VINNIE PAUL: REBEL MEETS REBEL Has 'Given Me Something To Live For'

A. Lee Graham of Classic Rock Revisited recently conducted an interview with former PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN drummer Vinnie Paul. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Classic Rock Revisited: REBEL MEETS REBEL just may herald the next step in rock and roll —country metal. Do you think this sound has the potential to see as much demand in this millennium as rap rock, nu metal and other sounds like in the '90s?

Vinnie: "I see this as something really different and really unique. I don't know if anybody will follow the path we're on. Our goal was just to create a good time. With our songwriting abilities together, it's really different. And music has been in the doldrums for a while, and something needed to give. I think this will give it a kick in the ass and if it does, we'll take credit for it."

Classic Rock Revisited: The REBEL MEETS REBEL site is really gaining some anticipation with the daily countdown. Do you sense a growing excitement?

Vinnie: "Man, you know there's been a lot of anticipation for a long time. Because me and Dime always talked about this in all the interviews in the last few years. It was a record my brother and I really loved. It's really great to finally put out."

Classic Rock Revisited: Would it have been different if Dime were here today to put the finishing touches on it and update it?

Vinnie: "No. The great thing about it is that it was all done. It was in the can. Dime designed the artwork a long time ago. It's 99 percent in its original packaging. We bounced ideas off each other. I'm really proud of it. He'd be very proud."

Classic Rock Revisited: You lived under the radar last year, at least compared to the years with PANTERA and DAMAGEPLAN. Now you seem gung-ho about REBEL MEETS REBEL and are really re-emerging, so to speak.

Vinnie: "It's given me something to live for. I don't want to have to get into it in any depth. It's unfathomable to be able to explain. I've done everything in my life with my brother. And this makes me feel like I'm working with him again. It took me a long time to get my head square. I thought I'd be done with music, over with it. Someone who's supposedly a fan took him from us. I know I wanted to play again. I've been lucky to have SAMMY HAGAR, DISTURBED — all these bands inviting me onstage."

Classic Rock Revisited: So guest-drumming is part of the healing process.

Vinnie: "Yeah. I look out there and see how many fans love you and after all that happened, I didn't even look at my drum set for two and a half months. I had a benefit coming up with DISTURBED and ANTHRAX in Chicago. I was almost scared. But I got behind the drums and started ripping, and it came back to me how much I missed it."

Classic Rock Revisited: Fans are waiting with baited breath for the "DimeVision Vol. I" DVD. What can they expect when comparing it to "Watch It Go" and "Vulgar Video"? Will it have any extended soloing from the early-'80s club days?

Vinnie: "Yeah. It includes stuff people have seen before with Dime and all the tomfoolery, him doing crazy shit. We' were watching it here in the office and couldn't hardly stop from laughing. It'll bring a tear from your eye and, at the same time, put a big smile on your face."

Classic Rock Revisited: Your plate is obviously full, but have you considered joining a band full-time?

Vinnie: "I've considered anything that came my way, but my focus in on my record company and getting it off the ground. But every time I get to get up and play, it's great. I put a band (GASOLINE) together and played on New Year's Eve. It was awesome."

Read the entire interview at www.classicrockrevisited.com.