The Dead Daisies
By Brian Aberback
The Dead Daisies are a band of renowned veteran rockers who possess a hunger and rawness that belies their accomplishments. That’s great news for fans of gritty, hard-hitting, uncompromising hard rock in the 
style of Van Halen, Aerosmith and AC/DC.
The collective consists of singer John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Scream), guitarists Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) and David Lowy (Red Phoenix, Mink), bassist Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) and drummer Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner).
The Dead Daisies outstanding new album, “Make Some Noise,” was released last week and the band plays Webster Hall in New York City on Sept. 8 – tickets are at www.ticketweb.com.
You can feel the heat rising off the street on album opener “Long Way to Go,” which features a huge opening riff and Corabi’s captivating vocal rasp. Corabi’s inflection calls Steven Tyler to mind on the excellent “We All Fall Down.”
Additional highlights include Aldrich and Lowy taking center stage on the driving “Mainline,” the call-to-arms title track and a revved up version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic, “Fortunate Son,” which is custom made for Corabi’s rough-hewn, everyman delivery.
The band is getting some much-deserved recognition over the next two months as it opens for Kiss. We recently spoke with Corabi, who is best known for his singing on Mötley Crüe’s highly underrated 1994 self-titled album. Corabi also sang for The Scream and played guitar for Union, Ratt and Brides of Destruction.
You’ve been in many great bands throughout your career. What stands out about The Dead Daisies?
Everybody in this band is incredibly talented but talent will get you only so far. The thing that stands out in this band is we’re all so seasoned and have so much history in the music business that we all figured out to how to communicate with each other and not step on each other’s toes. It’s the stuff outside of the music, the communication, which helps keep a band together.
How does “Make Some Noise” compare to the band’s previous album, Revolución (2015)?
I think the big difference is that we did not use keyboards on this album and wrote more aggressive riffs. We just wanted a 70s style kick-ass rock-and-roll record.
You do an awesome job on CCR’s “Fortunate Son” and The Who’s “Join Together.” What made the band choose those covers for “Make Some Noise?”
I’ve always loved “Fortunate Son.” I don’t even remember who suggested it but last year we were doing it live as encore song. We were doing the record and someone said, ‘you should guys should record that version,’ so we did. The Who song is something that the crowd can attached itself to. I love the bass and guitar riff when they come in on the second verse. It’s huge.
You’re about to go on tour opening for Kiss and also played with them last year. What has the experience been like?
They’re so cool. We’ve been friends with a very long time. I’ve known Gene since the late 80s, the same with Eric Singer. Still, I was worried. I know how some headliners work and I didn’t want to ruin or tarnish the good feelings I have for them by being the opening act and getting three lights and no stage space. But it couldn’t have been further from the truth. They are so not like that. They gave us every inch of the stage and Paul would come into our dressing room everyday. They’re great guys. They have high hopes for us and I couldn’t thank them more.
What have you been up to in addition to The Dead Daisies?
Right before I joined The Daisies I was playing the Motley record live top to bottom. I recorded it for a CD/DVD that’s going to be called “Live 94: One Night In Nashville.” I’ve already done the acoustic thing (“John Corabi Unplugged” and just started demoing ideas for a solo electric record.