An interview with Duane Roland
(this picture was kindly supplied by Dick Lester)
Mucho thanks to Duane Roland - the fastest computer in the West!!!!!
Where did it all begin? Where are you from originally?
I was born in a small town, Jeffersonville, Indiana, just across the river from Louisville, Kentucky. However we moved to Florida when I was about six or seven years old.
Were you musically inclined as a kid? Did you get much encouragement from family and friends?
Music sort of ran in my family. My mother was a concert pianist before she married my dad and he played a guitar once in a while. My mother always gave me encouragement.
What was your first band like?
Looking back now, Id say we were pretty awful, lol, but we played a lot of teen centers on weekends, mainly to meet girls and make a little money. I was a drummer at that time, but was learning the guitar from our guitarist.
Who, as a musician, would you say inspired you the most?
There are a lot of guitar players that inspired me, but on the whole, I would have to say my favorite was who else...Eric Clapton.
After the demise of Molly Hatchet, you seemed to disappear from the public eye for a long time. What did you do during the nineties and up until you resurfaced with SRA?
Actually, I opened my own business machine company and did quite well for a while. Then I went to work for an Internet company as a supervisor in a call center. I have to say I did enjoy the work. I love computers.
I remember reading about the surprise gig that you and Steve Holland did with SRA in March ‘ 03. How did that come about? Who approached you and was it a difficult decision?
I did not know Steve was going to be there until I saw him. To answer the second part of your question, After Jimmy Farrar joined up with SRA in January, he started calling me trying to get me interested. I kept saying no at the time. But then they were.coming to play in Florida and he just would not let up. He said even if you don't want to sit in, at least come see us. I had not seen Jimmy for 20 years and when we were in Hatchet together, we were like brothers. We had spoken often on the telephone, but no face to face meetings. So, after many late nite phone calls, he wore me down and I gave in. I did bring my guitar, just in case.
When you were asked to join SRA full-time, was it a difficult decision for you to reach? A few surprise gig’s is one thing, but this was a big commitment?
Well after playing 3 shows with them, I have to say I was quite impressed. It woke up an old beast in me. I had forgotten how much fun it was playing music with some exceptional musicians. I guess it was about a week later Jimmy called and told me Dave had quite, citing health reasons. He asked if I would be interested. It was not a hard decision. I said I would love to. My next call was from Jay saying"welcome to the band and gave me my flight info"
How have you been received by SRA fans?
I've had heard nothing negative, it's all been positive.
What strength’s as a musician do you thing you’ve brought to SRA?
Well, I think people would say the band is much tighter now. I love trading guitar riff's with Jay. Charles is a fantastic bass player and what can you say about Jakson(Thunderfoot) Spires drumming? And to top it all off I stand behind one of the greatest singers I've ever had the pleasure of being on stage with, Jimmy Farrar.
During your exile from music, has there been anyone else who tried to tempt you back into performing again?
There have been some offers, but nothing I was interested in. I did some studio work from time to time.
At the point you joined, Danger Road had already been released. Have you yet been involved in any writing or recording with the band?
We have put down a few ideas but we are working on a live album at present.
What is your preferred stage and recording gear these days, and how does it differ from stuff you may have used in the past?
Right now I am using a Line 6. In the past I have used Peavey,Randall, Marshall..etc
How did you first get involved with Molly Hatchet in the mid-seventies? How did you come to join them?
I had worked on putting a band together with Banner and Bruce, but that didn't pan out at that time. They went on to join up with Dave and Steve. Then Danny came on board. At this point, I had another rival band called The Ball Brothers Band. Dave didn't show up on time for one of Hatchets gigs and Banner called me to fill in so they could get paid for the nite. They and their management were thinking about going to 3 guitar players, so one of them came down from Macon, Ga to hear me play. Not long after that I was asked to join.
Which MH songs would you say were mostly created by you? I know Dave is usually credited as being behind “Flirtin’ with Disaster” & Banner gets credits for the lyrics to “Gator Country” – which songs have “Duane Roland” stamped all over them?
Let's not go there. How the credits were laid out was not always correct. However I put my stamp on every song recorded while I was with them with one exception. I don't think I played on Cheating Woman.
Was it a hard choice to leave a band as popular as MH to live the life you chose in the nineties.
We were only planning to take a year off. But as you know , that changed. As for my time away, I loved it, but sometimes missed it terribly.
Across your career, what was your favourite album which you appeared on, and conversely, did you find any to be weaker than the others?
I really loved the second album. You know, you have your whole life to prepare for the first album, but only months to get your second one ready. Thats why I feel the second one was my fav. I loved working under pressure. And sometimes you can over rehearse songs to the point they lose fire.
Are their particular new artists that you’re into today? Who, and why do you like them?
I like Audioslave...and some of Kid Rock's stuff, among others. Why do I like them? They kick ass.
When you aren’t on the road, what do you do for relaxation?
19) Of all the things you have ever done, musically or not, what stands out as the thing you’re most proud of?
I don't think I could pin that one down. I've been proud of every project I have worked on. I am most proud of working with my new bandmates....The Southern Rock Allstars. They are the best.
Cheers Duane !!!!!!!!!!!!!! KK