QUESTIONS - english

QUESTIONS 2003

Here are some questions from PG Japanese fans.
Paul asked all questions!! Check them out!!

There are fans' name who gave questions to my web site --> click!

( from Balance )
1. How is it that professional guitarists never have to refer to any sheets music while playing?

Paul: If the song is simple, then it's easy to remorize it. If the song is difficult, then I have to practice it.
If I practice a lot then I memorize it automatically. Also, I'm terrible at reading scores, so I have no choice!

( from Balance )
2. Do you have any advice for a southpaw learning to play guitar right handed?
I practice everyday but still find my index finger and thumb weak.

Paul: Should you play left-handed instead? Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney both play left-handed!

( from Keiichi )
3. If you were to receive a gift from your fans, what would you like best? What wouldn't you like?

Paul: I always like letters. Please give me the letters while I'm in Japan!

( from Chie )
4. What's the costume on your "BURNING ORGAN" back cover made of?

Paul: It's very stretchy. It's probably spondex!

( from Kina, yuko )
5. What's your best memory while on your "BURNING ORGAN" JAPAN TOUR?

Paul:   There are so many! I was really happy to have so many singers onstage. I thought the harmonies sounded so good on
            'Amy is Amazing', 'Green-Tinted 60's Mind', and 'Heaven in 74'. The sound was really good onstage too.
            I didn't need earplugs!

( from yuko, Kina, Kyoko )
6. yuko asked you, "What would you prefer to experience in Japan?" before. You answered "Onsen". Did you experience it?

Paul: I did go to an Onsen. It was great!

( from Elle )
7. Will you keep your hair short now or will you grow it back?

Paul: I can never decide!

( from Elle )
8. What does the number on the back of your PGM 200 guitar represent?

Paul: It's nothing special. I went to a radio station a long time ago and they gave me some stickers.
I put some on the guitar because it's fun to play with stickers!

( from Hiroko, Konya )
9. Will you release a live CD from your "BURNING ORGAN" JAPAN TOUR?
What about a DVD for live footage and promotional video?

Paul: After I finished my BURNING ORGAN tour, I did an acoustic tour of 7 Hard Rock Cafe's in Japan.
I might release a CD from that tour! ( Linus played acoustic bass and guitar and sang on the acoustic tour too.)

( from foo-ko, Kyoko )
10. Why you didn't wear the shoes during the live show on your "BURNING ORGAN" JAPAN TOUR?

Paul: I couldn't find shoes that were the right color to go with my crazy clothes!

( from MASA, Sumotukuren )
11. Will you live in Japan again after this? If so, where do you want to live?

Paul: I still love Japan, but right now I want to live in L.A.

( from MASA )
12. When will you release your new CD?

Paul: I really want to rest a little bit! I want my next CD to be extremely good, so I might spend more time on it than usual.

( from Rie )
13. It was a first time to come to Hiroshima as your solo live tour, did you see the sights in a city? or did you have something to eat?

Paul: I had some Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Of course it was great! I didn't have time to do anything else. Sorry! I'll come back!

( from Rie )
14. You always handle a hard schedule or a hard work without difficulty. What is the secret of keeping you tough?

Paul: My job is very FUN! I've always wanted to be a rock musician, so I'm happy to work hard.
But right now, I need to take a break or I'm going to go crazy!

( from Rie )
15. Have you ever thought of releasing a cover album? ( including Puffy song, ABBA song...)

Paul: I could release 20 cover albums! I love so many songs. But it's too easy, so I try to write new music!

( from Hiroko )
16. What's your favorite Japanese band lately?

Paul: I still love The Brilliant Green and Puffy. I am trying to learn the Japanese lyrics for The Brilliant Green song "Hello Another Way".

( from Hiroko )
17. You will play live with Nuno Bettencourt and Steve Hackett in this August.
Would you please give your message to the fans who will come to the show?

Paul: This is my first time to play with Nuno and Steve, but I think it be great. I think we will inspire each other to play our best guitar!

( from Chie )
18. Will you come to Japan for RACER X live shows after this?

Paul: Not right away. I need to rest first. But I'm sure RACER X will come back again!

( from Haruko )
19. Do you have any reasons that you like Ibanez? Which point do you like the best to use it?

Paul: Ibanez guitar are very good for fast playing! Also, I love the sound.
I only use one knob and one switch, but I can get so many different sounds, and they look cool!

( from Haruko, Kyoko )
20. Do you have any friendships with the guitarists using Ibanez?

Paul: I have met and played with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Andy Timmons, Schon Morishita, and John 5 (from Marilyn Manson).
Also Mike Szuter.

( from Haruko )
21. You played cover songs of Led Zeppelin live before. Why did you choose it? and will you play their songs live again?

Paul: I love Led Zeppelin! I saw the movie "Almost Famous" and I heard the song 'Misty Mountain Hop'.
That inspired me to play it on my Alligator Farm tour.

( from Southern Cross )
22. You played the song called 'Natural Man' on your FLYING DOG 1999 TOUR". Is this a cover song? or a unrelease song?

Paul: 'Natural Man' is by Lou Rawls. I love that song. His talking at the beginning is so cool.

( from Southern Cross )
23. He wants to get the strap that you use. He wants to know where can he buy it.
<-- this strap

Paul: This is my favorite strap! But I got it as a gift. I don't know where to buy one. Sorry!

( from Yusuke )
24. He really like the song called 'Koto Girl'. Why did you write the song about 'Koto'?

Paul: I was in a Chinese restaurant in Las Vegas. There was girl playing the koto there. She was a really good musician!
I wrote the song inspired by her and the koto. (Although I wrote the melody and chords using my piano!)

( from Kyoko )
25. Have you had any impressive situation lately?

Paul: I just hit my head really hard on a low door. Ouch!!! Also, I really enjoyed my acoustic hard Rock Cafe tour.
I stomped on my guitar case to make a drum sound. That was fun!

( from Kyoko )
26. Do you think that you want Kate to get married? If so, what kind of man do you approve of?

Paul: Kate makes her own decisions!

( from Sumotukuren )
27. Why did you choose Beatles song for your live show?

Paul: I wanted to play a solo in a slower song. Plus it's fun to sing like George Harrison!

( from Sumotukuren )
28. Why did you choose Kate as a backing vocal for the shows?

Paul: Kate's voice is very similar to mine because we are related. But she can sing higher because she is a girl.
So she's perfect for harmonies! Also, she knows all my songs! And I like to hang out with her.

( from Sumotukuren )
29. Many musicians go to the main cities for the in-store live, but you always go to the main cities and the small cities both. Why?

Paul: I am very happy to have so many Japanese fans . So I want to play for everyone!
And I want to try all the food!

( from IKUYO@webmaster )
30. What's your favorite bands or songs?

Paul:   ABBA "Dancing Queen" , "Waterloo"
           The Monkees "Someday Man"
           The Beatles "You're Gonna Lose That Girl"
           Donnie Vie "I'll Go On"
           Pat Travers "Makin' Magic"

31. You moved to L.A., Scot Coogan and Linus are your neighborhood?

Paul: Yes!

32. Do you live with Kate at your house in L.A.?

Paul: No. Kate lives in Hollywood. (very close to my studio)

HUGEST THANKS : PAUL GILBERT
( Thank you very much for everything that you've done to me!! )