VINNIE MOORE Talks About Songwriting Process For UFO

Krishta Abruzzini of KNAC.COM recently conducted an interview with UFO guitarist Vinnie Moore. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

KNAC.COM: How did you hook-up with the UFO boys?

Moore: One of my guitar techs named Jerry Carillo had also done sound for UFO. He knew that they were looking [for a guitarist] and recommended me. They asked me to send some of my stuff. I put about 11 tunes I think it was, on a CD and sent it to their manager. At that time, I actually wasn't real sure if I wanted to do it or not. I was a big fan of UFO growing up and already knew how to play a lot of their songs...but I just wasn't sure about it right away. I didn't really think I would hear anything more about it, but about 10 days later they called and said that Phil Mogg wanted me to join.

KNAC.COM: Obviously you were not just a "hired gun" for UFO, as you were a major songwriting contributor on the 2004 [album] "You Are Here".

Moore: As I said, the hired gun thing is not really what I wanna do. I feel beyond that at this point in my career. I have too much creative energy and need to write. When (Michael) Schenker was in the band, he wrote a lot of the tunes. What Phil wanted was for a guy to come in and play that same kind of role. They needed a songwriter and I think this is a big part of his decision to ask me to join. There are lots of guys that can shred on a guitar....but he was looking for someone who could write with him.

KNAC.COM: What's it been like working and touring with Phil Mogg and company?

Moore: It's always quite the experience…especially when Pete Way is in the band. For the most part, it has really been a blast. We all get along really well....and the fans have been great.

KNAC.COM: I think a lot of people don't realize there's a lot of work to being a professional musician. Tell me what a typical day is like for you.

Moore: Making the UFO record has been pretty crazy. But music is a labor of love for me so I never count the costs. It started with me getting a bunch of song ideas and sending them to Phil. He chose the ones he liked best. We got together in Hannover, Germany to rehearse for a week in January. Andy went into the studio in Germany to lay down drums and I went home as I record my stuff in my studio. We totally utilize the Internet to send sound files back and forth. They would upload drum and bass tracks, and I would download them and record guitars. Then send them my stuff. In fact, one night I was playin' guitar and watching "The Simpsons". I came up with a cool part, then more related ideas started flowing. Before I knew it, I had the skeleton for a new song within 10 minutes. I started to think a little, and realized that we didn't really have a song for the record like this one, so I went into my studio and laid it down. At 11:00 p.m., I uploaded it and then sent e-mails to our manager and the engineer in Germany saying, "Hey, guys...give this one a listen...it could be cool." The next morning at around 10... they called me and played it for me with Andy's drums recorded on it (they were 6 hours ahead). So on a whim...wham...we have a new song...this wouldn't have been possible if Al Gore hadn't created the Internet. Back to the question... I find myself constantly writing and recording.

KNAC.COM: Do you like being on the road?

Moore: Hmmmmm.... not really. I love the being onstage part....and also it is cool to hang with the guys and see the fans. But the charm of seeing different cities has unfortunately worn off. There is so much traveling involved. I have always been a home body. I don't go out of the house for days sometimes when I am home.

Read the entire interview from KNAC.COM.