Recently I had the chance to talk with Bret Kaiser, lead vocalist for the legendary band “Madam X”. Their debut album, “We Reserve The Right” was incredible and the stuff that legends are made of. After disbanding, drummer Roxy Petrrucci went on to form the band “Vixen” and the other members carried on with various projects. In 2014, the original lineup of Madam X reformed and now they’re back with a new album in the works and so much more. Bret’s a great guy and was more than happy to talk with us about the band, the new album, touring and more.
XSROCK: First of all, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview. I really appreciate it.
Bret: No, thank you
XSROCK: So you resurrected Madam X back in 2014. How did that come about?
Bret: It was all Roxy’s (Petrucci) fault…LOL! She was playing the fire fest in England with Vixen and noticed a lot of Madam X memorabilia come across the signing table. She contacted her sister Maxine and suggested we put something out for the fans. Maxine reached out to me to which I said #!@?$!…LOL no just kidding of course I was on board and Godzilla was contacted and we recorded “Another 80’s Rock Song” when the word got out Sweden Rock Festival called Maxine and asked if it was the original line up and when she told them yes, they wanted us on Sweden Rockfest 2014!!! We were jazzed and went in guns a-blazing. It was an incredible experience and the people were totally off the cuff! They knew all the words to the record we did in 1984. The people who ran the show couldn’t believe how many people came to support us. There was 13,000 to 15,000 Rock n Rollers Banging heads with Madam X!!! Infuckingcredible….
XSROCK: Tell me about the latest news with Madam X? Any new recording projects coming out, live shows or announcements?
Bret: We are currently finishing up our new CD, We rocked the Monsters of Rock 2016 Cruise and are on the Chicagoland Farmrock Festival September 2016.
XSROCK: I know I speak for all of the fans, when I ask “Where’s the new album?”
Bret: Well we are putting all we have to make the best record we can for everyone. Has it taken too long? Look we have 30 years of stuff in our heads and we don’t want to put something out that will be forgettable in a couple of months. This is going to be an EPIC record and as always unforgettable.
XSROCK: Do you have to work around Vixen’s schedule as well, since Roxy pulls double duty in both bands?
Bret: Not really, we are both booked by Sullivan Bigg, of Bigg Time Entertainment.
XSROCK: What was it like to get signed to Jet Records back in the day?
Bret: A dream come true, I just wish we would have woken from the dream a little sooner and seen what was going on with the label.
XSROCK: What was your main motivation for originally starting or being in a band?
Bret: Mine personally was my younger brother Bruce Kaiser, had a band that I went to see. They were a 3 piece band with no Bass player but rocked the Junior High school!! I also happened to noticed the girls in the audience loved it. The next day my brother asked me what I thought and I told him they needed a Bass player. Bruce asked me to learn Bass and join the Band. I did and the rest is history…LOL
XSROCK: Which do you prefer? Writing new songs and recording or playing for a live audience?
Bret: I love writing and recording but there is nothing that compares with a live audience!!! I LOVE performing live it is what I do best!!
XSROCK: Do you have any outrageous tour stories from the road?
Bret: A few…..it will all be in my Book!
XSROCK: What’s the strangest request that you’ve ever received from one of your fans?
Bret: I can’t really recall any strange request, but I guess that depends on what you consider strange. I mean we have seen a lot and done more!!!
XSROCK: What are your favorite tracks to play live?
Bret: I love Dirty Girls, Shes Hot tonight, Metal in my Veins, of course High in High School but let me tell you the new stuff is incredible and I can’t wait until everyone hears it!!
XSROCK: Which band or artist inspired you to perform? Why?
Bret: I was always into the show bands. Alice Cooper, Kiss, Van Halen, Queen, The Dolls, Twisted Sister, Judas Priest, They put on a show keep you entertained. There are so many great bands that are technical wizards and write deep tracks and that’s cool but I love a show make me laugh, smile, bang my head and sing along and you’ve done your job. I also like bands that dress flashy and cool ones you can tell apart from the road crew..LOL Now this is my own personal feelings. I by no means speak for the rest of the Band (disclaimer). I love all kinds of bands and music seriously there is enough room on this big marble for us all.
XSROCK: If you could design a dream tour for your band, who would be on the bill?
Bret: Madam X and Alice Cooper or Kiss
XSROCK: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
Bret: My Family
XSROCK: If you weren’t performing in a band what kind of career do you think you would have?
Bret: I would be a major Vegas Headliner in one of the top Casinos. I already have a career besides Madam X, ’56, Elvis shows, Bret Kaiser shows. I work for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. That’s right, Sheriff Joe Arpaio “The toughest Sheriff in America,” been with him for 21 yrs.
XSROCK: What type of equipment does everyone use for live shows?
Bret: Our hearts, Blood, Sweat and Beers! by the way my band came up with that (before Warrant) but that’s another story…LOL Maxine has an endorsement from PRS, and Roxy has a Zildjian and ProMark endorsement. Godzilla abuses oops I mean uses, Fender and Ampeg.
XSROCK: What do you think of the current rock music scene?
Bret: Some I get and some I don’t but that’s what makes music great! Something for everyone
XSROCK: For anyone that doesn’t know you, what would they be surprised to know about you?
Bret: I am a Huge Elvis fan. I perform as Elvis and love the 50’s Rock and Roll. I play in my band ’56 which is a Rock-a-Billy band(www.56rocks.com).
XSROCK: If someone had never heard you before, how would you describe the Madam X sound?
Bret: Raw Ballsy Eargasmic arena Rock!!!
XSROCK: Do you guys own the rights to the original Madam X album, “We Reserve The Right” and is there any chance of it being re-released at some point?
Bret: We are looking into that as we speak.
XSROCK: Is there anything that you’d like to promote or say to your fans out there?
Bret: Get ready world Madam X is Back!!! www.madam-x.org
XSROCK: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with XS Rock!
Bret: ThanX to you Bobby and all your readers and all the Madam X fans all over the world….
Get The Single For Another 80’s Rock Song HERE.
Interview by Bobby Caughron
