Ex-DAMAGEPLAN Frontman PATRICK LACHMAN: I Miss DIMEBAG Every Day

Kevin Karr of Vallejo, California's The Times-Herald recently conducted an interview with former DAMAGEPLAN and current THE MERCY CLINIC frontman Patrick Lachman. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

The Times-Herald: Who do you look up to as far as music heroes or a hero in general?

Patrick: "People who've been able to sustain themselves doing what they love.
This is no easy business for most. I meet 'famous people' all the time, so it's not that big of a deal to me. I'm seldom star-struck. One person who really did made me star struck was Brian Johnson (AC/DC). I mean, that's a real rock star there! He was the nicest guy in the world though, having drinks and telling jokes like we were old friends. Same with Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST). Both those guys are rock and roll royalty and could be the biggest idiots and get away with it, but they are nothing but class. Much respect there. I would consider those 'heroic' qualities."

The Times-Herald: When can fans expect to see a full length record?

Patrick: "That's a delicate thing. We don't want to grab the first thing that comes along, but there is a sense of urgency to get it out there. We passed on a couple offers that I felt were not for us. Another option is making a the record we want and handing it to a label. We've been talking to a handful of producers we want to work with — some very talented people are interested in jumping on board. We want the right guy to bring out our 'sound.' We don't have a set date just yet, but it will happen."

The Times-Herald: You seem to get around a lot and play with different bands, make special appearances with groups and get in and play whenever you can. That must be great?

Patrick: "It's nice to explore music with different people. I've been lucky that
I've performed and written with some of the people that were larger than life as I was growing up. Rob Halford?! I was a huge PRIEST fan, so being on stage blazing the solo to 'Electric Eye' with Rob singing in front of a quarter million people at Rock In Rio was probably the coolest thing I've ever done as a musician. ALICE IN CHAINS was mind-blowing too. To be center stage with those guys singing some of my favorite song by one of my all-time favorite bands and one of the best vocalists in rock history was amazing. I'm happy to consider them friends now too. Songwriting collaborations with people like Jerry Cantrell, Zakk Wylde, Corey Taylor and Tommy Victor has been such a dream come true as a writer too. I guess I'm doing something right! Then there is Dime ('Dimebag' Darrell Abbott). What an honor to have him pick me to front his band. What an experience it was to write and play with such a monumental guitarist. Most of all it was cool just hang out with such a great person. He's someone I miss every day..."