When Chip Z’Nuff showed up on local timelines crushing the music of Guns N’ Roses with tribute band Pretty Tied Up last month in Fallston, we knew it was time to relive the magical mystery tour of peace and love and Hammerjacks memories. The new thing is always the best of the old things and Chip returns as the living embodiment of the power of “sex, drugs and rock and roll” – in moderation and not necessarily in that order – to discuss modern touring, his time with Steven Adler and new Enuff Z’Nuff music with Nestor.
Nestor Aparicio interviews Chip Z’Nuff, bassist and founding member of Enuff Z’Nuff, about his recent projects and tours. Chip discusses his new album “Extra Cherries” featuring collaborations with Journey, Cheap Trick, and Steve Stevens from Billy Idol. He also talks about his current tour with Pretty Tied Up, a Guns N’ Roses tribute band, and his past experiences with GNR and Steven Adler. They reminisce about iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Red Rocks, and the evolution of rock shows with advanced technology. Chip emphasizes the importance of live performances and fan interaction in the modern music industry.
- [ ] @Nestor Aparicio – Nestor to try to attend an Enuff Z’Nuff or “Pretty Tied Up” show when the bands come through the Baltimore area.
- [ ] Chip to keep Nestor informed about upcoming Enuff Z’Nuff and “Pretty Tied Up” tour dates.
Rocker Chip Z’Nuff’s Return to Touring and New Music
- Nestor Aparicio introduces the show, mentioning the 27th anniversary and various activities, including eating his 27 favorite foods and giving out lottery scratchers.
- Nestor reminisces about sharing a ballpark hot dog with Nolan Ryan and thanks Chip Z’Nuff for mentioning him in liner albums.
- Nestor expresses surprise at seeing Chip Z’Nuff performing with GNR and shares a humorous anecdote about mistaking Chip for someone else.
- Chip Z’Nuff joins the conversation from Saint Augustine, Florida, and expresses gratitude for the compliments.
Chip Z’Nuff’s Recent Projects and Collaborations
- Chip Z’Nuff discusses his new record “Extra Cherries” on Cleopatra Records, featuring collaborations with Neil Schon, Robert Fleischman from Journey, Cheap Trick, Steve Stevens from Billy Idol, and Matthew and Gunner Nelson.
- Nestor recalls the “Milk and Cookies Tour” and mentions seeing Chip perform.
- Chip talks about his current tour with Enuff Z’Nuff and his involvement with the GNR tribute band “Pretty Tied Up.”
- Nestor and Chip discuss their mutual love for rock and roll and the importance of supporting each other in their musical endeavors.
Rock and Roll Legacy and Iconic Venues
- Nestor and Chip discuss the enduring legacy of rock and roll and the importance of iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Red Rocks.
- Chip shares memories of playing at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago and the Smashing Pumpkins, and meeting Dave Grohl at a Smashing Pumpkins show.
- Nestor expresses his desire to see certain iconic venues and asks Chip for recommendations.
- Chip talks about his experiences playing at Donnington and the significance of playing in England.
The Impact of Technology on Live Performances
- Nestor and Chip discuss the evolution of live performances, including the use of LED lights, backdrops, and AI to enhance the concert experience.
- Chip mentions the influence of Herbie Herbert and Nighthawk on elevating concert production.
- Nestor reflects on the theatrical elements of rock shows and the importance of creating a grand experience for the audience.
- Chip highlights the accessibility of merchandise and the personal connection with fans at smaller shows.
Chip Z’Nuff’s Journey with GNR and Enuff Z’Nuff
- Chip recounts his time with GNR, including touring with Steven Adler and the challenges of balancing two bands.
- He shares anecdotes about Steven Adler’s lifestyle and their friendship.
- Chip talks about his current tour with Pretty Tied Up and the collaboration with Alex Kane from the Ramones and Panic Adler.
- Nestor and Chip discuss the resurgence of rock and roll and the importance of live performances in the modern era.
The Role of Technology in Modern Rock Shows
- Nestor and Chip discuss the integration of technology in modern rock shows, including the use of LED screens and advanced lighting.
- Chip mentions the influence of bands like Kiss and Triumph on the theatrical elements of rock performances.
- Nestor reflects on the evolution of concert production and the impact of technology on enhancing the live experience.
- Chip emphasizes the importance of creating a memorable and immersive concert experience for the audience.
The Importance of Accessibility and Fan Connection
- Chip talks about the importance of being accessible to fans and the personal connections made at shows.
- He mentions the challenges of balancing touring with personal life and the need to stay healthy and focused.
- Nestor and Chip discuss the significance of maintaining a strong connection with fans and the impact of social media on artist-fan interactions.
- Chip highlights the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment at shows, allowing fans to engage directly with the band.
The Future of Rock and Roll and Enuff Z’Nuff
- Chip discusses the future plans for Enuff Z’Nuff, including upcoming tours and collaborations.
- He mentions the success of the Trickster and Pretty Boy Floyd tour and the potential for future collaborations.
- Nestor and Chip reflect on the enduring legacy of rock and roll and the importance of supporting live music.
- Chip expresses gratitude for the fans and the continued success of Enuff Z’Nuff, emphasizing the importance of staying true to their roots.
Reflections on the Evolution of Rock and Roll
- Nestor and Chip discuss the evolution of rock and roll and the impact of new bands and genres on the industry.
- Chip reflects on the challenges faced by older bands and the importance of adapting to new technologies and trends.
- Nestor shares his experiences as a journalist and the changes he has witnessed in the music industry over the years.
- Chip emphasizes the importance of staying relevant and innovative while maintaining the core values of rock and roll.
Final Thoughts and Future Plans
- Nestor and Chip discuss their future plans and the importance of continuing to create and perform music.
- Chip mentions the upcoming shows and the excitement of playing for fans across the country.
- Nestor expresses his admiration for Chip’s dedication and the impact he has had on the music industry.
- Chip thanks Nestor for the interview and expresses his appreciation for the support from fans and the media.
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
Enuff Z’Nuff, GNR tribute, rock touring, new album, collaborations, live shows, rock and roll, iconic venues, Beatles covers, rock history, fan interaction, concert production, 80s bands, music legacy.
SPEAKERS
Speaker 2, Nestor Aparicio, Speaker 1, Chip Z’Nuff
Nestor Aparicio 00:01
Welcome home. We are W, N, S, T, am 1570 tassel, Baltimore. We are Baltimore. Positive this one is this going to be a lot of fun. It’s summertime. I’m going to let my hair out before it’s all over with it is our 27th anniversary. I better get the new 27th anniversary logo up. We just launched it this week. I’m eating my 27 favorite things to eat, including number 27 or Philly pretzel factory pretzel. But continue to follow the countdown out of Baltimore positive. I’ll also be giving out lottery scratch, also the Maryland lottery, including the Whammy and press your luck and the lucky sevens doublers as we get out to Costas and Cocos and faithless and all over the place. We’re going to be at the Beaumont this week in Catonsville eating a delicious fried lobster. I once shared a memorial stadium, ballpark hot dog proper with this man, with Nolan Ryan on the hill back in my rock star days. I can go back to the date, it’s probably 90 or 91 chips enough of enough’s enough was that, I think on the second album, you’re one of three bands to ever thank me on a liner album, and you thank me on two of them. So thank you to you and Child’s Play and some others to thank me over the course of time. Chips enough is the man, the myth, the legend, the bass player. Damn if I’m not sitting at home in bed one night, just strolling on my phone, and I have friends up at fallston station, and this band was powerhouse, somebody, somebody’s like, this band’s Great. This guy’s better than Axel. And I’m watching the video, and the bass player looks like, chips enough. And I’m like, it doesn’t, it can’t look like chips enough. It’s like, there’s only one chips enough. So I’m looking at it. I’m like, he moves like chips enough. And then I text chip and I’m like, the hell are you doing 10 miles from my house and you’re in on a tour bus and playing Welcome to the Jungle. So, Chip’s enough. Joins me now from Saint Augustine Florida was no doubt hitting a golf club or the 18th hole or the 19th hole. Chip. I love you. How have you been? What’s going on,
Chip Z’Nuff 02:11
Nestor, it’s good to hear your beautiful voice and see your nice, handsome mug, and you’re quite generous with compliments, which is a very nice trait to carry. Thank you very much.
Nestor Aparicio 02:21
Well, you’ve been in a lot of bands. You’ve been a part of bands, and you’ve been in and out of Adler and GNR, you’ve had enough’s enough for 40 years. Last time I saw you physically, where I hugged you and saw your band, you were on the line at m3 you played, you played fly high, Michelle, I think Child’s Play played that. I mean, I went down on a May Day and rocked it out with you, but I didn’t know about your GNR gig. I am ignorant, dude. I totally would have been involved in supporting you. I would have had you on before the gig and all that. So we’re just trying to level set here, because I need to know what’s going on my rock star buddies, especially when you’re rolling through Baltimore. Man,
Speaker 1 03:02
oh, bro, so many great memories with you. I’m doing very well with enough stuff. We just put a brand new record out. It’s called extra cherries. It’s on Cleopatra records, and I have Neil Sean and Robert Fleischman from Journey singing and playing with me on the album, along with cheap trick, I have the Trickster boys on there on a track now Steve Brown, who also plays guitar with Def Leppard, and, of course, the Trickster boys, he’s he co wrote a song on the record with me. It’s fantastic. And most notably, the great Steve Stevens from Billy idols band playing on magnificent one of the songs on the extra cherries record. It just came out. Oh, I got Matthew and gunner Nelson as a matter of fact. Well, you know very well, they’re on the record. So
Nestor Aparicio 03:54
I remember the milk and cookies tour. I You never forget it’s Chuck. Yeah,
Speaker 1 03:59
it’s this record. So I just packed full of great collaborations. It’s our 21st record. I haven’t seen you in years. Okay? I let rumor has it tell you I you were living in Jerusalem and you left your No,
Nestor Aparicio 04:12
no, no. Rumor has it, and it’s true that I grew my hair back like long during covid, and I didn’t let it out because I was seeing the black crows last night in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. My hair is a little but I’m going to let my my rock and roll hair flow for you chips enough this year. So your album is out. Are you touring with enough and and how did the GNR thing happen? So just fill me in on that as I let my hair out.
Speaker 1 04:38
Okay, so yes, I am touring with enough stuff. I just finished the tour a couple weeks ago. Now I’m on another tour with pretty tied up, which is the guns and Rose experience, along with Alex Kane from the Ramones of life, sex and death, fabulous, panic Adler’s cousins playing drums with us. Hey, the dude looks pretty good, bro. You’re not going to be tele Savalas anytime soon. That’s great. The. This is,
Nestor Aparicio 05:00
and this is, I don’t color. I mean, I got some gray in here, but, like, there’s no, I don’t play any Hokey Pokey. This is, like, my real hair, because Marvin Lewis accuses me of coloring my hair, and I don’t color my hair. Sorry. No, it looks really good, obviously. But I know you don’t color yours either. But you know,
Speaker 1 05:18
well, we both like eating good food. That’s going to help us a little bit.
Nestor Aparicio 05:21
You know? Well, you’re living right? I mean, obviously you’re in two bands, you’re out. I mean, the the GNR thing, give me the little genesis of that, because we all love the music contemporaries, for you without question. I mean, they were part of how enough broke, and how they broke, and poison and Bon Jovi and all that stuff that I documented back in the 80s, but it’s iconic, incredible music, and it literally is how you came to me chip like friend of mine that goes and sees bands, and which is, I mean, I’m out on Facebook. I mean, we’re all connected in that way. People like rock and roll, and it showed up on a real and someone was bragging on it in real time. It was, like, a couple three weeks ago, and it was at a Sunday night and like, so it was too late for me to get to the show, but not too late to give you basically shit. I text you, I’m like, dude, what’s up? And then you text me back and I and here we are. So I want to come see that gig. I want to see enough again. I want to see you again. And obviously, there’s enough rock and roll to go around. Rock and roll is still very alive, man,
Speaker 1 06:25
I think it’s flourishing right now. I think all the old bands are coming out there, and they’re touring around the country. As you said, black crows were playing last night. I’m sure that was a fabulous show. Now, how ironic that you seen the black crows. And now, and a couple of weeks from now, Chris Robinson is going to be fronting The Joe Perry Project with the rhythm section from Stone Temple Pilots and his partner, Brad Woodford playing guitar with them. That’s going to be a fantastic celebration. I think they have a couple of shows. They’re actually opening for the who on a few occasions. I’m
Nestor Aparicio 06:55
going to see them open for the who at the Hollywood Bowl chip. I mean you and I have been at this a long time, and we don’t fake hammer jacks or backstage or this or that, or your tours, and how long I’ve known you Baseball, baseball games, just to be like I’ve known you a long, long time. But like this, the part of like rock and roll that you know becomes eternal is when I’m sitting in the second row of black crow show, and it’s on fire. Or I went to see Cheap Trick two weeks ago, dude, I went to see Cheap Trick two weeks ago with Rod Stewart. Rod was great. Let’s start me. Rod was great. Cheap Trick was phenomenal. They opened California, man, they played several of my personal favorites that night. I so for me to see these bands when I can’t see certain things anymore, Tom Petty, right? I mean, I saw the stones last year, and we’re losing my dear friend Mike Peterson. The alarm. We lost him this year. So we’re losing bands rush isn’t touring with, you know, after the death of Neil or whatever. So to be able to celebrate with a band on a night in a place, and I’ve been to all of the all the stadiums I’ve been to, you know, all the Super Bowls, all the worlds, all that stuff, I’m now trying to find iconic venues, and maybe this is where your rock and roll background, you can help me a little bit. I’ve never been to the whiskey. I’ve never been to the troubadour. I’ve never been to the Hollywood Bowl. I’ve never been to the Celebrity Theater in the round in Phoenix. I am my ultimate is Royal Albert Hall. I haven’t been there. So, like, do you have some bucket list places that I need to know about, or did I miss any because, like, they’re playing the Hollywood Bowl, the WHO and Joe Perry. I I’ve never been to the Hollywood Bowl. It’s way up on my bucket list. Like it’s right the top. I want to go,
Speaker 1 08:55
well, Bucket List gigs, I’m sure there’s quite a few of them for me. I like to play the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, where I’ve seen everybody from rush to the greats, member stars. They were great. I’ve seen them with the runaways, the Piper Billy Square’s old band, AC, DC. I seen there. The Den is an iconic venue. Used to be a roller skating rink in Chicago, Illinois, Aragon ballroom. And everybody can look it up right now. Police. I seen there so many wonderful bands that have frequented that venue. Last time I was there, actually, I seen a smashing pumpkins, and Dave Grohl was looking for a seat. I didn’t realize how little of a guy was. I don’t know how he gets on the rides over at Disney World. And for some reason, he come up to me and and I go, how you doing, David? I’m not sure he knew who enough’s enough was, but he I go, What are you doing? He goes, I’m just trying to find a seat. I can’t find a seat. I can’t find anywhere to sit. We’re in the VIP section. I go, come on, sit in my seat. Bro and I gave him my seat to watch the Smashing Pumpkins in action. Seen the last Nirvana show there too. That would be a bucket list place to play in England. I just got up a tour with Skid Row a couple years ago. We were doing all the Oh twos. It’s fantastic. Great tour. For us, where you play a solo show every day. It would be nice probably to go over and play Wembley Stadium. I wouldn’t doubt that, but I did get a chance, uh, 10 years ago, to play Donnington, download with AC DC and Aerosmith stone tumble pilots. Lemmy was there, of course, uh, Megadeth, Lamb of God, all the heavy bands. That was a good gig for me. We played two nights in a row there, which most bands don’t. So I think when it comes to playing the big crowds, over in England, I’m pretty good for that, but United States, there’s always new venues that are open up every single day. I like playing for a crowd. I like celebrating hard rock and heavy metal, and it’s plural right now. People are digging what’s going on, especially in light of losing all our our great positions, we just lost Jerry Reed. By the way, Terry Reed was going to be the first singer and Led Zeppelin. He actually turned Jimmy Page on to John Bonham and and Robert Plant. So that was a significant loss, right there. Cheap truck covered a couple of the songs. You know, there’s, uh, the guy in that just passed away from junkyard, uh, David Roach, another wonderful friend and great artist. So as we get older, we we lose some of these guys. What we don’t lose right now, Nestor is the music that stays out there. It’s all through the internet. It. You can find it every single you know, Spotify and teasers and Apple plague. You can Google any of your favorite bands. They’ll be out forever with the advent of the internet, but you can go in record stores and buy these albums as well. And it’s it’s something to celebrate at the end of the day,
Nestor Aparicio 11:32
I did an experiential thing last year with that talking heads when they redid stop making sense in the theaters, and it was the thing called D box, D, B, O, X, you can look it up. It’s a chair that has hundreds of 1000s of haptic movements in it that’s sort of built for, like a Top Gun. Or, if you were to have seen Star Wars, where you would be in the fighter pilot, and then we’d be moving around, like a Disney ride, right? Or like something, literally something at Epcot, right? But the movie was made for it, and the sounds were made for it. And you know how weird it’s kind of shot as an art film. I keep thinking like, when they can bring the song remains the same into a chair that moves with it, or like the vision. Now, have you been to Red Rocks? Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 12:21
I played red rocks with I used to be in a band called Missing Persons, and I played Red Rocks. We opened for Devo and the knack. It was a great time. Uh, what a wonderful venue. I remember that night. Dale didn’t want to get hotel rooms for the band. Dale bazio, she was going to just stay in the bus and sleep here tonight and save money in hotels. I said, that can be a nice little thing to do. Let me talk to the promoter at Red Rocks, and he was more charming than ever. He said, no problem. You guys stay around the premises, you know, make sure everything’s good. You guys can be like security. And I stay on the stage with my buddy, Big Ron Rubin, who used to work with Metallica, and we sat, we smoked pot until four o’clock in the morning on that big stage after I played a show, uh, wonderful moments over at Red Rocks, probably one of the greatest venues I’ve ever
13:07
played. Hollywood Bowl,
Speaker 1 13:11
yeah, fantastic place. Haven’t played there yet, unfortunately, but I went and see McCartney there, and Paul was great. My old manager, you remember Bob Brigham, he’s got a company called Nighthawk, and they do all the screens behind the stage, all the LED lights. So they work with Paul, they work with the Rolling Stones. And they invited me out to the show, and I got a chance to watch Paul from the 10th row, right where the where the council was, right in front of the house. And incredible. What a discography. Played 3540 songs in the set and play some solo stuff, as well as the stuff he did with The Beatles, even, even I did a little celebration. I think they did cold turkey that night, which is an old John Lennon song. So I love the Hollywood Bowl, but we haven’t played there yet. Maybe one day get a chance to open for somebody there. Be fantastic. But some great concerts. There
Nestor Aparicio 14:00
chips. Enough is our guest here because he wants to be. We’re old buddies. You know, when I think of you and I think of Donnie back in the day writing songs, and I think of the hooks and the melodies in the first early albums you guys, much like cheap trick, were Beatles guys. Literally Beatles people first, not stones, not Elvis, not the who you were, Beatles people. So to hear you talk about McCartney, I would think that all of it sort of roots back to that right, like my first 340 fives. I got one of them was the Beatles. Got to get you into my life, healthy, skelter on the flip on that, by the way, of
Speaker 1 14:40
course, first time listening to Beatles, I remember speaking to my parents bedroom, smoking a joint, and listen to the White Album. Just incredible. And that’s when the Beatles were experimenting, getting jacked up. Even Paul tells about it, where they hung out with the Dalai Lama and they got jacked up, and they were doing LSD, and they were smoking pot, and they were coming up with great songs. That’s one of the reasons why. Artists do drugs is because it gives you wonderful ideas. It’s a plethora of good little things. You’re looking through that Kaleidoscope and see all different colors and shapes, and you look at an ashtray with a joint in it, or you a glass with lipstick on, and you’re inspired beyond belief. And those early beetle records were really exciting. And as a matter of fact, if I could shameless little plug here, enough’s enough. In 2018 put a record out called Hard Rock night, a play on hard days night. And it’s all Beatles songs from 1967 through 1970 we did the record over in Chicago, this place called stone cutter studio, with this guy named Chris diamonds, who was responsible for that. I wanted one of the kiss records I did. I did years and years ago. I want to say think it’s called Revenge, and it was a fabulous album, but we did everything live in the studio, and it’s Beatles on 2.0 it’s the Beatles through Marshall amplifiers and base of Boogie amps and big drums. And that is nothing but a fantastic celebration of great rock stuff that we mix in our set with the stuff that you know from the early enough enough material, so you got enough’s enough songs with the hits like fly Michelle and new thing and baby loves you mixed in with magical mystery toward Eleanor Rigby and Dear Prudence in a jet, of course, with Paul McCartney and Wings. It’s a fabulous set. When you come see enough stuff, it’s really every single song you’ll recognize. Well, yeah,
Nestor Aparicio 16:21
I mean, you mix the Beatles into your I don’t think you, you’ve been playing Beatles songs 2025, years as part of the enough’s enough deal. Chip is enough. Is here the leader and founder, founding member, I like saying, if I was British, I’d say founding member of enough’s enough. And also in several other outfits and bands, including tell me about the GNR band, and when that comes back through, Dude, that was incendiary. I mean, that was hot, yeah. Well, I
Speaker 1 16:48
was working with, I was living with Steven antler for years over in Studio City. I i joined the band, like in 2005 we went on tour for about seven years, playing all around the country, South America, through all through England, we get in a tour bus. We tour for about 30 days over in England. We come back and we have we’d be $75,000 of debt. Those busses are quite expensive. But we toured and stopped with Steven. He was charming beyond belief. He was straight and focused. He was doing great, playing his ass off. And we did last but then he came on in 2012 I took my time, and then, obviously I had a lot through with enough stuff, it was hard to double dip. Went back to enough snuff full time. And I I give I’ve been Steven my farewell, but we’re still great friends this day. You know, those old days of traveling on the bus, I’d be in the back of the bus. There’s only two people allowed in the back of that tour bus with Steven and myself, and all he was doing was smoking pot. 24/7 they’re watching cartoons. American Family Guy. What was the other one? Uh, American Dad, Family Guy, and a South Park. He couldn’t touch the TV set. He just loved those cartoons beyond belief. And he always make his famous Chef Boyardee. You have a cannon Chef Boyardee, throw it in a pot and then throw a big stick of Land O Lakes, butter in there and let it just stop in there. Provide 25 minutes. What the hell is that? A loaf of bread we just eat that that was our our that was our dinner every single day on the road. He always loved, I said, spaghetti, you know, Chip extra bologna sauce, he always would tell me, but those moments playing tournament with him turn out to be a godsend, because I’m sitting at home. I finished enough’s enough tour this year, and I get a call from Brandon for pretty tied up. And he’s got Alex Kane with him, who was the guitar player in the Ramallah. He played life, sex and death, fabulous player, and they said, We’re going out. We’re doing pretty tied up. It’s nothing but a Guns and Roses. Experience. It’s all appetite for instruction. You win. They know. I knew the songs. I said absolutely. So I’m about 30 shows into this tour right now. I’ve been somewhere in Florida, play tight, you know, we did. We played like, seven or eight cities out here, and we’re winding things down. We got a couple days coming up in North Carolina and South Carolina. We go to Chicago and play a few shows, and then I jump back on the tour with enough’s enough, and we’re going out with trickster so trickster enough set up a pretty boy flight, a real glam, slam, metal jam tour. None of us are really that glam anymore. We’re more like rock bands or pop bands, but it’s a nice celebration. It’s a good consolidation of a bunch of groups that were successful in the 80s and 90s on MTV, and now here we are touring again in every single state in the United States of America. Probably do 100 shows this year.
Nestor Aparicio 19:30
Bro. Gonna give it to him? Good? Is that what you’re going to do with the Trickster boys? I
Speaker 1 19:34
think so, you know, I would tell you, they show up every single night, uh, PJ and Steve Brown, and they bring the show great, great songs, wonderful harmonies. And, you know, you come in and see those bands playing concert, everybody’s aged pretty well so far. I’m really surprised the trim isn’t as prevalent as it used to be on the road. Man, those hammer Jack days when we play, and it was jam packed. People were the the trim was walking around those little clubs. Scam. Clad those days. You don’t see those very often, but we certainly make the most of it at all these shows. And more importantly, rock is still alive. People want to see a great rock show, and they want to see live bands in concert, because 10 years from now, it might just be AI,
Nestor Aparicio 20:15
yeah, that’s the thing. That’s why I get in my car. That’s why I’m mad at you for not telling me that you were doing this pretty tied up thing. Chips, enough is here, you know, I want to give you a little bit of oxygen to talk about writing in the creative process on the road. Just, you know, it’s hard being an aging radio guy that’s a podcaster the internet calls me. What is it? What does it? What does it? Call me a creator. Digital creator is what I am. It. I don’t know. I used to be a Baltimore sports expert. I’m an interviewer. Now, media, whatever I think, in the modern world, for all of us who’ve lived long enough, who aren’t McCartney, and who have to go out and work, make a living, got bills to pay family, whatever. Want to go out and do it and want to have an audience to do it for. I’m always fascinated by anyone my age or older, because it’s not the easiest life chip. I mean, you just admitted you never know where the hell you are.
Speaker 1 21:17
No you have to find your way. And you know, I commend you for everything that you’ve done throughout your career, and you’re still doing you’re thriving right now. You’re doing really well. And, you know, they say, so
Nestor Aparicio 21:26
are you, but part of it is evolving. You know, you’re not doing what you were doing 40 years ago. No one is right.
Speaker 1 21:32
No, they say luck is the resident of design. And you stay out there, and you put your best foot forward. You go out there and play shows. And Rick Nielsen said to me a long time ago over a joint cappuccino, he says, We’re not all built to do this in this business, but if you are, go out and do it, and that’s what I do every single day, and I’m lucky to be able to say, Go out work and reach the fans and let them know, not only that, my Am I thriving and still alive and decent Health, but the shows are still strong. Bands still playing great. It’s no guys backstage playing the parts for us. We’re singing and playing everything. And that’s exciting right there, to be able to say that
Nestor Aparicio 22:09
you mentioned your buddy doing led and sets.
Speaker 2 22:14
Yeah, you know, you’re all buddy, your old buddy, Bob Brigham, Bob, I
Nestor Aparicio 22:18
gotta get Bob on. We got to organize this because I what I what I’m amazed by, not just a that I’m an old newspaper writer. When you met me, talk about evolution chip, you know, I met you. You’re down at Harbor court. I went up living there. This shot was taken there 20 years I lived in the building where you guys ransacked the hotels as you rock star guys were in your limousines back in the day and hammer jacks, but like all of these years later, the the ability to still go out and do it, but how modern it can be. I talked to Jack Hughes from Wang Chung about this couple weeks ago because their motif, you know, they do about the 3040, minute sets they do five to eight songs as part of five or six bands, but the video part of what they do and how they blended their videos from the 80s, the timing of it, the music, the the even the lights. And I go back to you playing early on in the day at m3 and having that giant design behind you with your logo, the peace signs, moving things, AI things that create this. I don’t want to be too Dennis de Young and sticks in that era, I’m going to see sticks this week, but, but theoristic, you know what I mean? Theater like in a way that you would get a canvas and drop it, or your your band drum kit would have your logo on it. Or, in the case of enough’s enough, you had art design or Twisted Sister where the things were painted or scarves were hung like Steven Tyler. But now the lighting and the backdrops that can be done and what can be done with video and AI that can bring Broadway to Merryweather post pavilion for any band?
Speaker 1 24:10
No, I love Eric Baker, over at m3 does a lot of great stuff for enough stuff. He has a sign a lot of those festivals, and I appreciate that the Baltimore fans are absolutely incendiary. They just love rock and roll and heavy metal. You know those shows you’re talking about now that are happening with all the the back screen stuff and the LED lights and the bells and whistles that come with the concert. It all started with Herbie Herbert, the old journey manager, back in the 80s, 7980 he put together a company called Nocturne, which is now a Nighthawk, Bob Brigham company, him and Ron prozel and those guys, they always knew you that we needed to lift these concerts up and elevate them a little bit. It was hard for the people to have the same experience from the 50th row as they would in the first 10 rows. Well, that
Nestor Aparicio 24:56
was the magic of kiss, right? That I mean, Paul and Jean would. Say that, but they brought the biggest show, right?
Speaker 1 25:03
Yeah, Chis always had the esthetics. They were very, very good about that. They would, they would come out with the makeup and lipstick and their shoes and the the jackets. And they had a wonderful disposition when it came to putting out a great rock show where, and they were on tours everybody from cheap trick to mahogany rush to the the great rush. And they just, for some reason, they just people were listening with their eyes instead of their ears. The show was just so but that light,
Nestor Aparicio 25:28
that say yes, and the set itself, I mean, every other rock band was trying to, from Motley Crue and Tommy spinning and just all of the things that would be theatrical, and Dallas Cooper, I don’t take anything away from any of the people that laid the groundwork, but from a lighting perspective, what triumph was trying to do, even what rush would do with spots and with lasers and different things like that, the modern part of seeing any band, Country, rock, whatever, in any venue that backdrop. Now, seeing enough’s enough in a club, it wouldn’t look like that. Seeing enough’s enough at m3 you were larger than life. You know what? I mean, the lighting makes it grand, I think. And I think that that’s something that I never saw coming for rock and roll that’s sort of ubiquitous. Now, I don’t ever go to a show where they don’t have it has to be grand. It can’t just be what Zeppelin looked like in 76
Speaker 1 26:27
No, if you’re the Grateful Dead, there’s a couple of bands that fall from the wayside where you don’t really need that stuff. It’s more about the experience of the songs. But any concert you go see right now that’s going to elevate its perception. Those beautiful lights, the LED screens, all the stuff that’s behind you that’s really a part of the experience of a concert. And you gotta have that stuff. And everybody being has it right now. And there’s a reason why, cuz it just makes everything look that much bigger and better.
Nestor Aparicio 26:56
Chip. Have you speaking the bigger and better you’ve been to the sphere? No, well, you gotta go see something there, right?
Speaker 1 27:05
I will. I’m sure I will. I’ve been on on tour. Last year, we did 150 shows, enough stuff tour all around the country. We’re opening up for the great Glenn Hughes from Deep Purple. That was a wonderful run. We did some stuff with Rose Tattoo, doing one hour trickster at the end of the year, and it did so well that now we’re going to do a second run here in the United States. And that trickster, pretty boy, Floyd enough snuff package. You come out and see that. What I tell you, you want to go see a big concert. You can go spend 345, $1,000 no problem. You get the experience. So you come out and see a smaller room with with bands that aren’t, I wouldn’t consider us a roll bands, but we’re certainly significant. Lot of hit songs on MTV radio, lot of experience on TV. You get a great rock show and it’s free. It’s almost free. When you come out to those shows, there’s no we’re not, you know, the meet and greets aren’t, aren’t prevalent, because we just come out and meet the fans. We’re accessible. People get the merchandise. If they want to get records, or they want to get any kind of merchandise in the band, it’s it’s easily accessible. But more importantly, it’s a celebration of those songs where the first time you fell in love, the first time you got laid, the first time something significant happened in your life. And it’s a great memory to have. And I see a lot of the kids coming out, the Generation X kids coming to these shows, because mom and dad turned them, turned them on to us. I think it’s pretty special, right there, bro. I’m very, very lucky to still be out there playing shows every single day. And I appreciate the fans beyond belief, and that’s why I make myself accessible.
Nestor Aparicio 28:37
You always have. I mean, that’s just who you are. Chip’s enough’s here. Enough’s enough. I Okay, enough with you. You gotta go back to getting ready to play when you come out with trickster hit me two weeks before the show, not the day after. You know what I mean? Come on chip.
Speaker 1 28:52
No, I will, bro. You know, in the old days, I had excuses when we making that first enough snuff album where it’s royal records in Lake Geneva, I walked into the studio. Skid rows in there, and they’re recording. We had to wait till two in the morning to start our record, and the first thing we got was a big ounce of cocaine and a bunch of Jack Daniel’s booze and and tons of Cheech and Sean. And so I had an excuse to say, Ah, sorry I didn’t get a hold of them because I was preoccupied. But now we’re all good. We’re nice and clean. We’re traveling around the country. I promise. I’ll keep in touch with you. I’ll let your people know. The new enough’s enough is out right now. It’s called extra cherries, featuring collaborations with journey Cheap Trick, Steve Stevens, the Nelsons trickster, and, of course, the great Steven Adler from Guns N Roses on one song as well. So and then, if you want come out and see the band, look at pretty tied up.com as well, and you’ll see all those dates that we have in 2025 and 2026 coming up. Nestor, always a pleasure talking to you, bro.
Nestor Aparicio 29:52
I had a great memory with you and the Nelson boys on stage at Merryweather on the milk and cookies tour, doing surrender as. Bands in the Encore set. That was a great that’s a great rock
30:05
and roll. Very first show we
Speaker 1 30:06
play with those kids, they came, pulled me aside, says, Chip, you can’t be getting our crew high. That’s just it’s a no no on this tour. Please stop your stop your band and yourself from enabling our crew. We said, yeah, no problem, we’ll be good, you guys. And then by the end of the week, I realized why they were mad. It wasn’t because we’re smoking pot with their crews, because they had a cell phone. This is 1991 ate a cell phone, and their bill in one week was $20,000 one week on that little big sales, like a big cell phone, they carry around backstage with them everywhere they go. And then, of course, we had Andre, who was running kiss for the longest time as their TM, and he showed me some stuff that I couldn’t even talk about behind closed doors, that was happening with that band. Those guys were real rock and rollers that knew exactly how to party and bring a show. And we were following around guns and roses and Skid Row during that whole tour as well, playing sheds and arenas. They had after the rain on MTV, and we had flying Michelle, a new thing. That was a good time in life, until the Seattle scene came in there, and those great bands, like Allison Shane’s Pearl Jam Nirvana Soundgarden came in and whipped everybody’s asses. Uh, but guess what? We’re back in. It didn’t kill us. What doesn’t kill you, makes you
31:20
stronger, bro.
Nestor Aparicio 31:22
Well, you know the Nelsons, the enough’s enough, the cheap tricks, every the tricksters, everybody that’s still going, hats off to all of you. My hair is out to honor all of you. And when you come and play, you’re playing fly. I’m Michelle. You’re playing new thing. You’re playing baby loves you. I want to come see it. Okay, so we’ll get together sometime soon. Alright, brother,
31:43
thank you. Nestor. Hey,
Nestor Aparicio 31:45
Nestor, thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule. And I wish everybody listening and watching this 100 years of good life and good health. God bless you all, and keep rock and roll alive for all of us who love it. And I, you know, listen, chip the sports thing, there’s winners and losers, and when the Orioles are in last place, it’s disappointing every minute of every day. Rock and roll, not only, as Bob Siebert said, we never forget it never lets you down. Rock and roll doesn’t let you down. So that’s
Speaker 1 32:14
why, Who cares who drives the bus? Let’s get to the picnic. Okay, I wanted to get late. I want to get paid smoking top of the grade. Yeah, I’m feeling heavy metal. God bless you, bro.
Nestor Aparicio 32:24
Man, I gotta try still creating trouble five decades later, no one is a better troublemaker than ships. Enough, we’re back from one charged, never convicted. I.
