By Keith Walsh
From origins as a solo project of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist George Grant, Black Rose Burning has an expanded lineup for the new album Ad Astra. With Grant on bass, synths and vocals, and his comrades Frank Morin and Luis Infantas on drums and guitars, the latest iteration of Black Rose Burning combines top notch musicianship and songwriting with deep lyrical themes from sci-fi and personal experience. I chatted with Grant about his experiences and the classic and contemporary influences that inform the commercial sounds of Ad Astra. (My review is at Synthbeat.com)
Popular Culture Beat: Black Rose Burning is definitely a provocative and poetic name. How did you come up with that?
George Grant: I have always had the logo image in my mind since I was a kid – and I was big fan of Phil Lynott’s solo album Black Rose and it all just came together kinda from there. I had the line from a song I was working on when I did my 2014 soul side project as well. I just feel it’s an apt description of me.
Popular Culture Beat: There’s definitely a darker theme across Ad Astra but as suggested on “Fight!” it’s about facing the trauma to find healing. How does a philosophical approach inform your lyrics and the songs that emerge from them?
George Grant: I write most about things I know or have experienced (when I’m not writing about sci-fi) and I think just about anyone can relate to most things I write about. Sometimes relationships are good, sometimes bad. Sometimes they fall apart – it’s a normal human condition.
Popular Culture Beat: There’s certainly a rage at times but also an appreciation of beauty. How do your life experiences as a person of color in the U.S. inform your outlook and themes?
George Grant: I have a love/hate relationship with the US. It’s my country of origin, but I think we could be doing so much better as people here. I want to have hope – the song ‘Ad Astra’ is a perfect example of that feeling of hope.
Popular Culture Beat: Science fiction plays a part in your themes. What are some of the mass media that you’re into, from films, novels, comic books?
George Grant: I enjoy most sci-fi – especially space shows of course. I like both Star Wars and Star Trek – for me it can never go too far. Lately I have been enjoying Asimov’s Foundation adaptation a lot. He’s one of my favorite writers. I’m heavily influenced by DUNE of course. I’m glad they’re remaking it. I love the new version. I’m a sci-fi geek – what can I say? When people ask me about seeing a certain film my first question always is ‘Does it have a spaceship or a monster in it?’’ If they say no, I’ll say ‘Probably not then.’
Popular Culture Beat: Lots of anthemic tunes on Ad Astra. Across the decades these kinds of power rock songs are popular. What are some early bands and songs that you heard that opened up your ears and became influences?
George Grant: I have always been a big fan of KISS and ironically AM Gold pop singles- which I still collect to this day. Add Motown, Muscle Shoals, Stax, etc etc from my parents, a healthy dose of prog stuff like ELP and Yes as a teenager as well as a LOT of metal and Goth – and hopefully it becomes apparent where I’m coming from. Jack of listening – master of none. But somehow it all works together in my brain.
Popular Culture Beat: What are some of the new analog sounds on this album compared to the first two?
George Grant: This is the first album where I didn’t do all the instruments. The guys wanted to get more involved and being on the level they are, I knew it could only help expand the sound. The previous albums had programmed drums and I fumbled around on guitars. This time I let masters do what they do – and it came together effortlessly after playing together live the past few years. I’m very happy to have the input and the skill added to the arsenal. It made my job easier and the band’s sound is totally next level now.
Popular Culture Beat: Frank Morin on guitars is amazing. How did you guys meet?
George Grant: I’ve known Frank for about 25 years – we’ve played in various bands and projects over the years everything from rock to soul. he’s super versatile and has a very intuitive approach. I turned Voltaire on to him and he’s played on a few of his records too. He’s a good writer also. That really helps as he ‘gets; what I’m doing and adapts what he plays to it. Never too much, never too little. We have a sort of musical telekinesis. I’m lucky to have him.
Popular Culture Beat: Same with Luis Infantas on drums?
George Grant: I’ve known Luis for almost 40 years. When I first moved to NYC he was the first really good drummer I hooked up with to start a band. I actually stole him from ANOTHER band. We did sort of a hair rock/hair metal thing back then – except all the musicians were black. There was no one doing what we were doing, with the exception of Living Color – who were far more ‘funky’ than we were. We were more like Van Halen hahahahaha. We came close to quite a few deals with that band but the music industry was still pretty separatist then, And labels would tell us ‘we’d sign you but we don’t know what to do with you.’ Nowadays I don’t think we’d have the same problems we did back then. Anyway, he’s a great and almost lifelong friend I trust in every way.
Popular Culture Beat: Awesome bass playing too. What’s your go to bass guitar, what about your amp?
George Grant: Right now I’m playing an ESP bass but I’ve recently been talking to Mark Kelly basses who have excellently produced guitars for a LOT cheaper than you would ever expect. They play great and I hope to work out some kind of endorsement deal with them because I’d really like to turn some people on to their stuff. I play an Ampeg 4 x 10 cab and a Hartke head. I totally get sounds I need live.
Popular Culture Beat: Do you usually write the songs on acoustic or electric guitar, keyboard or?
George Grant: I usually start with a chorus melody – usually sung into my phone to remember. Then I just start piling on top – in no particular order. The most important thing to any song for me is that it has a great hook.
Popular Culture Beat: Would you ever intentionally write and record a top ten hit? Why or why not?
George Grant: I would. I like to write. I like writing pop songs, nursery rhymes and jingles. I don’t think I’d ‘intentionally’ do it – but I think some of the things I write could fit into that category. Again it all comes back to a strong hook – which is definitely the base for any good pop song.
Popular Culture Beat: What about writing a happy song in a major key?
George Grant: I’ve done it. Even on this new record. ‘Ad Astra’ and ‘Sing To Me’ come immediately to mind. Both chorus’ are major key. My life has lights AND darks. So does the music I make.
Popular Culture Beat: When Black Rose Burning plays live, what does your lineup look like? Will you be adding a keyboard player or doing more guitar based versions?
George Grant: We play to a click live and Luis flies all the keys from a sampler. We probably wouldn’t add a keyboardist per-se because we don’t really need one at this point. We get the benefit of the keys without having another person trying to take over the music in the touring van!
(Featured photo by Shane K. Gardner.)
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‘Ad Astra’ Review At Synthbeat.com
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