JEFF PILSON: The Members Of DOKKEN Have 'Done A Lot Of Damage To Each Other'

Robert Cavuoto of Myglobalmind online magazine recently conducted an interview with DOKKEN and FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson. An excerpt from the chats follow below.

Myglobalmind: DOKKEN is been getting some heat in the press about doing the Japan reunion dates for the wrong reason — that being for the money. I think fans may have a gloried notion that their favorite rock bands all get along, live together, eat together, play together and do it for the love of sharing their craft and not about earning a living. What’s your take on fans misconceptions of rock bands needing to earn a living?

Jeff Pilson: Partly their misconception is not really a misconception. Because bands look like they are having a fun time up on stage, it seems like its easiest job in the world or not really a job at all. Most fans would say, “Why, can those guys just get it together and play? It looks like fun!” Obviously it’s more than that; it’s the time you spend together practicing and in negations making it all happen. I will say that the notion that we are doing it just for the money, as Mick [Brown, drums] had said in the press, of course we are doing it for the money. We are getting well paid, and that’s great. Honestly, I don’t really look at it like that, I look at it as getting paid is a nice thing and this is a chance to put a positive spin on a band that got a lot of negative press. So now it’s just about going out there and kicking some butt and do a great job. Not to get all caught up in the controversy that we usually get. [Laughs] Japan has always been great for us and I’m really just looking forward just going out and doing the music and playing with these guys.

Myglobalmind: I think there are many equally dysfunctional bands out there that have managed to reunite and make things last. Why do you think it has been so difficult for DOKKEN to figure it out to make it work?

Jeff Pilson: If I only had the answer to that! [Laughs] DOKKEN has done a lot of damage to each other and it takes a long time to heal. I think we are going to be a lot better now. There is no secret that there has been a lot of bad blood over the years and it’s tough to get past it. Also people move on, I’m really happy in FOREIGNER — it’s a great band and I’m happy to be in it. Having said that, we have this opportunity, and I would like to see us live up to our potential that I always felt we had. Let’s see what happens and go from there.

Myglobalmind: Do you feel that tension between the members of DOKKEN have helped the creative process and foster such great music?

Jeff Pilson: I think that is a myth that developed around us. I think healthy competition creates great music. Lennon and McCartney had healthy competition. We had many periods where there was healthy competition that created great music. I think extreme tension is destructive and that’s what ultimately brought about the end of the band. I don’t think extreme tension was creative in any way whatsoever. I think it cut off a lot of the potential that we had. So, I like said, I’m hoping we can do this with a better attitude and I think we will.

Read the entire interview at Myglobalmind.