Guitarist For Ozzy, Black Label Society Plays To A New Book

Zakk Wylde at The Coach House May 1st

Zakk Wylde plays at The Coach House May 1st
Photo by Sakura

Yes, Zakk Wylde has written a book. It’s not so much an autobiography as it is sharing ridiculous stories about the music business. “Sadly I’m not making any of this up” he laughs.

He ended up writing the book with his buddy, Eric Hendrikx. “Put it this way, when we were writing the book, then reading it back, we were literally on the floor crying-laughing. I said ‘the whole book has got to be like this from the beginning to the end.’ Just like George Carlin on steroids. You’re like sitting around chilling, reading this book and laughing your balls off,” he said.

When asked if there were plans for a sequel Wylde replied, “Without a doubt. I mean this stuff writes itself.”

The evening will include an acoustic performance with Nick Catanese, Black Label guitarist and copies of the paperback should be available for sale at the venue. “It’s just gonna be me and Nick this time. I’m going to read a bit from the book then we’re going to get together and knock out some other tunes and call it a day,” Wylde said. “So basically it will just be another Black Label dysfunctional family gathering and good times will be had by all.”

After the book tour, Wylde is currently discussing summer dates with other bands, the fall release of the DVD “Unblackened”, which was a stripped-down Black Label Society show recently filmed at Club Nokia, to be followed by more live dates with Black Label Society.

“I’m a huge music fan,” Wylde declared. “I listen to everything, from Zeppelin to Sabbath to Neil Young and everything in between. Obviously because I play guitar, once in awhile I listen to jazz artists and classical guys that are amazing guitar players. I probably would never listen to them if I didn’t play guitar.”

“What was the last album I bought?” he asked. “Just a couple days ago I bought Echo and the Bunnymen, and Robert Plant’s album.”

But listening to his own music is a different story. “I hardly ever listen to myself, Wylde said. “I think most bands are so engrossed in making the album that you listen to it five trillion times until it’s right, so you never want to hear it again. Then you’re out on the road playin’ it.”

“I mean put it this way,” Wylde continued. “Back in the day we would sit in the submarine (the tour bus), and listen back to it blasted out of our minds and it was always cool.”

When not playing music and writing books Wylde likes to hang out with his family and his dogs and lift weights. “And obviously, you know, what never goes out of style, watch porn,” Wylde said. “It carries on from the road or when you’re bored in the house.”

Other than that, Wylde suggests to let the comedy continue. “You could be laughin’ or cryin.’ I’d rather be laughin’,” Wylde confirmed.