Big Pat. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this. Answer what you
feel comfortable doing. I understand the GN'R situation.

Richard Fortus. No problem

BigPat.- I grew up not too far from St. Louis. Most of my early concert
memories were going to Kiel Auditorium or the Opera House and the old
Checkerdome. Do you have some memories of those places? Anything you
can share?

Richard Fortus - I have SOOOO many memories of Kiel and the Arena (Checkerdome). My father was in the wholesale end of musical instrument sales, so we used to get backstage to all the shows. I would go with guys from his company to see and meet bands like Kiss, Peter Frampton, ELO, Rush, Yes, Ted Nugent, UFO, The Who, The Stones, Aerosmith, man the list goes on and on. I got to sit under the stage one night when Yes came and they were performing in the round. Another night with Yes, they let me sit in and do soundcheck with them. Pretty major for a 12 year old, especially considering they were my favorite band at the time.

Big Pat - What led up to you performing the shows with X Japan?

Richard Fortus - I've known Yoshiki for years. I'd done sessions that he was producing and I'd done some work for some artists that were on his label. I went to Tokyo to play with one of his artists for the launch of his label. Then I ran in to him at his studio while i was working on a movie score. We spoke and he told me that he'd heard that Robin and I had played "Endless Rain" while GN'R was in Japan. A few weeks later he called and asked if i'd be interested in being a guest guitarist for the X Japan reunion shows.

Big Pat - You recently played together with the legendary Sami Yaffa from
Hanoi Rocks/The New York Dolls. Tell me a little bit more about that?

Richard Fortus - Sami and I have been trying to do something together for ages. A good friend of mine (Michael DeHoughton), was doing a fashion week party for his clothing line and put a band together to play with him. Frank and I have done a lot of shows with Michael and we also love his clothes, then he got Sami in to do the gig as well. Michael dresses most of the major rock stars today, so his parties are always a blast. Sami is an awesome bassist and i'm sure we'll be doing more stuff together.

Big Pat - Also hear you are doing some writing for a new Furs album. If true,
when will it be out?

Richard Fortus - I've been writing the new Furs record with Richard Butler (the singer). I think it's some of the best stuff we have written together. Don't know when it will be out. I will probably be doing shows with the Furs in June/July.

Big Pat - What's your most memorable moment to date as an artist?

Richard Fortus - There have been way too many amazing moments for me to pick one! I have been incredibly fortunate.

Big Pat - With all the collaborating you do with various artists, have you ever thought of recording a solo album?

Richard Fortus - I have no desire to do a solo record. I love composing for film. To me, that is the ultimate medium. As far as making records goes, i'd rather collaborate. I also don't believe that anyone would really care if i put out a solo record!

Big Pat - Will you be doing any touring this summer? If so,with who?

Richard Fortus - I don't really want to tour right now. I'm going to be doing some shows with the Furs and possibly some more shows with X Japan and also with a Danish band called the Storm. I played on their record and they are good friends. Other than that, i'd much rather be at home playing on different records and composing film/ads and video game scores, as well as writing with different artists.

Big Pat - Guitar Hero is a huge game right now. Do you have a guitar hero?

Richard Fortus - I don't really have a Guitar Hero. I think that Jeff Beck is probably my favorite living guitarist.

Big Pat - Stones or The Beatles?

Richard Fortus - Both are genius. However, I feel like I relate much more to the Stones!

Big Pat - Any new or up and coming bands that you think deserve a listen?

Richard Fortus - I've been listening to Warren Suicide, Tacks the Boy Disaster, the new Raconteurs record, Black Mountain, Sea Wolf.

Big Pat - The recording industry is changing, and most feel not for the better. What do
you feel are the biggest challenges in the industry today? And do you
see a light at the end of the tunnel?

Richard Fortus - I don't necessarily believe that it is a bad thing. The world of 'pop' music is dying. That's not such a bad thing, unless you are a pop artist that is used to making big $. The time of making crazy $ from music is just about over, unless you are already established and have a strong core fan base. Everything is becoming niche. The days of the major labels running everything and being the only game in town are over. It's a very exciting time in music. I think that new bands are going to be able to develop themselves and only the bands that are really good are the ones that will become known. Bands will not be force-fed to the public, we are now discovering bands via the internet, not through the hype of major labels.

Big Pat - You and Robin played X Japan's "Endless Rain" as part of your
guitar duet during some of GN'R's Japanese shows in July 2007. Why that
song? Who picked it?

Richard Fortus - No comment on this question.

Big Pat - We know Robin has signed on to do NIN tour this summer. You guys
seem to have amazing chemistry on stage. Are you looking forward to
playing with him in the future? And speaking of chemistry, how
important is it?

Richard Fortus - No comment on this question.

Big Pat - There's a lot of buzz right now regarding GN'R and the Dr. Pepper challenge. Do you think you might be drinking a free Dr Pepper soon?

Richard Fortus - No comment on this question.

Big Pat - Besides Frank, do you hang out with any other members of GN'R?

Richard Fortus - Frank and I don't get to hang out that much anymore since he lives in NJ and I live in LA most of the time now. Robin lives right up the street from me and we hang out pretty often. I also hang out with Tommy and Dizzy quite a bit. Axl lives out in Malibu, so i don't see him that often.

Big Pat - Thanks again man, I really appreciate your time!

Source: GnrDaily.com