Since the release of the stellar “Over The Top” album, I have been a fan of California NWOTHM band White Wizzard. Just since the 2010, White Wizzard has had numerous line up changes but it was the departure of lead vocalist Wyatt Anderson that drew the loudest reaction from the fans. After being replaced by two singers, Wyatt returned to White Wizzard in 2011 just in time to cut vocals for the forthcoming album entitled “Flying Tigers.” I spoke to Wyatt from his Florida home and he’s a true southern gentleman with a friendly drawl and a laugh that makes talking with him a fun experience. We talked about his departure and return to White Wizzard, his love of classic metal and being starstruck while meeting Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden.
Wyatt, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me.
Hey man, no problem at all!
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So you’re in Florida these days. Have you always lived there or did you move there from the West Coast?
I had moved out to LA when I first got into White Wizzard and then decided to move back to Florida. California is not really for me man. I love Florida. The cost of living out there is kind of ridiculous. I spent $9.00 on a pint of Guiness one night and that was kind of ridiculous [laughs]. I did end up finding an Irish Pub that had them for $3.00 so that was cool [laughs].
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I’m so glad we’re talking because I’ve wanted to tell you that “Over The Top” made such a huge impact on me. It took me back to when metal was metal, raw, fun and powerful. When you guys were making that album, did you know that you were onto something?
When Jon (Leon; bassist/founder) called me up and asked me if I wanted to audition I listened to the music and that was exactly what I had been wanting to do. I flew out there for my audition and he had three songs for the next album. He wanted to know what kind of ideas I had for them so I just started singing them and he said that it was exactly what he was wanting. We actually went into the studio and recorded “Over The Top”, “White Wizzard” and “40 Deuces” and sent them off. We just went from there. We didn’t realize we were really onto anything special until we finished the entire album. We were just sitting there saying, “This is it right here!”
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So how did you and Jon Leon (White Wizzard bassist) link up?
He was actually looking for an old guitar player that he knew. When he looked him up online the band that I was actually in was a project that guy had started out here in Florida. He started listening to it and he liked what he heard. Jon called me and asked me if I was still working with that band and I told him that it was off and on and not really serious. He asked me if I wanted to audition for White Wizzard and gave me their MySpace page. I just went to it and listened to the music and that’s where it started.
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Let’s go further back in time. At what point did you know that being a musician was your calling?
Oh man, that would’ve been in the 6th grade. I joined the school band and the band director put me on every instrument and showed me just how much music could matter to a person and it turned into a love affair from there. I was in school band all the way through my senior year. I played baritone. I owe a lot to that man. He made me fall in love with music and its been that way ever since.
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What instrument did you play?
I played the baritone euphonium. It sounds almost like a trombone but it’s a valved instrument.
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Wow, will that ever make an appearance on a White Wizzard track?
[laughs] Oh hell no. No, no, no!
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So when did you start singing then?
That would’ve been my 11th grade year in high school. Some friends of mine had a band that my cousin was singing for. He had graduated and joined the military so they needed a singer. I figured I’d try out and that was my first singing gig. They were called Grey Daze. [laughs] It was a blast. We thought we were the shit in high school but then again, when you’re in high school, what do you really know? [laughs]
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Who would you say are some of your biggest influences as a singer?
Oh well, starting with the old school of course you got Dio, Rob Halford, Bruce Dickinson, Geoff Tate and I also listen to a lot of the newer bands like Primal Fear, Iced Earth, Stradivarius. I listen to anything with a singer that has a great voice. My main ones are the old school ones.
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In April 2010, you announced that you were leaving White Wizzard. In the time that you were gone did you work on any other projects or anything?
I was actually considering quitting music all together. I had moved back to Florida and got back together with my now soon to be wife. I told her that I was just done and tired of dealing with all the personal bullshit that has to go along with being in a band. I told her I was thinking I would just stay here and try to be a family man and she said, “Yeah right. We’ll see how long that lasts.” [laughs]
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Smart woman!
[laughs] She’s completely supportive of everything I do and has been since the beginning. I was just ready to quit and she talked me into trying to at least being in a cover band or something to at least keep singing. I did that for a bit around here and Jon contacted me one day to just see how I was doing and to wish me a happy new year. A couple of days later he sent another email asking me if I’d come back to the band. Jon and I talked a few things out and then I rejoined the band.
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It’s no secret that the fans were very vocal about your departure. How did it feel to know that the fans were so moved by your leaving the band?
That was a really great feeling. I was really touched to hear the fans saying, “This is the guy you need to have.” Jon had actually contacted me before I had heard anything about the fans reactions so I went on YouTube and started reading the comments and I was blown away. It’s really touching to have people sit there and demand that band have you back.
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I’ll be honest, I was floored at how big of a reaction your departure got. You obviously made a huge impact on people and on the sound of White Wizzard to be that important.
[laughs] Thanks a lot man. That’s good to know! [laughs] I grew up in a small town in Florida where I’m still living now. I went from being in this small ass town to this. It’s just like… WOW! [laughs].
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See, you’re not only an awesome singer, but you’re a really gracious, appreciative person.
Well, my mom and dad always told me that if you get a compliment you damn well better say “thank you” because they didn’t have to tell you a damn thing. [laughs]
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Is it safe to say that bygones are bygones between you and Jon and we can expect a strong and stable White Wizzard?
Absolutely. Like I told Jon, once I got back to Florida I forgot all about everything that had happened. The band was able to go on without me and I was quite happy once I got rid of all the bullshit. Most of that was me being out in California. That was my main gripe that was living out there. Once I got back to Florida I was really happy.
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So with you living in Florida now and Jon and them in California, is this conducive to you being in a band with them?
Yeah. You’ve got to look at this way. In this day and age we can send MP3s in a heartbeat to someone who lives clear across the world and all you have to do is do your part. A couple of days before a major tour we can get together and rehearse the set list and be able to knock it out. That’s all we’re doing right now. He sends me the MP3s of the songs, I learn my parts and we go from there. Take the band Primal Fear for instance. The entire band is Canadian except the drummer who is German. Think of how that works out [laughs].
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White Wizzard is nearly done recording the follow up to “Over The Top.” What can we expect from this album?
We actually just finished recording the new album and it’s in the process of being mixed. I got to hear some samples of it and it’s going to sound so great. We really pushed ourselves and tried to advance the sound a little bit. We basically just stepped our game because we knew we were going to have to being that this is our 2nd album. We have to make sure we go over the top on this second one, pun intended [laughs]. We just felt that we needed to push what we do a lil farther but keep it true to what are sound is but at the same time try to progress in the songwriting and in the musical aspect. I really pushed myself on this album way more than I did on “Over The Top.”
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Were you involved at all in the writing process for this one?
No, Jon already had the entire album written by the time I rejoined the band. They didn’t have anything cut as far as recording went though.
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Did you go out to LA to cut your vocals or did you do that in Florida?
I actually flew out to Arizona to record the vocals. We actually recorded with the same guy that did “Over The Top.”
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I know Jon Leon is the primary songwriter in White Wizzard but do you see yourself being more involved in the writing process in the future?
On the next album I’m hoping to be able to add something to it. I’m not taking anything from Jon. Jon’s a great songwriter but I would love this to be more of a full band process.
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White Wizzard has been termed as “New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal.” How do you feel about being at the forefront of a new metal movement along with bands like Holy Grail, Icarus Witch and 3 Inches of Blood?
Well, we just play the music that we grew up listening to. I guess people want to consider that as some sort of a revival of some kind but this is the music I grew up listening to and this is what I like listening to.
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Speaking of classic metal, White Wizzard had the chance to go to England as guests on Bruce Dickinson’s BBC Radio show. How was that experience?
Man, I don’t know exactly how to explain it. This is a guy that I grew up listening to and idolizing somewhat. I mean, what do you say to someone like that instead of just standing there stammering over yourself while you’re shaking his hand? [laughs] The poor guy was probably thinking to himself, “Oh God here we go again!” [laughs] It was a really surreal moment for me but I quickly realized that he is just a normal person and I’m sure that’s how he would prefer to be treated. He was really cool and he really liked what we were doing quite a bit.
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Ok Wyatt, let’s have some fun. If you could form a band with any musicians alive or dead, who would be in it with you?
Oh man [laughs]. Damn, this is a hard question man [laughs]. I’d have to have Yngwie on lead, Steve Harris on bass, probably Mike Portnoy on drums and I’d have to throw in John Petrucci on guitar as well. The band would never get off the ground though because of all the egos [laughs].
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If you could front any band from any era for just one show, who would it be?
Damn man [laughs]. Probably Rainbow. Just the aura of that whole band. The vibe of that band and the way the crowd got so into them. The musicianship and the showmanship of the whole damn thing was just amazing. They put on a great show.
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When I’m driving and “More Than A Feelings” comes on the radio I sing along at full volume, high notes and all. What song do you find yourself doing that with?
Oh man, anything that I listen to that I put in the CD player [laughs]. I don’t listen to FM radio due to the simple fact that it’s so oversaturated with the bullshit that they want the public to listen to. Instead of getting to hear what you want to listen to, they choose what you want to listen to. Why would I bother with that when I have a CD player? [laughs]
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What is one album that you absolutely couldn’t live without?
Damn dude, you do ask hard questions. [laughs] Man, I would probably have to say “British Steal” by Judas Priest. Trust me, there’s about 10 more behind it just shoving it up to the front [laughs].
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Wyatt, thanks so much for talking to me today. I think I can speak on behalf of many White Wizzard fans that we are glad to have you back and making some more killer music.
Thank you so much Don. I cannot wait to get out there and let everybody hear the new album. It’s going to be a blast.
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