Mar 10

Justin’s Japan: Q&A with Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big

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Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big. (William Hames)

By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his  page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.  

A founding member of the platinum-selling Los Angeles-based rock group Mr. Big, guitarist extraordinaire Paul Gilbert joined the group in 1988, and then departed a decade later to focus on a pop-tinged solo career. Best known for its hit ballad “To Be with You”—which went to number one in 15 countries including the U.S. in 1992—Mr. Big broke up in 2002, reforming the original lineup seven years later for a massive tour of Asia and Europe.

Last month, the band released What If…, the first album in 15 years from the reunited rockers, which instantly went gold in Japan upon release. To celebrate, Mr. Big are kicking off their new world tour at the House of Blues Sunset Strip on April 2, the original lineup’s first American gig since the mid-’90s. In this exclusive interview, I caught up with Gilbert about the new disc, his time away from Mr. Big, and his rich history with Japan.

What does the title of the new album refer to?

“What If…” is the beginning of any idea. Anything that you want, anything great…all starts with an idea. “What If…” Mr. Big got back together, and recorded a new album? This is it!

What are your own personal goals when writing a song?

I’m sort of a chord person. I’m happy if the song has a cool key change or some interesting chords that you might not expect. And of course, it should have a good melody to match. Also, with Mr. Big it’s impossible not to take advantage of the crazy stuff that Billy [Sheehan, bassist] and I can do together.

You’ve always had a strong bond with your fans in Japan. How did Japan come into your life growing up, and was your first time there like?  

Growing up? Godzilla movies and Speed Racer! Actually, the first electric guitar I ever played was my uncle Jimi [Kidd]’s Ibanez Destroyer. I didn’t know that Ibanez was a Japanese guitar company, but I’ve certainly had a great time working with them since I started endorsing their guitars in the ’80s. The first time I went [to Japan] was in ’89 for a Mr. Big tour. Every tour we did just got bigger and bigger—we ended up doing three sold out nights at the Budokan. That’s crazy; I still can’t believe it.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time in Japan?

I actually tried to learn to speak Japanese, so I’ve rented apartments there for a few months at a time. It really felt like an adventure to live in a foreign country and to get by without speaking English. I remember being happy just riding the trains around and exploring Tokyo.

Years ago on your website you entertainingly chronicled your efforts to study the Japanese language through your own doodles. Do you still keep up with your studies?

I’ve pretty much given up on my Japanese. If my hearing was better, I might keep at it, but I can barely hear English at this point, and it’s really difficult to learn a new language without being able to hear the details. Plus, if I put that time into playing my guitar, I get some good results.

Why do you think Mr. Big caught on with the Japanese so well?

That’s a difficult question because we’re talking about “groups” of people. It’s complicated enough to understand individual people…Am I avoiding the question? Probably. I’m really thankful for my success anywhere, but I’m just not that interested in it. I’d much rather think about notes, and chords, and rhythms, and singing, and playing, and what pedals I’m going to put on my pedalboard for the upcoming tour.

You’ve made lots of highly amusing appearances on Japanese TV over the years. What were some of your favorite moments?

I had fun jamming with a band called “Sex Machineguns.” It just makes me happy there is a band called “Sex Machineguns”; what a fantastic name that is. There was a show where a famous Japanese female singer had to play a game where she picked her “type” of guy from among all the guys on the show…and she picked me. I was about 20 years older than everyone else on the show, so I didn’t think I had a chance. That cheered me up.

Click here for the complete interview.