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Nearly A Band Member
Posts: 2072
  
| http://rockshowmagazine.com/articles/aj.html
Nice job AJ
Interview: A.J.Pero - Twisted Sister
by Donnie Tranchina
A.J. Pero, as drummer for the hard rock/metal band Twisted Sister, has sold millions of records, and has been rockin’ this planet for some time now. From end to end, and all the stops in between, his drum intro in “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” till this day remains one of the most memorable drum intros of all time. With his pounding drum skills, and “take no prisoners” attitude, A.J. Pero remains to this day, a force to be reckoned with. Whether it’s Bikers 4 Babies, or one of the many other benefits I have run, you call A.J. Pero and there are two words he will say, “When, and where.” I’ve had the good fortune of singing in a band with A.J., and I have the utmost respect for him. He is one rock star who doesn’t act like a rock star. OK let’s get to it.
DT: Hi A.J. How are things going? You just got home from doing some shows with Twisted Sister. Where did you guys play?
AJ: Hi Donnie, everything’s going great. We just got back from Greece, Czech Republic, Spain, the UK and Hungary.
DT: Does Twisted Sister still have all of its original members?
AJ: Yes, we are one of the few classic bands touring with the original 5 member lineup. Dee Snider on lead vocals, Eddie Ojeda on lead guitar, Jay Jay French on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Mark Mendoza on bass guitar and backing vocals, and me on drums and percussion.
DT: What is your favorite Twisted Sister album?
AJ: “Can’t Stop Rock and Roll” is my favorite.
DT: If you had to name your top three favorite drummers, who would they be?
AJ: I’d have to say my top 3 favorite drummers are Cosy Powell, Danny Seraphine, and Gene Krupa.
DT: What are your favorite three bands?
AJ: Chicago, Sweet, and The Who.
DT: If you were stuck on a desert island, and could take only three CD’s with you, which would they be?
AJ: Chicago II, Desolation Blvd, and Who’s Next.
DT: Will Twisted Sister be doing any new recording?
AJ: Maybe in the future.
DT: What is your favorite movie?
AJ: Blazing Saddles.
Donnie Tranchina & A.J. Pero @ Bikers for Babies 2010
DT: Who is your favorite actor?
AJ: Robert De Niro.
DT: What is your favorite food?
AJ: Lobster.
DT: Favorite show you’ve done?
AJ: Rocklahoma
DT: Thanks A.J., is there anything you would like to say to all your fans?
AJ: Thank you for all the support, and keep on rockin’. Be safe always.
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Road Reporter
Posts: 1729
  
Location: Baltimore, MD | I'm speechless over one thing.....
....after Brazil....Buenos Aires....Thessaloniki...Czech Republic...Russia....
but Rocklahoma was his favorite???!!!!
I'm truly shocked! |
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Elite SMF
Posts: 271
Location: Long Island | If you look carefully, there's a break in interview where they switch to questions asked at a Bikers for Babies 2010 event before some of the shows you're mentioning. Perhaps he'd see it differently now. Or perhaps the Rocklahoma promoters treated the band better than any others and that's what's sticking in his mind as opposed to the show itself. Perhaps he felt it was his best drum solo. Perhaps he just likes where the waving wheat can sure smell sweet. Who knows. 
Best,
CG
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Road Reporter
Posts: 1729
Location: Baltimore, MD | CGsDesign - 2011-08-16 9:41 AM
If you look carefully, there's a break in interview where they switch to questions asked at a Bikers for Babies 2010 event before some of the shows you're mentioning. Perhaps he'd see it differently now. Or perhaps the Rocklahoma promoters treated the band better than any others and that's what's sticking in his mind as opposed to the show itself. Perhaps he felt it was his best drum solo. Perhaps he just likes where the waving wheat can sure smell sweet. Who knows. Best, CG
If you recall....I deliberately BOYCOTTED Rocklahoma that year. The event website had the negative and completely offensive "bio" of Twisted Sister that basically said that they were washed up/has beens and managed to insult the fan base too....it was on their website for weeks on end... and it wasn't until a number of us wrote them. I was so outraged--I didn't just email them, I called them--and finally they took it down and replaced it with something lukewarm but more appropriate. I felt they owed the band AND the fans an apology that never happened, so I decided that I was not going to spend my dollars on their event.
I did go to OKC the following year-- it wasn't a bad show, but definitely not one of the most memorable, either. Of course, that's from a fan perspective. The band perspective is completely different.
Edited by Armadillo 2011-08-16 11:44 PM
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Elite SMF
Posts: 271
Location: Long Island | Armadillo - 2011-08-16 11:43 PM If you recall....I deliberately BOYCOTTED Rocklahoma that year.
Gotta be honest, I didn't recall your personal boycott. It's all I can do to keep my own schedule straight so, unless I'm the one at a show (or I suppose trying to make a point by boycotting a show), it wouldn't stick with me. I DO seem to remember a flap over the bio and all that.
Any hoo, was just trying to point out something that may have been missed in the interview since the way it appeared on my screen it was easy to miss - namely that it was two separate interviews. As such, some of the shows you mentioned hadn't even happened during the interview in which the "favorite show" question was posed. I was also trying to point out, as you did so much more succinctly, that it would be possible for a band member to have a different perspective than a fan. And I was trying to do all of this lightly so I apologize for the Rocklahoma ajita redux I seemed to have caused.
Best,
CG
Edited by CGsDesign 2011-08-17 10:10 AM
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Road Reporter
Posts: 1729
Location: Baltimore, MD | That's a very good point Charlie--I forget that the interview date was prior to the South America tour. Well now I'm just damn curious about AJ's thoughts about Rocklahoma. |
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Nearly A Band Member
Posts: 944
| i wish aj had said they are one of the only bands touring with the classic lineup because we all know only JAY JAY is the only true original member |
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Elite SMF
Posts: 271
Location: Long Island | Armadillo - 2011-08-17 7:30 PMWell now I'm just damn curious about AJ's thoughts about Rocklahoma.
If you're able to catch up with him in Quebec this weekend, see what you can find. I'm betting a few slamboarders are curious now! ;-)
Best,
CG
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Road Reporter
Posts: 1729
Location: Baltimore, MD | CGsDesign - 2011-08-18 8:48 AM
Armadillo - 2011-08-17 7:30 PMWell now I'm just damn curious about AJ's thoughts about Rocklahoma. If you're able to catch up with him in Quebec this weekend, see what you can find. I'm betting a few slamboarders are curious now! ;- ) Best, CG
10-4 ! |
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Road Reporter
Posts: 1729
Location: Baltimore, MD | Alright. I asked A.J.
If you want the "printable" answer....
He told me that there have been so many wonderful and memorable shows on this reunion tour that it is really impossible and difficult to name just one, but since he had to pick one, Rocklahoma was the first name to come to mind. (and yes, the interview was before the Europe/South America dates)
If you want the off-the-record answer....you'll have to ask me in person cuz I ain't putting what he said in print. AJ has a great sense of humor!
Edited by Armadillo 2011-08-22 7:08 PM
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AJ interview
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