| 1. What are you currently up
to? |
Currently am recording a new record with singer Paul Shortino
(Quiet Riot, Rough Cutt). We did a record together back in 1993
called Shortino/ Northrup "Back on Track". The new album is
fantastic! It is called "Northrup/Shortino II". It has a few
guest artists. Singer Johnny Edwards (Foreigner, Northrup, Royal
Jelly) has co-written a few songs with me and is doing a duet with
Paul. There will others to be announced later. I have also been doing
Mastering and recording other bands.
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| 2.
What has been the highlight(s) and lowpoints(s) of your career
to date?
|
Certainly the highlights are that I have worked with so many huge
recording stars. One of my biggest thrills was recording a song with
Vinnie Appice and Tony Franklin together on a song called "Here and
Gone! It was such an honor and the song turned so great. I guess one
of the low points was when music changed in the early nineties. It
was hard for a lot of us rockers. Fortunately, there still is a large
amount of fans that still want to hear it.
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| 3. You are currently recording a new album with Paul Shortino. How
did you hook-up again and what can the fans expect on the new album?
|
Paul and I have been in touch pretty much every year. We always
discussed doing a follow up record. Now is the time. I finished the
XYZ record with Terry Ilous and even though I co-produced it, it was
really Terry's record. By the time it was done I wasn't all that
excited to pursue it any further. That;s when Paul and I got together
and started recording. MTM Music signed us right away. Fans can
expect my best work to date!! I say that with very much confidence.
There isn't a weak song on it.
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| 4. Will you be going out on tour to support the new album? How
easy/hard is it to get a decent string of tour dates together?
|
This record would be incredible live! We'll have to see how sales
are after a couple of months. I have no doubt that it will do very
well.
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| 5. The 'Back On Track' album has just been re-released. Could you
take us through some highlights of the album please?
|
Back on Track was at first my solo record. I was going to feature
several different singers. When Paul came in by suggestion of James
Kottak, he totally blew my mind! He was also very impressed with my
songs and we decided to have him become the singer for all of it. I
am glad he did. He had more name recognition so we called it Paul
Shortino featuring Jeff Northrup. Kind of ironic. The highlights
again were working with such talented artists. There are also 4 bonus
tracks and it was re-mastered.
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| 6. What were the highlights of your days in King Kobra? Why did the
band call it a day?
|
It was great working with legend like Carmine Appice. The only
other highlight was my first MTV video. That was cool. Other than
that...not much. The band split up when Carmine joined Blue Murder.
|
| 7. How did you first get into the music business? Who have been your
main influences on your career to date?
|
I got my first break when Bassist Bruce Turgon (now in Foriegnor)
heard my demo. Within a couple weeks I was in L.A. recording with his
band. Quiet Riot was mixing Metal Health in the same studio so I got
to hang out with those guys as well. Next thing I know I am on tour
with Billy Thorpe (Children of the Sun) with Bruce on bass and
Frankie Banali on drums. It was awesome. We did shows with Ted
Nugent, Cheap Trick and others. My main influences on guitar have
always been, Ronnie Montrose, Gary Moore, Eddie VH. Since I am self
taught, I kinda went my own way after that.
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| 8. You've covered many styles of music. Which have proved the most
challenging and who would you like to work with in the future?
|
Music is never a challenge. It is an outlet of how I feel at that
time. Although I don't think I would do well with Country music!
Things have been going very well for me the past few years. I don't
really have a goal to work with anyone in particular (except David
Coverdale)!!!! We'll see how it goes.
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| 9. What do you do in your spare time outside of music?
|
I spend as much time with my three young girls. They are my life.
I also love anything to do with Aliens (flying saucers), and
dinosaurs. Weird Huh?? Also, American Baseball. GO GIANTS!!!
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| 10. Message to your fans...
|
Thanks for being there and for all of the great e-mails! The best
is yet to come, but the Northrup/Shortino album is a must. I couldn't
be more proud!!
Thanks everyone.
JK
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