INTERVIEW WITH DORO PESCH


DORO / WARLOCK REVIEWS

Being a metal frontwoman is never easy. As a lead singer of Germany's Warlock, Doro broke many barriers. As a solo act in the metal-unfriendly environment of the 90s, she broke many more. Still she is one of the sweetest people in the scene. Words can hardly demonstrate her sweetness, charm, humility, and enthusiasm, but hopefully the following interview, taken before her show on June 5, 2007, will give you an idea. She is a true metal queen, and there are really few competitors. Also, she sounds genuinely enthusiastic when talking pretty much about anything, including, of course, her latest album.


Doro, would you mind giving a short interview for the SENTINEL REVIEWS website?

No, not at all. But let's make it short, because I need to take a brief nap before the show.


How many gigs is this tour?

Twenty. The last one is in Nashville on the 26th, and then we go over to Europe for a short summer tour, and maybe do another short tour there towards the end of the year. We're so excited!! Yesterday was our first gig and it was fantastic! The fans loved it; it was such a blast!


Is this in support of your latest release?

Ya. The DVD came out last week, called "Twenty Years Of Warrior Soul." The last album was, of course, called "Warrior Soul", and we are still now touring behind that album.


How happy are you with your last album?

Oh, very, very happy!


How do you compare it to your other releases, like "Calling The Wild" or "Fight"?

Oh, I think it's different... Every record we made has always been slightly different. It has some fantastic songs. It reminds me a little bit of "Triumph & Agony" album.


I love that album!

Oh, me too, me too!


It's amazing how some things just do not get old!

It was magic! I think I'd compare our new one to "Triumph & Agony". Each album I made I love for a different reason. We wrote some very good songs for it.


Let me ask you this. There is this new Russian all-girl band, called "VOL'NAYA STAYA" (The Free Wolfpack). On their debut album they thanked you in the liner notes and listed you as a co-producer. Can you tell me anything about it?

Oh, that's so sweet! Maybe I was an inspiration, I don't know... There is this person from Moscow, Alex [Alexei Strike of Master]. I met him when I was in Russia for the first time. We stayed in contact, but... no, I didn't really do anything for them. Only in spirit!


Is that your real tattoo on the cover of "Warrior Soul"?

No, no, that's our painter, Jeffrey, he also did the "Triumph & Agony" cover. Now I think I have to get it, because everybody asks about it!


"Calling The Wild" was another excellent album, but I admit I was not too thrilled with "Fight". It's as if there was a drop in the songwriting level for it.

Oh, ya, I mean, I always try to do the very best with the people I have and the tools I have. And I try to give it my best. Sometimes we come up with real magical songs, and at other times, well... But some people come up to me and say they prefer "Fight" much better. It all depends on the taste, I guess... The title track for "Fight" was excellent though! But I always try to do different things, maybe even pushing the genre a little bit. The albums are never really identical! Even with Warlock, you know, "Burning The Witches" was totally different from "True As Steel"! I always enjoy exploring new things. Every album is a different adventure.


When you write songs, do you work with other writers, or do you write everything youself?

Everything is different. Sometimes I get together with the guys in my band, and sometimes I work alone. Sometimes I get together with this person I really love, his name is Gary Scruggs. I make demos for myself, then I got to him in Nashville, then I present my ideas to him, and I know he can do them even better! If he likes the idea and he "feels" it, then we can come up with some great stuff together. So every song is different. But I write all of the lyrics.


Of all the bands you toured with, who was the best?

Oh, I must say my best tour was my first world tour. Because it was my first, but also, because IT WAS MY FAVORITE BAND!! We got a chance to tour with JUDAS PRIEST, and that was the day when I quit my job! I got a call from my manager, and he said: "Hey, Doro, are you ready to quit your job?" And I asked: "Why?" And he said: "Because you can get ready to tour with your favorite band!" And I said: "What, Judas Priest? No way!" I then went to my manager and said: "You know, I'm quitting the job, because I'm going on tour with Judas Priest!" and he didn't even know what I was talking about! And I was like: "Oh, you don't understand!"


Where did you live then?

In Dusseldorf. And then everything was perfect! They treated us so nice! They were so good to us! Very gentlemenly and very supportive. In fact, this is the reason why we did "Breaking The Law" on "The Classic Diamonds" album. I just wanted to say "Thank you!" to Priest.


It was a very interesting cover. Not sure about you matching against the vocals of Udo Dirkschneider... But let's talk about the role of women in metal. Obviously, being a woman, on your way to the stardom you had to overcome many obstacles.

Well, you know, I just did it. I love music, I love metal, and I never cared about anything except trying to do what I love. Whatever it took. The acceptance grew, from the first gig on. So I don't think it was ever a problem for me.


Nowdays, there are obviously many female performers in metal. Would you share your thoughts on some of them? Let's start with Tarja Turunen, formerly of NIGHTWISH.

Oh, ya, ya, of course. A wonderful, wonderful voice. I was so upset when they split! It was heart-breaking. And she's beautiful too! And I love Angela Gossow of ARCH ENEMY and Sabina Classen of HOLY MOSES and Floor Jansen from AFTER FOREVER. I like her a lot. And Lacuna Coil, of course! I think that all women in metal nowdays are very strong. Great personalities, very unique!


Do any female bands specifically cite you as an inspiration?

In Spain there are a lot of bands with female singers, some of them mention my influence, which is very sweet.


It's amazing how your early stuff just does not age! I've first heard Warlock in 1998! Liked the cover of "Triumph & Agony" in a used cd store.

We just did a new version of "All We Are" for this German woman boxer, Regina Halmich, she is a ten year world champion. She asked us if we could re-record it, and we did. Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer from DESTRUCTION is singing on it too, and it's coming out, I think, on June 8. I just thought it was so good and wanted to give "All We Are" another chance!


In 2000, you toured the US with Yngwie Malmsteen and DIO. You played three of my favorite songs then: "All We Are," "I Rule The Ruins," and "Metal Tango." Are you going to do them tonight?

The first two definitely. For the encore, it's between "Metal Tango" and "East Meets West."


Those songs and many others of yours are just so soulful and empowering!

Oh, thank you, thank you! It's so cool that you've come to like them so much, especially not having experienced them in the 80s! That's great!


Where do you live right now?

I live in both Dusseldorf, Germany and Long Beach, Long Island.


Do you work mostly here or in Germany?

I work in all countries! Sometimes here, sometimes in Germany, sometimes in Switzerland... anywhere where I think I can capture the magic! It doesn't have to be any one studio. The last one we recorded in several places.


How is the record company support?

(gloomily) It's ok... It's ok... It can always be better, but... it's ok. It's business.


A bit of a philosophical question: do you think that when metal became big in the 80s, big and commercially successful, it has lost some of its soul and true intent?

Oh, definitely! Without a doubt! It became almost like pop and "Top 40," and I think the essence and the spirit of metal were gone! Those videos with people wearing tiny metal studs on their jackets and naked girls dancing, to me it's not metal! To me, metal was Dio, MAIDEN, METALLICA, not those pop stars.


And then, in the 90s, I think, metal lost a lot of that glits and glamour, so the people you see in the audience and the people you are working with, they're in it just for the music!

Absolutely! There is no money in it, it's just the love of metal.


It's amazing that certain metal musicians like yourself persevered through the hard times and keep making music.

I hope to do it till the day when I die.


Tell me about your friendship with Chris Caffery.

It's been a very good relationship! He is playing on this tour with me. We've been friends since... I can't even remember! He's been a special guest on many shows, like on the Wacken Festival. On the "Fight" album he played. And he's great to play with!


Over the years you worked with many famous musicians. Would you say you're somewhat of a darling of the metal community?

Oh, thank you. I just try my best! I just love to work with different special people! With Lemmy and with Gene Simmons.


I can't imagine Gene Simmons treating anybody nicely.

He was a total gentleman! I didn't have to do anything in return, he was just so sweet and intelligent. He was very motivating for me and other musicians. That was in 1990.


Why "Doro"? Why aren't you using the name "Warlock"?

Unfortunately, the name, until recently, belonged to our manager. He prohibited us from performing as "Warlock." But I just won the name back. I went to court again and this time I won it back, twenty years later. Going to court is difficult, terrible even! I still cannot understand why back then the judge gave the name to the manager. He had nothing to do with the name! He was selling the merchandize, so he, of course, was very interested in keeping the name. But now we have it back. I don't know, maybe we'll use it on the next album.


Are you playing anything off of "Calling The Wild"?

Possibly "Burnin' up."


How about "I Give My Blood" or "Now Or Never"?

Oh, yah, these are nice songs, but I don't... we haven't practiced them! People always mention "White Wedding" that they want to hear.


How did Dio treat you?

He was phenomenal! So a great professional, such a wonderful performer! A true inspiration for me and many others! I toured twice with Dio, in 1986 and 2000, and nothing really changed about him! Both him and I have, perhaps, learned to appreciate what we do a little more since, because, you know, we both had to survive through the 90s. And now we both push even harder. Because that's only way to do it!


Thank you very much for taking the time to do this, and I wish you the absolute best of luck!

No, thank you! See you at the show!