Page 41 - Black Velvet Issue 95

BV95 pg38-40 Hardcore Superstar_BV95 pg41 20/12/2017 01:53 Page 4

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better at everything, but we know what we you want to make rock ‘n’ roll. It doesn’t have I’ve been into music. I find inspiration in
want to do and we do it as good as we can. to be music. For me, if you choose your own many, many areas. Zlatan has always gone
Every time we do something, we do it full-on, path that’s rock ‘n’ roll. But the album; I think his own way. He comes from a neighbour-
as good as we can. But of course everything this album, the main focus was what do we hood that’s kind of rough and he always fol-
needs to get better. sound like live and how can we project that lowed his own path even though people
on the album? So everything from writing were telling him to change his ways and this
X – eXcitement. What’s been the most excit- the songs, the lyrics, how the songs were and that. He said, “No. I am who I am, and ei-
ing thing you’ve done in the band? written, everything was focused on three dif- ther you like me or don’t like me, that’s fine.
VZ: The joining of the band was pretty cool, ferent kind of lines that we had, these need But I’m going to remain who I am.” That’s
going from Crazy Lixx, a small band, to the to be fulfilled when the song is done. If why he’s a big inspiration.
tour of Japan and Australia; that was quite they’re fulfilled and they’re strong, then the
exciting. Everything is pretty unique, every song is good enough. Hardcore Superstar are big inspirations
journey, everything is exciting in its own themselves for being who they are and doing
way. Every country has its charm. Z – Zlatan. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the footballer, it so well. Look out for their new album, ‘You
is one of your heroes. What do you admire Can’t Kill My Rock ‘N’ Roll’, next year. Visit
Y – ‘You Can’t Kill My Rock N Roll’. Jocke about him? Have you ever met him? www.hardcoresuperstar.com for more infor-
wrote in Feb ‘We’re writing the most kick- VZ: The king, the king! No, I wouldn’t like to mation.
ass, ear-splitting record of our career’? Tell meet him. I admire him very much. He’s a Words By Shari Black Velvet
me about it. How rock ‘n’ roll and ear-split- big, big inspiration to me. Football and
Band Photo By Ian Golcher
ting is it? sports people have always been a big inspi- Vic Zino and Jocke Berg Photos By Shari Black Velvet
VZ: It is very rock n’ roll. Rock ‘n’ roll is what ration to me. I’ve been equally into sports as

Highlight(s) of your career so far?
Working with U2 from the very beginning up
until The Joshua Tree. Getting them their first
network TV. Growing up learning my trade
while they were learning theirs. Touring with
David Bowie as his publicist. Story of my life,
working with people who’s records I’d bought
as a kid. Unbelievable experience but excited
about new challenges now.
If you could meet one of your inspirations
and ask them one question, who would you
like to meet and what question would you
ask?
I couldn’t really single out any one person but
Name, Age & Location: mainly buying songs and the music business maybe I’d just sit and listen to David Bowie
Tony Michaelides, 64, St. Pete Beach, Florida, could no longer make the money it was used without having to ask anything.
USA. to making.
Advice to others that may want to follow in
What do you do - or what do you aim to do? What does a general working day or week your footsteps?
Right now I’m working on a TV series that we usually consist of? I’m a realist, I’m happy to share my story to
hopefully plan to launch early next year. I’m Pretty much following up from what happened help inspire others but I’m also brutally honest
also a published author currently writing my the previous week! Tel calls, Hangouts, Skype with people. Nobody could follow in my foot-
second book and a keynote speaker. From calls and face-to face-meetings, mostly as a steps, myself included. That job doesn’t exist
TEDx to Corporate America, from colleges to result of the proposed TV series. I also just anymore. When I had my own promotion com-
The British Consul General in Miami for their launched my Facebook Public Page, a good pany I liked to empower people to go out and
Brit Week Innovation Awards. Together with vehicle to share some memories… and writing make that job their own with just one piece of
philanthropy and local charity events I try to be my book in between. advice; ‘Whatever you screw up on I’ll pull you
selective and go to places where I will enjoy out.’ They didn’t have the threat of being fired
the experience. Have you had any professional training or hanging over them, and it made them better at
taken part in any courses to improve your their job. I’m a great believer in finding out
How long have you been doing it for - and career along the way? what it is you love and then putting all your ef-
what made you choose this career? I didn’t. I came from a generation of people forts into making it work. That one job exists
I emigrated to the U.S. in 2004 after being who made it up as we went along. There and it’s up to you to find it. Dedication and be-
awarded an ‘Alien Of Extraordinary Ability’ weren’t any music business courses back then lief, if you believe it enough it won’t be hard to
green card for services to music and arts but what I did learn, I learned from my peers. convince others.
which meant I didn’t have to buy a furniture They were my mentors and they were some of
business, go bust and return home in two the greatest names to have ever graced the Where do you go from here? Plans for the
years! The music industry was changing, music industry. At that time it was run by music future?
record companies were downsizing and could people and not so much accountants and II don’t think I’ve ever had two days in my life
no longer afford independent pluggers. I’d lawyers. It grew to become less about the peo- that have ever been the same so I’m not likely
spent the last 30 years working with some of ple and more about the market share. My job to change that now! The music industry isn’t a
the world’s leading artists and then working involved communication and everything I ever ‘how to do’ business. You can’t teach people
with Simon Cowell I got an inkling of what was achieved was as a result of building relation- how to manage a band, how to promote an
to come. Artists were being ‘manufactured,’ ships. You survive on reputation built from re- artist or how to become a rock star but you can
they weren’t really artists at all, they were the spect, trust and integrity. inspire them to want to be great. I like to chal-
creation of other people. I’d prided myself on lenge myself, push out and always try some-
artist development and that was becoming a In your eyes, what makes your company thing new. I’m excited about this TV series but
thing of the past; careers were becoming sec- stand out? Why should others come to it wouldn’t make sense to advertise it here.
ondary and it was all about instant gratification. you? The entertainment industry is rife with plagia-
Along came Napster and when the music in- It’s up to everyone to make their own minds rizers!
dustry closed them down it opened the door up. I don’t tout for business of any type, I never
for Steve Jobs and iTunes. The whole industry have. With the internet anyone can go and find Website for more info:
changed and the rest is history. Those left buy- any endorsements, testimonials etc. If you’re www.tonymichaelides.com
ing music and not downloading it for free were any good at what you do people will find you.

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR / BVCV