Great to reconnect with Jeff Scott Soto. The last time I talked with him was mere weeks after we met, I believe in 2018. He’s one of these guys who you just like the first time you meet him. He’s so easy to talk to, which you’ll see in this conversation.
He’s coming through town playing the Token Lounge on March 27th with The Art Of Anarchy band. He spoke about how he joined the band, which was somewhat defunct, with the help and through his friendship with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal. The new album is out, and JSS told me that the band hasn’t even played one of these songs live yet. He said rehearsals start next week, as I post this.
JSS has been in many bands, but the Trans Siberian Orchestra is one he’s been in for a long time. He talks about the reasons why he’s jumped around to different bands throughout his career. One of the guys he plays with in TSO is Slaughter drummer, Blas Elias. Jeff talked of meeting him, and how they both have parts in the movie “Rockstar”.
We also talked about his 40 years in the music business! Yes, he started at the early age of 18 and was off and running with the Yngwie Malmsteen’s “Rising Force” album. He said he didn’t even know he got the gig until weeks later.
He just did the Monsters Of Rock cruise, and along with playing many shows onboard, he did his first comedy routine. With the help of rock comedian Don Jamieson, he said it went very well. He talked about doing a similar thing with Jason Bieler from Saigon Kick. JSS said he’s learned a lot from him. Jason also submitted a funny question for Jeff….LOL
We talked about Queen, the documentary making “We Are The World”, and more.
Lots of great stories from Jeff, cannot wait to see him and Art Of Anarchy at the Token Lounge in a couple of weeks!