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An Interview with Bill
Leverty by Kara Uhrlen
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| As most are well aware, it is not common for
a band to maintain its sound and its original members for many years,
but with Firehouse's continuity, it was quite a surprise to learn about
the departure of bassist Perry Richardson and the addition of newcomer
Bruce Waibel. Though, it is now apparent that the band had gone through
years of discussions about their differences before they concluded that
they were better off parting company with their bass player. Leverty says, "It had been many years behind the scenes of musical difference and personal life differences. And when we were on stage and in the public eye we were smiling and happy like nothing was wrong, but we'd go back and there was always a lot of discontent." And while they believe that Richardson is a very talented musician, and wish him the best of luck in his new pursuits, it was necessary to move on and hold auditions for his replacement. But, before auditioning others, Leverty wanted the band to meet Bruce Waibel, an incredible bass player who he had seen perform around the Tampa area. Waibel is a seasoned veteran with years of live performances with Gregg Allman and The Marshall Tucker Band under his belt, but his appeal was also enhanced by his versatility. Leverty says that he can also sing and perform jazz and funk and two-handed techniques, and as if the new album hasn't already made it apparent, he says that Waibel has just fit the band perfectly and is really taking Firehouse to a new level. In fact, during the dozen or so live shows with Waibel, Leverty says the fans have loved him, and he just plays "like a monster." Personality
was also a huge factor when selecting their new member, since the four of them have to live together
"the
other twenty-two and a half hours" that they are not on stage performing.
But, Leverty explained that "everybody met him first without even
hearing him play, and they just thought he was the greatest guy." |
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And as they start fresh with a new band member and their first studio release on a new label, the band's future is really up to Spitifire, just like when their first single, "Don't Treat Me Bad," was first promoted in January of 1991 by Epic. Leverty is hoping that the label will release a single and go to radio with it to try to break the album nationally, but he knows that it will cost money and that these days it is a tough battle. While he believes that the material can do well at radio, he says it will depend on whether or not Spitfire has the resources and the confidence in the band to make it happen. "I'm hoping that things will
be very good. I don't know. I haven't gotten enough of an indication from
Spitfire what their choice of a single is going to be or anything so that's got
me very nervous, but I think we made a good record regardless. And with things
like the Internet and people like you who are taking an interest and doing
interviews and things like that, we'll be able to get something bubbling under
anyway and hopefully this spring and summer, go out and tour." Life
On The Road Conclusion Live photos were taken by Kara
Uhrlen and are property of The Pure Rock Shop. |
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