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Willie Basse-Vocals, bass, lyrics, songs
James Kottak-Drums
Marshall Harrison-Lead guitars
Brian Conroy-Guitars, backing vocals
Black Sheep, one of the L.A. rock scene's most respected cult bands is back, returning with their most impressive line-up yet and their new album, Sacrifice. The band has been home to some of L.A.'s finest musicians, including Slash (Guns N' Roses), Paul Gilbert (Racer-X, Mr. Big), Mitch Perry (Steeler, Talas, MacAulley Schenker Group), Kurt James (Steeler, Dr. Mastermind) and Randy Castillo (Ozzy, Motley Crue). The first Black Sheep album-with Willie Basse, Paul Gilbert and Kurt James-was released by Enigma Records in 1985 as the L.A. rock explosion was peaking and is a sought after collector's item.
The new Black Sheep, Basse's year 2000 musical adventure in overdrive is fueled by James Kottak (Scorpions, Kingdom Come, The Cult) on drums, Brian Conroy (Communion, Uzi) on guitars, backing vocals and terrifying new guitar prodigy, Marshall Harrison (Kram) on lead guitars. The EP/CD, Sacrifice was released July 6, 1999 on Basse's own independent label, Rocks'cool Records (a play on the many top musicians that have passed through the band).
The members of Black Sheep are musicians' musicians who have played with some of the biggest names in rock. The band's patented sound is at once heavier and more musical than ever, delivered by a group of veterans who aren't afraid to stretch the boundaries of traditional hard rock, crossing the line into the mainstream with their A.O.R. hit, "Someone Like U" which was in rotation nationwide. Black Sheep's impressive level of musicianship comes from the fact all members write and produce individually, giving the band a tremendous resource for songs and melodies, not to mention experience.
The common thread in every incarnation of Black Sheep has been founding member and producer, Willie Basse, who is also one of L.A.'s most-in-demand studio engineers, who has worked with the likes of Carmine and Vinnie Appice, Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder), Larry Taylor (Canned Heat, Tom Wait), Dr. Dre, D.J. U-Neek (Bone Thugs, Easy-E), Dazz and Kurrupt (Tha Dogg Pound), Ol' Dirty Bastard, Sisqo of Dru Hill, Coco Montoya and
Canned Heat.
Basse has been a force in the L.A. rock scene since the early eighties, when he opened Wilpower Productions in North Hollywood, Ca, which soon became the rehearsal studio/home for some of rock's most successful talent, including Guns N' Roses, L.A. Guns, Bitch, Sound Barrier and Leatherwolf to name a few. The facility put Basse on the front lines of the prestigious L.A. hard rock explosion. Hundreds of musicians and bands have paid their dues at his rehearsal complex and laid their emotions on tape at his recording studio.
Classically trained as a vocalist, Basse has performed with the Santa Fe Opera, recorded and toured with the Texas Boys' Choir (winner of two Grammy awards), debuted Stravinsky's Mass in C-minor and has played bass with music icons Stephen Stills and Buddy Miles. His main vision has always been Black Sheep, where he has lead the assault on bass and vocals, all the while surrounding himself with the most amazing musicians anyone could ever attract.
On the EP/CD, the opening track, "Love's Not Enuff" is a battle of wills. As the guitars ache and pain for attention, Basse's searing vocals dig even deeper for respect and empathy. Only the listener will really know how this struggle unwinds. The hit-single/video "Someone Like U" is as dark and searching as the title suggests. The band sets the tone. Basse soulfully delves even deeper into the darkness of the night pining for more answers. "Which Side R/U On?" tackles the timeless debate of the Earth's spiritual demise with thunder as the beat and guitars shouting out their own answer to good vs. evil.
"To bring these talented musicians together, there must have been some Higher Power involved," describes Basse about the recordings. "I never get to play music like this," adds Kottak, "I have so little time, that I chose to play in this band tells you how much I love it."
Guitarist Conroy echoes the same sentiment, "the one thing about working with Willie is that it is really comfortable." And what about the last link, the heretofore unknown Marshall Harrison? "Believe it or not I was told about this kid in Houston, Texas." Basse said, "So I flew him out to do some leads and when I heard him play, I immediately said, you have to be in the band! What a great player, he stays up all hours of the night transcribing classical piano etudes to guitar! He really shreds on this album!"
There has been a lot of talk about the resurgence of hard rock in America and the new Black Sheep is once again at the front of the pack. Many of the seminal bands are reforming, recording and releasing new albums. Radio has welcomed Black Sheep with airplay nationwide and the hit single "Someone Like U" was #1 in several markets! Their video, filmed and directed by David Klein (Chasing Amy, Mall Rats) was played in over 45 markets, nationwide.
With a new record label, website and after successfully completing their first US tour in years, Basse is also re-mastering the original Black Sheep album "Trouble in the Streets," featuring a previously unreleased guitar solo by Paul Gilbert which will be available only via the Rocks'cool website, http://www.rockscool.com. So look towards Black Sheep rocking you well into the new millennium.
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