We recently sat down and interviewed Johnny Gioeli from Hardline, Crush 40, and Axel Rudi Pell. Huge thanks to Johnny Gioeli and his PA Allee for allowing us to take part in this interview.

Q: I just want to first say thank you taking the time to respond and join us for an interview. How are you doing today?

Thanks for your support! I am always willing and excited to talk music!

Q: First, you have a brand new solo album out titled One Voice, which is an excellent album by the way. It was your first use of PledgeMusic. What made you give that a try?

As many know, this is released by Frontiers Records/Italy…BUT, we agreed to use Pledge Music as a platform for the Joe Barber Charity. When tragedy strikes in your home town, you just have to react and help. That’s what I did. HelpHopeLive.org The charity and donations continue through this wonderful site.

Q: The campaign for the new album was a huge success. Most people are aware half of the money was donated to Joe Barber’s (a family friend) medical funds after being paralyzed from a diving accident. It’s great that with music people can come together and help someone out. Do you think you’ll be using these PledgeMusic campaigns more often?

Well….hahahahaha…. I’m laughing because it was a **** TON of work for not just me, but everyone around me, and involved in my business of music. So, can I take a break for a year or so? Hahahaha

Q: My favorite song on One Voice would be Hit Me Once, Hit Ya Twice. If you chose one song on the album as your favourite, what would it be?

For sure my favorite is “IT”. To me, it just sums up the entire purpose of our being IF you understand what is “IT” that makes you….you.

Q: Recently, you’ve expressed interest in touring for One Voice. I think that would be a great idea. Speaking of touring, your other band Hardline are touring again this year. Where will we be able to see you?

Oh yes! A world tour called “Life” to support the new album. We kick off the tour in April and it will run literally through summer of 2020. The setlist is simply off the charts! I was so confused! Have to play the classics but I want to get the new tunes out there too! Crazy in my head!!!! HELPPPPPP!

Q: Now, let’s move onto Sonic the Hedgehog. There’s a new Sonic game coming out this year titled Team Sonic Racing. Crush 40 have returned and Jun is the sound composer for this game. There’s a new track you’ve released for the game titled Green Light Ride. Can you tell us what inspired the track?

YES! So, I get inspired by the scene that is presented to me. I knew it obviously had to be a racing theme…but I sort of tied my personality to the song…I am a very GO GO GO GO person. So to me, the light is never red. It’s ALWAYS green. (This has cost me a lot of traffic tickets-hahahaha)

Q: I haven’t played the game yet myself but it looks like a worthy successor to previous Sonic racing games. Do you have any thoughts on the game so far?

I haven’t played it either, I’m only privy to the scenes I’m working on. So, I am CLUELESS! Haha

Q: It has been a while since you and Jun have worked on new music for a Sonic game. Everyone’s really pleased you and Jun are back. Crush 40 have been a staple for the Sonic series for 20 years and fans are always excited to hear new Crush 40 tracks. Are there any future plans for the band you’re allowed to talk about?

We always WANT to do things together and keep Crush40 fresh but our time is so limited. We are working on a “Best of “ album. We wanted to do this for all those gaming rock fans that missed out on the early days of Crush40. And of course we try and try to schedule as many events and shows as we can.

Q: In 2016 Hardline released an album titled Human Nature. Looking back, how do you feel about the album three years later?

I love that album. We played a tons of shows that were magical to support this album. Human Nature the song, is certainly one of my favorites.

Q: During your PledgeMusic campaign you revealed a few times that Hardline are making a new album. It will be their sixth album so far, a follow up to Human Nature. How’s progress on the new Hardline album?

Oh yea!!!! April 26^th! “Hardline – “LIFE”. Wait until you hear this album!!! It is one of my favorites to date.

Q: Do you think it’s easier for artists to make albums, especially now we have places such as PledgeMusic, Kickstarter, etc?

I don’t know. I’ve had a record deal since 1991 so I haven’t had to self-fund a project. I think the idea is AWESOME. Allow the fans a view into your creating, and in return you get some funding to help. NOTHING is cheap these days…and the old saying “Starving Artist”….believe every word of that! Haha

Q: I’ve heard you’ve often tried to convince Axel to tour places outside of Germany, such as the US and UK. Any luck with that yet?

Yes, we are venturing out into the world….slowly but surely…Next month…. RUSSIA! I am so excited.

Q: You also had a surprise album come out last year with the old Journey drummer Deen Castronovo, who was in Hardline’s original line up from 1991-1992. The album was titled Set The World On Fire released under the name Gioeli – Castronovo. It had a great set of melodic rock tracks on it. What was it like working with Deen again after all these years?

It was like we never stopped working together. So much fun and musically magical. I hope we can do another one soon. That album hit the Billboard top 100. Yay us! Hahaha

Q: I am pleased that you released Colorblind which is an old Hardline song which didn’t make it onto the first album. It was released in an EP sharing the same name as the track last year with two other tracks which were remade specifically for the EP. What inspired the idea behind this?

Colorblind came from the 1992 Los Angeles riots. From my home, I could smell the burning of buildings as people looted and protested. It was a horrible situation. Colorblind is my wish for the world…let us see only the color of our hearts not the color of our skin. And so….the song came.

Q: There’s a Sonic movie coming out later this year which has been in the works for a while. It looks quite interesting with established Hollywood actors on the project such as Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic and Jim Carrey as Dr. Eggman. Do you plan on seeing the movie when it’s released?

Absolutely! I’d like to get some Crush40 music in there!!!

Q: Retro Gamer Magazine recently interviewed Takashi Iizuka regarding Sonic Adventure’s development for the Dreamcast’s 20th anniversary. Iizuka stated he was interested in remaking Sonic Adventure and could see how it could be improved. What are your thoughts on a potential remake?

I don’t know why this hasn’t been done yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree 100% but I may be partial to the most successful Crush40 music ; )

Johnny, thank you very much for your time. You are an incredible vocalist. I can’t wait for your future projects! Johnny Gioeli’s debut solo album One Voice is out now via Frontiers Records thanks to PledgeMusic. You can purchase the album on iTunes, Amazon, and stream the album on Spotify and Apple Music.

Thank you SO SO SO MUCH for your support!!!!!!

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Interviewed by AzureHedgehog and Stritix. Article formatted by Arcana Fang.