Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony West
Hi Tony, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was five years old, David Bowie and The Ramones made me want to play music.
As a kid, Mother Love Bone made me really step up the game and want to become a singer.
Vocalists like Perry Farrell, Ian Astbury, Scott Weiland, and Andrew Wood, of course, influenced me as an artist/performer/singer. Also, Hank von Hell from Turbo Negro was a huge influence on me.
They shaped me into who I am today. It was a lot of punk rock, GBH, and hardcore, like Cro-Mags and Motörhead.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anybody really has a smooth road. I mean, even the Royals…. Prince. Harry and William lost their mother at an early age. Nobody has a smooth road.
People dying, addiction, and childhood abuse. Those are the biggest things I overcame and have come to peace with.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I don’t tweak out on guitar or drums. I’m more of a visionary, lyricist, and melody maker.
I love the process of writing, recording, and performing songs. That’s my deal. I love doing all the art involved in putting out a record. I take the lyrics very seriously. I consider myself a wordsmith. Words are magical.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I used to love L.A. The thing I like best about it is the weather, but that’s kind of slowly dwindling.
What I don’t like about it is there’s no community and camaraderie anymore. There’s no clubs. There’s no scene. It’s quite disparaging. If it wasn’t for my kids being in California, I definitely would have moved already.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blacklistunion.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacklistunionofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlacklistUnionRocks
- Twitter: @BlacklistUnion2
- Youtube: @BlacklistUnionRocks
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tony-j-west
- Other: https://linktr.ee/blacklistunion
Image Credits
Photos are: Lori Lea Photography and Krystie Lee Shirley
