FabricationsHQ - Putting the Words to the Music
  • Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News Last update: March 24th
  • Latest Articles (links)
  • Cruachan - The Living and The Dead
  • Elles Bailey - The Caves, Edinburgh
  • Knowing Your Shit... 2022 In Review
  • King Kraken - MCLXXX
  • Hayley Griffiths (February 2023)
  • Steve Hill (January 2023)
  • WinterStorm 2023 - Legends and Legacies Announcement
  • 2023 Reviews
  • 2023 Featured Album Reviews
    • Heavy Metal Kids - The Albums 1974-1976
    • Anchor Lane - Call This a Reality?
    • Doomsday Outlaw - Damaged Goods
    • Hayley Griffiths - Far From Here Hayley Griffiths Band - MELANIE
  • 2022 Reviews
  • 2022 Featured Album Reviews
    • Moon City Masters - The Famous Moon City Masters
    • Steve Hill - Dear Illusion
    • Kira Mac - Chaos is Calling
    • EBB - Mad & Killing Time
    • The Commoners - Find A Better Way
    • Rebecca Downes - The Space Between Us
    • Erja Lyytinen - Waiting For The Daylight
    • Chris Antonik - Morningstar
    • The Milk Men - Spin The Bottle
    • SiX BY SiX - SiX BY SiX
    • Jeff Berlin - Jack Songs
    • Keef Hartley Band - Sinnin' For You The Albums 1969-1973
    • Toby Lee - Icons Vol.1
    • Montrose - I Got The Fire : Complete Recordings 1973-1976
    • Orianthi - Live From Hollywood
    • Valeriy Stepanov Fusion Project - Album No. 2
    • Dan Reed Network - Let's Hear It For The King
    • Ali Ferguson - The Contemplative Power Of Water
    • Edgar Winter - Brother Johnny
    • Joe Satriani - The Elephants Of Mars
    • Dave Cureton - State Of Mind
    • Larry McCray - Blues Without You
    • Tears for Fears - Tipping Point
    • Kris Barras Band - Death Valley Paradise
    • Dan Patlansky - Shelter of Bones
    • Black Lakes - For All We've Left Behind
    • Wille & The Bandits - When The World Stood Still
    • LALU - Paint the Sky
    • Various Artists - Revolt Into Style 1979
  • 2021 Reviews
  • 2021 Featured Album Reviews
    • Dave Bainbridge - To The Far Away
    • Lachy Doley - Studios 301 Sessions
    • Mark Pontin Group - Kaleidoscope
    • The Mentulls - Recipe For Change
    • Plush - Plush
    • Wayward Sons - Even Up the Score
    • Pat Metheny - Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)
    • Steve Hackett - Surrender Of Silence
    • Sweet Crisis - Tricks On My Mind
    • Amanda Lehmann - Innocence and Illusion
    • Chantel McGregor - Shed Sessions Volume One & Volume Two
    • Troy Redfern ...The Fire Cosmic!
    • NWOCR - Volume One
    • Jeff Kollman - East of Heaven
    • The Damn Truth - Now Or Nowhere
    • Dennis DeYoung - 26 East Vol 2
    • Mark Lettieri - Deep: The Baritone Sessions Vol 2
    • Reach - The Promise Of a LIfe
    • Jane Getter Premonition - Anomalia
    • Mason Hill - Against The Wall
    • Lyle Workman - Uncommon Measures
    • Robert Berry - 3.2 : Third Impression
    • Lifesigns - Altitude
    • Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra - Songs For The Apocalypse
  • 2020 Reviews
  • 2020 Featured Album Reviews
    • McCartney III
    • Gary Barlow - Music Played By Humans
    • Storm Warning - Different Horizons
    • Reb Beach - A View From The Inside
    • Lykantropi - Tales To Be Told
    • King King - Maverick
    • Jakko M Jakszyk - Secrets & Lies
    • Blue Öyster Cult - The Symbol Remains
    • Fish - Weltschmerz
    • Dyble Longdon - Between A Breath And A Breath
    • Jim Kirkpatrick - Ballad of a Prodigal Son
    • Abel Ganz - The Life of the Honey Bee & Other Moments of Clarity
    • Toby and the Whole Truth - Ignorance is Bliss (25th Anniversary Edition)
    • Everyday Heroes - A Tale of Sin & Sorrow
    • Skintrade - The Show Must Go On
    • Robert Jon & The Wreck - Last Light on the Highway
    • Pat Metheny - From This Place
    • Anchor Lane - Casino
  • Selected 2023 Gig Reviews...
    • The Wilson Brothers - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
  • Selected 2022 Gig Reviews...
    • WinterStorm Rock Weekender - Troon
    • Jack J Hutchinson - Bannermans, Edinburgh
    • Paul McCartney - Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury 2022
    • Daryl Hall - Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
    • Joe Bonamassa - SEC Armadillo, Glasgow
    • Dan Patlansky - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Eric Gales - Oran Mor, Glasgow
  • Selected 2021 Gig Reviews...
    • Sweet - The Garage, Glasgow
    • The Damn Truth - Now Or Nowhere Record Release Experiment Live
    • Anchor Lane - Lockdown Live, DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Laurence Jones - Live From Camden, Powerhaus, London
    • Joe Bonamassa - Austin City Limits, Live Stream
    • Todd Rundgren - Clearly Human Virtual Tour, "Pittsburgh"
  • Selected 2020 Gig Reviews...
    • Jared James Nichols - Garage G2, Glasgow
    • Oscar Cordoba Band - Blue Arrow, Glasgow
    • Rebecca Downes Band - The Ice Box, Glasgow
    • Ben Poole Trio - Room 2, Glasgow
    • Sensational Alex Harvey Experience - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • The Aristocrats - Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
    • Fat Suit - Drygate, Glasgow
    • Francis Dunnery's It Bites - St Lukes, Glasgow
  • Selected 2019 Gig Reviews...
    • WinterStorm Rock Weekender IV - Troon
    • Hawkwind - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • Opeth - SWG3 Galvanizers, Glasgow
    • Félix Rabin - Nice 'N' Sleazy Glasgow
    • Anchor Lane - G2, Glasgow
    • Stray - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Danny Bryant - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Talon - Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
    • Lifesigns - Smiles of Musical Travel
    • A Whole Lotta Rock 3 - featuring Rattlesnake Tattoo, Prestwick
    • Chantel McGregor - Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow
    • Pete Way Band - Customs House Hotel, Greenock
    • Raintown and Katee Kross - Village Theatre, East Kilbride
    • Danny Vaughn - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • NR Rocks 2019 - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Arran Rock 'N' Blues Fest 2019
    • Cheap Trick - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • The Blind Lemon Gators - Tolboth, Stirling
  • Muirsical Conversations...
    • Rebecca Downes (December 2022)
    • Chris Antonik (November 2022)
    • Pat Travers (October 2022)
    • Robert Berry (August 2022)
    • JW-Jones (August 2022)
    • Mike Ross (July 2022)
    • Dan Patlansky - March 2022
    • Bernie Marsden (December 2021)
    • Robin George (November 2021)
    • Dennis DeYoung (June 2021)
    • Robert Berry (March 2021)
    • Dan Reed (February 2021)
    • Steve Hackett (January 2021)
    • John Verity (September 2020)
    • Steve Hackett (July 2020)
    • Gary Moat (March 2020)
    • Steve Hackett (October 2019)
    • Rebecca Downes (May 2019)
    • Ben Poole & Wayne Proctor (January 2019)
    • Dan Reed (November 2018)
    • Del Bromham (October 2018)
    • Brian Downey (September 2018)
    • Raintown - Paul Bain & Claire McArthur Bain (May 2018)
    • Hamilton Loomis (December 2017)
    • Alan Nimmo (October 2017)
    • Erja Lyytinen (September 2017)
    • Suzi Quatro (September 2017)
    • Biff Byford (August 2017)
    • Dan Patlansky (June 2017)
    • Graham Bonnet (May 2017)
    • Simon Thacker (April 2017)
    • Sari Schorr (March 2017)
    • Stevie Nimmo (February 2017)
    • Dan Reed (February 2017)
    • Adam Norsworthy (January 2017)
    • Colin James (December 2016)
    • John Lees (October 2016)
    • Sari Schorr (August 2016)
    • Mike Vernon (August 2016)
    • Wayne Proctor (July 2016)
    • Laurence Jones (April 2016)
    • Chantel McGregor (March 2016)
    • John Young (January 2016)
    • Michael Schenker (November 2015)
    • Martin Barre (October 2015)
    • Chris Norman (September 2015)
    • Joanne Shaw Taylor (August 2015)
    • Fee Waybill (July 2015)
    • Ian Anderson (June 2015)
    • John Lodge (June 2015)
    • John Lawton (May 2015)
    • Steve Hackett (May 2015)
    • Manny Charlton (April 2015)
    • Ben Poole (April 2015)
    • Alan Nimmo (February 2015)
    • Popa Chubby (December 2014)
    • Paul Young (July 2014)
    • Bernie Shaw (June 2014)
    • Lee Kerslake (December 2013)
    • Pat Travers (September 2013)
    • Steve Hunter (August 2013)
    • Joy Dunlop (March 2013)
    • Gwyn Ashton (Dec. 2012)
    • Greg Lake (October 2012)
    • Ned Evett (August 2012)
    • Steven Lindsay (July 2012)
    • Dave Cureton (June 2012)
    • Jon Anderson (May 2012)
    • Jeremey Frederick Hunsicker (March 2012)
    • Amy Schugar (Feb. 2012)
    • Robert Fleischman (November 2011)
    • Ivan Drever (Sep. 2011)
    • Michael Sadler (June 2011)
    • James Evans (April 2011)
    • Alyn Cosker (Nov. 2010)
    • Scott Higham (Nov. 2010)
    • Kevin Chalfant (Oct. 2010)
    • Francis Dunnery (Sep. 2010)
    • Duncan Chisholm (Aug 2010)
    • Barbara Rubin (July 2010)
    • Alan Reed (June 2010)
  • FabricationsHQ Q&As With...
    • Jeff Kollman - August 2021
    • Lyle Workman (March 2021)
    • Jason Bieler (February 2021)
    • Félix Rabin (February 2020)
    • Chantel McGregor (August 2019)
    • Greig Taylor (July 2019)
    • Adam Norsworthy (June 2019)
    • Erja Lyytinen (March 2019)
  • Muirsical Articles...
    • 2019AB?
    • The Fool Guitar - The Fool Story
    • Alex Harvey - Framed in Words. And pictures
    • Home of a Ramblin' Band (Allman Brothers Band Big House Museum)
    • Journey - That Time Forgot
    • KISS - Elder Statesmen, Elder Statement?
    • Phil Lynott - Remembering Pt. 3
    • Freddie Mercury - The Days of His Life
    • Gary Moore - Last Exit
    • Mott - Without any of the Hoople-la
    • Muirsical Six of the Best
    • Music Town: A Decade of the Darvel Music Festival
    • Pat Travers - The Forgotten Power Trio
    • Playing Tribute
    • Gerry Rafferty - Humblebum to Multi-Million Seller
    • Cliff Richard - The Rock and Roll Juvenile
    • Slade - Thanks For the Memories
    • The Sweet - A Cut Above the Rest
    • Talon - On Eagles Wings
    • Wild Horses - Thoroughbreds or also-rans?
  • A Personal Journey: Definitive Edition (eBook)
  • Steve Perry (vocalist): One in a Million (eBook)
  • A Writer's Muirsings...
    • A Writer's Muirsings: Introduction
    • Superbowl XLVII MVP: Beyoncé (February 2013)
    • Michael Jackson: The Alternative Verdict (Nov 2011)
    • True Colours (November 2010)
    • It's a New Language, Old Bean (October 2010)
    • Finger Pointing (July 2010)
    • Suffer the Little Children (April 2010)
    • Hey 'Banker', can you spare a dime? (February 2010)
  • Author Bio & Site Info
  • Contact FabricationsHQ

Schugar and Musical Spice
Muirsical Conversation with Amy Schugar

Picture
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Amy Schugar has the musical spice of life in not just her veins but her background.

Her Godmother was Amalia Mendoza, one of Mexico's most famous traditional singers (and a member of the Tres Señoras with Lola Beltrán and Lucha Villa) while her mother, Carla Lee, was also a singer (and a famous Bullfighter in the 1950s).

Amy Schugar developed her musical skills during the metal-scene days of the Sunset Strip in LA but it was a chance encounter in 2003 with uber-guitarist Michael Schenker that led to the collaborative album Under Construction.

Following the release of the album Amy toured/ guested with MSG and has since gone on to write and perform material in the rock, fusion and bluesy melodic genres, both vocal and instrumental, and is busier now than she has ever been.

FabricationsHQ chatted with the talented and accomplished singer and six-stringer to revisit Under Construction and discuss earlier and current projects.


Ross Muir: If we could start with the album and collaborative project you are most known for, Amy.
In 2003 you recorded Under Construction with Michael Schenker, but how did that association and recording come about?

Amy Schugar: Michael and I met at an Eric Johnson Concert - funnily enough, I saw Eric and visited with him again just in the last couple of weeks.
Michael came up to me when I was playing Eric's old Stratocaster; Michael liked what he heard in regards to my singing and playing. He then decided to see what I could do writing lyrics and melodies to some recordings and ideas he had. He and I worked very well together and the album came about from there.

RM: Under Construction is an interesting album but unfortunately it's only an eight track release.
Did scheduling and time restraints restrict recording time or was is it intentional to keep it short and sharp?

AS: Yes, there were a few different issues and we had a tour coming up; there was another song that I had been working on, but it never came out the way I had hoped for.
There is however a ninth, Bonus Track, on the Japan release called 'Even Though.'

RM: And that's where the original release was distributed?  

AS: Yes, the official release was in Japan, on Avalon Records.

RM: Michael has worked with a large number of lead vocalists in his career but you are the first and, as far as I know, only female singer to have recorded with him. Did that put any added pressure on you?

AS: Yes sometimes it did, when it came to the touring part of it.
I noticed when I was introduced, and came out on stage to do cuts off the album, many of the guys in the front row had a look about them that did not seem kind and welcoming [laughs].
But after I got to playing and singing that all changed!

RM: Your voice and song writing gives Under Construction a whole different vibe – although there are some traditional rock guitar riff-led songs it’s a very melodic album with some great hooks.
Was that a conscious effort, to steer away from the riff-rock-by-numbers scenario?

AS: No, not on my part. For that album there was no conscious effort to do anything, only to sing and write what I felt. And Michael was kind enough to let me have free expression.

AS: It is interesting also, that I got Michael to sing on two or three of the songs on the album!
He sang back up on 'Back Through the Window' and I think that is a first; what a great chorus that song has.
'I Need This Feeling' he sang on also and 'I Need You.'
Take a close listen and you can distinctly hear his voice – and what a nice airy voice he has!

RM: I've given Under Construction a few plays over the years but I never realised it was Michael's voice on those numbers – but then as you say it was pretty much a first for him.
​And to flip that around, you didn't just sing lead vocal on the album though, you also played some guitar?

AS: Yes, that is correct.

RM: That's quite a compliment to your six-string talents because although there have been occasions when Michael Schenker hasn't been the only guitar player, his own lead abilities tend to take centre stage…

AS: Yeah, maybe you are correct. It was mighty generous of him to not only have me sing but to have me come out and showcase some lead playing as well.
I guess I never thought of it before, but maybe it was kind of unique!
Picture
                         Schugar and Schenker "It was mighty generous of him to not only have me
                         sing but to have me come out and showcase some lead playing as well." 

RM: Women in rock are usually known by voice first and instrument-of-choice second.
You however are not just a versatile rock vocalist but a very accomplished lead guitarist – who inspired you vocally and musically?

AS: Jeff Tate, David Coverdale, Aretha Franklin... there are so many great vocalists and I really love to sing. Eric Johnson is one of my all time favorites with his gentle voice and guitar skills; 'Dear Prudence' is so wonderful the way he performs it!
But when I was very young, I can honestly say Michael Schenker tunes were my all-time favourites for the guitar – however, the lyrical melody really makes the tunes. 
When I first started out it was on acoustic guitar. I saw a couple of live bands and one in particular, Bad Axe. Man, the guitar player in that band, David Boerst, was amazing and is still; he is a real rock player and that got me going.
That was my first experience seeing a live bar band and I knew from there that I wanted to learn more rock music and get into solo playing more. 
Then, as time went on, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai; I just absolutely love them.
They make the guitar the lead vocalist, kind of...

RM: I agree. The best exponents of their chosen instrument have the ability to give it voice or make it sing.
RM: Going back to your formative years and musical background, can you tell me a little about Sass and the Sunset Strip back in the LA "metal scene" days…

AS: Sass was the beginning for me in regards to fronting a band. Great band, but we all went in separate directions. And that's one thing that makes a band succeed – tenacity to stay together and stick to it.
When you see bands that have hit it big most, or many of them, have stayed together for years.

We are still friends, but we all live in separate places now.
Bands and musicians come and go, it is just the business, kind of – that is why being able to stand on your own is so important.

RM: But that band and that whole scene must have been a good way to hone your live voice and guitar skills. 

AS: Well, those days were okay, but the last couple of years have actually been my best as regards progress.
I do o
ccasional cover work, which has really opened some doors, and I have done tons of traveling to front not just one-and-a-half-hour shows but sometimes four hours in a night!
I feel I have grown much more in the last couple of years and I have had to really push the limits of endurance, physically and musically.
Touring in a big outfit with lots of roadies, sound people and guitar techs is a breeze compared to some of the stuff I have had to do! [laughs]. So I have definitely grown as a musician and a performer.


RM: And you are not just a singer and guitarist; you play keyboards too and I hear you are no slouch behind a drum kit...

AS: Where are you hearing this and from who! [laughs], because, yes, I do play those other instruments a bit but I never talk about it; only people close to me kind of know that! [laughs].
I have to say however that I really have focused on the vocals and the guitar because I do not think I could give one hundred percent to everything.

And focusing on my strengths rather than my weaknesses seems to be best; concentrating on my strong points, such as guitar, vocals and song writing.

RM: And with those strengths in vocal, guitar and song writing, can we expect a band album at some point in the future – or perhaps even a solo album?

AS: I would love to record another album but money and budget issues have really set me back; that has been the biggest road block.
I also want to be able to use the best musicians and best producer and do it one hundred percent as best I can, or not at all. I need a good booking agent too; one I could trust to really get me out there more.

RM: And as regards the present?

AS: I am playing constantly and have learned so many other styles music and vocals by doing that.

I also occasionally help bands out if they need a singer or a player; I even had a call to play an acoustic bluegrass gig not long ago – I love bluegrass! That was a lot of fun and I am actually working more, now, on acoustic guitar. I love picking up an acoustic and singing; but I just love working around music!  
I also need, and want, to be out playing some festivals but man, this economy is just so bad right now.


RM: Amy, thanks for chatting to FabricationsHQ and all the best in future musical endeavours.

AS: 
And I thank you, Ross, for taking the time out to talk; it really has been fun!  

Ross Muir
Muirsical Conversation with Amy Schugar
February 2012



Amy Schugar would like to thank her sponsors and endorsers Adam Revier at (and) Floyd Rose, Voodoo, Keeley, Best Electronics/ Guitarcable.com, Daisy Rock Guitars, Kid, Fernandez Sustainer's, Seymour Duncan, Randy Fuchs at M x I, D'Addario Strings and Crate Amps.

Amy Schugar website:
http://amyschugar.com

Under Construction is available from Amazon, iTunes and CDBaby.com

Photo Credits: Axeslinger.com (Michael Schenker and Amy Schugar),
Libby Wendt (Amy Schugar)


Featured audio tracks are presented to accompany the above article and to promote the work of the artist/s.
No infringement of copyright is intended
 
Website and text contents © FabricationsHQ and Ross Muir
All Rights Reserved