TONY MONTANA

Interview by Kelly

September 2001

One of the most succesful bands of the late 1980s / early 1990s was blues rock's Great White. Tony Montana was Great White's bassist from 1987-1992, their most succesful period (they are still together as of this interview, although with another bassist). Tony has now made an amazing solo album. As I state in the interview, I became aware of the album through an internet radio station, and was very impressed with what I heard. I was lucky enough to be able to talk to Tony after visiting his site, and he agreed to an interview. So, check out the interview, go to Tony's site, listen to the songs, and hey - order the album! Any fans of blues-based rock will not be disappointed. Enjoy!

Solo album questions:

K: You have a solo album out called "Tombstone Shuffle." Tell us about it - what's your musical style? Who else is on your album and who tours with you?

T: I guess the style is a blues based hard rock. There are only two other players that make appearances on the CD, Bryant Markovich played all drums and percussion, Ethan Gladstone played some guitar on a few tracks. The live band is me, Audie Desbrow and Craig DeFalco on bass.

K: Your song "Skin and Bones" is very gritty, bass heavy, and has a great groove. I love it! I think your music brings to mind a cross between Great White, Tesla, and Guns 'N Roses. In other words, pretty straight-up rock music with an edge - is that fair, in your opinion?

T: Sure, I was influenced by all those bands and I was also influenced by the bands that influenced all those bands... gotta be some similarities.

K: I was listening to an internet radio station at work one day and was brought out of my work-induced fog by a kickin' song I had never heard before. I went so far as to stop what I was doing and open the little window to see who the artist was, and lo and behold - it was Tony Montana! The song was "Little Queen." I love the tough sound of it, almost an old-school Tesla-type sound. This song has gotten you lots of airplay, correct? What inspired it?

T: The song has been the most popular download off of my site and has been a featured download on KNAC.com and listen.com I love playing it! As far as inspiration, that's simple, just caught a glimpse of a beautiful woman, and she was freaked out that I was checking her out. Read the lyrics, it's kinda funny. I'm no stalker!

K: "Prayer" is a very sad, but beautiful, song. It sounds very personal, and almost painful in its sincerity. Was this a difficult song for you to write?

T: It was an easy song to write because it was inspired, so it just flowed out of me, but it's hard for me to listen to 'cause it is so personal.

And now, the obligatory Great White questions:

K: You were a member of Great White during their most successful period: 1987-1992. Why did you end up leaving the band? In your Metal Sludge interview a few years ago, you said you hadn't spoken to any of the guys since you left. What is your status with the rest of the band now? One of them is now working on music with you, right?

T: I've chatted with them, but no serious conversation. Audie and I are buds, Kendall and I have hung out and jammed. It's pretty well documented why I was out of the band.

K: You did a European Monsters of Rock tour back in the day with Kiss, Iron Maiden, and Anthrax, correct? That must have been amazing! Were Kiss or Iron Maiden idols of yours? Do you have any good tour stories you'd like to share?

T: I'm not a Kiss fan, but I do respect them. I loved Iron Maiden, but not so much anymore. Times change, tastes change. No good tour stories here, none to tell that wouldn't get me arrested!

K: My boyfriend saw you play back on the co-headlining tour with Tesla (I don't know how I missed it!). He said that concert was great! How was it trying to pull off a co-headlining situation? Were there a lot of egos?

T: No egos at all. Tesla is one of the very coolest bands in the biz. I love those guys. Co-headlining is great, it relieves the pressure of always having to be in the spotlight.

K: Great White performed "House of Broken Love" on the American Music Awards in 1990. Do you have an anecdote from that? Did you win an award (I can't remember!)? Did being on an awards show change your outlook in any way?

T: It was really cool, I saw Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan backstage. Lot's of people I admire. That was cool. Just remember that an award show is a cheap way of getting alot of talent in a room at once to accept an award on a show that is televised for profit. It's a great scam really.

K: And I've got to ask - Memorial Day 1990, World Series of Rock show with Whitesnake, Skid Row, Bad English, and Hericane Alice - anything worth mentioning? What was Sebastian Bach like back then? Was Bad English really out of place on that bill?

T: It was alot of fun - everyone was really cool, I got a bad case of food poisoning that day though, lot's of visits to the porto-johnny!

Personal Questions:

K: I read that you played on the Sunset Strip at age 15. I guess you grew up pretty fast. What was it like being a kid on the Strip?

T: Pretty cool, all my girlfriends were older and "experienced" if you get my drift. Lot's of fun to be that young with no responsibilities.

K: What music / bands did you idolize growing up?

T: I loved Judas Priest, and Aerosmith, and I also love 50's rock stars too, Little Richard, Elvis stuff like that - the REAL deal!

K: You played bass in Great White, but the guitar is your real passion. How did you come to play both?

T: I used to teach at a music store and I had to learn to play bass to teach it. I REALLY love playing bass on my projects! The bass can be a really fun part to play if it is allowed to participate in the harmonic/chordal structure of a song. Unfortunately, in most rock situations, that is not the case, so it's really boring.

K: I also hear you like cars - what is your favorite car? What do you drive?

T: I love cars! My favorite is probably the Aston Martin DB 7. I also love Mercedes Benz', I drive a Benz sedan, good for the family.

Just plain silly questions:

K: If you were a Ken Doll, which one would you be, what special features would you have, and what accesories would you come with (for example - Army Ken with kung fu grip - comes wearing fatigues and carrying a minature hand grenade)? Be as creative as you'd like! I'm still working on it, but here's my answer so far to the Barbie Question if you need inspiration!

T: Hmmm, Ken doll, well I'd certainly have it anatomically exaggerated! That's always impressive...I would want to be race car driver Ken, with a racing jump suit and a helmet. I love racing!

K: Why did you cut that beautiful hair?

T: Tired of it, always got in the way during sex.

K: What is your favorite Kool-Aid flavor?

T: Cherry

K: Thanks, Tony! I look forward to meeting you out on the road someday!

T: Thank you sweety!

Where Do I Go From Here?

Back To The Homepage!
Tony Montana Official Website