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KASIM SULTON EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

With my involvement in music over the years I’ve had the chance to meet some of the most talented musicians of our generation. While in a studio session this past summer [2008] I had the pleasure of meeting Kasim Sulton. When I met Kasim he was playing bass in a project that included Tommy Byrnes, Musical Director & Lead Guitar player for Billy Joel, as well as Chuck Burgi who plays drums for Billy Joel. At the time I really had no idea the magnitude of Kasim’s musical background. I was quickly informed by my business partner Stefano DiBenedetto of OCD Music Group that Kasim has a very colorful musical past playing in bands such as Meatloaf, Utopia, Patti Smith, Hall and Oats, Joan Jett, Richie Sambora, Steve Stevens, and many others. I had the chance to sit down with Kasim and get the skinny on how it all started, where he’s at today, and what his future plans entail.

JH: What are your earliest memories of music and what was that music? Did you take bass lessons at an early age? Tell us about the beginning.
KS: My Father gave me my first introduction to music. He played guitar and encouraged me to pick it up. This was a time when there weren’t a lot of choices when it came to how best to spend 'free time'. You either immersed yourself in sports or spent the evening doing homework. There were only five channels on the television to choose from and video games were only in comic books. Like most kids my age, I listened to the radio and Rock & Roll was going mainstream. Elvis Presley, Bill Haley & The Comets were among the more popular artists at that time. I didn't really pay to much attention until my Father brought home a 45-RPM record of a band from England called The Beatles. This was different music to me. It was much more interesting in a way I couldn't put my finger on. I learned that the band was going to be on television that coming February and when I saw them on the Ed Sullivan Show, I knew that I was going to play music for the rest of my life. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was going to be a musician for the rest of my life.

After that, I took a series of lessons on guitar. Unfortunately, I wasn't learning what I wanted to learn which was how to write songs and become famous. I decided to teach myself how to play. I would get a record of a song I liked and I would listen to the chords and melody and pick it out note for note on my guitar. I didn't start playing Bass guitar until I was 14. The only reason I picked up the Bass was to get in a band with guitar players that were better than me. They didn't need another guitarist so I volunteered to play Bass. I was fired not long after I joined because I didn't own an Amplifier!

JH: What was the first band you were in and when did things really start to pick up for you?
KS: The first band I joined was actually a Garage Band called Apple Pi. One of my best friends Thommy Price was the drummer in that band. We would get together every weekend in one person or another’s garage and work on songs. Since no one wanted to sing, I had to try my best at doing it. During that time I also started working in NYC at Variety Recording Studios as an assistant engineer. I was eager to learn the in's and out's of record production and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to see how records were made at a young age.

JH: How did you end up getting the gig with Utopia and what was it like working with Todd Rundgren? What were the tours like and how was it working in the studio?
KS: I was about 18 years old when I became very serious about making a life for myself in the music business. I hadn't really concentrated too much on school because I was convinced that I could 'make it'. I started to hang out a lot more in Manhattan, going to clubs, seeing bands and hanging around Max's Kansas City asking people that might hear of other gigs and if they could turn me on to them.

I did manage to land a gig playing Piano (also self taught) for a girl named Cherry Vanilla who along with having her own band was also the Publicist for MainMan Records. She hung out with a very eclectic crowd in NYC and introduced me to everyone. It was through her that I met and became close with Michael Kaman (pianist for David Bowie).

I had a good friend on Staten Island, Earl Slick, who was also playing with David Bowie as his lead guitarist. I went to Slicks house with a friend one evening to drive him to JFK for a flight to London. When we picked him up he mentioned that Todd Rundgren was looking for a Bass Player and said if I was interested in auditioning, I should call Michael Kaman and throw my name into the hat. It was one of those rare situations in life where the stars align and all you have to do is show up. I auditioned a few days later and the next thing I knew, I was making records and touring the world. That was really the start of my career as a professional musician.

JH: When you played with Joan Jett and the Black Hearts, did you start playing shows with her at the peak of her career in the early 80’s? You played on her come back record “Up Your Alley” around 1990; did you contribute to the writing process on that record?
KS: I didn't start playing with Joan until 1987. Thommy Price had played some tracks with her and because her Bassist had left, he asked if I would sit in. I can't say enough good things about my time with Joan. She is the consummate professional. We constantly toured and if we weren't touring, we were recording. There is no question that many of today’s more popular female artists got their inspiration from Joan. I keep a picture on my computer of Fergie with a Joan Jett T-shirt on that has my picture on it! The first record I recorded with Joan was "Up Your Alley". It was an important record for Joan. She was always writing and co-writing songs with various people. She got in touch with Desmond Child to do some co-writing with and came away with 'I Hate Myself For Loving You' and 'Little Liar'. Both songs wound up as hit singles. Everyone in the band contributed to the arranging process in the studio. No one told Thommy or me what to play as the rhythm section. We knew how to treat the songs and I'd like to think we had a hand in making that record as successful as it was.

JH: You worked with Patti Smith in the studio. Tell us about your experience working with her?
KS: Patty is so unlike her stage persona. In person she's quite shy and demure. Her late husband Fred 'Sonic' Smith from the band The MC5 was a big fan of mine. I was brought in on the sessions for 'Dream Of Life' by Todd Rundgren who produced that record.
Again, I was given free reign to do what I felt was needed for the songs I performed on. It was a great experience. I would jump at the chance to work with Patty again.

JH: I’ve heard that the “Bat Out Hell” Meatloaf record, in which you played bass on, was a concept album. Working with Jim Steinman & Thommy Price on that album, could you somewhat foresee how that record would make history selling over 43 Million copies to date. You went on to become Musical Director for Meatloaf. Explain your experience with Meatloaf, how it began, and what it has meant to you and done for your musical career?
KS: Not long after I joined Utopia, I moved to Woodstock NY to be closer to the rest of the band members. I was setting up house one afternoon when the phone rang, it was Todd asking me if I would come and play Bass on a record he was producing. I asked him who the artist was and he calmly said Meat Loaf. I truly thought he was kidding and said, "OK come on, stop kidding around". He got slightly miffed that I would think for a second he was joking and said, "Just bring your Bass and show up at the rehearsal hall".

I arrived at the rehearsal to meet Jim Stienman and Meat Loaf. Along with Roy Bittan (Piano), Max Weinburg (Drums) and Todd. There were no demo recordings of the material we were about to learn and we relied on live performances of each song played by Jim, Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley. After hearing the majority of the songs I thought it was going to be a comedy record. Totally kitsch and nothing I would ever hear again after the basic tracks were finished.
I remember being in Bearsville Studios recording the songs and I pretty much played whatever I wanted to. No one was telling me I was playing too much or too little so I just did what I thought the songs needed. I listen to that record today and think, "God, I was playing A LOT".

About a year later I was driving up the Palisades Parkway in NJ listening to WNEW Radio and heard a song that sounded oddly familiar. I realized that it was the record that I had worked on a while back and smiled. I had no idea that it would become one of the biggest selling debut records of all time.

That was 1978 ... I didn't join Meat Loafs live band until 1993. Initially I started as the "Utility" Guy. Playing keyboards and rhythm guitar. It was odd playing those songs again after all that time but because the record was so huge, I still knew every one of them because I had heard them so much over the years.

In 1998 Meats bass player left and I stepped into that position taking over Musical Director duties as well.
I've had a great time playing with Meat Loaf and I continue to look forward to touring and recording with him.

JH: What was it like playing bass in the pit orchestra for the Twyla Tharp choreographed musical about Billy Joel’s music called Movin Out on Broadway? How long was Movin Out on Broadway and how many shows were you performing per week?
KS: I was performing at the House Of Blues in Chicago with Meat Loaf. It just so happened that it was at the same time Movin' Out was in pre-production there. Because many of the musicians in Meat Loaf's band and the Movin' Out band had been close friends for sometime, we invited them over to the Meat Loaf show and had a chance to catch up afterwards. I mentioned to Tommy Byrns that I would love to come and see the show once it opened and he said, why not come and PLAY. It wasn't till about two years later that I had some free time in my schedule and called Tommy who was the Musical Director for the show not to mention that I would love to take him up on his offer. The Bass chair was filled by Greg Smith and he had a long list of sub's but the rhythm guitar chair (Tommy's position) was always looking for new players. Tommy asked me if I would consider playing some guitar and I jumped at the chance.

For the next year and a half I sat in for Tommy whenever possible and I can honestly say it was one of the highlights of my career. I've always been a big Billy Joel fan and being on a Broadway stage with that particular cast and crew was something I will never forget.

I was averaging 3 - 4 shows a week and made some great friends and associates in the time the show was running.
I did eventually manage to sit in for Greg Smith on Bass and on one occasion played Guitar during the matinee and Bass for the evening show. The show ran for almost 4 years and won a Tony Award.

JH: What are you working on these days? Who are you writing with? Touring with?
KS: I spent the early part of 2008 touring with Todd Rundgren in the USA and Japan. Todd has always been a big part of my life and I couldn't imagine a year going by without doing some kind of work with him. This past summer was spent on the road with Meat Loaf in the UK and Europe.
In the coming weeks I'll be back out on the road with Todd, on and off for the rest of the year but this time, I'll be playing rhythm guitar and keyboards. In between Todd shows I'll also be doing some 'one off's' with Meat Loaf.
Of course I'm always working on my solo career. I released a solo CD called 'All Sides' which is a 2 disk compilation CD of solo material I have done over the last 20 years.
I continue to do solo shows whenever I have the chance.

JH: For a young person getting into music, whether it’s playing bass, keys, writing, producing, what kind of guidance could you give someone? What has been the biggest learning curve for you? And what would you suggest that a person does to become an amazing, multi-talented musician such as yourself?
KS: The most important thing I could tell any aspiring young musician is to first, make sure you have some talent. Not just your Mom or Dad or Grandparent telling you you’re wonderful. Of course you are to them, but it starts with a certain amount of ability. After that you need the desire. It's one thing to want to be famous, have thousands of screaming fans every time you leave your house, it's quite another to actually achieve it.

The Music Business has changed dramatically over the last 10 - 15 years. No longer is it about making a great Record or writing a great song. Sure you need great songs but it's not that easy to write one. More than anything else these days it's about live performances. The playing field is so crowded with talented players and singers. A new artist has to work extremely hard at building an audience, getting out there, playing for nothing just to get heard. If you're good enough, people will take notice, and then it's up to you to cultivate and nurture those few fans into a core base. People who care about you, people who are willing to travel 50 - 100 miles to see you play. More so than ever before the opportunities are great and at your fingertips, you have the potential to reach millions of people. The trick is getting them to listen. It's always been a struggle to break a new band, it's still hard but the tools are available to anyone with a computer and access to the Internet.

I got very lucky at a time when things weren't as complicated as they are now. You made a record, begged radio to play it, went out on tour, sold some T-Shirts, had a great time and didn't worry about much else until it was time to make another record.

Now, you need to be vigilant. You need to stay on top of everything from what content is on your website to personally answering emails from fans every chance you get. Keeping people posted on where you're playing, new material you’re writing, shooting a video of the band during a rehearsal, behind the scene photos ... the list is endless. BUT, if you want it bad enough, you're willing to do all this and more for the chance to play your music and MAYBE make a living at it.

I might sound a little pessimistic. I'm not. I'm just telling you it isn't easy.

Oh.... I almost forgot, the one most important thing - stay in school. Get a good education, go to College, Graduate, and don’t COUNT on making it. After that, follow your heart.

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KAYLA JANE DANGER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

http://www.myspace.com/_just_jane_

JH: First off, Nick Drake. What does his music do for you?
KJD: its so surreal, mellow, sensual and honest. there is something about any songwriter who can bring you to tears and make you want to bone within a two minute song. i also think a lot of his lyrics reflect my life in a bizarre way ...

JH: Secondly, what kind of stuff do you write?
KJD: I write poetry, half true stories, completely true stories, and i write lies. I love the honest shit, the stuff that i spill and look back thinking "oh shit either someones going to be offended, or hurt," or something. the stuff i love the most is when ive totally exposed myself, for the slut or fraud or mess that i was/am. not to sound
corny but writing was my way of figuring out who i am, so i like to keep it relative to my life.

JH: Thirdly, how is being a scuba instructor?
KJD: it has its ups and downs, i absolutely love it but the industry is a mind fuck. scuba is my absolute favorite thing in this world, its what grounds me and humbles me, but as a profession its stressful as all hell ...

JH: How old are you?
KJD: 22 years young. I was born May 28 1986

JH: You were born in NYC, do you still love NY?
KJD: i do, i will always love ny and call it "home" but im not one of those transplants that lives in LA but always talks shit about it. I love LA and NY for different reasons. new york city was my stomping grounds, i did a lot of growing up there... maybe a little too much. its got a great heartbeat, but i needed to slow down, and stop hating everything outside that tiny island.

JH: What made you move to LA?
KJD: the need to preserve my life... i was doing a lot of drugs living in ny, gogo dancing, i was the club scene queen for a while and if i hadnt left i saw myself overdosing or killing my soul

JH: Now lets get down to business, what is your passion with being photographed?
KJD: being in front of the camera has always felt like home, it gives me the opportunity to be someone other than myself. dont get me wrong - i love me- but i love playing dress up, picking up a new persona or attitude and pushing it through the camera to whomever will eventually look at that photograph. i can be as dirty or sexy or cute or whatever i want, or whatever the job calls for. its the only time i can be comfortable being a chameleon. The funny thing about being a model and being photographed is that I was the ugly duckling... i was tortured for my looks as a child, i was told i was ugly, that i could never be a model... well look at me now fuckers! not to mention i love the attention, a good photo is worth a thousand words, and i want to hear all of them!

JH: What websites are you featured on?
KJD: hmm... Burningangel.com, godsgirls.com, erotiquedigitale.com, nofauxxx.com, perversefixation.com, myfetishdiary.com, fetishbyanna.com, nude-in-la.com and maybe a few more ...

JH: How many music videos have you been in?
KJD: shit ... a lot ... like 14 or so its hard to keep track some are so unforgettable and some are just another paycheck ...

JH: What does dance do for your spirit and soul?
KJD: dance writing and scuba are my 3 realistic passions modeling is the one that happened to come true like a fairytale. dance is another time when my soul has a chance to escape and flutter around. dance is a bit of a sore subject for me. when i get into a studio or i am dancing alone, doing any kind of improv i tend to cry. i dont have the strength, flexibility or discipline that i used to as a young dancer , so it tends to frustrate me. dance is a battle, between my soul and physical form, even when i hate it i love it

JH: What are you most passionate about?
KJD: like ive said, writing scuba dance (performing) are my real passions they all do the same things to me : they create this introspective void where i can really just turn in without saying anything and look at my existence honestly and express myself -for myself. any other passions i have are somehow tangents of these three things.

JH: I saw some pictures of you with a guy on Catalina Island. Who is he?
KJD: that is Richard. To call him my boyfriend wouldnt do him justice. Even saying his name puts a smile on my face and makes me feel warm. I could write a million cliches about how he makes me feel, but they still wouldnt come close to explaining what he means to me. Our chemistry is out of this world and i knew i loved him the moment i met him. He is the first person to really accept and appreciate all of me completely, and unconditionally. he has really completed me ...

JH: What is the scariest thing you've ever done?
KJD: shit scariest thing ever?!?! fuck... im going to have to come back to this one ...

JH: What keeps you going? What motivates you to get out of bed?
KJD: wanting people to know my name and wanting to change peoples perspectives ... on something, anything. i want people to ask questions. i am a contradiction, the things i do are even opposing sometimes. everything from not looking like the "average tattooed girl" to not doing what people think i would. I mean i get naked on the internet but i also teach scuba ...weird huh? i want people to open their minds and find beauty and love in this world, and however i can keep people guessing, seeing, doing ... then im doing my job.

JH: What are your goals?
KJD: right now i would love to have my own scuba show... but everyone and their mom is on tv now... so that kinda sucks. i wanna get back to teaching scuba more often, open my own website ...eventually i want to open up my own scuba summer camp for kids, like the one i learned to dive at then live happily ever after with Rich

JH: What is your favorite thing to eat?
KJD: its so hard, my dad is a chef, rich is a chef and i cook like crazy so i love all kinds of food. I always love me some sushi though... i think its because its one of those things we never make at home!

JH: Do some people stereotype you? does that affect you? Did it ever affect you?
KJD: totally ... i hate when people say "You can't do this" or that or whatever, because im tattooed, or naked on the internet, or whatever. FUCK THAT. For some reason people think being naked and tattooed means you cant get mainstream jobs, or paid well, or be intelligent... well ... i graduated high school early, went to college, worked hard, have open and run numerous companies successfully and get work like crazy. i used to fit the "rocker chick" stereotype a little more and hated that... since i grew my hair out natural and started living a super mellow hippie life i think people have begun to accept me more in general. but honestly the bullshit people think affects them, not me. i mean it sucks if i dont get a gig because im not "rocker" or "punk" enough. ... i make no apologies for what i look like or how i act or who i am, i love it all and it is what it is. im not 6' tall, im not rail thin, i dont have crazy colored hair, i took out most of my piercings - i think now i am the anti stereotype i like people not being able to figure out exactly what i am supposed to be... cause thats the point ... im not supposed to be anything ... but me

JH: Who does your tattoos?
KJD: well i draw all my stuff (except the pin up and the writing) but the ink is put it mostly by BABA at vintage tattoo in highland park... ive also had work done but a bunch of NY artists and my right half sleeve is by Dan at Prix in hollywood

JH: Are you really bi? And if you are, what girl do you have a crush on?
KJD: i am really bi. and by bi i dont mean i make out with bitches for attention ...i hate that shit. years ago my friend Xanthia and I came up with this great acronym "GPL" Genuine Pussy Lover, because we were so fed up with makeing out with a chick at a bar or something and trying to take her home when she says "oh i dont do that" like what the fuck was the tease for .... hmm right now honestly im so satisfied with my Dick ...i havent thought about what girls are even out there... i have to say though i will always have a thing for every lesbians favorite andro - katherine moennig, shes just fuckin hot as all hell... i like my girls androgynous

JH: What was the best photo shoot you were ever involved in?
KJD: hmm shit thats pretty hard. i have done so many shoots and worked with so many acceptional photographers. im trying to think of where my best photos came from or what was the craziest... actually ...as far as experience my shoots for nude-in-la.com ... i literally walked around long beach naked in the middle of the day in 5 different locations. it was wild, empowering and just amazing. it wasnt my first time shooting in public, i had shot naked on the vegas strip as well as some random spots around LA, but when i walked down super busy Ocean Ave in long beach ... in front of restaurants financial buildings etc it was a trip... and totally epic. but best shoot ever ... thats still up in the air probably my shoot for Inked Magazine's Inked Girls of LA because I am such a huge fan of the mag and was so proud to be in it.

JH: Who has treated you the best out of all the people you know?
KJD: Richard, by far, like i said he understands me and my needs, loves me unconditionally and totally supports me even when im irrational and loony - which can be frequent

JH: Do you use drugs or drink?
KJD: I am a total pot head/stoner whatever you want to call me I smoke a lot of weed! i love it... im a total hippie about it, and i think it cures everything...other than that I am happy to say that I will have been sober from anything other than weed/mushrooms and alcohol for 2 years on january 1st 2009. drugs took a lot of my life away but at the same time i learned more about myself in the half alive hours i spend turning inward and picking at all my deepest darkest wounds. i used drugs to hit rock bottom, i was a self proclaimed self sabateur and i was damn good at it. i used drugs to expose all that was wrong and bad in me and look at it, inspect it and eventually understand it until i pretty much healed myself...

JH: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Ten years?
KJD: in five years probably the same thing im doing now, except maybe i will be married. in ten years i hope im at least slightly settled down, i know for such a crazy chick you would never guess i want to nest so bad hahaha i would love to have my summer camp up and running in 10 years.

JH: Are you in love?
KJD: madly, deeply, intensely, i hope to spend the rest of my life in love - and in love with richard. i have never felt so sure of every move i make, and even when shit hits the fan hard... real hard, im smiling because ive got my love

JH: Who is your favorite famous person?
KJD: This one was really hard. I dont think about things like this that much, not to mention im not really up on who people consider famous... but anyway i feel like if i say oprah i will seem predictable but she is the giving hell of a lot and doing a lot for all kinds of people all over the world. she has done well for herself and is generously helping others ... so shes pretty rad

JH: What would you say to someone that is getting into what you do?
KJD: which part of what i do ? the erotic modeling i would say make sure it is what you want to do.... i went through a lot of shit with my family to be where i am today... and in a place where they love me and accept all of me including the part that gets naked on the internet. and also dont sell yourself short... there are girls out there getting naked for free and people are profiting off it ... i think thats bullshit.. ladies know what you are worth and let the world know before you even unclip your bra !

JH: How have you seen the industry change since you've been in it? With the
KJD: influx of all these tattooed girl websites? ive seen so much bullshit pop up ..its all cliche...tattooed punk girls ... they are all "alt" what the fuck is that... ive seen an industry accept girls who arent that hot because they have tattoos I think thats a sellout on the side of the sex industry and i think its disappointing. i think half the sites are a lie and i think a lot of the girls are disillusioned. the same way that tattoos have become more mainstream its like everyone and their mom wants to be and will be naked on the internet ... the only downside to me is that when I give my rates to new sites they say "well so and so did it for free, or for 50 bucks" i laugh and tell them that first of all they aren’t just buying my time, and my photos they are buying my name, its like a brand and this brand has her fans. its a blessing and a curse ...

JH: If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
KJD: nothing ... i was going to say my scoliosis but that gives me my signiture back bend, and weird curve that i do ... it also makes it so i can pose with my ass and full face showing at the same time hahaha

JH: How do you see what you do as a positive influence on young girls these days?
KJD: unlike a lot of the girls out there who say that this industry empowers them - but then give themselves up for free- i mean it. Again I like showing people I can do a lot of things, I can be a strong independent woman, who is proud of her body, and not afraid to pay her bills by showing it off but i can also save the planet ... im like a naughty super hero. really though i try to focus on influencing positive body image... i was a ballerina as a kid/teen/young adult and it gave me a fucked up image of my body. i had eating disorders, I used drugs to stay thin...did everything... but i grew to accept and love my body ... and more than anything i want that positive energy to flow through everything i do. lastly i think i want girls to go out and do whatever it is they love, to follow their passions and never let anyone tell them that they cant do something, even if you fail you will have learned more about yourself than by not trying.

JH: Last words:
KJD: maybe now people will understand a little more about me, and come to expect the unexpected. I want to continue my enigmatic existence, its more fun this way...