Written Interview: Ted Poley

Ted Poley is a legendary singer known best for his work with the 80's Glam Rock/Hard Rock band, Danger Danger. The band is still going strong in 2016, but Ted has now created his 3rd solo album entitled Beyond The Fade. The album is filled with Melodic Rock masterpieces that fit perfectly into today's Rock radio. I recently got to ask Ted a few questions I had on my mind about how this album came to be. Check It Out!

That Drummer Guy: Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview. I am thoroughly enjoying the new album,  Beyond The Fade. I have my girlfriend to thank for showing me Danger Danger and been enjoying your work ever since.
Ted Poley: THANK YOU FOR THE NICE WORDS! I AM HAPPY TO KNOW THAT YOU LIKE THE NEW CD.

TDG: So what is the story behind Beyond The Fade?
TP: THE TITLE REFERS TO THE FACT THAT I AM STILL RELEASING NEW MUSIC LONG AFTER MY STYLE OF MUSIC IS THE MOST POPULAR. IT FADED OUT IN 1993 BUT I AM STILL DOING IT.

TDG: With this being the 3rd solo album you have done, what did you want to do different this time around?
TP: I ALWAYS STAY TRUE TO MY SOUND BUT I WANTED TO TRY AND MAKE THIS AS EXPENSIVE SOUNDING AS POSSIBLE,,BY SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY! I FLEW TO ITALY TO RECORD THE VOCALS AND RENTED AN APARTMENT WHERE I LIVED AND I COULD FOCUS ON JUST RECORDING, NOT WORRYING ABOUT MY DAY TO DAY STUFF LIKE WHEN I AM HOME. ALSO I AM OLDER NOW AND ALSO MORE EXPERIENCED IN THE STUDIO SO I HAD A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT I WANTED.

TDG: I especially love how uplifting and positive the album sounds, which is something missing from Rock music in 2016. Was that a conscious effort to make that happen?
TP: NOT REALLY BUT I GUESS I GRAVITATE TOWARDS THAT SOUND WHEN CHOOSING OR WRITING THE SONGS. SO MAYBE AN "UN"CONSCIOUS EFFORT! 

TDG: With you also being a drummer, did you have much say of how you wanted the drums to sound and come across on the album?
TP: HELL YEAH! I HAD A LOT TO DO WITH EVERY INSTRUMENT. AND THANKFULLY ALESSANDRO DELVECCHIO WHO PRODUCED THE CD, LET ME DO WHATEVER I WANTED BECAUSE HE SAW THAT I KNEW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT AND TOGETHER WE CO PRODUCED THE CD INTO WHAT YOU HEAR.

What are your personal favorite songs from the album?
I LIKE "STARS" AND "HANDS OF LOVE" BUT THERE ALL PRETTY COOL. I LIKE THE FLOW OF THE CD.

TDG: The album cover is one of my favorite album covers and really says a lot about change. How did you get this idea for the album cover?
TP: I HAD THE IDEA OF ALL OF THE OLD TELEVISIONS AND RADIOS BEING SHIPPED OFF TO A JUNK PILE ON THE MOON AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COOL IF AN ASTRONAUT CAME UPON THEM AND FOUND SOME OF THEM TO BE MYSTERIOUSLY WORKING! AND THOSE THAT ARE WORKING HAVE IMAGES OF ME PLAYING ON THEM. SORT OF A "SCI-FI" THEME.

TDG: Are there any plans on performing these songs live in the near future?
TP: YES I HAVE ALREADY BEEN PLAYING "LETS START SOMETHING" AND ITS GOING OVER GREAT.

TDG: Higher, Stars, and Hands Of Love have been chosen so far as a singles from the album. What made you want to choose those songs to represent the album before it comes out?
TP: I DIDN'T CHOSE THE, FRONTIERS PICKED THE ONES THEY WANTED. I DIDN'T REALLY CARE WHICH ONES,THEY ALL CAME OUT PRETTY GOOD.

TDG: Not really a question, but I just have to say, I really love your vocal delivery on Where I Lost You. It's a very relateable song and I love how you approach the song.
TP: THANK YOU!!! ITS THE MOST "AMERICAN" SOUNDING TRACK. I DON'T KNOW HOW ELSE TO DESCRIBE THAT ONE,,,GREAT GUITARS ON THAT TRACK TOO.

TDG: Is there anything going on in the world of Danger Danger right now?
TP: ALWAYS DOING LIVE SHOWS AND JUST HAVING FUN THESE DAYS.

TDG: So what are your plans for the rest of the year?
TP: I HAVE A COUPLE OF RECORDING PROJECTS LINED UP AS WELL AS A LOT OF LIVE SOLO SHOWS, MANY IN THE USA. AS WELL AS ON THE MONSTERS OF ROCK CRUISE IN THE FALL. THEN OFF TO JAPAN WITH DANGER DANGER FOR LOUDPARK16, A HUGE CONCERT.

TDG: Is there anything you are currently listening to?
TP: I LOVE A BAND CALLED 'DEGREED" FROM SWEDEN. CHECK THEM OUT!

TDG: Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview. It has been a tremendous honor to get to do this. Again, I am really digging Beyond The Fade a lot. Before we go is there anything else you would like to mention that I haven't brought up yet?
TP: THANKS FOR ALL THE COOL COMMENTS AND FOR YOUR HELP PROMOTING THE NEW CD. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK EVERYONE READING THIS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND ALSO TO SAY PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL "NO-KILL" ANIMAL SHELTER WITH A SMALL DONATION TO HELP THE HOMELESS ANIMALS. THANKS FOR DOING THAT, I HAVE NICE FANS. SEE YA ON THE ROAD!

Ted Poley- Beyond The Fade is available NOW through Frontier Music s.l.r.