two weeks, the Vibez Tour begins. Are you guys all prepared and excited?

Sully Erna: Oh yeah, we’re prepared. We’re all tuned up. We’re gonna take slightly break now from rehearsals and simply have slightly vacay after which we’ll begin hitting it on the fifteenth when the entire thing begins.

MLM: I wish to speak extra in regards to the Vibez Tour however there’s a few different issues I wish to get out of the best way. And also you’re most likely sick about speaking about this by now, however your final album, Lighting Up the Sky, got here out a couple of yr in the past, and also you guys talked about that it is going to be the final album you guys do. Is Godsmack seeking to wind down? Are you guys seeking to do different issues? What are the long run plans for Godsmack?

Sully Erna: Effectively, everybody has to come back to some extent in time of their profession once they really feel like, “Have we arrived? Have we executed the issues that we needed to do?” Despite the fact that music is one thing we all the time needed to do with our lives, is that all the pieces we wish to do with our lives as a result of we missed plenty of particular moments in our private lives, watching our children develop up. We had been all the time touring, being away from household and associates. And generally we crave the easy issues that most individuals take with no consideration. They stand up each morning, they get to make their youngsters breakfast, and so they go work and so they come house and so they make them dinner, and so they hang around and so they watch films and take them to high school, no matter. We didn’t have that luxurious as a result of we had been working on a regular basis and our work takes us away from house.

And now our children are grown nevertheless it’s like, properly, we’ve executed rather a lot. We be ok with our profession. It’s not like we’re asserting a breakup or something, however I imply, geez, at what level will we not begin honoring the catalog and begin forgetting about writing increasingly more new music? I imply, we now have 27 prime singles, prime 10 singles. We have now 13 quantity ones. Which means we are able to actually play two reveals again to again in the identical metropolis and by no means play the identical single twice, not to mention the deeper cuts. So, we’re simply attempting to suppose alongside the strains of how we’re as followers and once we go to see our favourite bands, like if we go away there and Aerosmith didn’t play Dream On, and Stroll This Manner, and Similar Outdated Track and Dance and Practice Stored A Rollin’? I’m mad, proper? Yeah. So yeah, we have to play what individuals have deemed the most effective songs that they’ve loved over time. And we additionally really feel that we’re simply in a spot in time the place we wish to type of enter a brand new chapter in our lives and begin honoring that music and simply going out and making a best hits present.

MLM: Lately, the documentary I Stand Alone: The Sully Erna Story got here out. Let’s speak a bit about that. When did that come out? I do know it’s streaming proper now, in order that’s very new, isn’t it?

Sully Erna: It’s very new. We haven’t even began a press marketing campaign on it but, so that you’re one of many first individuals on board to assist us market it! it’s on Apple TV and it’s on Amazon Prime. I believe it’s on a pair others as properly, Microsoft and Google Play. It’s known as I Stand Alone: The Sully Erna Story and it principally is predicated on the guide that I put out in 2007 known as The Paths We Select, which is in regards to the first 30 years of my life earlier than I acquired a file cope with Godsmack, and rising up within the streets of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and all the difficulty that I acquired into, all of the challenges I confronted and the obstacles I needed to bounce over as a way to not get myself killed or find yourself in jail.

I believe it’s actually a narrative of perseverance. It’s a narrative of 1 man’s, one boy’s journey via life and all of the challenges that they confronted not figuring out that I had this present, proper? And I had this music in my life, and it’s actually what saved me so many occasions from going out and doing the actually darkish stuff. It appears to really feel like a extra inspirational piece for individuals to know you could take a look at us and we’re not born profitable rock stars. We’re the identical individuals such as you and everybody else that work onerous and must undergo life the identical approach as everybody else does. However we now have to discover ways to undergo these powerful moments and keep robust and get to the opposite aspect as a result of that’s whenever you often discover a pot of gold on the finish of the rainbow.

MLM: So why did you determine to do the documentary now? It’s been greater than 15 years for the reason that memoir got here out.

Sully Erna: This was one thing that one other group put collectively, the director Troy Smith and one of many editors, the lead editor, Noah Berlow. They actually favored the story and so they needed to make it right into a characteristic documentary however the trick was, and the explanation why it took so lengthy, I imply, this was six years within the making. I used to be born in 68, proper? So I grew up within the seventies and the eighties. We didn’t have cell telephones again then and video cameras. There have been no visuals to help the tales we had been telling. Simply little bits of data. My uncle used to come back over, he had a giant camcorder so he’d movie me enjoying drums after I was seven years previous and hanging out with my household. So, we had slightly bit of data after I was actually younger, however as we get into my teenagers and all these years that I acquired into the true huge hassle stuff. We didn’t have video cameras again then, and thank God. My God, , I might’ve been incriminated greater than as soon as, I’m certain! (laughs)

So, it was like a matter of recreating a few of that stuff and selecting what tales we had been going to inform. After which clearly because it will get into the early nineties and going via totally different bands and hanging out with my associates, that’s when camcorders began to pop up. We used to have the eight millimeter camcorders and DV cams. It was only a bit difficult placing collectively, however that’s why it took a short while. They needed to inform the story, however we didn’t need it simply to be a speaking head documentary.

MLM: Are you’re happy with the best way it turned out then?

Sully Erna: I used to be surprisingly happy. I assumed I used to be gonna tear it aside, however my God, I watched it with my mother and two of my greatest associates and my sister and my mother bawled. I imply, as a result of , you gotta keep in mind too, we took it proper again to the guts of the place all these occasions occurred and I even acquired to knock on the door of my childhood house. And the woman was variety sufficient to allow us to use her house to reenact plenty of these scenes. So, what you see is actually my home the place I grew up and the place these occasions occurred. So, I believe for my mother, it was like, “that’s my kitchen”, “that was me”. Yeah. I used to be in that a part of my life and taking her again there I believe actually affected her.

MLM: Lawrence is within the Boston space?

Sully Erna: Yeah, north of Boston.

MLM: Are there any plans to launch I Stand Alone on DVD?

Sully Erna: I don’t know. I’m unsure proper now. Proper now, we’re simply type of sticking it on the market, letting individuals understand it’s out. We’re going to start out a giant advertising marketing campaign for it to actually pump it up and pay attention, if something, I simply hope it does what it, I imagine it was designed to do, which was, if I inform my story, I hope it evokes individuals to do higher of their lives and to maintain going with their desires and issues like that, as a result of that is actually what that story is about. We see plenty of these sorts of rock docs that finish very unhappy, proper? They don’t all the time have a very good ending. I’d wish to suppose this one did, , and I’m nonetheless unsure the place it ends as a result of I’m nonetheless dwelling in it. I’m nonetheless in that a part of my life. And I’m certain the Godsmack documentary will come out sooner or later. However proper now, perhaps it is a piece that can encourage individuals to proceed to work onerous and know that there’s a payoff.

MLM: Let’s discuss The Vibez Tour. It begins in a pair weeks. It’s all US dates with two Canadian dates, together with Niagara Falls on April 25^th. In keeping with a Fb publish from Godsmack, the present is alleged to be An Intimate Night of Acoustic/Electrical Performances and Untold Tales. First off, will there be private stuff taken from the documentary or is it completely Godsmack associated? Will there be tales informed which can be behind the scenes of Godsmack, and tales behind the songs?

Sully Erna: I believe it’s gonna be extra in regards to the music, as a result of what we wish to create, and the explanation why we known as it The Vibez Tour is as a result of we actually wish to do all of the vibey music that we’ve written over time. Perhaps step away from the large robust heavy Godsmack stuff for a second that we all the time do on the large reveals and produce individuals into a distinct type of place. So, from the time they enter the theater, , the scent that’s within the air, the candles on stage, go into some actually lovely acoustic performances, some totally electrical performances. We’re gonna do some vibey cool covers that we actually like. And, , inform some tales in regards to the songs and what they meant to us once we wrote them. And perhaps a little bit of historical past in regards to the band, slightly bit. However actually simply take individuals via a musical journey and allow them to expertise how necessary and what a present music actually is to all of us.

MLM: You guys have a giant catalog of songs. Was it onerous to decide on what songs to incorporate within the setlist?  Are  there songs that you simply thought could or could not work acoustically after which shocked you?

Sully Erna: I don’t suppose so as a result of we’re selecting songs which can be type of designed to be extra of a vibe like that, and like I stated, it’s not gonna be totally acoustic. If the track’s acoustic, it’ll be acoustic, songs like Serenity and Working Blind and people sorts of songs. These had been designed to be acoustic. There’s even some actually cool vibey piano songs that we’ve written, like Below Your Scars, and the brand new single Fact. There are songs like Rising Outdated on the brand new file that simply are type of a extra of a Chris Cornell type of vibe. And so, you combine that in with some actually cool covers. Perhaps we’re gonna do some previous Zeppelin stuff, or Pink Floyd, who is aware of. However , you mix all that in collectively, proper? And it actually simply type of creates a second. And in order that’s what I believe is gonna occur.

MLM: Since Godsmack will not be recording new music, will there be a launch of this tour when it’s completed?

Sully Erna: I don’t know. All the things’s up within the air. Proper now, we’re simply targeted on this tour. I’d wish to take one factor at a time and simply do it the most effective we are able to.

MLM: Subsequent yr Godsmack celebrates 30 years. Did you ever suppose the band would final this lengthy?

Sully Erna: We weren’t certain that this band was even gonna be a band within the first place, it actually simply type of began as an experiment to scratch the itch when me and Robbie had been at a degree in our lives the place we had been about to stop music again within the early nineties. We went via so many bands and so many various issues in our lives that we had been identical to, as you begin to get into your mid-twenties, late-twenties, you’re identical to, perhaps this isn’t for me, . Perhaps it’s not gonna occur. So, we simply stated, let’s simply do one thing and make it enjoyable. We acquired collectively and wrote some music. We had been gonna file it in a studio and simply type of scratch the itch by enjoying gigs on weekends and stuff. After which this factor began taking off and other people began paying consideration. And so, who would’ve identified, , that I spent the primary 25 years enjoying drums in mastering that instrument after which to transition right into a singer not figuring out what I’m doing. By no means, by no means any coaching, something. And impulsively, we find yourself with a gold file! Who would have identified?

MLM: I’m certain there are plenty of nice recollections, plenty of excellent moments all through your 30 years as a musician in Godsmack and even earlier than that. Is there something that basically stands out nonetheless to today the place you look again and suppose, “Wow, that’s wonderful”, or “I can’t imagine this occurred”?

Sully Erna: Yeah, simply our life and music. I imply, I believe whenever you’re rising up and also you need it and it’s simply type of a dream and one thing feels prefer it’s untouchable, it’s actually only a fantasy at that time. You’re enjoying in garages and basements and small golf equipment and also you’re, in your thoughts, you’re envisioning that you simply’re enjoying in entrance of an enviornment full of individuals, however you’re actually not, ? And so it’s only a huge dream. So for it to grow to be a actuality and have this sort of longevity, that’s one thing that also to today, we pinch ourselves and admire each second that we now have.

MLM: Is there the rest you’d love to do in life that you simply haven’t but? Music has been a giant a part of your life. Is there something you’d wish to pursue that you simply’ve all the time thought of doing however haven’t but?

Sully Erna: Effectively, I’ve been so busy. Yeah. I could, as soon as that is executed and our schedule relaxes slightly bit extra as a result of we’re all the time gonna be doing reveals. I’m certain sooner or later, however we simply could not tour as closely after this album cycle is over. We’ll see. You may by no means say by no means. Who is aware of? I can’t sit nonetheless too lengthy. After I’m working an excessive amount of, I need some off time after which when I’ve off time, I get actually bored actually fast and I must go do one thing. I do love performing. I’ve had some enjoyable with that over time, doing a little indie movies and getting some smaller roles in larger films and that type of factor. I believe I’d wish to pursue that extra if I acquired the chance and somebody needed to carry me in. At this level I’d wish to get some higher components and attempt to get entangled in some larger roles. That’s all the time been enjoyable for me. However, on my off time I wish to play poker. I wish to experience my bike. I wish to go hang around with my associates, hit the seashores, take some holidays, and go to some locations with out working. So, , the easy issues plenty of the occasions is what I take pleasure in doing.

MLM: You’re coming to Niagara Falls April twenty fifth. Have you ever ever been right here?

Sully Erna: Oh yeah. I’ve some associates there too.

MLM: You had been within the space not too way back. Final August you performed in Toronto with Staind. In any case, do you will have any plans when you’re right here? Do you make time to do issues whenever you go to totally different cities whereas on tour?

Sully Erna: I’m unsure. I’d wish to see a pair associates whereas I’m in that space, no matter. However once more, , our reveals are just about again to again and fairly tight. So, we don’t have an entire lot of time to hang around once we’re on tour. However we’re wanting ahead to the present. It’s a very good space, good individuals, good vibes there. We’ve all the time executed properly, so it’ll be good to come back again for certain.

MLM: Effectively, thanks a lot on your time. Is there something you’d wish to plug or add at this level?

Sully Erna: No, simply the one, Fact is a vital track to us. We’re about to launch it and we’re simply ending up a brand new video for it. It’s most likely probably the most weak and emotional songs I’ve ever wrote in my life. As , all the pieces I write about is one thing that occurred to me personally on an emotional stage, whether or not it was good or dangerous. Sadly, on this case, this occasion occurred to me as I used to be penning this file and we needed to pause the entire challenge as a result of this one hit me fairly onerous. It’s a track about betrayal and as , generally the individuals who can harm us essentially the most are the those who we love essentially the most. I believe individuals will hook up with this lyrically and emotionally. I believe everybody has felt some type of betrayal as soon as of their life, at the least, whether or not it was via a member of the family or relationship or friendship. However we’re excited for the track as a result of it’s a giant hook, it’s a giant melody. And I simply suppose, though it got here from a darker place, it’s a giant lovely track. So I hope all people actually takes a hearken to that and enjoys it.

MLM: Effectively, thanks a lot on your time. 

Sully Erna: You bought it.

MLM: Good luck on the tour. Subsequent week is your birthday. Glad Birthday! I’m wanting ahead to seeing you on April twenty fifth, in Niagara Falls.

Sully Erna: Superior.

MLM: Thanks a lot, Sully.

Sully Erna: Yeah, in fact, man. Thanks for having me.

MLM: All proper. Take care. Thanks.

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