Chuck Shute Podcast

Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest, Elegant Weapons)

May 02, 2023 Richie Faulkner Season 4 Episode 339
Chuck Shute Podcast
Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest, Elegant Weapons)
Show Notes Transcript

Richie Faulkner is an English musician best known as one of the lead guitarists for the heavy metal band Judas Priest. He has a new project called Elegant Weapons and they are releasing a new album on May 26 titled “Horns for Halos.”  We discuss Elegant Weapons, the future for Judas Priest, a paranormal experience while recording, Richie's near death experience and more!

00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Elegant Weapons & Melody
01:17 -" Blind Leading the Blind" Single
02:59 - "Do Or Die" Single
03:56 - "Horns for Halos" Single
04:58 - "Ghost of You" Song
07:10 - "White Horse" Song
07:52 - Occult Interest & Experience
11:02 - Near Death Experience
13:45 - "Rose Girl" Song
14:55 - Elegant Weapons Band & Live Shows
16:28 - Playing with Adam Jones & Tool
17:55 - Early Days, Steve Harris & Iron Maiden
21:00 - Elegant Weapons American Dates
22:35 - Working with Rob Halford
25:05 - Judas Priest New Tour & Album
29:05 - Elegant Weapons Plans
29:45 - John Ritter Foundation
31:35 - Outro

Richie Faulkner website:
http://richiefaulkner.com/

Elegant Weapons website:
https://elegantweaponsband.com/

Judas Priest website:
https://www.judaspriest.com/

John Ritter website:
https://johnritterfoundation.org/

Chuck Shute website:
https://chuckshute.com/

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon!

Chuck Shute:

Well, this was a fun one. It's not often that you get to interview the guitarist of one of the biggest metal bands in the world. But Richie Faulkner from Judas Priest is my guest today. And he's got a new album out May 26, with his band, elegant weapons. The album is called horns for halos. And we're gonna break down the new album, talk a little Judas Priest, and he opens up about his health scare, hearing a ghost and so much more stay right there No, it's all good. So this exciting, elegant weapons, the new band horns for a halo may 26. And you described it as a mix of Hendrix, pre Sabbath solo Ozzy and Black Label society. But with Melody.

Richie Faulkner:

Yeah, I mean, when I say But with all that stuff has got melody, although all those influences have got melody in it. It's heavy, but it's it's got melody, you know. So that's always been an attraction of my musically I like the heavier side of stuff. But melody has always been a priority of mine really something to get your teeth into musically and sing along to really? Yeah, the blind leading the blind, a single that's like, it's kind of got a melodic sing along chorus. Like I could see myself chanting that chorus, like singing along at a concert. Very cool solo. It's more of a fun song. But what is it about? Is it about? Because I'm thinking blindly in the blind could be like American education system could be a lot of things like what? You're absolutely right. It could be a lot of things. I mean, it's represented in the video as kind of like a politician type figure leading, you know, people, but you're right. It could be it could be religious connotation, political. It could be I mean, I'm a relatively new father. So I've got an almost three year old, so I'm kind of that's the blind leading the blind right there. I haven't got a clue what I'm doing. You know. So it could be it could be like a few different things. But it was a more dramatic take on it, from a video point of view to have the pig like the rich pig type, political figure leading the people. And at the end of the day, he when you strip him down, he's just a pig. And people kind of come to that realisation themselves that he doesn't know what's going on. And we have to kind of find our own way, you know, so that's what was represented in the video.

Chuck Shute:

Oh, that's yeah, like, that's very true. I mean, people put too much faith in politicians or, or anybody really even rockstars. Sometimes we think they know everything. Nobody knows anything. We're all the blind leading the blind, right?

Richie Faulkner:

Yeah, sometimes we just have to kind of make our own mistakes and find out what to do on our own. You know, we can put faith in other people. But fundamentally, sometimes we need to find out those answers ourselves.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, I mean, you definitely know guitar, though. Like in the second single Do or die. I mean, you're just shredding in that it sounds like you're having a lot of fun, like the solos and stuff. Is that a fun song to play?

Richie Faulkner:

Actually, it's a pain in the butt to play and It's going to be it's going to be an enjoying. We're not trying to say it's going to be a fun song. I can't even talk properly, let alone play the bloody thing. But it's going to be fun to play live for sure when we get out on the live circuit. Yeah, that's good. And then are you gonna do horns for Halo? That's the third single and that's kind of got like a dark intro heavy. It's heavy. You described as Tony Iommi cross with Allison chains. Yeah, I think that's accurate. So that's what I get from it. Anyway. I actually called when I was writing the song or when I was writing the riff, you know, you got to say, you know, you save your, your ideas and stuff. And I actually put the working title down, as I owe me because I thought it was something it reminded me of something like a like a vibe that I only would play you know, that kind of Black Sabbath, dark and broody type riff that reminds me of r&b. So that's how it took shape initially. But yeah, again, it's kind of Bodek notes. It's got a singalong chorus. And yeah, definitely more brooding, darker sounding. And that's the third single that comes out around the same time as the record, I believe.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, so that one's on out to the public. Yeah, they're gonna like that. That song is actually in my head right now. So it's really good. What about the song I didn't get a chance to hear it. but I know there's a song called ghost of you, that's a it's kind of a mellow song. It's got a detuned 1920s piano on it. And it's about a song of a memory or ghost.

Richie Faulkner:

Yeah, basically, it's it's a little bit of ambiguity, you know, it could be either a lost love or someone that's passed on, you know, but basically, it's about someone that keeps showing up in our memory, you know, which I think a lot of people a lot of us can relate to, you know, we've all been in love before and lost level, we've lost loved ones and whatever. So I thought it was a universal kind of concept. And I just thought, yeah, it's got a bit of a kind of like a smoky, kind of bluesy, jazz, clubby type vibe, which I thought was quite strong on the on the imagery type thing. And again, with that kind of concept, I thought it was just a bit different, but something that kind of fit in with the with the record, so I went with it.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, yeah, cuz I think you said, you don't really get along with acoustic guitars, is there actually acoustic on there or it's just more stripped down?

Richie Faulkner:

No, no acoustic guitars at all. There's one guitar on it in various forms, so it might be it might be a clean guitar, or it might be a heavy guitar, but it's just one guitar. It's a it's a prototype for Gibson Flying V that we've been working on for a while. should be coming out this year. But it seems to tick all the boxes sonically. So I went with that and I didn't really need anything else. And, you know, maybe in the future, I'll pick up a acoustic guitar if I need a different texture or something like that. But I'm not drawn to an acoustic guitar like I'm an electric. So on this one, I went with the electric and stay with it.

Chuck Shute:

Interesting was your first guitar electric. Did you ever play acoustic as a kid or anything?

Richie Faulkner:

Again, bits and pieces, it's more of a tool. You know, I'll pick it up if I need a certain texture. But, you know, if, if I walk in a guitar store, I'll go straight to the electric section. I'm not really attracted to the acoustic in the same way. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

well, I like you playing the electric I think it fits. So what about the song a white horse? I don't know anything about that one. I just know there's a song called white horse. What is it about?

Richie Faulkner:

Well, what horse is it's got a bit of a an occult connotation. And it's not a radio single put it that way. It's not like, it's not one of those songs. That is it's not a verse chorus, verse chorus, solo finishes, it's got a few more twists and turns in that one. And I liked that in, in music in general, but definitely in heavy music where it takes you on a journey. And as I said, it's a few more twists and turns. So yeah, it's one of my favorite songs on the record that one?

Chuck Shute:

So a cult, or is that something that you're interested in?

Richie Faulkner:

Um, I mean, it's definitely entertaining to read up on that stuff. I don't know if I believe in that sort of stuff or not actually, there was an instance in the studio where I was sitting there one night, and there was some voices that were coming out of the studio speakers, I actually ran out of the studio. So I've might say that I don't believe in it. But I ran, I believed enough to run out of the studio. So I must have believed that believe in it enough to run out. So. So yeah, he actually said a word out of the speakers, and I've no idea what it was. So maybe there's something goes, I honestly don't know what what happened was I was sitting here editing and stuff. And there was a low growl that came out of one of the studio speakers and actually said out loud, I said, What the eff is that? And as I said that, right after there was a word that came out of the stick out of one of the speakers and it said a word. I've no idea what it said. I don't know what the word means. But I just opt in and run out the studio. And yeah, that's that's what happened. I don't think I've told anyone that before because it's a bit ridiculous. But you know, we brought up the cold. So who knows? No,

Chuck Shute:

I think that's what was fascinating. Is this, like an older building? Like is it maybe have some haunted things on there?

Richie Faulkner:

I don't know. The house was built in the 60s. So it's not that old, but it's not modern. But I think the studio the building the studios in was a newer, newer build, but we've we've, we've kind of made the studio as a recent modification. But I don't know I don't know the history of the land. It's on or anything but it was definitely like a I don't want to say demonic voice but it was definitely like a like a low growly voice that said the word that came out of the speaker. And what it said was by this record, no, I didn't. It was a word that I'm not familiar with, and I have no idea what it means but it was definitely a word and as I said it was freaked me out enough to run out the studio.

Chuck Shute:

That's creepy. You might have been Latin or something and like, no idea, man, and you watch horror movies and stuff. You ever see the exorcist stuff like that. I mean, that's I love

Richie Faulkner:

horror movies. As I said, I don't really believe in that stuff, but I find it entertaining to watch and be scared. You know, for sure. Just, you know, not a lot really scares me anymore. You know, the older you get you see, behind all that stuff, you know, especially in Hollywood and whatever, but if something scares me in film, I like that experience. You know, if I go to the movies, and I'm scared by moving and I like being scared, but that really scared me. So we came in and we I don't I don't know if this works or not, but my other arm she she came in with the sage and stuff, and if that works, whatever. So I've had a few electrical things go on in here, but I don't know if that's otherworldly or just electrical stuff. So but yeah, all interesting stuff, man the same nonetheless.

Chuck Shute:

Well, because you had a health scare. Obviously people know about that a few years back. Was that like a near death experience? Like, did you see the white light and stuff? I mean, how close did you come?

Richie Faulkner:

Do you know what man? Well, my heart, I had a heart bypass. They turned my brain off. And they they chill you down. They chill your body down that you're technically dead. You're dead. So I tell you what I saw. I saw nothing. There was no, I mean, I've got no memory. There was no white light. There was no beautiful sound. So I know where I'm going. There was you know, I know where I'm not going but that way. But yeah, I remember when I when I came to when I came around, I had no memory I'd no recollection of any tunnel any white light any any chance any beautiful music or anything like that. So it kind of it was kind of set my mind at ease. To some degree. Once you're gone. You kind of gone. That's what I got from it. It was just there was nothing, though. It was literally nothing. There was no memory. There was no thought there was no anything. So yeah, but it was I was technically dead. So put it on. So I'm glad to be here talking to you about all this nonsense.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Well, I mean, so wasn't anything positive. But at least it wasn't you weren't hurting. You weren't in pain. So that's good, too.

Richie Faulkner:

Exactly. That's exactly what I got from it. There was nothing, nothing good. Nothing in the true sense of the word. Nothing, nothing. Nothing. There was no, I wasn't thinking anything. I wasn't feeling anything. There was no memories. There was nothing. So yeah, that's what I got from it. I know people get different things from it. But that's what I've got.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, it's interesting. How did that experience inspire any songs on this record?

Richie Faulkner:

All the older stuff was, I think, written recorded. Before that happened. I think all I had to do when I was better from that I had to finish mixing it with Andy Sneap, the producer and mastering it and then all the stuff like the packaging, the artwork and the label and management and stuff like that. So no, all the all the order writing was done. I've actually, we've been working on the second record. And there's a couple of stuff a couple of songs, or there's one song on the new record that was inspired by this instrumental and it's like a heartbeat going through it and stuff. So yeah, it's kind of like a musical interlude. Inspired by that, but nothing, nothing lyrical. No.

Chuck Shute:

Okay. And then the other song that I just know about titles rose girl, which is this one's supposed to have a psychedelic 60s, hippie vibe. It's about a rose girl who sells roses to people the strip club about what life is about.

Richie Faulkner:

Yeah, that didn't make the record, unfortunately. So no, we had to make some cuts to you know, just to make the record a bit more concise. But yeah, that was about the guy that wrote the lyrics for that Tommy Williams, he used to go to a strip club down down in Miami. He used to date one of the strippers there. And when he used to wait for her to pick her up after a shift. There used to be a lady that used to come in selling roses to the patrons of the club. And he used to wonder what her story was where she came from, where she was going to what was the story of the rose girl that came into the strip club in South Miami. And that's what that song was about, but it didn't make the record. So maybe we'll see on a future release.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, how many songs are on this record?

Richie Faulkner:

I think it was 10 or 11. I don't remember 10 or 11. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

yeah. Tell me Tell me about the band because I mean, would you call this a supergroup because you got Ronnie Romero who's I worked with Michael Schenker and Vandenberg and rainbow, and then yourself, obviously, Judas Priest, and then the bass players from Uriah Heep. And the drummer from except,

Richie Faulkner:

well, I'm just incredibly fortunate to know, like some of my best friends, you know, incredible musicians, that's just the way the dice landed. And I'm fortunate to be in those kinds of circles, you know, it, I mean, it's important to me really to have that camaraderie, especially if you're going to be on tour with these guys. You know, you're in airport lions, or in planes or tour buses, or, you know, you're waiting around a lot, you know, you you're on tour a lot with him. So it's important to get on with each other. But, you know, and especially, you know, there's Rex Brown, and Scott Travis on the record as well. And they're legends. You know what I mean? I'm just fortunate enough to have those people in my circle, when I'm able to call them up and say, Hey, bro, can you be on the record? Or do you want to be in my band? You know, I'm fortunate enough to be able to have those guys at the end of the phone. So I'm just lucky to be in in that situation. Really?

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Now you're doing? You're doing shows with Pantera? Is that correct?

Richie Faulkner:

Yeah, where is I think there's four or five shows that we're joining pencarrow For in Europe, and in the rest of them are some festivals around Europe. So we got June and July. We were out for a couple of months with weapons. And yeah, for those shows that would Panthera Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

That's cool. So you said you mentioned that a lot of your friends are musicians, I saw a picture of you with Adam Jones from tool. I was like, Oh, that's interesting that you know, it's not something a band that you would think Judas Priest and tool but you're a fan of tool.

Richie Faulkner:

Yeah, I'm good friends with Adam. I know Adam through the Gibson connection, we're part of the Gibson family. And he contacted me through Gibson and asked me if I wanted to get up and do a song with them. And without thinking, I was like, Yeah, of course, I'd love to do that. And then when I thought about it, I was like, bloody hell, that's, now I've got to learn the song properly. I know, I know, some tools, songs, like bits and pieces. But if you've got to get up there and play it in front of people with the band, you've got to know it properly. You know, so I think it took me about a week every day, like are sitting there for like, eight hours a day. Learning the song properly, man, it was it was a it was no small. No small feat. But uh, Danny, it was great. It was great to, you know, play with the guys and meet the rest of the band. And Adams, a sweet guy. He's a lovely guy. We talk you know, every now and again and yeah, again, it's just you pinch yourself sometimes, you know, these guys are at the end of the phone and you can call them up and, you know, Hey, man, have you seen this film? Or, you know, what do you think about it? It's, it's a trip. You pinch yourself all the time,

Chuck Shute:

was the biggest, like have been friends all these rock stars? Was that after you joined Judas Priest or did you kind of already have some connections before that? Because when I heard you were living in Steve Harris's garage when Judas Priest College, is that true?

Richie Faulkner:

Yeah, he didn't know. I was in a Steve daughter, Lauren's band joined priest and yeah, we went out we were out in Maidan for a while. We were out with thunder a motley crew Within Temptation. So we were doing the rounds a bit. So yeah, I knew I knew Steve. So yeah, but I mean, since joining priest, obviously, we've, you know, we've had a few bands that we've been playing with a few bands, obviously, with priestly, they're opening up for us are in the same bills, festivals and stuff like that. So you do get to meet a lot of people through that connection. So yeah, it's been it's been fantastic.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Speaking of Iron Maiden, and I was wondering, I want to get your thoughts. Do you think that they're going to be finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Because I think they're on the ballot again, the second or third time that they've been nominated?

Richie Faulkner:

I don't know, man. I mean, that whole hall of fame thing. You'd never know who's gonna get in these days it's it's I don't know, especially the metal What do you call it? The metal nominations. They might be on there but other than it just seems like such a wild card these days. They might also underrepresented on the on the Hall of Fame ballot is ridiculous. So there's kind of it almost doesn't mean anything anymore. I mean, maiden or another band like priests, they're touring the world. After almost 50 years. They're putting out new music. That's I've said it before about presets. That's more of an accolade than any trophy on the shelf. You know, like they're, they've got a fan base that's legendary. They're putting out great records, fantastic tours, great productions. That's what it's about, you know, to me anyway. So whether they get in or not, I don't think they're too bothered to be honest with you. I could be wrong. But from what Bruce has said, it doesn't seem like he's too bothered. I think they're more concerned about putting out great music to their great fans around the world. And that's the way it should be.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. And we're both playing to these large audiences. I think that's the other thing. Yeah, you can be around for 50 years, but you could be playing a sports bar, but you're playing like arenas and stadiums. Well, it's

Richie Faulkner:

the fans that put these bands there, you know, and that's the accolade that's the you know, I think even if you're around for 50 years and you're playing sports bar, so what the you're doing what you want to do, but you're right, they're playing to legions of fans around the world have put them there for you know, 50 years, almost 50 years in maidens case. And that's, I think that's what that's the biggest accolade you can have is that those fans put you there for that long doesn't get any more meaningful than that in my opinion.

Chuck Shute:

No, absolutely. With elegant weapons would you guys you have obviously the European dates would you do any American tour dates? And if so, like what bands? What bands would you want to tour with? Like, is there anybody that's put out new music that you personally are enjoying?

Richie Faulkner:

Oh, I'd love I'd love to play the states you know, hopefully in the future would be able to pick up some dates in the States or support or something. I love Wolfie Van Halen is band mammoth. That'd be that'd be cool. Allison chains are lots of players in chains, black levels of society. I mean, it's a few of them. You know, Metallica, I'd love to favorite selling it is a few of them. I'd love to you know, I've consider tons of bands really? If it was appropriate, you know, just just a few I've mentioned off the top of my head out there. They'd be great villains. I think. So yeah, we'll see what the future holds.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, you mammoth Black Label society. That'd be fun. That'd be I feel like Metallica would be cool too. But it's like, it's gonna be too big. I want something like more intimate you know, I like that's mammoth just came to my city and I missed them. It was like on a Tuesday or something. But I'd love to see them live. I'd love to see elegant weapons like sounds like I said, like, your songs are so catchy. I feel like I'm the singing along while you play him.

Richie Faulkner:

I appreciate you saying that man. Yeah, it's as I said, we said right at the beginning of this interview, like, melody has always been an important thing to me. So and I think Wolfie stuff is the same. Really. You can you can sing along to him. They're heavy. They're catchy enough without being cheesy. And he's doing great. He's out with Metallica at the moment, on some of them dates. And yeah, I think that'd be a good parent, to be honest.

Chuck Shute:

Now, how does that work? Because obviously, you're still in Judas Priest too. Did you have to you have to play the the riffs before Rob Hallford. And he goes, Yeah, you can have that because I mean, some of these songs, I'm like, I'm thinking Rob would have gone. No, I want that for the next priests record.

Richie Faulkner:

Well, the one of the things about this was, you know, during the COVID pandemic, we had to, we were off the road. lockdowns prevented us from going out on the road. So we weren't touring. Also, the priest record was written. So all the creative ideas, I could draw a line underneath those. And so anything new that I was coming up with, I could dedicate to this record. So it was that that was the situation really, so I knew that anything I was coming up with I could I could, I didn't have to give it to the pre trip when it was done. So that was that was the luxury really. But no, it showed rob the Sun's right in the demo stages. And he loved me in the he's always been interested to hear more stuff. And he's interested in you know, who the singer was, obviously, and stuff like that. So he's always been a supporter. And Rob has always, you know, had his own side stuff as well, you know, outside of priest and during priest, you know, I think he had his Christmas stuff. Not so long ago, Glen's had some solo stuff outside of priest, you know, so they've always flex their creative muscles outside of priest and this is no different really,

Chuck Shute:

is there? Is there rules for being a member of Judas Priest? I mean, because Rob's basically your boss like does is there certain things like you have to sign non disclosure agreements or like rules and things like that? Or is he has pretty much trust you to use good judgment on everything?

Richie Faulkner:

Yeah, I think it's so pretty much you know, you got to use your brain you know, just don't do anything stupid. We will talk to each other about ideas we've got other things we want to do is a healthy level of respect between the band members and the management and so does you know, it's like me knew if I wanted to do something and you know, me and you're in a band, it's I'd run something by this like Sportsman's agreements and, you know, like, you know, I've got an idea I want to try and do this. What do you think about me doing that? Would you ever problem or what do you think about it? It's just like normal stuff, you know? It's it's not really Rocket Science. And you know, that's the way it's always been since I've been in the band.

Chuck Shute:

Now. That's cool. So yeah, I just saw today that you guys announced new tour dates for Judas Priest. I think it's not till like 2024. Is this? No, this isn't going to be the final tour, is it? Because I know Aerosmith just announced that they're doing their piece out tour. So they're done after their tour. What about for Judas Priest?

Richie Faulkner:

Well, not that I know of. A could be who knows now? I don't know. I'm not sure. I mean, as I said, we've been working on the record, I think the record is almost done. So, you know, once that's done, we'll let everyone know, usually with a record as dates to come with it. So I mean, I don't know, I don't really think about I mean, obviously when I joined the band, it was the final. It was supposed to be the final tour. So I was thinking about it then. But it's not really something I know, some some time at some point. It's going to happen. You know, the guys are over 50 years in, you know, so one day it will happen. But you know, when when it happens? There'll be the ones to tell us, you know,

Chuck Shute:

yeah, well, that's what's smart, too, about you doing elegant weapons to prepare for the future. I mean, because it's Judas Priest is going to be around forever. So you got to have some other things to work on.

Richie Faulkner:

Well, yeah, hopefully it lays the groundwork for what comes after. As I said, I joined on the on the farewell tour. Fortunately, the band is still around. Today, I'm still talking to you about you know, new tools and new albums and stuff like that. And that's fantastic. But I had a conversation with Glenn Tipton, over 10 years ago, when I joined the band, the band aren't going to be around for 2025 years. So it was a, I was very much aware that I needed to think about what I was going to do after priest but as I said, you know, it's up to them when they do that. And, you know, when they tell us we'll figure it out, you know?

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. So is there anything you can tell me about the new priest album without getting in trouble?

Richie Faulkner:

It's a heavy Jazz Blues influence. No, it's not. No, it sounded great. I was in Phoenix a few few weeks ago with Andy Sneap. And Rob Halford, putting down some vocals and it was sounding fantastic. It's like, you know, you're you're working on new, free stuff that the world hasn't heard. And you hear in that legendary voice, putting down new experiences in the priest universe, you know, so it's always a thrill to be a part of that and hear those new songs take shape. And those new kind of sorry, my battery's taking a shit here. You know, those new those new songs that might be part of the live experience, take shape, you know, that kind of thing is really exciting. So we can't wait for the world to hear it when it comes out.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, I can't wait. I'm gonna love the firepower. I mean, that was such a heavy, heavy, critically acclaimed album, I got such great reviews from critics and fans. So I'm sure the next presale will be amazing as well.

Richie Faulkner:

Well, you know, it's a, it's a dedication really to do something that's, quote unquote, better than that. I mean, that's, I think, what they've always strived for, you know, with every album, that how can we do something that's, you know, a better performance, a better song a better take a better sound, but whatever better means. And this is no different, really, how do we make something that's better than firepower? And it's tough because it's subjective to so many different people, you know. But that's, that's the challenge and one that we have to rise to, and hopefully we get, get it right. And so yeah, we're trying, and I think it's great. It's different than firepower. It has to be It can't be the same thing. There's no point doing the same thing twice. So it's going to be a different experience. But I think I think you guys are gonna dig it.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, one in the meantime, fans should definitely check out elegant weapons. I think if their fans a priest than you, they're gonna love this band. I think it's great. May 26, that comes out and then hopefully, you're gonna tour you Europe, and hopefully, the states will have see some shows. That'd be fun. Hopefully, yeah,

Richie Faulkner:

we're looking at different options, you know, beyond Europe, Europe, June, July. And then beyond that, we're looking at options. Obviously, before the priests tour rolls around, and that'll be before we know it, you know, as time goes these days, it's like you blink your eyes and it's may already you know what I mean? So June July in Europe and and hopefully we get some options and opportunities opening up in the States and beyond. So watch this space, and we'll let you know.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, awesome. And then I always end up promoting a charity or nonprofit or something you want to promote here at the end?

Richie Faulkner:

Oh, yeah. The genre the foundation for aortic health. The, the it's always the aorta is what blew up on me. It wasn't the My heart it was the aorta. So it was the big artery that goes through our bodies. And sometimes it gets misdiagnosed as a heart attack. And that's what you don't want to do. So it's great. They raise awareness for aortic health, and preventing, you know, raising awareness for and just basically taken care of aortic health and stuff like that. So it's the John Ritter foundation.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, I'll put that in the show notes. So yeah, cuz I was just curious, because you said your cholesterol was good. Obviously, you're not obese or anything, and you're young. So it's just sort of a freak thing. So if people go to the doctor, can they get checked for something like this, that that would be able to prevent it?

Richie Faulkner:

You can't you have to specifically ask for it. Because they usually they check your heart and you know, your blood pressure and stuff like that. But you have to specifically ask them to look at the aorta because the aorta at my you know, they won't look at it if you don't ask them. So if you look at the John Ritter foundation that they there's certain checkpoints, they advise you to look for. So that you can you know, you can go to the doctor and look at certain points to make sure that everything's okay. Because it's not something that people normally are aware of, or asked to check. So it's definitely worth making a note of.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, awesome. Thank you. I'm so glad that you made it through that because you got a great gift of music, and you're bringing that to the world. So appreciate it

Richie Faulkner:

Thank you, Chuck. I'm very grateful to be here, man. So hopefully see you soon in the future.

Chuck Shute:

All right. Thanks so much, Richie. I'll let you get to the next one.

Richie Faulkner:

Thank you, bro. Second,

Chuck Shute:

great stuff from Richie Faulkner. Seems like a very cool dude, I really enjoyed this interview. And I hope you guys did as well. You can let me know by liking, commenting or sharing the episode on YouTube and social media. And make sure to follow Ritchie on social media as well. And of course, check out the new album from Elegant weapons. It's available may 26. If you're a fan of metal, I think you're gonna enjoy this great guitar work and singing and drums and bass and songs and just overall kick ass bands. So check their website in the show notes for tour dates, and support the band by buying some merch. They have some really cool T shirts, my guests appreciate your support. I appreciate your support of the show. And again, please make sure you're subscribe wherever you watch or listen. We have some great guests coming up so you'll want to stick around for those. Thanks so much. Have a great day and shoot for the moon.