3/4’s of a Dirty Dozen with ADAM HOLLAND from VALENTINE – November 2021

According to a recent press release: “Adam Holland is a veteran musician, songwriter and producer with three major record deals, two major publishing deals, MTV videos, national tours, network television spots, magazines and numerous endorsements. With his good friend Gerard Zappa, Adam formed the band Valentine in1984. Major management, label and publishing deals soon followed. Valentine was signed to Columbia Records and went into the studio with producer Neil Kernon (Hall and Oates, The Romantics, Dokken) Adam signed on with Warner Chappel as a writer at this time. After a move to Giant Records, the band released of their debut record and video on MTV, and wrote and performed songs for the movie Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter Is Dead Starring Christina Applegate.” We get guitarist Adam to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I loved the music of the late 70s Steve Miller, Foghat, Boston. I loved that guitar sound. Somewhere in 11th grade, I knew being a musician was going to be my life.

2. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

One song that really made me pick up the guitar was “Still The One” by Orleans. That solo is still one of my all time favorites. Then it was on to see Kiss and that was it. I started to really get into harder rock. Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Judas Priest. Van Halen changed it all for any guitar player during that era. I certainly did for me.

3. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Keith Urban. I love modern country. Something about the way he plays, sings and writes – I always like it.

4. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

Snow Skiing.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I guess you would say Valentine is 80’s AOR hard rock. I don’t recall any cringeworthy comparisons. Ha!

6. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

When I was around 11, a family friend in the music business took me backstage to Aerosmith. Standing in the hall, Gene Simmons walked by. I was introduced. Since I was so young, he seemed so tall and larger than life. I will never forget that.

7. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is both performing and recording. When we play, the audience is happy and we are happy. All of the world issues seem to stop for that moment. Also, hearing an idea that was in your head come to life as a song is also incredible as well.

8. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Good question. I would not say it was a misstep, but when we were recording the Valentine record, the producer hurt his back and we waited for him to recover before mixing the record. Looking back, would have had someone else mix it. That would have helped our timeline back in the late 80’s and had the CD come out in 89 and opposed to 1990.

9. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Van Halen Fair Warning. Somehow that album captures so much of the best of Van Halen and their unique sound. It was the first time they started to overdub. That album really made me push forward on my guitar skills.

ADAM HOLLAND LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

Category: Interviews