The
spirit of that classic 1964 era of British Invasion power pop and
Beatles inspired rock and roll is alive and well on the 2010 CD from
The Malibooz, entitled Queens' English. Interesting
to note here that The Malibooz started in Queens around the time of
the 1964 NYC Worlds Fair, which means these guys have some serious
mileage behind them them but here on CD they sound as fresh as ever.
With one toe-tapping track after the next, Malibooz founders John
Zambetti and Walter Egan ramp up their penchant for cutting
British Invasion era pop sounds on disc. A little history...Funny
how the NYC Worlds Fairan elaborate extravaganza that
was designed as a global event that JFK was probably excited about
in 63actually opened in April 1964 and it turns out the
early Malibooz actually played at one of the famous Pavilions at the
Fair itself. Wow! The British Invasion of January 1964 brought the
Beatles to NYC just two months before the World's Fair opened so it
was an incredibly exciting time to live in New York City. My father,
the late great Arnold Silverstein actually helped build the '64 Worlds
Fairor it was his food services, Interplant Foods, that fed
the workers who built the Worlds Fair and the elaborate buildings
and structures, including many that still exist there and have actually
become icons of Queens. And when my dad took me there a few times,
I watched it grow bigger and bigger till it finally opened in all
its glory. It was so cool, wed go many times and the biggest
thing there, especially as my dad was in the food business, was the
food! Pavilions from every country, I remember the Indonesian pavilion
and Belgian pavilion that introduced us to Belgian waffles, and featuring
history and a restaurant in each pavilion! It's a small (w) world
after all. Anyway, back at the ranch, how come nobody ever heard these
guys, The Malibooz is beyond me but, with so much pop and rock goodness
on their Queens' English CD, this is a good time to catch up
with The Malibooz. Loads of famous British Invasion all stars join
John and Walter and cameo the recordings, and the list has to be seen
to be believed! Anyway if you dig the hot sounds of the greatest 64
British Invasion giantsBeatles, Kinks, Stonesyou will
dig these two cool guys from Queens NYC, who lived and breathed the
British Invasion while it happened and live to tell the tales. Press
to play and some time with The Malibooz. Recorded in Malibu, mastered
at Abbey Road. www.Malibooz.net
MUSIC WEB EXPRESS 3000 presents
JOHN ZAMBETTI and WALTER EGAN
of The Malibooz
Guitars Center Stage
Guitarists making waves in the music world,
their new recordings and gear!
Musical Background
JZ:
I started out on piano at age 5. My family didnt have a piano
but I was so into it I would practice on a printout of a keyboard
on my kitchen table. Eventually, after my parents noticed I was practicing
for hours every day on the kitchen table they bought a piano. I initially
played classical music but switched to Fats Domino, etc. at about
age 8. At age 13, I switched to guitar. At the time no one was teaching
Rock n Roll so I only took a few jazz lessons and then started
teaching myself and picking up info from my friends and copying licks
from records.
WE: I am an only child but had the good fortune to have a twin
cousin born at the same time. We grew up as brothers and when cousin
Jim got a long-neck Vega five-string banjo I felt that I should get
a guitar. So, I was inspired to play the guitar by the folk music
boom of the early sixties, but also by Elvis on Ed Sullivan. I was
given my first guitar, a Goya F-11, for my fifteenth birthday and
I proceeded to teach myself to play that summer from a Kingston Trio
songbook. I was told by my guitar-playing friend John Zambetti that
fall that I could join his band if I acquired an electric. I persuaded
my parents to get me one soon thereafter. It was a brand new 1964
sunburst Fender Strat and I was soon the new member of the Malibooz,
New York Citys surf band. I learned much about playing by watching
John and other guitarists play (mostly on TV). Early influences were
Duane Eddy and The Ventures, as well as The Beach Boys and soon The
Beatles, Stones and the rest of the British Invasion bands.
New CD
JZ: The new CD by my band, The Malibooz, is called Queens
English. The QUEENS (note placement of apostrophe)
is a nod to the 1964 New York Worlds Fair (in Flushing, Queens)
where we played both at the New York State Pavilion and did a TV show
from the RCA Pavilion. Also, my longtime band mate, Walter Egan is
originally from Forest Hills, Queens. We recorded the album at my
studio in Malibu and mastered it at Abbey Road Studios in London.
On the CD I do vocals and play guitars, 12-string and mandocello as
well as some organ, piano and even my iPhone ocarina App on one tune.
The other band members are Walter Egan-vocals, guitars, Scott Monahan-vocals,
keyboards, David Chamberlain-bass, and Martin Fera-drums. Given the
British Invasion style of the album we were fortunate to have a coterie
of original British Invaders joining us including; Spencer
Davis, The Hollies Tony Hicks, The Quarrymen, Andrew Loog Oldham,
Chad & Jeremy, The Troggs Richard Moore, The Fortunes
David Carr, Peter Jameson and others. A special thrill for me was
having original Ventures guitarist, Nokie Edwards joining with
The Shadows Mark Griffiths and John Farrar on the track Venture
Into The Shadows. According to those guys, it is the first time
The Ventures and The Shadows have even recorded on the same track!
Since Im a product of the 60s, the songs (all original
but in the 60s British Invasion style) allowed me to pull out
all my old 60s riffs and sounds. It was also a blast to include
the variety of other instruments I got to play. We recorded the album
on ProTools but we still like to do the basic tracks live, so we set
up and played all in the same room. The flexibility of ProTools allowed
us to fly in some tracks from guest artists at other locations.
For example, The Hollies Tony Hicks recorded his parts in Manchester
and then we incorporated them into our tracks in Malibu using a secure
server over the Internet.
WE:
These days I divide my musical time between my own four-piece Walternative
Band (which carries on my solo recording eight solo LP/CDs
including my four Columbia releases with my million-selling Magnet
and Steel) and plan to have a new release in 2010. I record
every couple of years with the Malibooz and also play in the country
rock band Burrito Deluxe (a distant relative of the original Flying
Burrito Brothers). My participation in the new Malibooz CD Queens
English had me flying to Malibu from Franklin Tennessee, and adding
my five songs to the mix last summer. The thrill of this disc is that
reflects our love for the Brit Rock of the sixties after our five
surf releases, and that it provided us a vehicle for our songs written
in that style. While I was there I added my parts to what John had
already recorded on his own of his songs. In the recording process
we usually play and sing lead on our own cuts. My guitar style somehow
incorporates all the different genres which I love, surf, rockabilly
and rock.
Favorite Guitars
JZ: My first electric guitar was a 1962 Gretsch Country Gentlemen
which had been re-badged as a Ronnie Lee Model, after
the owner of the NYC guitar store where I was taking lessons. Being
in a surf band, I wanted a Fender Jaguar, but the owner intimidated
me into buying the Gretsch which he portrayed as a more serious
instrument. Of course today, I wish I still had the Country Gentlemen
(not to mention I went to high school with Fred Gretsch!) but then
I really wanted the sound and look of the Jag. After playing the Gretsch
about a month, I had my father accompany me back to Ronnie Lees
and tell him I wanted the Jag. Ronnie persisted and I said the Gretsch
didnt have enough treble for surf music. Ronnie said if I could
tell the difference between the 2 guitars when they were played behind
by back, I could have the Jag. Of course, any red-blooded guitarist
who couldnt make that distinction should go back to drumming.
The Jag was soon mine. I still have it today (as well as my 63
Fender Tremolux and 63 outboard reverb unit) and over the years
it was been signed by many of my favorite artists including Brian
Wilson, all the original Ventures, The Chantays, The Surfaris, Jan
& Dean, The Sandals, etc. I probably have about 30 electric guitars
and a dozen acoustics.
My
main ax, is a white custom shop Fender Stratocaster which I purchased
from The Eagles Joe Walsh. I string it with DAddario XL
.011 electric guitar strings. The interesting feature of this guitar
is that it had the Roland VG-8 system built-in. At the time I bought
it, I was using that system a lot, but lately I have gone back to
my stomp boxes. My other main guitar is my 1962 Fender XII electric
12-string which was used a lot on Queens English. This
guitar is extremely well sorted and it's one of the few electric 12-strings
Ive played that is in tune (and stays in tune) anywhere on the
neck. I have several nice acoustics including a Martin D-35, a Martin
D-41 and a Martin DM-12. I bought the D-35 in 1971 and use it the
most for recording. It has a Baggs pickup on it and over the years
it has been incredibly consistent on delivering a clear warm tone.
I really like to build a wall of acoustics and I really did that a
lot on this album. There are layers of acoustic 6 and 12-string tracks
capoed to increase the spectrum of sound.
I also used my Dammann Mandocello on the song London Underground.
The mandocello is strung and tuned like a mandolin but with one extra
set of strings in the bass (which usually is a C, but I tune to D)
brings the total string count to 10. It's more guitar size than mandolin
size so it tends to sound more like a lute, but if you capo it and
play it high, it can cover mandolin sounds.
I also have a 1970 Fender Mustang bass which I love because its
smaller scale and has a great sound. I also play a Dammann custom
bass.
My pedal setup is:
Boss TU 12H Chromatic tuner into
Boss CS 3 Compression Sustainer
Boss OD-2R TURBO OverDrive
Ernie Ball VP jr volume pedal
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor (never used live)
BBE Sonic Stomp Sonic Maximizer
JangleBox compression/sustain for the Fender electric 12-string
WE: I have simple tastes when it comes to guitars and gear, if it
sounds good I go for it. Except for a few years in the early seventies
when I played an old Gibson SG I have almost exclusively played a
Strat on stage. Currently I play a black one from 1968 through either
a Fender Deluxe or a Peavey Delta Blues with a fifteen inch speaker.
My outboard gear is a Korg Toneworks board or a Korg Pandora. I still
have the Martin D35 I purchased in 1974. Martin is the only acoustic
guitar for me. I favor GHS Boomer electric strings (.010s) and Martin
light gauge acoustics. I also own a Squire Jagmaster electric, Fender
and Mitchell acoustics and a Squire bass (I played bass for the band
Spirit for a few years).
Musical Influences
JZ:
I probably first really became aware of electric guitar hearing Al
Caiola do the Theme from Bonanza. That sound really captivated
me and was quickly followed by Duane Eddy who put it over the edge.
(I actually still have the sheet music to Dance With The Guitar
Man). I really strove for the Duane Eddy sound (which in retrospect
would have sounded better on the Gretsch!). Next I emulated Lonnie
Mack and especially his version of Memphis, but it was
The Ventures who sealed the deal. Just looking at the 45 picture sleeve
of Walk Dont Run was all I needed. I was going to
be a Fender man (even though they turned into Mosritians). Nokie Edwards
was the man and thats why it was especially great to record
with him on this album.
I was a big Ricky Nelson fan and based my vocal style on him (with
a little Everlys and Buddy Holly thrown in too). Thats how I
discovered James Burton. At the end of each Ozzie and Harriet Show
theyd have a little section where Ricky and his band could sing
so I could actually see what James was playing on his Tele. Of course,
his licks were way to difficult to play but it did widen my spectrum
of sounds. I next discovered Chuck Berry and moved into the world
of the 2-string leads! What a revelation!
Chronologically, I next focused on George Harrison. I think he is
a very underrated guitarist. Maybe not the greatest technique, but
he had great ideas. He rarely played the same solo twice. Always something
a little different in tone or technique and it always fit perfectly.
One thing I hate about the modern guitar gods is that its all
technique and very little melody. The leads all sound the same to
me.
Next the Clapton, Page, Beck triumvirate. Personally, I think Beck
is head and shoulders above the rest and really concentrated on his
Yardbirds style. Back in the day, The Malibooz did a blistering version
of Mister Youre a Better Man Than I. Of course,
I then moved into the Clapton Cream years. And then
Hendrix!!
What can I say. Where does Hendrix end and the guitar begin? Dont
know. Walter and I caught Jimi when he was Jimmy James and the Blue
Flames (Hopefully James Brown didnt know about this). This was
early on a Teen Heaven in NYC. He had a pompadour and electric blue
suit but was playing with his teeth etc. long before the Experience.
Probably the most influential guitarist for me was Stephen Stills
and the most influential album was Buffalo Springfield Again.
He is the ultimate in the quest for tone and having the
leads perfectly compliment the song.
Other influential albums are;
Surfer Girl by The Beach Boys
Ventures Twist Party by The Ventures
The Chantays
For You by Ricky Nelson
Best of the Everly Brothers by The Everly Brothers
Rubber Soul by The Beatles
Turn, Turn, Turn, by The Byrds
Really I was more influenced by 45s that are way too numerous to mention
but here are a few...
Because Theyre Young by Duane Eddy
Memphis by Lonnie Mack
Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry
Ram, Bunk, Shush by The Ventures
Susie Darling by Robin Luke
Everyday by Buddy Holly
Pipeline by The Chantays
Wipeout by The Surfaris
Dance, Dance, Dance by The Beach Boys
Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones
And all the hit British Invasion singles.
WE:
My musical influences come from Elvis (of course), Buddy Holly, The
Everly Brothers, Duane Eddy, The Ventures, The Kingston Trio, Brian
Wilson and The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Stones, The Kinks, The
Byrds, The Yardbirds, Buffalo Springfield, Flying Burrito Brothers,
Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead and Gram Parsons.
My guitar style is an amalgam of Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Eric
Clapton, Carl Wilson, Steve Stills, Neil Young, Peter Green, Jerry
Garcia, Jorma Kaukonen, Scotty Moore, Jimi Hendrix and Lindsey Buckingham.
Albums that loom large in my legend: Ventures - Surfing, Meet
The Beatles, Rolling Stones Now, Surfaris - Wipe Out, Rubber
Soul, the first Grateful Dead LP, first Doors LP, Sweetheart
Of The Rodeo by The Byrds, Beach Boys - Today, Buffalo Springfield,
Gilded Palace of Sin by The Flying Burrito Brothers, Fleetwood
Mac - Then Play On, Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys, Fleetwood
Mac (the first one with Lindsey and Stevie), Grievous Angel
by Gram Parsons (which contains my composition Hearts On
Fire
(the list goes on)
Upcoming Plans
WE: I plan to finish my new Walter Egan CD and have it out
by the end of the year. I write songs as I have since I was sixteen
and see no end to it, and have had some writers deals here in
Nashville. In the last year my song Hot Summer Nights
was the inspiration for Eminems comeback smash We Made
You. I will be going to California to do a few dates
with the Malibooz at the end of September as well as a solo gig at
Kulaks Woodshed. I will be playing at the Gram Parsons
Guitar Pull on September 18th with my country rock band the Grampyres.
I play regularly around Nashville and on tour in Europe with the Burritos.
I play guitar for Wanda Jackson when she plays in Nashville. I am
in negotiations about being part of a rock revue playing my hits of
the seventies this fall.
Web Site
JZ: Please check out our website www.malibooz.net
(You can see our new video there too)
Email : malibooz@malibooz.com
WE:
www.Walteregan.net
www.walternative.com
www.brooklincowboys.com
www.burritodeluxe.com
contact: eganwalter@hotmail.com