Mathie, Quebec:
Hello K.K.
I’m a big fan of your guitar playing. I would like to know what was your guitar distortion sound on the Painkiller era? Did you use the same sound both in the studio and live? Was it from Marshall heads? You seemed to have a very particular sound. At this time, did you still use Rockman moduls or Rat distortion?
I attended to your Montreal gig in October 2005 and it was wonderful!!
Many thanks, Mathieu
Hi Mathieu. If I remember I used my custom Pete Cornish rig on Painkiller and the overdrive was based on the original Rangemaster treble boost. I did use a Rat but only on one song from Turbo, I think it was “Locked In.” I did not use Rockman until Ripper joined the band although on the last tour I used a Marshall MP3 and a Rockman Replifex. Cheers!
Regards K.K.
Thomas Dupnick, Houston Texas:
Hey, K.K. I just want to say that I love the Steel Mill. I’m a longtime Priest fan. Hell, I’m 42, how’s that for long time? Anyway the first time I heard Priest was on a school band trip to Six Flags Amusement Park in Dallas. I was born and raised in San Antonio. Anyway, there was a guy from another school and he must have played the “Hell Bent For Leather” album 3 or 4 times on that bus ride. I can still remember that. Amazing, isn’t it, how great music like that can leave an impression as strongly as it did? I’m sure you remember Joe Anthony (RIP) from 99.5 KISS. He was always a big promoter of heavy metal/hard rock. Well, I quit playing trumpet and picked up the guitar and K.K., you are one of my biggest influences and all time favourite guitarists. Glenn is a superb player also but I’ve always liked you better. ”The Ripper,” “Victim of Changes,” “Genocide,” those were some of the first songs I learned how to play and still love to play. I don’t think you all get the recognition you all deserve but rest assured that true and devoted fans like myself and many others recognize and appreciate you all’s claim to the throne as the METAL GODS!!!!! The first time I saw Priest was on the SFV tour in San Antoine at Convention Center Arena and was able to get your autograph after the show in the back of the arena amid hundreds of other fans. You had a great smile on your face and really looked like you were enjoying giving time to your fans. Thank you K.K. . I next saw Priest in Houston on the ”Painkiiler” tour. I didn’t see you all again until the Reunited tour when you all were on Ozzfest but made a special stop in Houston w/ BLS and Slayer. I had 4th row center for that. Man what an unbelievable show!!!! It was so great to see you all reunited and still kickin’ ass!!!! So, of course I bought “Angel Of Retribution” as soon as it came out and went to San Antonio to see the show. I took my 15 year old cousin to the show also. He’s a bass player by the way. I’m looking forward with much anticipation for the Nostradomus album and tour. Hope I didn’t get too longwinded there but I just felt like sharing a little bit of myself with you and maybe brought some good memories back to you, also.
I do have 3 questions for you though:
1) I already E-mailed Hamer Guitars about this and they said nothing was in the works but I was wondering if you plan to collaborate with them on some signature models or something of the like? I am aware of the SG/Flying V limited edition guitars available from Gibson but just can’t afford that.
2) I’m fairly certain that the upcoming tour is going to focus on the new album since it’s a concept album and show, but I was wondering if on future tours you might dig up some true classics to play live like Dreamer Deceiver/Deceiver, Island of Domination, Genocide, Sinner, Dissident Aggressor, Starbreaker, White Heat, Red Hot, Saints in Hell, Stained Class, etc. I truly believe us old hardcore fans would really love that!!!
3) For the upcoming tour are you going to offer a presale on tickets so a person doesn’t have to pay scalpers prices on e-bay for prime seats? I was able to get 7th row for Iron Maiden in May but only because one of my best friends’ brother is a member of their fan club and only had to pay face value. I really hope Priest offers something similar when the time comes. Thanks a million for your time. You and the Millworkers have done an excellent job with the website. KEEP THE FIRES STOKED!!!!! Much love and respect from Thomas in TEXAS!!!
Hi Thomas. Please don’t think for a minute about writing in length to me. I think many fans including myself can enjoy relating to your nostalgic experiences. Thanks for your dedication to the band for so long, but let’s hope there is a long way to go yet. I am waiting for a custom built V from KxK guitars in San Diego and I hope to soon run a feature at the Steel Mill on the whole build process of my new Axe.
We certainly hope to make your ticket purchase as convenient as possible and just to let you know that some of the songs you have mentioned may well be played on out upcoming tour. See you there and thanks a lot for your longevity as a fan, from both myself and the Priest.
Regards K.K.
Kat:
Hello Mr.Downing. I hope you are well. You gave a list of your favourite male singers; do you like any female singers?
Take care,
Kat
Hi Kat. Yes I like Ann Wilson (Heart), both girls from Nightwish, Lita Ford, the Girl from Evanescence (Amy Lee), Janice Joplin, just to name a few. I am guessing that you are a singer too, if so good luck to you.
Regards K.K.
Aimee’ Cavallaro, Normal, Illinois:
I have listened to JP since the 1980’s. Ever since I heard the first song I was hooked. You guys are awesome as hell. I still listen to JP everyday. You K.K. were always, and to this day my favourite. I’ve always thought you we’re so hot and very, very cute. Now can say I have at least 200 pics of you and the band on my computer (but mostly of you). You are still hot. I haven’t been to a JP concert in about 20 years. I had twin boys since then, and being a single parent, they do take up my time. Now that they are 15 years old, my son David also thinks JP is awesome and would love to see you. I would love for him to experience the JP experience in concert, cos’ you guys are too awesome for words. Through all of this, I do have a question. I would like to know when JP plans to come to the US and if you’re coming anywhere near Illinois? I would also like to know if there’s anywhere I can get the JP necklace that’s on the “Angel Of Retribution” album. I can’t find one online and I would love to have one and so would my son. There isn’t a band in my book that matches up to JP. You guys are wonderful, fabulous, awesome, incredible and amazing. I will never get tired of looking at you. Your pics are on my computer and your pic is on my desktop so every time I open my laptop there you are. Thanks for all the great music. JP is the reason why heavy metal rocks. Take care and keep rockin’
Hi Aimee. We are definitely going to be in the States sometime this summer. I do not have the definitive dates yet but will post them on the Steel Mill as soon as we have something. I am not sure if the necklace is available anywhere but you never know. It is always possible that we could include them within our merchandise when we tour. Thanks for being a long standing fan. I certainly hope Illinois will be on our schedule.
Regards K.K.
Kris, Latvia:
Hi, K.K. I have two questions for you!
1) Will Judas Priest play in Latvia?
2) In 1982 when Priest had Vengeance tour, who were the warm up band in Memphis?
Hi Kris. I am not sure that we are in Latvia on our first leg of festivals but we are planning a second tour later on. I am sorry but I can’t remember who was on with us in Memphis, but maybe the Millworkers can help me out (editor’s note: yes, we can – Uriah Heep opened in Memphis 1982). Cheers Kris.
Regards K.K.
Kevin, Toronto:
Hi K.K. What other musical instruments do you have an interest in? If you weren’t a guitarist what would you play?
See you when you come to Toronto!!!
Thanks
Hi Kevin. Actually I would love to play every instrument but I am happy that I chose guitar as I don’t think I would have been happy with anything else to play for a career. I just can’t think of another instrument that suits my character.
Regards K.K.
Mindy Deitz, Warren Minnesota:
I hope you had a great Easter and hope you are enjoying spring. Spring here is a little late but it will come. Where in the USA will you tour at? Just wanted to know. I felt really guilty watching other bands play and saying I like their music. I felt like I am cheating on you guys but my heart and soul belong to Judas Priest forever. I will send some pictures of my lake property here soon. Keep on rocking and long live Judas Priest
Hi Mindy. I think spring missed England out this year as we are already into summer. I am actually in Holland at the moment and the blossom is only just appearing here. Anyway let’s hope we have a great summer instead, especially as we will be out on tour. I am not sure where we start in the States but please keep your eye on this site as I think we will soon have some info for you.
Regards K.K.
Laura, Cincinnati Ohio:
My name is Laura and I’m 18 years old. I love Judas Priest and especially your guitar playing.
What I wanted to ask you was why you chose the “V” guitars as one of your favorites?
I play B.C. Rich Warlocks and find their deep tone to be very nice. The shape of them is very confortable for me. I’ve never actually played a “V” guitar before, but I like how they look and sound. And when you play yours, you look very nice with it and natural.
Is it something about the shape, or the tone, or both?
I will play one one day and see if I like one too.
Also second question do you have any pets? Do you like cats?
This might not be the best question I can ask you, being the metal god that you are, but I love animals, and just was curious if you did too. :)
Thanks so much for looking at this. Lots of love
Hi Laura. The flying V to me was the first guitar that I saw that really inspired the metal in me. I love the shape and the sound and I guess a long time ago it was perceived to be somewhat radical just a I was so we kind of belonged together. I am happy that you seem very comfortable with your guitars so keep working away and we might see you on tour one day. But please don’t get too much in the habit of living after midnight just yet. I am only now starting to regret the amount of sunrises I haven’t seen in my life.
And yes I like animals very much. I am fortunate to live in very nice countryside with lots of woodland and watercourses with an abundance of wildlife. At the moment my only pet is a male peacock, he is very independent and when I go away he doesn’t pine for me too much.
Regards K.K.
Randy and Adam Thomas:
Hey K.K.
Our names are Randy and Adam Thomas. I, Randy, have been listening to the Priest since 1977 and my son, Adam, is one of your new younger generation fans. We want to know if the new “Nostradamus” album will have a heavier sound then the last album “Angel of Retribution” and will you come to Detroit MI or Toledo OH on your next tour? Another question is, why is the new album taking so long to be released? We are huge fans and we can’t wait to hear the next album. The delays are killing us! We hope all the members of Priest are doing well and we send our metal greetings from Monroe Michigan!
Keep on delivering the goods!
Your two biggest fans,
Randy and Adam Thomas
Hi Guys. Please be patient with us, we will soon be done and just as well because our tour is looming up and we are anxious to start rehearsals. Of course the record company have to play their part after we give “Nostradamus” to them but this is a big project so hang on. I am certain that we will be in Detroit Rock City how could we miss you out. And maybe Toledo too. See you there. Thanks a lot for your support you guys.
Regards K.K.
Rafael, Brazil:
Hi Ken. It’s Rafael from Brazil, a long time fan and history teacher. I met you in Rio twice, on Demolition and Angel Of Retribution tours. Already asked about beers but now I have a serious, social question.
I can only think of Priest as an extremely libertarian band. First, its name: criticizing religion.
Then… England, the midlands, 1970´s. All you, Glenn and Ian came from hard working families in an industrious city. You guys had songs like ”Island of Domination,” “Savage” (you cannot imagine the power those lyrics have when you live in a continent that had almost 140 million – history’s biggest genocide – native people killed between years 1500-1700), “Tyrant,” “Stained Class” etc.
More than lyrics: the attitude. You were a band that at some point, in a macho, conservative (Thatcher?) and white environment, had a gay singer and a black (Chris Congo Campbell) drummer!!!!
Politics: rumour is that the title “British Steel” came from Ian, whose intention was to help a strike that some labourers from an industry with the same name were doing.
Question: Were you aware of all of this? Was this conscious or just happened? Was the Birmingham rock scene already a libertarian one? Did you (the band) at any time suffer any prejudice whatsoever? Are you, K.K. Downing, a libertarian??? You´ve told us of your problems with your family, something to do with all this? Is heavy metal libertarian??? Do any of those lyrics have to do with socialist presence in British’s working class?
You guys taught me english. Most of the knowledge in your language that I have came from dissecating your lyrics. Your music caught me, and your ideology. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Maybe listening to ”Savage” made me a historian!
Someday I will write a history book based on Judas Priest´s happenings.
Hi Raf. I think that you have pretty much nailed it in one. Just like men in an army going into battle, you quickly learn to appreciate the men by your side. And that is a good comparison I think to growing up in a poor dog eat dog society where you come to trust and depend on others to survive ,no matter what their colour, religion or sexuality might be. To me all men and women are equal, there is no room on this earth for oppression and life is hard enough.
I have often referred to our music as a newer version of Delta blues simply because I have always felt that everyone who is taken by this music has a common bond because something early on in our lives has turned us in a musical direction that we did not have control over. Not that it mattered because we were more than happy to go that way even though we can’t always say why. I guess for me the emotions of the beats, rhythms and riffs combined with the importance of the lyrics was a combination that I just had to have in my life. I guess in a way some people find religion, I found music.
I am lucky that because of my outlook on life that I have friends of every colour, race and religion and I am proud to say that I know them. If I had one message for everyone it would be: Think free and you will be free.
Regards K.K.
Gerardo Madrid, Venezuela:
K.K. you and Glenn Tipton are what heavy metal guitar playing is about. I know that the music you make is well studied both in musical and philosophical approach. I am sure you guys are the best not only because of the complexity and exotic nature of your music but because your guitar playing serves a purpose and narrative of the song, delivering a clear melodic message which makes the point of the piece.
Other virtuoso guitar players make good music but often damp the development of the songs by over imposing themselves as “virtuosos.” K.K. (me being a guitar student myself) would love to have you take some time to teach or at least to talk about your approach to music, guitar and metal in general? I don’t mean chords and scales and such, but the insights of a true metal master like you. Thanks!
Hi Gerado. First let me say I hope one day that we will be in Venezuela to play for you and all of our fans. On the question about my approach to what I do, I don’t know exactly where to start as I have had such a long career. I guess in the beginning I placed a lot of emphasis on heaviness and originality in the music, but also to me image was crucial. In those days I was pretty much confined to pentatonic, natural minor and the blues scale but that was OK because everyone was in the same boat. I remember always wanting to sound heavier with more attitude but I had to make do with what I had. Detuning and Phrygian mode was a long way off. I think it wasn’t until “Eat Me Alive” around 1983 when a new door opened although I may have had odd moments before with the likes of “Steeler” etc. But now somehow it sounded like there was more attitude which was pretty exiting. Of course the future held “Painkiller” and “Jugulator” etc. It is strange though that a song like “Judas Rising” can be pretty damn heavy sounding and it’s in natural minor and at concert pitch so we really have to consider that the emotions that you desire can be achieved purely in the song writing and in the way that you perform. So in a nutshell I am always learning, and that is what is so fascinating about what I do. The conclusion would be play from within you as that is surely where success and satisfaction lies.
Regards K.K.
Kristian, Stockholm:
Hi K.K. I guess the album is coming around real soon so I understand if you’re really busy, but I would be grateful if you could answer my questions. You could just answer one of these questions and I’ll be happy. I was wondering if Priest will release a special edition of the new album. Something that might contain a bonus track maybe or a pick… shoehorn? Just wondering so I know what to look for when I go and buy it. Next question: One of the coolest things that could ever happen to me would be to meet you (it would probably be an embarrassing and awkward situation since I wouldn’t stop crying…) But what about you? Did you ever run into any of your idols in the early days? Keep on rocking, K.K.! You’re my favourite metallurgist!
Hi Kristian. Yes we are looking forward to a variety of presentations of Nostradamus that will be very cool for fans that would like something special for their collection and that will hopefully increase in value with time. And yes I have been fortunate enough to have met some great idols of mine and I am not ashamed to admit a few man tears myself.
Regards K.K.
Georg, Vienna/Austria:
Hello Kenneth! I have few questions for you:
1st) When you look at the Index of your homepage (where it says “K.K. Downing, Guitarist of Judas Priest”) you can see that there is much space between the picture and the list of topics (Home, Bio, Pictography…) and I wonder if you intend to involve more guitarists on your homepage (although it is called kkdowning.net)? If you intend to do so (if not then just take the examples as suggestions for interviews) I would like to recommend Michael and Christopher Amott from Arch Enemy since their playing is on such an high level and they have such a good and recognizable style (like yourself and Judas Priest) and Jesper Strömblad and Björn Gelotte of In Flames because they always claim that they never attended professional guitar lessons at school or somewhere else and still play good music which can be recognized easily. Furthermore I read an interview by the bass guitarist of Arch Enemy Sharlee D’Angelo and he said that Judas Priest are a big influence for Arch Enemy or at least for him and that they would be very pleased to play a show as a support act for Judas Priest (as I would were this to happen in Austria).
2nd) I am a piano player (since I was six years old – that must be now more than twelve years) and a guitarist (since 1 and a half years; got a Schecter Demon by the way) and I am suggesting to open up a tab library at http://www.kkdowning.net/? But it would be great if there were not just the usual songs and solos of Judas Priest or of other bands. It would be better if there were in addition to songs a practice tabs/guitar lesson tabs? Maybe those you or Glenn Tipton played or some famous guitarists like Chris Broderick, Jeff Loomis, Amott Brothers… those one can recommend for improving speed, playing harmonics (tapped, natural, artificial). Thank you very much! Best wishes for the new album and the upcoming tour! I am so excited about all this and I am looking forward to it so much.
Hi Georg. I guess I have never thought of having joint managers of K.K. Downings Steel Mill but of course special guests are always welcome. I will endeavour to bring you more tutorial features at the Mill but I have to find some time in order to make sure that they will be good. Regards to you and all of the excellent musicians you have mentioned.
Regards K.K.
Todd:
Hello! I am sure you get millions of email to this account but I was wondering what mics you use to record with on your rig? I would appreciate any input you can give! Thanks very much
Hi Todd. It’s a good idea to try as many mics as you can get your hands on as players have many different rigs. You simply have to experiment to see what suits your sound, volume, style, etc. Personally I am generally happy with a cost effective Sure sm58 or even a 57. Also please make sure that the mic pre amps that you use are good quality as often this can play a bigger role than the mic you use to get the quality of tone that you want.
Regards K.K.
David Morgan, Canterbury UK:
Hello K.K.!
I just wondered if you, or any other members of Priest, like any sci-fi shows like Doctor Who or Star Trek? I’ve always thought that the themes of these shows would transfer so well into heavy metal. I hope you are well and I cannot wait till Nostradamus!
Hi Dave. When I was younger these 2 shows were the only thing on the telly worth watching so I was the biggest fan back then. I can’t say that I have kept my following up in recent years but I agree there is loads of heavy metal intrigue in these shows so WHO knows what the future holds.
Regards K.K.
