GEORGE LYNCH Talks Writing DOKKEN's "Paris Is Burning" – "That Started The Rocky Relationship"

Greg Prato at Songfacts recently caught up with guitar legend george Lynch (ex-Dokken) to discuss the new Lynch Mob record, Rebel. They also look back on Lynch’s days in Dokken and his part in the songwriting for “Paris Is Burning” from the band#s debut album, Breaking The Chains. An excerpt is available below.

Lynch: “That’s a song we’d been playing for a couple of years in Xciter. Don (Dokken/vocals) actually approached me to play together in a band with him – he liked that song and wanted to know if I would be interested in performing it in a project in Germany, to try and get a record deal there. I said, ‘Of course, why not.’ We talked about the deal, and then I never heard from him. So some time later, he approached Mick (Brown/drums and me, to join him in Dokken. I said, ‘OK.'” 

“I was digging and pulled up the contract – I can’t remember how I got my hands on it – but I found out that he actually sold two of my songs from Xciter to a publishing company, for something like 25,000 or 35,000 marks (about $15,000). And he listed himself as the author. I was floored. So that started the rocky relationship.” 

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Lynch Mob’s new studio album, Rebel, was released on August 21st. The band have released the official music video for the track “Testify”. Watch below:

From the blistering album opener “Automatic Fix” to the album closer “War”, it is clear Lynch Mob is back to show fans why they are one of rock’s most-loved bands. The Lynch Mob lineup on Rebel is comprised of namesake George Lynch on guitars, Oni Logan on vocals, Jeff Pilson on bass and Brian Tichy on drums. Songs like “Testify”, “Sanctuary” and “Dirty Money” showcase Oni Logan’s trademark vocal ability while putting his diverse lyrical content on full display. The album was produced by George Lynch collaborator Chris “the Wizard” Collier.  

“With Rebel, we allowed ourselves to move outside our normally imposed self restraints and tread some forbidden sonic territories,” recalls George Lynch. “What surprises me is no matter how far we attempt to stray away from the classic ‘Lynch Mob formula,’ we can never really escape the chemistry between myself and Oni. There’s just a thing that happens there that’s unique to us and undeniable.”

Rebel tracklisting:

“Automatic Fix”                                                    
“Between The Truth And A Lie”
“Testify”
“Sanctuary”
“Pine Tree Avenue”
“Jelly Roll”
“Dirty Money”
“The Hollow Queen”
“The Ledge”
“Kingdom Of Slaves”
“War”

The first song released from Rebel was the scorching “Automatic Fix”. A video for the song can be seen below. Fans who pre-order the album via iTunes will receive an instant download of “Automatic Fix”.

Talking about “Automatic Fix,” singer Oni Logan states, “This is an interesting song in that it was the last song that was recorded vocally. I initially thought that it might be best used as instrumental. I simply love this song because of its energy and attitude.”

EPK (Electronic Press Kit):

Lynch Mob are currently on their North American tour. All dates are listed below.

August
23 – The Korova – San Antonio, TX

September
11 – The Garage Bar – Moorhead, MN
18 – Ramona Mainstage Nightclub – Ramona, CA
24 – RockBar Theater – San Jose, CA
25 – Whisky A Go Go – Hollywood, CA
26 – Counts Vamp’d – Las Vegas, NV

February
22 – Shredders From The Deep – Monsters of Rock Cruise – Miami, FL