Hard-core rocker talks about the gigs with Black Label Society, Cycle of Pain, Lita Ford and Vinne Moore
Exclusive interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
March 28, 2011
John “J.D.” DeServio has performed and/or toured with Lita Ford, Vinnie Moore, Richie Kotzen and Drill. Currently, he is the bass player for Black Label Society and Cycle of Pain, as well as a passionate teacher and active clinician.
FBPO: What kind of musical upbringing did you have?
JD: I was self-taught up until high school, where I took music theory for two years. It helped me tremendously. Then I went to Berklee College of Music in Boston for four years, which was the best thing for me at that time!
FBPO: How did you end up as a bass player?
JD: I saw a picture of KISS and I said “Who’s that?!” My buddy said, “That’s Gene Simmons. He’s the bass player.” And I said, “Thats what I wanna do!”
FBPO: Tell me about your experience at Berklee College of Music.
JD: It was the greatest! Amazing musicians everywhere. My teachers were unreal. I played with people from all over the world and they turned me on to their music. I got turned onto funk, jazz, soul, bebop, reggae, everything.
FBPO: Can you identify a turning point, a defining moment, when your career really started to take off?
JD: After I got with Lita (Ford) in 1990, I never worked another day job again. Just music gigs, whether that meant teaching, doing sessions, cover gigs or whatever. It was all music from that point on.
FBPO: What was the Lita Ford gig like?
JD: I was young and I learned a lot from that gig. I only played with her for a year, but we played arenas with Mötley Crüe, so that was a trip!
FBPO: How about Vinnie Moore?
JD: I love Vinnie! He’s a real close friend of mine. We toured for over a year or so back in ’91-’92 and got to open up for Rush in arenas. I played on his latest record, To the Core. I hope to play on his next one, too. Big love for Vinnie and my Delaware family!
FBPO: Tell me about Drill.
JD: Drill was an alternative rock band with a girl singer named Lucia. She is so beautiful and has an amazing, unique voice. I miss her and the rest of the band. I went to Berklee with the drummer, Marcus Farney, and he got me the gig. We toured with Marilyn Manson, Stabbing Westward and some other punk and industrial bands.
FBPO: What’s happening with Black Label Society?
JD: We are currently on our world tour. We’re in the UK now, then we go into Europe.
FBPO: With all the traveling and touring you’ve done with these bands, plus Richie Kotzen and all the others, you must have lots of good stories! Can you share one of them? Maybe a good “road” story?
JD: I am sure I have tons! [laughs]. First I’ll need a few drinks to get my memory going!
FBPO: What else is keeping you busy these days?
JD: My own band, Cycle of Pain. We put out a record in ’09 in the US, that was just released in Europe. We’ve toured with BLS, Sevendust, Dope, Shinedown, Sick Puppies and a few others.
FBPO: What lies ahead for you and your career? What would you like to accomplish that you haven’t done yet?
JD: Getting a good record deal for my band would be nice, if that’s possible these days!
FBPO: What would you be if you weren’t a bass player?
JD: One of the smallest hockey players in the NHL!
