Watch last Saturday night’s video of Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes doing a Q and A with the Montreal crowd hosted by Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice at the Piranha Bar.
The evening started off with a screening of Holmes’ documentary ‘Mean Man‘ then a Q and A with the fans and ended off with a well 5 song mini-performance by Chris Holmes and his Canadian Band.
Chris Holmes was a member of W.A.S.P. first from 1983 to 1990, and again from 1996 to 2001 and now is solo artist.
Chris Holmes and his wife/ manager Cathy will continue their East Coast min tour of Canada.
Mini Eastern Canada Tour/Promo/Screening/Meet, remaining dates Sept 21- Toronto- The Rockpile, Screening Mean Man documentary plus Meet and Greet, signings and mini set Sept 22- Ottawa -The Brass Monkey- screening followed by a live Question and Answer session with Chris Sept 23- Cornwall – ‘The Port Theater’ Screening Mean Man documentary plus Meet and Greet and signings and mini set
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice spoke to former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes in Montreal, Canada as he was prepared for his upcoming Screening/Mini-Tour/Signing dates.
When asked about his lack of payments in his time in W.A.S.P. “Honestly I would just like to get paid for what I created, that’s it. I don’t want any more. I don’t want to take any more. I created what I created and I don’t want any more than what I did. I’m not about stealing stuff. I just like want what came out of my heart which is on records that I created. There was a lot more stuff than I was credited for but that’s the way it is you know. I wouldn’t change it. I would change a few things growing up but you can’t you can’t change the past, you can only change the future.”
When asked about the support from fellow artists when he has going though cancer treatment “Blackie could have helped to pay for some of my treatment he didn’t but Nikki Sixx did. Nikki Sixx he gave me a lot of money, he was the first one he gave over 500 bucks. I love the guy for it thank you Nikki. I love him for that. Around the first month I was sick (Chris Holmes got video messages) and on message went, Chris this is your Metal God, Rob Halford and it was kind of cool Rob talked a little bit on there and then the Guitar player that took Tipton’s gig (Richie Faulkner) said nice words because Glenn’s sick and he’s got Parkinson’s Disease, that’s really sad. Tons of people um gave good wishes but nobody from W.A.S.P. did. It’s kind of weird but that’s ok but Glenn Hughes did we were good drinking buddies (in the past). “
When asked about speaking to Steve Grimmett the night before his passing “He sang on a song that I had written called ‘Playing with fire’ which is written about Covid. About three weeks ago Sarah my wife gives me the phone and it’s Steve, hey what’s up Steve, how are you getting along with the Covid blah blah blah because we played some shows together and we spoke. Within 10 hours after call we heard he was dead. Shocked shot the crap out of me big time. He had an exceptionally exceptionally voice. Top-notch, unbelievable man, I wish I could sing a tenth what he does. Steve will be missed. It is sad he’s gone you know. Rest in peace Steve.”
When asked about what he thought about Iron Maiden as a band “If somebody’s asked me who’s the favorite band I ever toured with? That would be Iron Maiden. Who was the nicest band, they were the coolest guys I’ve ever been around in the rock business. I traveled on their bus because of the same management. I went on Steve Harris’ bus with Bruce (Dickinson). Dave (Murray) and Adrian(Smith) had a bus themselves. Also Bruce flew a lot of times but I always was on their bus. And of course they had they loved me because I’m from Hollywood, California. When they’d say something they’d end the question with dude for some reason. My nickname with all the Maiden guys is chewie because one time we were I think we were at the Cat and Fiddle in Los Angeles and somebody said something about Star Wars and i went AHHHR (Like Chewie) and it’s just stuck you know, so that’s all right that’s my nickname Chewie you know. Iron Maiden just some of the greatest guys you know in this business yeah the coolest guys that I’ve ever met.”
Upcoming Mini-Tour/Screening dates
Sept 13-CIBL 101,5 in Montreal- interview and signing 8pm
Sept 16- Montreal- Piranha Bar Mean Man Screening plus Meet and Greet, signings and short set. Event will be hosted by Jimmy Kay of The Metal Voice Event https://www.facebook.com/events/1135270070406753 With/ Leather Up Yöur Ass ( 80s Metal Tribute) and White Noize
Sept 21- Toronto- The Rockpile, Screening Mean Man documentary plus Meet and Greet, signings and short set. Event Hosted by Tim Henderson Event https://www.facebook.com/events/471673317798377
In a recent conversation on The Metal Voice with Canada’s Metal legend Thor, former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes also joined the interview and spoke about his guest solo on Thor’s first new single ‘The Ultimate Alliance’ off of Thor’s upcoming album ‘Alliance’ via Cleopatra. In the interview Chris Holmes also gave The Metal Voice an update on his upcoming new album.
When asked about the timeline of his new studio album “I just finished up the last guitar solo yesterday. I’m sending it to the guy that is mixing it and then he can put it on and start mixing all the rest of the songs. Then he will send it to me and I ok it. It will probably be released in three months. Probably done in a few weeks but it takes time to do the other stuff. It would have been done a long time ago if the Covid hadn’t hit it has just been postponed. It will be self released, it will be easier to sell on Bandcamp and at my shows. “
When asked about the songs “All the songs on there are about what I have done in my life experiences and stuff like that. In regards to the songs there is one ballad called ‘In God’s Hands’ and the rest of the stuff is heavier.”
Thor ‘Alliance’ available on digital, CD & Vinyl July 16! Watch first single below with guests Chris Holmes and Ross The Boss.
New Shockwaves Skullsessions Podcast episode #71, hosted by Bob Nalbandian, is now online. On this episode host Bob Nalbandian talks with former WASP guitarist Chris Holmes and film director Antoine de Montremy, who directed the new documentary ‘Mean Man’. The three discuss the film as well as Chris’ move to France, his new band and some great early WASP stories!
Cleopatra Entertainment has secured the North American, UK, Australian, New Zealand and South African distribution rights to the documentary film MEAN MAN: The Story of Chris Holmes.
Watch the third documentary trailer below.
Written and Directed by French filmmakers Antoine de Montremy and Laurent Hart (whose Music production career includes televised interviews with SCORPIONS, DEEP PURPLE, SLAYER, GUNS N’ ROSES and more), MEAN MAN: The Story of Chris Holmes was a project that was born in 2014 after they had an opportunity to meet and direct Holmes in a music video for the Holmes-penned song “Let It Roar” in Cannes, France. At that time, the former W.A.S.P. guitarist had more or less disappeared from the music scene, leaving his home in the U.S. to seek a new beginning with his wife Sarah in France. Not content with merely directing a music video for the re-born Holmes, de Montremy pursued his bigger dream of writing and directing a documentary film about this iconic metal guitar legend and for the next several years shadowed him throughout Europe while filming everything from band rehearsals, to recording sessions to live performances.
By creatively combining archival footage, interviews with past and present band members and musical peers, family members and childhood friends – interspersed with beautifully filmed concert performances of Holmes’ current solo band – Director de Montremy skillfully portrays the story of an iconic guitar player who has lived a life of extreme highs and lows. After losing the publishing rights of his own songs and combatting dangerous addictions, the legendary W.A.S.P. guitarist is shown starting over from scratch while living at his mother-in-law’s in Cannes, France as he puts together with his wife a brand new band and a brand new musical role as not only the main guitarist, but now as the actual lead singer of this newly-born musical project aptly named MEAN MAN.
Quotes de Montremy “Over the last five years, I’ve had the privilege to establish a true relationship with Chris Holmes and to follow him throughout Europe. I was impressed by his charisma, his approach towards life, his multiple experiences and taste for simplicity which have actually altered my own vision of existence. In fact, he has almost become a spiritual father to me, in the way that he inspired me in many of my own decisions. “
Cleopatra Entertainment’s plans for release include a stand-alone DVD Home Entertainment version and a Blu Ray version chock full of bonus goodies not available on the Digital VOD version which will follow the DVD and Blu Ray Release this November, just in time for the Holidays. A U.S. west coast Theatrical premier is being discussed as well, pending the revision and/or relaxation of the current local State Government’s restrictions on movie theaters operating during the Covid pandemic.
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 