Flash Bastard aren't just a witty band of mischievous merchants who delight in the creation of their style of Hard Rock, which they call Glitter Rock. They also have a few stories to tell. If you want to know who the guy is that stands 6' 3" tall and weighs about 220 pounds, and asked them to sign a record deal they couldn't refuse, then keep on reading...
 
 
GARY: If you were to sum up the sound of Flash Bastard, how would you describe it?
DONAL & PETE: Imagine, if you will, playing a full contact rugby match in your mothers wedding dress. Now imagine the musical equivalent of that image….PRESTO! That's the Flash Bastard sound.
 

  

GARY: When you were angst ridden teens and began your frenzied rock n'roll assault playing punk clubs, booze cans and high school dances, what songs did you play?

DONAL & PETE: Well, at that point no one had introduced us to the concept of a set list so one member would decide to play one song while another member would begin a different tune. Does it count as a song if all 4 members are playing different ones?  What bothers me is that even today we get no credit for inventing the mash-up!
 

 

GARY: Was there a lot of competition on that live circuit, and if so, how did you make yourselves stand out from the crowd?
DONAL & PETE: Good manners and punctuality were our calling card. Even to this day in our hometown, if a kid opens a door for an old lady she will usually respond with: "Thank you, you little bastard!"
 
  

GARY: You found yourselves signing to Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx's Americoma/BMG record label. Was that the best offer on the table at the time or was there another reason you decided to sign?
DONAL & PETE: When a 6'3, 220 pound man wearing spandex and cowboy boots asks you to sign something, you SIGN DAMMIT!!!
 
 
GARY: You built up a reputation for being hard-partying individuals with alleged arrests, overdoses amongst other events. What happened?
DONAL & PETE: It was hard growing up in Canada. All that free education and medical care spoiled us. So I blame socialism! At any rate, everyone goes through a bratty phase between 2 and 4 years old. Ours just lasted into our 20's. However, I'm happy to report we are now fully potty trained.
 
 
GARY: Your sold out shows supporting the Scorpions and Mötley Crüe must have been an exciting time. What do you recall from those tours?
DONAL & PETE: Well, there were quite a few "happenings" at that time. I recall wandering the streets of Detroit at 3AM wearing a dress that one of Motley Crue's back up singers loaned me. I was rescued by a nice young couple who, I think realized I was about to be murdered. The song "Detroit" on the new record is about that experience.
 

  

GARY: Is it true that one of the Scorpions was attacked with a pitchfork, and if so, how did that come about?
DONAL & PETE: The Scorpions have been a major arena act for 30 years and we have a lot of respect for everything they've accomplished. Conflicts happen from time to time and that's all it was. Ancient history and not a big deal.
 
 

GARY: The new album "Rock N' Roll Must Be Destroyed" sounds great. Why was it shelved originally all those years ago?
DONAL & PETE: Flash Bastard was never intended to be a source of negative energy. For us, our fans or anyone. It was supposed to be fun, exciting and uplifting for everyone involved. However, at that time the negativity elements within the band became overwhelming and we had to call it a day. Rock n' roll wasn't being destroyed, we were.
 

GARY: Whose idea was it to re-record the album and release it in 2012 and why not record something brand new?
DONAL & PETE: People never stopped asking us for the record, and quite frankly we were tired of making up lame excuses not to give it to them. We wanted the record to sound the way it was meant to sound: Loud, lean and nasty! So, we locked ourselves in the studio until we had achieved at least 2 out of those 3 qualities. As far as why we didn't record anything new…..that would have been a great idea! Where were YOU when we were planning this?!?!?!

 

GARY: What's next for the Flash Bastard?
DONAL & PETE: Flash Bastard is like a fire alarm, only to be used in case of emergency. Well, take a deep breath because there's smoke in the air and the doorknob is HOT to the touch! Actually that's BS, sometimes you just pull the fire alarm for fun….At any rate, Flash Bastard is back and on a holy mission to save Glitter Rock one more time, to rescue it from it's sordid past and transport it to a glorious future! We have something VERY special planned for our next record and can't wait to unleash it on the world! Look for us on tour in the U.K soon!
Many thanks go out to Donal and Pete for their invaluable time, and here's hoping they save the world with their style of Glitter Rock!! If you get the chance, hear a track from their album "Rock N'Roll Must Be Destroyed!" as it really carries a punch! ;O)