PATRIARCHS IN BLACK‘s “My Veneration” was named Best album of 2023 by Transcending The Mundane. Just recently Guitarist/songwriter Dan Lorenzo was interviewed by Brett Van Put, discussing KISS-avatars, working with Johnny Kelly and more. Read below.
How does it feel to have My Veneration named Album of the Year by Transcending the Mundane?
It makes me incredibly happy. I feel like I should be considered in the discussion of top heavy riff writers of all-time, but outside of some of my friends, a handful of fans and journalists like you….well, I’m not. Not on a large scale and it confuses me, frustrates me and when somebody like you tells me Patriarchs In Black’s new album is #1 I feel like Sally Field during her infamous “You like me” speech!
How do you feel this record compared to Reach for the Scars?
Funny timing because I just relistened to Reach For The Scars driving to Habit Burger to get a grilled Ahi-Tuna steak. Most journalists are saying we took a big jump up with My Veneration and I know Johnny Kelly thinks we did, but man, I think I love both albums equally. I do think our 3rd record could be even better. I’ve written ten new songs already and recorded 95% of my guitar parts. Johnny has already recorded drums to I think six or seven of them. Now we just have to wait for the singers and bassists to do their thing.
Describe the chemistry you and Johnny Kelly have as friends and musicians.
It’s funny we never really spoke much until the start of Patriarchs In Black. We’ve never been in the same room jamming, but I think he “gets” what I’m going for musically. I can’t believe how quickly he recorded drums to my new songs. Bobby Blitz told me right before I reached out to Johnny about recording, “He’s the perfect drummer for your riffs” and Blitz was right. We love a lot of the same music. We’re both REALLY big old school Kiss fans. The more we speak I find we have a musical love for some non-metal bands as well. We both freak for The Black Crowes. Friendship wise….he’s great. Almost always happy. Workaholic. We both love South Park. We have similar views on the world. I hope he likes me half as much as I like him. Johnny is just phenomenal to work with. Even my “other” drummers Mike Cristi and Ron Lipnicki think he’s perfect for me.
The almighty riff is so important to your sound- how do you know when you have a great riff?
Great question Brett! Sometimes, I go upstairs in my loft and it comes so easily I think “You’re being an egomaniac. You couldn’t have possibly written another two great riffs in three minutes”. So, I yell down to my wife who’s sitting below me in our living room, “Hey Gina, you hear that”. She will say, “Yeah, that’s pretty cool” or “That is dark. I envision somebody leaving a funeral”. Usually I know right away. So then I record it on my phone or my Zoom unit and wait till I see how it sounds the next day. Then I might go to bed and the two riffs keep going through my head and I’ll “hear” the perfect middle section. Honestly, it just keeps getting easier. Of course there are times where I listen the next day and I’m like, “Ehh”. Also, I have HUNDREDS of riffs that go nowhere. They don’t seem to fit with any other riff. The album My Veneration was all completely new riffs I wrote after I wrote Reach For The Scars except Heaven Burn which I wrote in ’93 or ’94 and my favorite of My Veneration the chorus of the title track. I found that on my Zoom Recorder. I had written the riff years ago and wrote the melody after the whole song came together in 2022.
There are some who might criticize having different vocalist on one album- why do you feel this approach works with Patriarchs In Black?
Well, EVERY band I’ve been you always have a handful of people saying, “Yeah, the music is great, but I don’t like your singer”. This takes care of that! Plus, it’s really fun.
On the other hand, I love the variety you get with these different singers- it always sounds like you and Johnny, but the vocalists add their style and make each song unique- is that the intention?
For sure!
Why did you feel Karl, Mark, Rob, Kelly, John, Bobby, and DMC were the right singers for My Veneration? Will they all appear on the next one?
Well, I’m a fan of all of them. Yes, they will all be back except for John Kosco. I’m pissed at him because I sell tattoo supplies for a living and John doesn’t order from us so fuck him! ( laughs) No, John is busy with his band Revel At Dusk so I recruited Kyle Thomas from Exhorder/Alabama Thunderpussy. Kyle sang our newest cover Twisted Sister Destroyer out February 2nd and he’s going to sing a really bad ass original on our third album.
Who is your favorite singer of all time? Favorite musician?
Bon Scott. Layne Staley. Jimmy Page.
How do you feel about Kiss retiring from touring and the avatar idea?
I wish they retired when I saw them on their “final tour” a decade ago. I’ll never stop listening to old Kiss, but man….I’m not a huge fan of them as people. Ace is the reason I picked up a guitar, but I just hear so many weird things about all of them. Avatar Schmavatar. Ridiculous. I think I would get along best with Gene Simmons out of all of them, but the other day Jimmy Schulman sent me a video of Gene saying how much he despises playing the song I was made for loving you. I was thinking, “Then don’t play it!” If you do anything you hate for money you’re a fucking prostitute.
What is your favorite guitar?
No contest-Gibson Les Paul Custom.
Will there be any chance of a Patriarchs In Black live performance?
Extremely difficult with logistics, the amount of people and Johnny being with Quiet Riot most weekends.
What was your favorite album this year?
Same as yours Brett! Patriarchs In Black My Veneration!
What’s next for Dan Lorenzo in the new year? Cassius King? Patriarchs In Black?
Patriarchs In Black! We just have to sell more CDs and vinyl to make album #3 a reality. I’ve already written and recorded ten new songs for the next album. I think the next album could be “the one”.
More info on Transcending The Mundane – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088830439812
Follow Patriarchs In Black:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/patriarchsinblack
Bandcamp: https://patriarchsinblack.bandcamp.com/
Follow Dan Lorenzo:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/danlorenzock
Follow Johnny:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/johnnykelly1313
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