Alex, Belgium :
Hi Millworkers and K.K. I’ve added all the results of the big poll I did during the last 10 days for the next world tour! The results are amazing and contain some surprises!!! The total number of votes is 500!!! I think it represents a good example of the different opinion from fans all around the world! I send you the top 10 as you suggested me to do! If you want the result of all the 50 songs I can send it to you too! Just ask! Top 10: 1. Blood red skies : 41 ——–> (on Ram it down 1988) 2. Sinner : 24 —————–> (on Sin after sin 1977) 3. Battle hymn/One shot at glory: 24 —> (on Painkiller 1990) 4. Saints in hell: 23 ———–> (on Stained class 1978) 5. Steeler: 18 ————–> (on British steel 1980) 6. Dream deceiver/deceiver: 17 ——> (on Sad wings of destiny 1976) 7. Dissident aggressor: 16 —-(on Sin after sin 1977) 8. Eat me alive: 16 ——-> (on Defenders of the faith 1984) 9. Jawbreaker: 15 ——-> (on Defenders of the faith 1984) 10. Devil’s child: 15 —–> (on Screaming for vengeance 1982) Total of votes: 500!!! Well, I think this was a great experience to do with a lot of fun and the results of the poll are amazing, half of the songs have never been played before and some not for more than 20 years! But I must say WE (all the fans of the best Heavy Metal band in the whole world) would be so pleased, happy, crazy and grateful if K.K. and the band could take a look at this great list and play these incredible songs on the next tour!!! It would be a n honour for us all and as I’ve said before, for the very first time we have the opportunity to interact with the band themselves so why not jumping on it!!! The results of this poll are what the fans devoted to the cause of Heavy Metal and Judas Priest think, now, it’s just up to the band to do what they want to do with this, but as we know them as the best band in the world, we are sure they will do their best!!!! See you all at the Steel Mill, Thanks for all and for your understanding! PS to K.K.: Man, you’re the best, never stop doing what you’re doing the best!!! Your performance with Sturm Und Drang is a dream realized for these guys, and it shows one more time how incredible and absolutely Metal you are!!! Keep defending the faith!!! Thanks for all at the Steel Mill and we hope to hear from you soon!!!
Hi Alex! Hey thanks a lot in taking the time to put this poll together, please pass on my gratitude to all of the participants. I will be seeing the guys tomorrow and will pass on your results to them, see you on tour!
Regards K.K.
Missi Trimble, Davenport, IA U.S.A.:
Hi K.K. I am 24 years old and was born and raised a Priest fan, I even got a Judas Priest tattoo on my 18th birthday. (a pic is attached for you.) My first question is do you have any tattoo’s??? My second question is will you ever come out with a signature guitar series that will be available to the public? Thank you for your time. I know that you are extremely busy.
Hi Missi, Just what part of your body is your 18th birthday? That’s OK, you don’t have to answer that. After all I am the one supposed to be answering your questions. Actually I don’t have any tattoos as of yet but I must say yours is excellent. Yes I would hope to have my own signature model one day. I guess I am just waiting for a manufacturer to suggest the possibility to me.
Regards K.K.
Martin Babiæ, Croatia, Zagreb:
Hi! I must say, a great effort in answering all those questions, really great of you! Ok, now, a plead and a question… Plead: Go to Croatia on Nostradamus tour, pleeeeease, I know I am a fan for only 7 years now, not a half of what same people are, but I must see you, If you don’t come I’ll just die, I promise…: – ) Question: Ok, I play guitar and I am really confused… I just don’t know what is good any more… Every time I go to a guitar shop to try something now or any other reason, the pickups(sound) are only getting more and more loud, aggressive, and less dynamic… On my old (it is older than 20 years now, and god knows how many owners it had before) broken guitar that is named Marathon (never heard of it…) I have a great humbucker that is not too loud, great when it comes to pinch notes and harmonics, so alive sounding, so groovy, when I bend A simultaneously holding/ringing D sounds so creamy. So good, but overall a little noisy… – but the damned thing is broken. I took it apart to see who made it but the encryption is nowhere to be found, just as no name as the guitar itself… yet it sounds so much better then the some of my friends little older Ibanez guitar, a harder edge it got… on my new guitar (Ibanez Prestige) I have DiMarzio, witch is supposed to be something of a great pick up, but compared to my Old Favourite it is louder, not as easy with pinches and so less dynamic, artificial, just can’t be played right, and clearer (maybe good, don’t know) doesn’t sound as good with A & D scenario… sound dead… yeah, loud, clear and modern, but everything sounds so alike, I can’t go quiet or louder bi picking more aggressively or softer, I wonder would Santana like it…? The Old Favourite is kind of perfect for Breaking the Law, and the DiMarzio is more like… something too aggressive, maybe something like Nuclear Blast production, if you know what I mean… So I’d like your advice… what kind of pick up do you use(EMG – but which one)? Is it really so important to have a modern pick up, or the older ones are not useless in these modern times if I like Priest kind of metal? And about the gtr neck… Why are they making those super thin necks, what’s wrong with a little fatter neck, is there anything? You scallop your frets… What is that good for? Why guitarists do that? Are there any disadvantages in finger boards that are a little curved, not as flat as Ibanez or Jackson fingerboards? What kind of fingerboard/neck do you use? It will mean a great deal to my, if you manage to help my in this matter with advices and answers, even more so because Judas Priest have shaped a large part of my playing taste. Tnx K.K.!!
Hi Martin, I can understand your dilemma. Many fans see their favourite guitarist playing the latest models, pickups guitars etc, but please do not fall into the trap of thinking that it is right for you. Many of us have older equipment that we would sometimes prefer to use live but it is just not practical. Being on the road is very tough on your gear as you can imagine so we like to know if things get damaged, stolen etc. it can be replaced quite quickly. You might want to take your Marathon to be fixed as if you like it and it suits you, do not let anyone intimidate you. After all when you make it big with that creamy sound you will be the trend setter because everyone will want your sound and your guitar. The Marathon guitar I think was made in Germany but I do not know by who, I think there were 3 models, A Strat, Les Paul, and 335 type. I have heard before that the Les Paul has super humbuckers and sounds great but I have heard that these guitars can be unreliable for live work. At the end of the day it is great to have a guitar that is unique to you and even better if your sound is also unique. I guess that is why I wanted that rare 67 V that I had to break my piggy bank for all those years ago. And if your axe is great for Breaking The Law then that speaks volumes to me.
I use EMG 81s.
A fatter neck is fine and has the benefit of more stability I.E Temperature changes etc.
I like the feel of scalloped frets, with a low action you get less contact and friction between your fingers and the fretboard and when it’s hot and sweaty I feel more confident with bending notes.
Ritchie Blackmore was the first I heard to scallope his frets in the early 70’s also Yngwie Malmsteen likes scalloped frets.
I am happy with a flat or curved fingerboard. It’s only down to preference but see which one feels better to you when you bar chords as that could be the deciding factor. Good Luck, I hope we get to Croatia to play for you some day.
Regards K.K.
Adam, Vancouver, Canada:
Hello K.K.! I have a couple of quick questions here for you.. 1) How is the Nostradamus project coming? Should we expect a 2007 or 2008 release? 2) What was your favourite album to work on thus far? 3) Is it true that Jesus is envious of the band’s talent? Thanks for your time! P.S. Come back to VAN! We loved you in 2005! P.P.S. … try to bring Iron Maiden with you!!!
Hi Adam, Nostradamus is well on the way to revisit us, hopefully quite early in 2008. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed working on all of the Priest albums just as much as each other. As for your third question, I can’t say about that but I would like to think that he likes Metal. Cheers.
Regards K.K.
Troy McLen, Tacoma Washington:
My name is Troy and I am from Tacoma Washington. I have seen Priest live four times including once here in my hometown. I have never seen “Troubleshooter”
played live. when was the last time you played it live, and could you give me the tab for that song?
Hi Troy, I think last time we played “Troubleshooter” live was 1981. I will be posting some tabs at some time and will try to remember to include this song for you.
Regards K.K.
Stephen D’Ambrosio Chicago, IL:
K.K.! I’m a long time fan ever since I saw you guys back in the late 70’s touring behind the Hell Bent for Leather album. Please, for the sake of the younger fans, can Sinner be added to the setlist for the next tour? These younger fans need to see you showcased in all your glory with Sinner in the show! Oh the days of that white strat! Looking forward to the new record and tour! Metal as always!
Hi Stephen, Yes I would love to play Sinner again. I think it is a very representative song for Priest, see you on tour.
Regards K.K.
Brenda:
Mmmm..K.K. Your music has been the soundtrack to my life. It has helped make me who I am today, and I thank you for creating it for all the world to hear. I was very fortunate to have met you in Portland Oregon, during the Demolition tour (still in heavy rotation in my CD player btw, can’t get enough of Devil Digger) was at the Roseland Theater Ballroom. I was the crazy woman who kept showing you her “assets” in the front row. I couldn’t help myself, so I hope you’ll forgive me. (wink) but your music as it always has done, and always will do takes me to another place. The years slip away and I am that teenager again hearing you for the first time, the crunch of those guitars making me FEEL. So I guess, my question would be, do the years slip away for you to? When you are up there, do you feel that you are that young 30 something again or is it all just relative? I tried asking this question to you on rockline when you were all in Vegas, I was lucky enough to get through, and well…a certain singer jumped in and answered the question FOR you. I think you got to say three words…LOL.
much love, endless support and a kiss just because.
I have attached the photo of myself with my treasured signatures, picks, and the set list written on the hotel paper I stayed at in Portland for the Demo tour. You made a dream come true that evening. Thank you.
HI Brenda. Yes without doubt when I am on stage I could even be a teenager again, I guess I subconsciously store all my energy and power up through the day and together with adrenalin the supercharger kicks in and is unloaded into the music. People often say: will you still be doing this in five years time and I always say of course! Anyway I heard the other day that 60 is the new 40 these days!!! Well do I believe that ? You bet your life I do!!!!! Also thanks for your photo we will post it straight away if that’s O.K.
Regards K.K.
Maureen:
Hi Ken, Do you think you will ever play the Garden in NY again? I know you guys were banned for life, but it’s been over 20 yrs. I was there but did not rip up any seats.
Hi Maureen. Nice to hear from you as you witnessed one of the most special moments in metal history, what a night!!!!! I am sure you will agree you just had to be there to believe it, I would like to think that we would now be allowed to play because as you say we have served our sentence and the Gardens has such a great history for us for metal, we would love very much to meet our New York fans once again in that much loved venue, See you there?????????
Regards K.K.
Chris, Germany:
Hello you busy millworkers, I want to feed the mill with simple questions..
K.K.
what would you change in your life if you could?????
Did you ever fall in love on tour???
What kind of holidays do you prefer nowadays or did you prefer in younger age???
Thanks for taking the time
stay healthy
Yours sincerely
Chris from Germany
long-time Priestmaniac
Hi Chris. Actually I am thinking of making a change soon and that is finding a place that is within walking or cycling distance to a really good pub! And yes I fell in love virtually every night on tour. I still prefer holidays that have everything from peace and tranquillity in the daytime but plenty of noisy, unruly activity at night.
Regards K.K.
Alex Lopez, Calexico, California:
Hey K.K., wanted to ask you if you’re planning on putting videos on how to play Priest songs or putting guitar TABS in also? I know the Priest site has some, but it would be cool if you’re web site had them also. Its hard to find a good web site with the right tabs for Priest song. Thanks and hope you have a great summer.
HI Alex, Yes I know what you mean. I will try to find time especially to also do some video for players that do not read TAB but please be patient as we are hard at work finishing our new album.
Regards K.K.
