Interview: Kenny Dubman

Started taking guitar lessons at age 9, my mom would play Hendrix and Santana around the house and I knew I had to do that. I’ve only ever played guitar but could squeak by on other instruments in a pinch. I did have formal training, but I’m not sure how much it had to do with me breaking through on how to actually play rock guitar. That came from sheer will, experimentation, and of course, the first Kiss Alive record. Ace’s leads were so good yet simple, I was able to eventually figure out the “patterns” on the neck that we all use. I owe it to Ace! He was doing what Jimmy Page did, but at a speed I could comprehend.

That’s an easy question, and the artists and albums go hand in hand.  Johnny Winter And Live with Rick Derringer; Edgar Winter’s White Trash Roadwork, also a live album with Derringer on guitar. Winter and Derringer were my first guitar heroes; you have to remember that this was early-mid 70’s and they were huge at that time! Seeing those guys live back then was simply awe inspiring for a little kid. The Rolling Stones Get Your Ya Ya’s Out...Mick Taylor’s playing on that record still drops my jaw, the outro solo on “Sympathy For The Devil” is nothing short of stunning. I think I still know every lead on that record by heart. Aerosmith “Get Your Wings”; the solos on “Train Kept A Rollin” were like a benchmark to try and attain. Little did I know that most of the soloing on that record was done by Steve Hunter.  Journey’s three first records before Steve Perry joined the band; I might be one of the 10 people that have actually heard them, hahah! Absolutely ripping long jam sessions. Neal Schon has probably shaped my playing more than anyone else.   Frank Marino And Mahogany Rush Live…what can you say about this record other than it’s incendiary; his playing has so much feel yet the technique is utterly ridiculous. Blues chops for days at lightening speed. This record is also one of Zakk Wylde’s hugest influences; he talks about it all the time.  Totally wore that one out. UFO’s Force It and Phenomenon….Michael Schenker, just a blistering combination of feel and technique with that Euro-Teutonic flavor. In a class by himself; every guitar player from my era adores him. He STILL kills it live, totally amazing! Lastly, David Gilmour…he should be knighted.  Wish You Were Here is my favorite album of all time; the Strat tones and phrasing and feel, holy SHIT!! Many other as well, but these were the guys that shaped me.

It wasn’t a choice, this style is much more naturally who I am. Don’t forget, Prophet was a band with many contributors; Reckless Abandon is a solo record. Prophet started as a cover band specializing in progressive rock; lots of Kansas, Yes, Rush,  Pink Floyd, Genesis, ELP.  Our keyboard player Joe Zujkowski was a monster talent. So naturally, many of those influences would find their way into our songs. But in the prior question, you can see where my roots come from, blues-based guitar rock.

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This is not a short answer, but I’ll condense as best I can. I had a very long, tough period of my life that beat me up pretty badly mentally. I spent about a year recovering and pulling myself back together. Once I started feeling like myself again, the ideas just started coming. I hadn’t written a song in about 23 years, and I didn’t set out to do it, had no such intentions. It just happened. After a few songs, I began to take it seriously and start writing down lyrics and recording arrangements via video on my iPhone. I still believe that the ideas didn’t come from within; I was simply a conduit that channeled them from whatever source fed them to me. I know that sounds nuts, but I’ve read other writers saying the same thing. Some songs are totally fictional stories, some are based on historical events, and some are personal.

Same simple rig I’ve been using since the Jurassic period. A 100 watt 1976 Marshall JMP head, a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive….the cabinet was a Marshall 4×12 that my engineer/co-producer likes, it’s in his studio. It belonged to Leslie West. How’s that for vibe? As far as guitars….2 Les Pauls, 2 Teles, 1 Strat, and my Gibson Songwriter acoustic. Guess you could say I’m a meat and potatoes kinda dude when it comes to gear. Gibson, Fender, and Marshall. I also use a wah, a Boss chorus, and a volume pedal.

Total love for it, I couldn’t be more thrilled with the reactions. I’ve been told by many that they were “really surprised” by it….which I think means that they expected 1) a blues record, or 2) a guitar pyrotechnics album, neither of which I had or have any interest in making. Its all about songs for me.

Absolutely. For time the being and immediate future, I’m doing them as an acoustic duo locally, opening shows for other original acts. The act of assembling and rehearsing 5 other musicians with jobs, kids, agendas, schedules and egos is going to be a mammoth undertaking. I have the players already lined up. I’d love to tour, but as the primary custodial parent of a 9 year old daughter, any extended touring is off the table until she goes to college. But I’m hoping to be able to line up shows where I can be away 3, 4 days, a week….I’m super lucky to have a mom that would hold down the fort for me. I’ll make that happen; where there’s a will, there’s a way.

I’m a madly obsessed saltwater fisherman. I live about 7 miles from the ocean and own a small boat, it’s my getaway to de-stress. I owned and operated a charter fishing business here in New Jersey (USA) for 11 years, it was a total blast. I also love to snow ski, been doing it since the 5th grade. I skied Colorado and Utah for the first time last winter and it’s absolutely incredible.

Don’t think you’re going to make any money; most musicians don’t these days. BUT…..if you’re passionate about it, and you create original music that stands out and begins to grow a following, stick with it. Record it and put it out there, that’s all I did. No label, no manager, no nothing. You never know what people are going to identify with and embrace, it could be you, or your band!