“Music Stands on its Own Merit.”-
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal
03/19/15 Song River
Some may call a child of seven who
ventures into studying music, and by twelve is teaching lessons, and
recording, a prodigy, but Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, feels even
though his growing up may be considered a bit odd, he still did
normal kids things... he just added in music, and an insatiable
appetite to learn. A sly grin came across Ron's face,
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It would seem sitting still has never
been an option, as Ron has always been busy musically and
academically. Ron went on,
“I think I’ve always been busy.
At 12 between lessons, recording, shows, etc... I remember painting
Iron Maiden on dungarees to sell, so I had money for my lessons.
(Laughed) When I was 10, I read all 3,000 pages on World History and
wrote a 10 page summary on it. I was just a freaky kid, building
models, puzzles, reading encyclopedias, looking at Kiss albums,
drawing and yes... I even played with my friends to be normal. We
were all that way though, we did kid stuff.”
Still even today when you read through
all Ron has been and is involved with he is that 'freaky kid.' He is
involved with numerous charity works, markets his own brand of hot
sauces, designs merch, records consistently, creates new works with a
diverse range of musicians, and continues to push forward.
“We just finished up a 4 year
collaborative work as of recent,” Ron said. “It took four years
to create, Art of Anarchy with Scott
Weiland, and I am very pleased with how it turned out. We have
two videos with it already. I think what I liked about the project
so much was we came into this with no rules. Scott would write
whatever he wanted, and it just came together. Its an interesting
album, experimental. As well, I am currently working with DMC
(formerly of Run DMC) on a
collaborative too, first songs title: Lot Lizard...” (he
laughed, then felt like he had to explain... I understood. Wink).
Ron talked about some of his charity
work he has been involved with and his philosophy behind helping
others.
“My traveling around the world,
and meeting people. We cross each others paths for a reason, and you
realize it's what your doing- you help others. Donating my music,
and performing to help put clothes on a kids back. The act of
charity in what you do, its giving more music, people can take it
with them, and apply it in a physical form. Same end goal. Playing
my music to raise funds to help clothe a kid, or just teaching music
to give to someone else. It's about Paying it Forward.”
Some of the charities and events Ron
has been involved with are: Operation Smile, Rays of Sunshine,
Tsunami Relief and Global Emergency Fund, Dubai Autism Center, NGO
Wildlife Trust of India, the Red Cross to name just a few. Ron is
also a board member of the MS Research Foundation, a spokesperson for
iRock2Live, which provides schools with programs against bullying,
texting while driving and obesity. He is also a member of “Musicians
on Call.” With guitar in hand, 'fret-less' Bumblefoot lives his
unique... he visits orphanages and childcare’s hospitals all over
the world.
With his dynamic openness to express
his charitable nuances, and the title of his latest album I asked Ron
about his religious, and political beliefs. As the latest album
entitled, Little Brother is Watching, many of the
energizing elements that make Bumblefoot who he is come to play in
his works.
(Prior to asking the question
though, I prefaced it first by telling him that I was going to be
asking him a question and that if he was uncomfortable he didn’t
have to answer. Of course, Ron took this to mean a three letter word
which he didn't want to talk about. We both got a good laugh from
it, as I never had the intention of asking or referring to his work
with a previous three acronym letter band, since where he is now and
what he is working on was my focus.)
“I am a spiritual person- Buddhism
being an example- seems to be in line. I don’t believe God is
going to save me or wish me ill will- stuff happens. I am
responsible for who I am.” Ron paused, reflecting. “Its up to
you to undo the damage and be a better person. People tend to look
at big obstacles, looking at the mountains instead of the hill. If
each person would focus in on improving themselves, that I believe is
how you would fix the world.” (paused for a moment, seeming to
gather his thoughts) “We all
make mistakes, conditioned reactions which may not be best. Every so
often we need to to an inventory check. If people take care of self
spiritually- get that in order, then work on social, that would help
everything politically.”
Touching
on the subject of politics, I asked Ron to expand on the subject,
plus our social climate and its influences on the album title, Little
Brother is Watching.
“There are different sides to how technology has affected us, Ron referred to Orwell's 1984, you know where 'Big Brother' is watching. But no one predicted where we can watch each other. We've become the; 'Yes, we are both watching each other.' The 'Big Brother' and 'Little Brother.' Society in check, sharing experiences- good or bad. Some people feel there’s a loss of control of how your image is being seen- without control we become afraid to offend- it becomes a chain. I don’t think about if people are judging me, some do feel it though, while others don't care. I think life may not be so black and white anymore. I think we see gray a little more. We see it globally across the world. Take a white wall and have a million people look at it. Some will see pure, plain. Some will throw something at it, write on it, but nothing defines the wall... its an exterior... we all have our own eyes. YOU know who you are. That is the jest of the meaning behind the album's title and content.”
These
are the observations made, put into words, baptized in notes,
musically drenched in hard rock and guitar riffs played by Ron
“Bumblefoot” Thal and his gold double necked fretless guitar.
Creative
minds are seldom still. Place that with a heart full of compassion,
and you have a legendary maestro musician, who is a philanthropist by
day... and a musician 24/7/365. A humble ace that walks- what he
talks, and plays- who he is.
For
more information on Ron Bumblefoot Thal- Albums, YouTube Videos,
Instruction Videos, Tour Info, Merch, Hot Sauces, etc...
www.bumblefoot.com
www.twitter.com/bumblefoot
www.facebook.com/bumblefoot
www.instagram.com/bumblefoot
www.youtube.com/bumblefoot
www.reverbnation.com/bumblefoot
Bumblefoot
Signature Guitar Cases
bit.ly/bbfguitarcase
Bumblefoot Hot Sauces
bit.ly/bbfsauce
BBF Merch store
bit.ly/bbf-merch
BBF iTunes
bit.ly/bbf-itune
bit.ly/bbfguitarcase
Bumblefoot Hot Sauces
bit.ly/bbfsauce
BBF Merch store
bit.ly/bbf-merch
BBF iTunes
bit.ly/bbf-itune
Information
on Art of Anarchy:
Scott
Weiland (vocals)
Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal (guitar)
John Moyer (bass)
Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal (guitar)
John Moyer (bass)
Youtube:
https://youtu.be/xL8CJfkLBo0
Social
Media: https://www.facebook.com/ArtOfAnarchyBand
Photo Credits Listed on Photos.
For Vents Magazine March 2015
Song River is the owner of CowGirlZen Photography. She is also a freelance photojournalist. Currently working with L3 Magazine, Vents Mag, Silverplatter. You can follow her interviews, reviews of great musicians, writers, artists on her blog, http://cowgirlzenphoto.cowgirlzenphotojournalist.com/. She is also quite active in social media working as a copywriter for several companies, and individuals. Never wrong, always right... and filled with a twisted satirical outlooks on life sometimes... you have to be thinking out of the box most of the time to catch her. A mess of delight and quandary at times, but known for her love and compassion to help others succeed. A die hard Nikon proficient!
Song River is the owner of CowGirlZen Photography. She is also a freelance photojournalist. Currently working with L3 Magazine, Vents Mag, Silverplatter. You can follow her interviews, reviews of great musicians, writers, artists on her blog, http://cowgirlzenphoto.cowgirlzenphotojournalist.com/. She is also quite active in social media working as a copywriter for several companies, and individuals. Never wrong, always right... and filled with a twisted satirical outlooks on life sometimes... you have to be thinking out of the box most of the time to catch her. A mess of delight and quandary at times, but known for her love and compassion to help others succeed. A die hard Nikon proficient!