INTERVIEW: JOHN REGAN (FOUR BY FATE)

Whilst the band themselves may not yet be a household name, you only need to scroll through their collective history to see what you’re in for…

Tod Howarth and John Regan having joined forces over several years with legendary KISS guitarist Ace Frehley during his post Kiss years fronting Frehley’s Comet, drummer Rob Affuso made a name for himself in the classic line-up of Skid Row and with the addition of ex-Pound/Flywheel guitarist Pat Gasperini the current line up of Four by Fate is complete.

With their debut album due out early June I caught up with bass player John Regan, who having also played/recorded with the likes of David Bowie, Billy Idol and Peter Frampton is determined to make Four by Fate an ongoing project.

Hi there,

Thanks in advance for taking part in the following Q & A, it really is appreciated and an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to gain an insight into the band:

Hello MT! John Regan here. Tod is on a flight to California, Rob is under the weather & Pat is off on vacation, so I’m on duty! Great to meet you as well…Let’s get started!

1. The term “supergroup” gets banded around too often but all you guys have some pretty impressive credentials, so with yourself and Tod Howarth having played together previously in Frehley’s Comet, how did the rest of the band fall into place?

  You might want to sit down…This is going to take a while!

  First, let me say…”Supergroup” is not a term I am even remotely comfortable with…we are a fortunate lot, that have had the pleasure of traipsing around the Globe a few times making music by the grace of our Friends that have supported us… Lo These Many Years! 

   Tod and I reconnected while working on a fabulous project put together by Canadian Rock Journalist, Mitch Lafon. It was a KISS tribute record called “A World With Heroes” and the proceeds were for Canadian Hospice and health services. It was a noble endeavor, and I offered my services to Mitch as soon as I heard about it. In doing so, we discussed the idea of my teaming up with my dear friend, and fellow Frehley’s Comet bandmate Tod Howarth. We recut one of our Comet faves “Breakout.” and it was a gas! The entire double album is stellar, with so many Artists and Technicians contributing for a great cause.

   Fast forward to a short time after that record was released…Mitch Lafon called about some interest in having Tod and myself putting a Band together and playing a few shows. That was intriguing, because we had often talked about working together again. I put a call in to Danny Stanton from Coallier Entertainment ( who we have known and respected for many years ) to get his trusted input. Danny was positive about the concept, and suggested former WASP and Lita Ford Drum Master Stet Howland…and Mitch sent Canadian HELIX and Nelly Furtado Guitarist Sean Kelly our way. The first incarnation of FOUR BY FATE was born! 

   This band played some NY shows and a trip to Belgium for The Alcatraz Festival in 2014 all to great reviews! Next up was getting the band into the studio to cut the first 6 tracks that would become the foundation of “Relentless,” but not without a few hurdles along the way!

   Tod and I were guests at the NY/NJ KISS Expo in 2014…just two days prior to our start time at RAW Recording Studios in NY, a friend of ours who was in attendance at the Expo ran over to us in shock…She had seen a message on FACEBOOK that Stet had been involved in a very bad automobile accident in Florida, and was in hospital. Not knowing exactly what was going on with Stet, and being certain of one thing…he was NOT going to be in any shape to record, we had a very hard decision to make. Tod was in from California, the studio time was held and paid for…we HAD to record these first 6 tracks!

   We put in an emergency call to Danny Stanton with the news, and in a mad scramble asked if he could suggest a Drummer of Stet’s caliber…He did not have to think long, and he said that legendary TWISTED SISTER Drummer AJ Pero was our man. With only about 48 hours to spare AJ came to the rescue…but not without getting into an automobile accident on his way from New Jersey to the studio!!!  When that call came in, we were floored! The good news was that it was a minor accident, and we sent a car around to fetch him and bring him to the studio. A few hours late…but ready to Rock!

   In two days AJ, Tod and myself put down six killer tracks…we sent the tracks to Canada and Sean Kelly contributed some fine guitar on a few of them. With Stet’s ability to play in doubt, and the record to finish, we asked AJ to continue on with completing the record, and he accepted. In the interim…Sean felt it would be difficult to continue a long distance relationship with the band, and we had to find a guitarist to fill the spot. Enter Pat Gasperini…who had already contributed the song “Follow Me” to the initial recordings. Pat had great success with his NY based bands POUND and FLYWHEEL. Tod and Pat’s styles went hand in glove, and Pat was invited to become part of FXF as Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter. 

   Now ready to finish up the record, we received the devastating news that our Brother AJ Pero passed away suddenly while touring with ADRENALINE MOB. We were gobsmacked, and at one point even considered putting the project on hold…but, we felt that we needed to forge ahead in AJ’s honour. The tracks on “Relentless” were to be the last drum tracks AJ recorded…and they are fantastic! It is only right to have them as a testament to someone whose musical ability was only equaled by his kind spirit and big heart. In 48 hours we fell in love with AJ Pero…both Musically and Personally. He is forever part of FOUR BY FATE.

   Now we had a drum chair to fill…and quickly! Pat Gasperini suggested another Drumming Legend…Rob Affuso of SKID ROW fame. Rob and I had long been threatening to make a little musical mayhem, and this was the perfect opportunity! Rob graciously accepted the invite, and we set off to finish FOUR BY FATE’S debut record “Relentless!” 

   The title says it all…through the trials and tragedy we had to stay “Relentless” in the cause. Stet, Sean & AJ are all part of the family…part of the foundation forever.

2. With the “Relentless” album having been a long time coming, is the plan to continue Four by Fate an going project?

   INDEED! Tod & Pat have already started writing songs for our follow up! And we can’t wait to get back into the Studio!

3. How easy has it been to fit in around other commitments?

   Life in the year 2016 can be quite hectic, but we have ALL made FXF a priority. We just hit the ground running each morning, and make it work. Plus..we really enjoy each others company.

4. The tragic passing of Twisted Sister’s AJ Pero, having already contributed drums to half the album, was presumably a major set-back… how has his loss affected the band, both professionally and on a personal level?

As I had mentioned earlier…One is never ready for such wounding events. It still seems unreal at times, but as cliche as it might sound…AJ would have wanted us to complete what he started with us, and I know he is with us in spirit…and what a wonderful spirit it is. 

   I believe it has galvanized us as a band, to take this as far as we can in his memory.

5. Has bringing in a new drummer changed the dynamics of the group?

One thing that has been at the forefront of this project, is that we only wanted to do this if it was FUN! No Prima Donna’s…No attitudes, just a good solid Team effort. Happy to say, that is how we roll, and Pat & Rob fit perfectly on every level.

6. I’m loving the old school feel to the upcoming release and it seems very much the sum of its’ parts, would you say that’s a fair comment or do you think followers of your previous work will be in for any surprises?

Thank you! Your observation is spot on!!! We are indeed a sum of our parts. Speaking for myself, I had the pleasure of spending the better part of 30 years as Bassist, and co-songwriter with my dear Friend Peter Frampton. What gave me great pleasure in all those year with Peter, was the myriad of styles in his music…from Humble Pie to Baby I Love Your Way, we hit on just about everything. I believe that some FREHLEY’S COMET fans are going to be intrigued by the Hard Edge and Heaviness of Tod Howarth’s songs. I have always known it, and fans of his Solo work are aware as well…but the COMET fans will be pleasantly surprised!

Bottom Line…This is a record of the musical experiences everyone involved, over decades of recording and performing live with some of the best known Artists in Rock & Roll!

7. Speaking of previous work, with the classic Guns n Roses line-up reforming for the “Not in this Lifetime” tour, what are the chances of seeing a “Slave to the Grind” era Skid Row?

That’s a question for Rob…I guess the answer might be…Never say Never!

8. Also as a big Kiss fan, I have to ask – what was it like working with Ace Frehley in Frehley’s Comet?

What can we say…other than, in a world full of knock off’s Ace remains an original! It was a gas!!!

9. Are you still in touch?

I know Tod has gone out to see Ace perform, and I had a nice chat with Ace a couple years back. All in all…we have each been quite busy with our own endeavors. It’s always good to reconnect whenever possible.

10. As for Four by Fate how would you describe the writing/recording process of “Relentless”?

The writing part would have to be answered by Tod & Pat, and that will have to be in another interview. I personally brought a song to the band that I had previously recorded while in John Waite’s Band in 1985-86. “These Times Are Hard For Lovers” is the first track on “Relentless,” and one that I always felt did not get the recognition it deserved. Written by John Waite and Desmond Child, how can one go wrong. 

   As for recording…We worked with  “JC”Jean-Christophe Santalis, the owner of Raw Recording Studios, as an associate Producer. It’s always good to have another set of ears involved…especially ears like JC’s! We wanted to record this in the classic style of the days when everyone got together and slammed it out with lots of raw emotion. I think we achieved just that!

11. Presumably live dates are on the cards, any shows to announce yet?

Lots in the works with Danny Stanton at the helm…We are looking forward to getting out and about soon, and any inquiries as far as booking should go to Danny at coallier@aol.com.

Shameless plug!!!

12. Anywhere you’d like to play, that you haven’t visited before?

I think between us all, we must have hit just about every corner of the Globe. I have always loved the UK & European audiences, as well as South America. Russia & China might be interesting!

13. How different is it being in the music industry these days compared to when you all started out?

We do not have enough time in this one lifetime to answer this question. On the one hand…it is increasingly difficult to “sell” music in the advent of so many sights where it can be obtained for free. On the other hand…because of the technology, and the ability to make a decent sounding record for a fraction of the cost of the Big Budget record days, many more Artists can get their music out to the masses. 

   Don’t get me wrong…it was an amazing time back in the day, but we are enjoying changing with the times, while trying to stay true to our music and recording standards.

14. …and finally, how’s the rock n roll lifestyle been treating you over the years?

To quote Keith Richards…”If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!” All joking aside…Music keeps the spirit young, and everyone in FOUR BY FATE are still Teenagers at Heart!

Thanks again for your time and supporting www.mrteethreviews.com , whatever your plans are enjoy the rest of your day.

And I Thank YOU MT!!! A pleasure…

FOUR BY FATE – “RELENTLESS” comes out 5th June via the Amazing Record Co.