JUDAS PRIEST Guitarist Wants To Get 'More Adventurous' With Band's Setlist

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing recently answered a number of fan questions via his newly launched web site. A few excerpts follow:

Q: Do you think that you'll play any new/old songs on the next PRIEST tour? I mean, songs like "Dreamer Deceiver" or "Tyrant" or "Sinner" or "Devil's Child" or "Never Satisfied" or "Heading out to the Highway" or "Call for the Priest" or "Freewheel Burning" or "Love Bites"? I know that's a lot, I'll stop there. One other thing, do you think new Gibson Flying Vs are worth buying? Because I want to buy a heritage cherry one (I think you can figure out why) and don't want to waste my money.

K.K. Downing: Yes, indeed we are very aware that fans would like us to include all of those songs and more, the reason I guess why we didn't include so many of those songs on the last tour is because of Rob [Halford] being away so long we felt the need to re-establish ourselves. So now hopefully the world knows PRIEST is back and we can certainly be more adventurous with our set list.

I have several friends that have bought re-issues of cool guitars and many of them are very good, but they are best value if you go out and play them and make them earn their keep as they are not inclined to keep their value very well. One friend bought the Rory Gallagher Strat for £2.500 but only got £1.500 for it a year later. It is your choice to resist the temptation but I think that buying a decent original is money better spent, its value will be sure to rise.

Q: K.K., if you or PRIEST ever had the chance to get "Rocka Rolla" and "Sad Wings Of Destiny" from Gull Records, what songs would you play live and which is your favourite one if you listen to the albums at all?

K.K. Downing: Actually we can play whatever songs we like, as you know we have been playing songs from "Sad Wings" i.e. "Victim" etc. for some time. And we have been talking of playing some of the older and more obscure songs, so I hope you will be pleased the next time we tour. Of course I would like to play an extended version of my solo on "Rocka Rolla". Also "Run of the Mill" and "Never Satisfied", to name a few. A fan from South America just two days ago suggested maybe a long medley of those early songs on the next tour, so we will see what will be. It will have my vote.

Q: Just wondered if you deliberately tried to avoid BLACK SABBATH comparisons (broadly same style, same city etc.) by speeding up your sound, and having a more streamlined song structure? And was it difficult leaving the '70s sound behind? Was this is a conscious development — do you think, or was it more of a natural evolution for the band?

K.K. Downing: Actually although we were aware of BLACK SABBATH we did not pay any attention at all in respect of comparisons, being I guess that it was only the start of the rock and metal evolution and there was so many alternatives available to us in respect of image, direction etc. Also being a HENDRIX fan I was into music with more versatility, so I guess that might answer your next question. That is PRIEST evolved naturally and wantingly through the decades always pushing the boundaries of metal as far and wide as we could in order to make this great style of music known to as many people as possible.

Q: What prompted your move from Hamer to ESP guitars? Will Hamer be making any new custom guitars for you and Glenn [Tipton] for the new album and tour?

K.K. Downing: I believe it was the "Jugulator" tour that was soon to begin, and I suddenly realised that I fancied having made a guitar that i had a rough design for in my head. So I spoke with my good friend Jol Danzig at Hamer but as it happened they had just moved and decided to concentrate on the top of the range products. Jol said he could make my guitar but the wood that they were maturing would not be ready for around 6 months. So I approached ESP and they were able to help to put my design together. I still like my black ESP a lot and play it very often. However since then Hamer have made me a couple of nice guitars including what I believe to be the first ever gold top flying V.

Read more fan questions and K.K.'s answers at this location.