Beyond the Beasts
Posted on Apr.23, 2015 under Bill Ward
Today an excellent new interview with Bill Ward was published today by noted independent music writer and author Joel Gausten. In this interview, Joel talks to Bill about what is going on now with his various solo projects (Accountable Beasts, unannounced second band), not to mention his own health.
You can read the full interview at Joel’s website, but here are a few samples for you to read now.
“My [current] activity levels are very high; they have to be,” offers Ward, who says that he’s now drumming four to six hours a day. “Because I did have something of a busted-up wing, if you like, I’ve really worked hard on that. But I’m playing at full capacity. By May of last year, I was definitely in shape to be able to play for sustaining amounts of time.”
Ward’s time behind the kit these days is divided between his long-running Bill Ward Band (BWB) and a second, yet-to-be announced project (currently a trio) with guitarist Joe Amodea (who is the six-stringer featured in the much-discussed Instagram video made public last week). BWB is the group behind the soon-to-be-released Accountable Beasts, Ward’s first solo album in 18 years. In addition to longtime BWB members Keith Lynch (guitar, keyboards), Paul Ill (bass) and Ronnie Ciago (drums), the album will feature contributions by drummer Walter Earl and an array of session singers including Ward’s daughter, Emily. Ward’s drumming will be heard on seven of the album’s nine tracks.
-
Hi Everybody.
It’s Bill here. First off, I want to thank you all for the support you’ve given me throughout the years. I love to play– whether it’s playing drums in Black Sabbath, making music with my own band or working with other musicians, period. Being able to do what I love for my whole life, pretty much, has been an honour and privilege.
When I started playing in Sabbath, there was an energy of truth about us. We believed in what we were saying, the music we were making and the lives we were living. As time has moved on, I’ve nurtured and tried to save a lot of what I learnt playing in Sabbath. During the more recent years at the Ozzfest concerts, I’ve found myself immersed in the musical rewards of playing in such a unique and devastatingly, powerfully effective Metal band. Sabbath have been, and are, my greatest teachers, and I am forever grateful for the musical journey so far.
Today, I love what’s happening in music. I’ve been given the rare opportunity to play bands I like – Classic and newer Metal – on our Rock 50 radio show. These bands energize me.
I am humbled to know many of you. Music lives and brings and maintains life. Music has always brought me through.
Stay strong, safe and live. Enjoy the site.
Long Live Metal.
--Bill Ward
