Dean Roberts the drummer for American Heavy Metal band Leatherwolf. Interview talks about Unchained Live new album. 
Leatherwolf Interview
1. What’s new in the life of Dean Roberts?
Well, for one, promoting ‘Unchained Live’ as much as possible. The response has been very favorable so far and I’ve done a bunch of radio and print interviews already. It’s good to know people still care about Leatherwolf. Other than that, I have my own business which keeps me busy, and I play as much water polo as I can and like to swim. Gotta keep active as you get older, ya know.
2. How was it recording Leatherwolf’s Unchained Live?
We recorded the tracks on tour back East and then gave them to Roy Z to mix. Roy is a good friend and actually a fan from back in the 80’s when he used to come see us play. We had worked on a demo with him about 10 years ago so he totally understands what Leatherwolf is all about. I think he did a killer job on the mix.
3. Any tours for 2014 with Leatherwolf?
Doing a full-fledged tour is not really in the cards for us these days, at least in the U.S., so we’re trying to do weekend run type things. We’ve got Las Vegas in May and add more dates from there. Hopefully we’ll get back to Europe, if not 2014 then definitely next year. Touring and not losing money has become pretty difficult for bands at our level so we’re not on the road as much as we’d like to be right now.
4. Where did the concept and idea come from for the artwork on Unchained Live?
To be honest, we didn’t really have a concept. We had Marc Sasso (Dio, Manowar, Rob Rock) create some artwork which became the graphic in the disc tray. We weren’t totally convinced it was right for the cover so we hired a guy named Martin Deschaumbault who is a conceptual designer and mostly known for his work on the ‘Assasin’s Creed’ video game. I think what he came up with is really striking and different from the typical metal artwork style.
5. What would be some of the craziest stuff you’ve seen on tour?
Well, there was a lot of debauchery back in the 80’s – the typical rock’n’roll stuff young guys with too much testosterone and easy access to girls and substances would endulge in. Most of that is blur to me now – I definitely had to chill out and detox at the end of the 80’s. Been on the straight and narrow ever since.
6. Being a drummer do you practice on a regular basis?
No, not really – mostly due to lack of time. Most of my practice time now comes when we get together as a band for rehearsals.
7. What would be some of your main influences?
I’d say, John Bonham and Led Zeppelin are still my biggest inspiration. Ian Paice, Simon Phillips and Cozy Powell were big for me to growing up. I also have to credit my uncle, Jamie, who was a drummer and taught me how to play. In high school, I played in the marching band, in the orchestra and the jazz band. Other than that I’m pretty much self-taught.
8. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
Define “interesting”, ha ha. Lots of classic hard rock and metal, of course, but I also like Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia – I love the stuff they did together. So bummed Paco passed away recently. He was a genius!
9. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
Life on the road is at lot less glamorous than people think. It’s mostly traveling, hotels, soundcheck and then playing the gig with lots of down time in between where you might do interviews, eat or just hang out and be bored. I’m sure life on the road is more exciting when you’re Kiss, Metallica or Maiden and don’t have to slug it out in the trenches.
10. Where do you see music going in 100 years from now?
Your guess is as good as mine. I mean, if you would’ve asked that question 100 years ago nobody could’ve imagined the wealth music the 20th century would produce, especially rock’n’roll and all the many branches of that tree, including metal and how metal itself has branched off into many sub-genres.
Extra questions with Dean Roberts from Leatherwolf
Life without music would be – work
Favorite movie – Right now, it’d have to say ‘Yes Man’ with Jim Carrey
Favorite sport – Water Polo
Favorite food – Mexican
Favorite drink – Diet Coke
Favorite saying – “Give me something real, something I can feel”
Favorite car – Chevy Truck
Favorite book – ‘Men and The Water of Life’ by Michael Meade
Favorite band – Led Zeppelin
CD or Vinyl – Vinyl
Star Wars or Star Trek – Star Wars
PC or Mac – Mac
Check out Leatherwolf online http://leatherwolfmetal.com/