Steve 'Budgie' Werner
"Drum Master Steve 'Budgie' Werner Interview"
Snappahead.com
Interview by Roger Zee (10/31/18)
Roger Zee: What inspired you to pick up the drums? How did you learn to play?
Budgie: I always loved music and listening to AM radio. It all started with the Beatles. At a school function for my
brother, I saw a band performing with a female drummer. When they finished playing "Brown Sugar," I said, "Mom, I want to take
drum lessons!" And off I went to Frank's Music in New Rochelle. I studied for a couple of years with John Strauss, who played
with the Dorsey Brothers, Glen Island, etc. I remember him dearly as a great teacher and a wonderful person.
Roger Zee: How did the Hard Rock cover band, Snappahead, come together and get it's name?
Budgie: Snappahead branched off from Slack Jaw and consisted of Carl and Anthony Fragnito, Charlie Sabin
and me. Carl and Charlie eventually left. When we looked for a singer, I told Anthony about Doug Palmer who I knew from Connecticut.
He fit perfectly. Our next guitarist, Damon Lascott, also played with Meatloaf at the time. When he moved on,
we remembered Mike Miranda from the old Bronx neighborhood. I suggested the name, but it was really a term of endearment from our
friends -- you knucklehead, ya SNAPPAHEAD!
Roger Zee: You also play in Hindenberg, a Led Zeppelin tribute band.
Budgie: Well when Slack Jaw was kickin' it, Mark Hitt used to come down and sit in on a couple of Zeppelin tunes.
The crowd would go berserk. So me, Charlie, and Mark said we should do a whole night of Zep tunes. But who was going to play bass
and keys? Mark called up Felix Hanneman from Zebra and off we went. It's twenty years later. Our current lineup's Mike McEwen
on vocals, Lenny Lee on bass and keys, and still Mark and myself. When Hindenberg started, there was no such thing as a tribute
band. We were only interested in capturing the raw emotion and soul of the young Led Zeppelin in their prime -- performing the
music only. We had no interest in dressing up to look like them.
Roger Zee: Tell me about Rev Switch, your original Hard Rock trio.
Budgie: I formed "Rev Switch" with my brothers Anthony and Carl Fragnito. We started back in the Eighties with Black Lace.
You can still see some of our videos on YouTube. We had signed to a European label which allowed us to record and tour there as
well. Rev Switch gives us the freedom to play what we want. I would describe it as soulful, powerful rock. Classic yet modern.
Go to our reverb Nation or Facebook page and check it out!
Roger Zee: You usually put together the set lists for your bands. What goes into that?
Budgie: Putting the sets together for Snappahead takes a lot of thought because of all the different keys and tunings we use.
Once I put the songs in what I feel's a great running order, keeping the keys in mind, I have to check with Anthony and Mike
as they use different instruments for some of the tunes. Ant will use a five-string bass for one and his four-string for another.
It's a challenge but you need to make it smooth so it flows for the crowd. It's much easier for Rev Switch because we only use two
different tunings.
Roger Zee: Reminisce about your times with the Ace Frehley Band and Leslie West.
Budgie: Playing with Ace was a great experience. I grew up a Kiss fan so when I got the gig, I was so f'ing pumped! I
remember the first rehearsal. I had ten days to learn the set. We get in the practice room, Ace looks over his shoulder at me and
starts Detroit Rock City. I so wanted to do a Peter Criss and hold the sticks over my head, LOL! We did some amazing shows. I
remember playing in NYC at the Ritz. I looked behind me and Dimebag Darryl was there egging me on to kick some double bass, which
I did causing Ace to turn around like whats going on. We all cracked up! The Pantera guys would always come down if they were in
town.
Playing with Leslie was more low key. It was very passionate music with dedicated fans. Leslie is an unbelievable guitarist. We
did a fantastic show on Block Island with Leslie singing "Nantucket Sleigh Ride" and "Never in My Life," right after which I went
to Cape Cod with my family-great memory. We did a European tour as well. Played some Blues festivals.
Roger Zee: Describe your most enjoyable and/or unusual gig.
Budgie: My most enjoyable gigs are the ones free of band drama, LOL! One of the most unusual ones was with the
Slashtones. They're an all star group of musicians (Richie Scarlet, Arno Hecht, Harry Slash) that play twisted versions of Classic
Rock melded with TV show themes. Very Zappa-esqe. We performed in a gentleman's club. Every song ended with the final riff of
"Love Gun." "Da da da da-da da da da bop bop. Y’all come back now ya hear!"
Roger Zee: How's your sound installation business, "Budgie Vision," doing?
Budgie: Business is great. I do a lot of high-end Manhattan work with great contractors, designers, and architects.
Because the business constantly changes, you really need to stay on top of the technology and products.
Roger Zee: What advice do you give up and coming musicians?
Budgie: Be passionate about your craft. It’s a tough business. It’s not all peaches and cream. Sometimes you play a great
gig and a year later it’s over. Always think positive and, oh yeah, keep practicing...
Roger Zee: What do you see as the future of the music business?
Budgie: The sales part of the business is all about a subscription fee. Only a certain amount of really popular artists
get enough downloads to live off of. Spotify, Pandora, Apple, etc. get a big chunk of the bands' money now. The labels will
support the tour so you can always make money that way. I know a lot of people who give their music away for free just to be heard.
©2018 Roger Zee