Dug Pinnick - Singer, Songwriter, Musician

Prepared by Zack Brenneman for use by Entertainment Magazine

12/1/2010. All Rights Reserved.

Doug Pinnick (King's X, Singer/ Songwriter) knows how to keep busy. When he's not writing and touring for the hard rock outfit King's X, he writes constantly for his solo career, while collaborating with countless musicians on projects varying from Pink Floyd, Metallica, and Van Halen tributes to guest appearances on friends albums Christmas songs. In a changing music industry of today, it's better than ever to indulge in more than one project at a time and keep yourself concerned with what really matters: the song. Doug (dUg) understands the song and the test of time and was kind enough to take the time to answer some questions for Global Entertainment Mag. Musicality/ Collaborations

GEM: When did you first learn discover you had a passion for music?

dUg: I cannot remember my first experience with music. But my mom said that I would cry when they turned off the music. I would scream and holler saying “give me yay! Give me yay!” I think she must have been playing some group that was singing yeah yeah yeah! But I have been obsessed with music since I was born I guess.

GEM: How did being raised in a religious household influence your musical aspirations?

dUg: For one thing it opened my mind to emotional music, Mahalia Jackson and the Staple Singers. My grandma would have prayer meetings in her front yard when I was 5. They had guitars and tambourines. They rocked!! On the other hand, religion and its adversity to rock, blues, dancing, and whatever came along with it kept me from being totally free to be who I was in making music later on in my life.

GEM: Do you feel it's important for a musician to challenge themselves and continue to learn new things?

dUg: If your one who gets bored with their art, then it is very important to challenge yourself to break new personal ground in making your personal music. But if you take the Motorhead or AC/DC approach, understand simplicity and can pull it off will stand the test of time. But if you only listen to one genre of music, its very hard for you to advance musically.

GEM: Why take part in so many tribute albums?

dUg: Because I'm asked to, and its fun! I get the chance to work with my peers and people who love what I do.

GEM: Is there one particular tribute that stands out in your mind as the most worthy tribute?

dUg: Light Up The Sky (Van Halen) It was such a challenge to sing this, and it gave me a new respect for David Lee Roth. And I just did a Sinatra Tribute CD a few weeks ago. I really like this one.

GEM: Do you feel it's important for artists to collaborate with other artists?

dUg: No I don’t think its important. We all have the choice but its not necessary I think. Because there is no real protocol to making music. Its all about breaking rules and keeping true to the integrity of what your doing. The one valuable thing I learned when I took Music theory that all rules are made to be broken when It comes to art and music.

GEM: Who/ What would be your dream collaboration?

dUg: There is none! Why? Because I have collaborated with so many musicians and so far in my life that it would be impossible to pick the ultimate band.

GEM: Why step away from the band format and create a solo career?

dUg: Why confine yourself to one thing? KX makes a CD, goes on tour, then we come home. I have a lot of time to write songs that KX will never do. So, I do outside projects. Plus its an extra pay check for a moment. Kings X picks what we want to record, then I do a solo CD. I have over 500 songs that I haven't recorded yet!

GEM: Where do you find inspiration during the writing process?

dUg: I get stoned, I go for walks, I watch the news, I watch people, and I dig deep within myself for passion and honesty. If I'm not inspired then I call on my muse. And for some reason and idea comes. I usually start with guitar, or a drum groove. Words and melody comes when I'm finished with the basic tracks.

GEM: Do you write songs with the audience in mind or write simply for your own creative needs?

dUg: I write as an outlet for dealing with my demons, it just so happens that people get to hear it.

GEM: Do you find your writing process begins with a hook, or melody in mind rather than structured rhythms and arrangement?

dUg: I do this backwards, and its more difficult, but without melodies then U are free to explore new ways to create music. Wit a melody or hook first will dictate what you write musically, which is the best way to write a great song. For me it’s a challenge to do it the opposite. And its very difficult to get a hit pop commercial song out of this approach.

GEM: How have you had to adapt to survive in the ever changing music industry?

dUg: Still adapting, and barely surviving this change. It’s the wild west all over again. We'll figure it out sooner or later.

GEM: In your opinion, is touring as an important part of the musical process as it was in the past?

dUg: Yes! But I don’t know if this is true. It all depends on what you want to do, tour or just record. Playing for people only makes you better as a musician in my poinion.

GEM: Do you think the digital age has changed the way people write songs?

dUg: The digital age changed everything! People now listen to hyper compressed music thru tiny computer speakers with crappy sub woofers. And everyone's got a home studio. We all can make the music exactly the way we want to without record company, management, and producers input. Things have changed for sure.

GEM: What have you currently been working on?

dUg: We just released (KX) a new live DVD from London. And coming soon, A new solo CD. And acoustic Christmas EP. Also “Tres. Mt.” a project with Jeff Ament N. Mike McCreedy from Pearl Jam. Also “Anti Nigger Machine” with members of Fishbone, 24/7 Spyz and Rebels Without Applause.

GEM: How can people listen and learn more about you online?

dUg: For youtube, just type in King’sX, dUg pinnick, Jerry Gaskill, Ty Tabor and you will get tons of video clips. And the same for Google. Here's the official sites.