Kiss Army Argentina Exclusive Interview With John Humphrey of Seether: Eric was not only an amazing drummer

but, an amazing allround musician

KISS Army Argentina: John, it is a pleasure to contact you, so first of all, thank you for this interview. John Humphrey: My pleasure, thank you. When I'm not busy touring, recording and beating the drums for my band Seether... I always enjoy talking about "all things" KISS. KISS Army Argentina: We guess it must be a pleasure for you to be involved in Unfinished Business, a CD that celebrates the life of Eric Carr through his work. John Humphrey: It is truly an honor. Eric was not only an amazing drummer but, an amazing all-round musician. He was also a very talented songwriter. I don't think your average KISS fan realizes the extent of his talents and the contributions he made, musically, to KISS. This CD helps showcase Eric's many talents. KISS Army Argentina: Are you a longtime KISS fan? What does Eric mean in your life, as a fan and as a drummer? John Humphrey: I've been a KISS fan for over 30 years... When I became a full-fledged, card carrying member of the "KISS Army"...Peter was leaving the band and Eric was just joining. I was fascinated with the concept of someone, seemingly to come from obscurity, being taken from his everyday life...to join the biggest band in the world...KISS! It was later I learned about the "fox"... (Reading the infamous 1980 People magazine article) his audition, paying his dues in the clubs and repairing a few "stoves" along the way. He was also a major influence on me becoming a drummer. KISS Army Argentina: Of all the albums Eric did with KISS, which is your favorite regarding Erics performance? John Humphrey: Being a drummer, of course, I LOVE "Creatures Of The Night". It has an amazing, thunderous drum sound and his playing is prominently featured. I really believe it to be a "major highlight" in the band's catalog. I even love the ominous look of the cover. It is just a great KISS album...and a great Eric album! KISS Army Argentina: Were you ever able to see Eric on tour with KISS? If you did, please tell us

-2when it happened, and how you remember those shows. John Humphrey: Oh yes. I'm from Oklahoma City, OK. So, anytime they performed there in the 80's... I went to those shows. Of course, the first one I went to meant the most to me. It was KISS' "Creatures 10th Anniversary Tour". I had the honor of seeing the show in Norman, Oklahoma, on March 21, 1983. It was at the end of the "classic" make-up era and I didn't get to see the band in the 70's... so, this was the "second coming" as far as, I was concerned. It was a great show and Eric's performance was stellar! From the starting blasts of "Creatures Of The Night"...to Eric's pounding drum solo...down to the turret blasts from the tanker during "War Machine". An amazing concert full of great memories. KISS Army Argentina: How did you become involved with Unfinished Business? John Humphrey: I had met Loretta (Eric's sister) via the internet. I reached out to her and told her how much Eric and KISS had meant to me. I told her, I was a drummer, touring the world and how Eric had inspired me. She had me do a short story, for EricCarr.com, describing my passion for being a KISS fan and the influence Eric had on me, growing up. Since then, Loretta and I have stayed in touch. When the time came, Loretta contacted me and asked if I'd like to be part of this project. My answer was immediate...YES! KISS Army Argentina: There are many important names in this new Erics CD; we guess you must feel very proud to be among those important names, to be one of them John Humphrey: It really, truly is an honor. The CD features many of Eric's talented (famous) friends and fellow colleagues... And I still feel like the 12 year old fan, who has had a dream come true. KISS Army Argentina: In this CD you participated in a new version of Eyes of Love, a song that had already been included in Rockology, but that in Unfinished Business is presented with new arrangements. What are the differences between that first version and this new one in which you participate? John Humphrey: With today's studio technology...I'm able to, essentially, perform with Eric on a song he wrote and recorded in 1989. It's really a very good song. As I understand the song's history, it was originally a demo for KISS' "Hot In The Shade" LP. This "new version" has more of an "album quality" and produced feel. I stayed very true to the drum part that Eric had originally recorded. I added a "signature Eric Carr" tom/snare pattern, la "Heaven's On Fire", "Crazy Nights" in the pre-chorus'. (I think the listener will understand, when they hear it.) The song features Eric singing all lead and background vocals. The song was edited a bit, in length, and has been mixed really well. I think it turned out great. I'm very proud of the song. KISS Army Argentina: As a drummer, what lessons did you learn from Eric Carr? Which is in your opinion the best that Eric left us? John Humphrey: I think the lesson I learned from Eric was, dreams can come true. He worked hard...he paid his dues...and ended up in one of the biggest bands in rock n' roll history. In my opinion, the best thing he left us was his music...his performances on those great records... and in the videos. It is an amazing legacy that will carry on for years... KISS Army Argentina: Have you been informed by the recording company or by Erics family if there is going to be a formal live presentation of this album? Because it would be a great way of paying tribute to the great Eric. In Argentina, for instance, next November, an Argentine KISS tribute band (KISSnation) will make a tribute show in which the drummer will be donning Erics makeup.

-3John Humphrey: I'm not aware of live presentation, of the album, at this time...But, I'd love to participate in a tribute for Eric, at some point. KISS Army Argentina: Regarding your own work, what are your current plans and your projects for the future? John Humphrey: Well, my band Seether released their fourth studio album in May of 2011. "Holding On To Strings Better Left To Fray". The album debuted in the U.S. Top Album Charts at #2. We currently have 2 singles in the U.S. "Active Rock Top 10" - "Country Song" and our newest single "Tonight". We are, currently touring the U.S. w/ Rockstar Energy Drink's "Uproar Festival"... and we will begin a tour of Europe and Australia in February, 2012. I am also an endorser of Ddrum acoustic drums and have a "John Humphrey Signature Snare" coming out, this fall. You can visit this link for details: www.ddrum.com/snare_john_humphrey_signature_snare.php. KISS Army Argentina: Finally, could you please leave a message for Argentine Eric Carrs fans and for KISS Army Argentina? John Humphrey: Thank you to the many great KISS Fans and Eric Carr fans, of Argentina, that keep Eric's memory alive. He was a very important part of "KISStory" and he'll never be forgotten! KISS Army Argentina: John, once again, thanks a lot for this interview. John Humphrey: Thank you. It was a pleasure. Take care.

Interview: MARCELO GARCIA and DIEGO FERREYRA (Kiss Army Argentina) September 2011 Translation: MARIANA ABELLO (Kiss Army Argentina)