Ready to Rock!!
A Conversation with Beautiful Creatures' Axe-Slinger Alex Grossi

Here's how it happened: I was sitting at a local bar taking in some great local music when a good friend of mine advised me that Beautiful Creatures were in town. I thought to myself, "Beautiful Creatures? I loved the CD, and they were great live in Ozzfest –but I thought they were done after guitarist DJ Ashba left." Man, was I wrong.

Walking into the club, I ran into Metal Edge Guru (and Beautiful Creatures manager) Paul Gargano who assured me the band is rockin' and advised me to take a look at the new guitar player. So I did, and I was totally blown away. The new guitar player Alex Grossi is actually from Connecticut, having made noise in local area bands before moving to LA to pursue his music career. Well, I was very impressed by Alex. His style is heavy, yet melodic and his licks actually enhanced the songs, while still ripping the audience's heads off. I'll go even further and say that he is a much better guitar player than DJ Ashba. In other words, the man can play. Also impressive was new drummer Matt Starr who played the drums like a man possessed while also singing tight vocal harmonies and putting on quite the show behind the kit. The band tore through a killer set that did not slow down. Musically, they were very tight and they were fired-up on stage.

After it was all said and done, I had spent the entire weekend attending Beautiful Creatures shows and had an absolute blast. I heard new songs, sat through an intimate set where the Creatures shared the stage with their fans (I was thrilled to get to sing backup on "Wasted"), got to spend some time getting to know the band and walked away with an awesome experience. This band truly cares about their fans, like Joe LeSte told me on the last night of the mini-tour - "The fans are why we do this, they are the real Beautiful Creatures."

I walked away from this weekend as an ever bigger fan of the band, and so did everyone else who attended. I also hooked up with new guitarist Alex Grossi for a very cool conversation that I would now like to share with you. Trust me, guitar fans, you will be hearing a lot about this talented musician.

House of Shred: So, how did this happen?
Alex Grossi: Well, I grew up in Vernon, Connecticut and participated in the local music scene. I moved to LA to pursue my music career. One night I was at The Cat Club, and (Beautiful Creatures Guitarist) Anthony Focx was there jamming with a band. I walked by the stage and Anthony just hands me his guitar and says "Here dude, you look like you can play." So I start playing and it went really well. Joe (LeSte) was in the crowd and he got my phone number. 2 weeks later, we were in Pre-Production for the new CD.

HoS: And the new stuff sounds great, man. I was very impressed by "Are You Ready To Go?" — it sounds like sleazy, catchy LA Hard Rock.
AG: Yeah, thanks man. We're going for a heavier sound, but still melodic. I'm sick and tired of the "cookie monster" singers that are around. You know?

HoS: Me too, bro. So who are your main influences?
AG: Slash, Mick Mars, CC Deville. I think the opening riff to Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me" made any kid that heard it want to play guitar. Back when I played in cover bands, my bandmates would tell me "play like Kurt Cobain" but I was like "Nah, Mick Mars man." I remember when I was 17, I got to open for Slaughter and man, here I was a kid with Slaughter posters on his wall. And they were very cool to me, especially Tim Kelly.

HoS: Yeah, that was very sad about Tim. I actually hung out with Tim a few times and he was great. But going back to the way you got into Beautiful Creatures, it just blows my mind.
AG: Yeah, it's like destiny. I toured with artist Amy Allen and DJ Ashba had actually played with her as well. There were just some weird parallels there. Like I said, it was destiny.

HoS: And I was really impressed by the band and the way you guys treat the fans. You guys are real.
AG: They're not fans, they're our friends as far as I'm concerned.

HoS: Like Kenny (Kweens) told me before "All we have is the fans." I was actually impressed by that.
AG: Yeah, I agree. That's true.

HoS: So, how's the new stuff coming along?
AG: Great! I think the album will be heavier but it's still BC. I think it'll definitely please the fans. I think Dizzy Reed from Guns N' Roses will be playing some keys on it.

HoS: Awesome!
AG: We'll see, hopefully it'll happen.

HoS: I Hope so. It's stated on your website that über-producer Toby Wright (KISS, Alice In Chains, Cheap Trick) is actually mixing your CD. How did that come about?
AG: Anthony had worked w/ toby on some previous projects and when it came time to pick a mix engineer his name came up. We are all huge fans of a lot of the artists that he had worked with, so we met with him and played him the stuff. He really seems to "get" what the band is about.

HoS: How is the mixing going? Is the CD complete?
AG: As of today, we are very close to being done. Everything has been recorded, we just have a few more touch-ups and then we mix!

HoS: When can we expect the new CD?
AG: It will be out in Japan first hopefully in a few months, followed by a worldwide release.

HoS: Any news on the Beautiful Creatures DVD?
AG: The DVD will be released with the CD. It is going to feature studio footage, live footage and band interviews as well as random bullshit , we have a lot of tape to edit. There definitely are a few things we need to make sure DO NOT make it in!!!

HoS: So what's up with Bang Tango?
AG: Well, basically Joe (LeSte) is Bang Tango, I'm playing in the latest version. He was offered a European tour and we just did it. It was fun!! Bang Tango is very popular in Europe. I think Joe will continue to go out as Bang Tango here and there as long as the fans want it.

HoS: So how does it feel to be doing what you set out to do, to be living your dream?
AG: Feels great!!

HoS: Do you have any tips for any up and coming musicians?
AG: Just to go for it. You only have one shot and you have to take it.

HoS: How have the fans reacted to you as the new BC guitarist?
AG: Great! I mean I have big shoes to fill, but I'm up for the challenge.

HoS: As a fan of the band, I was really impressed by your approach. Some of the extra licks that you threw out there, and some melodies actually felt like they should have been there to begin with.
AG: Thanks, man! I try to put my own spin on things without actually messin' with the signature licks of the songs.

HoS: I heard that definitely. I was very impressed by the new songs and how the fans reacted to them. "Ready to Go" drove them to a frenzy. But I loved "Love the Life I Live" I connected with that one.
AG: Right on, man. That song is about revelation. It's like "This is me, take it or leave it." That's one of my favorites and I do hope it makes it into the new CD.

HoS: Me too man. So what are your goals for the future?
AG: Personally, to make a really good record and to always be in a good band. Of course my focus is on Beautiful Creatures right now. Ultimately, I would like to have a long career.

Thanks to Alex Grossi for taking the time to speak to us.

Check out Beautiful Creatures on the Web!! (www.beautifulcreatures.net)