With a long and distinguished career guitarist JK Northrup has played with a virtual who's who of the melodic rock world. From Paul Shortino, Terry Ilous to former Foreigner vocalist Johnny Edwards the list is extensive and too large to list here. However JK has just released his latest solo album, Wired In My Skin which features the likes of Kelly Keeling and Ted Poley. To find out more HRH caught up with JK....

JK Northrup

Hi JK, to kick things off, would care to introduce your self to the readers of HardRockHouse.com?

JK- JK Northrup is in the Hard Rock House saying hello everyone!

As a guitarist who influenced you as you were growing up and learning the instrument?

JK- Very early on it was Ace Frehly of Kiss, Ronnie Montrose, Jimi Hendrix, Uli Jon Roth and Ritchie Blackmore. Then I started listening to Gary Moore, Eddie VH. I am self taught, so I took a little bit of all those players styles and became what I am as a player.

I first became aware of the name JK Northrup in connection with King Kobra 3 album, was this the first signed band you were involved with or had you had any material released before this album ?

JK- I actually got my start playing lead guitar for Pasha recording artist, Billy Thorpe. I didn’t play on the album, but I did the world tour in 1982-83. That band also had Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot and Bruce Turgon of Foreigner and Lou Gramm. My first album was with a Japanese recording artist named “Stefanie” in 1985-86.

How did you join King Kobra and were you aware of the band before joining them and was this now you met Johnny Edwards?

JK- I was aware of the band and of course, Carmine. Johnny and I had been playing together in the band Northrup for a couple years before Carmine asked us to record on the 3 album. He came to a few of our shows in Los Angeles and we of course accepted his offer. It was a great honor and it should’ve done much better than it did, but Carmine joined Blue Murder and that was pretty much the end.

You wrote two tracks and co wrote a third on the King Kobra 3 album were these tracks specifically written for King Kobra or tracks that you brought to the band ?

JK- These were songs that were already written. In fact, Johnny and I were performing these songs when Carmine asked us to join.

Did you actually tour at all with King Kobra ?

JK- We did a short 3 week tour in the Midwestern part of the US and that unfortunately was when it ended.

How did you hook up with Paul Shortino and how would you describe the album Back On Track ?

JK- After King Kobra, Johnny and I went back to being the band “Northrup”. Soon after, Johnny had the opportunity to join Foreigner. I signed to an indie label in the US called “OP Records”. It was originally going to be my first solo album similar to what I did on the new one. All of songs were written and ready to record. I had several great drummers, bass players and different singers lined up for the album. James Kottak (Scorpions drummer) introduced me to Paul and he came to the first session. He sang “Bye Bye To Love” and blew me away!!!! We had a short discussion of mutual interest of having him sing on the entire album which then became “Paul Shortino” featuring JK Northrup. It was no longer a solo album, but I was fine with that. That was one of the best moves I made in my career.

One track that you did write with Johnny, Ready For The Rain appeared on the Foreigner album he recorded,Unusual Heat, what differences, if any, were there between your original version and Foreigner's take on the song?

JK- The original version appears on the self titled album “JK Northrup” which was released in 2001 with Johnny Edwards on vocals. It was a lot heavier and emotional than the Foreigner version. However, I really liked what Terry and Mick did with the version that they recorded. It made it more radio friendly. Most people prefer the original version though.

Over the years You’ve also recorded and played on a few albums with Terry Ilous of XYZ, how did you two  meet and are there any plans for new XYZ album?

JK- I met Terry in 1992 just after Marc Diglio left XYZ. We had a mutual friend that hooked us up in LA. He wanted to try different things musically and we started putting some ideas together. We later recorded the album called “Cage” which had a bunch of great drummers, bass players etc. We have discussed doing another XYZ album, but we’ll see!

Your self titled debut solo album was released in 2001, how would you describe the material on this album as I ‘ve not heard it and is the album still available ?

JK- This is the album which has Johnny Edwards singing and co-writing. As I mentioned earlier, the band was called originally “Northrup”. The album is a compilation of songs that were recorded between 1987 and 1989. When it was finally released in 2001, the “JK” was added to the album name. Musically, it was sort of a mixture of Whitesnake, Humble Pie and Van Halen. It is still available in limited quantities through Metal Mayhem Music.

Could you tell us a bit about Alien Products your production company ?

JK- Alien Productions is my music production company and recording studio. I have been recording, mastering and producing bands and commercials for a number of years now. It is an awesome facility that is perfect for being creative and the environment there is very inspiring! Wired In My Skin is the first CD to be released through Alien Records. There will be many more to follow.

I’m interested in how you see your role as producer as I’ve just interviewed Kevin Elson and he has some interesting ideas on the role?

JK- I love working with and developing up and coming artists, as well as very established ones. As a Producer, you get to be that other ear that can add new ideas, or melodies and sometimes change or remove parts that aren’t needed in a song. My objective is always to get the best out of a song, and to get the best performances from the players and singers. It is a very gratifying procedure when you get to the end and the results make everyone proud!

Having recently reviewed your new CD here Wired In The Skin I'm interested to know why you chose to use different vocalists on each track and do you agree or disagree with any of my comments, don't hold back.... ?

JK- First, thanks so much for the awesome review!! I can’t say I disagree with anything you said. I wanted to do an album that was truly a solo endeavor. Simply meaning that I wanted to have complete freedom to express myself both musically and as a producer/engineer. This album is a compilation of 11 songs that were written over the course of a little more than a year. There were no other songs written, so each one was written and recorded pretty much on the spot. The one thing I don’t have control of is that I am not a great singer! I am a singer trapped in a guitar player’s body. This is why I ask my friends such as Terry Ilous, Ted Poley, Johnny Edwards and Kelly Keeling to help out. They all did a fantastic job. The other singer, David Zaragoza is in a band I just finished producing called Category 7. He is an amazing talent and the band is great. I felt he was perfect for the song Cemented Eyes. I am glad you agreed.

JK & Ted Poley

Do you have any favourite tracks on the record, or ones that you are especially pleased with how they turned out?

JK- That is a tough question because I am very happy with all of them. I guess I would have to pick the instrumental Mark My Territory. That was song written for my Brother in-law named Mark Valentine. I really wanted to create something that was very heavy and really shred. It was a challenge, but it is one that I am very proud of.

I see you are working with Ted Poley on his first solo album what is your role on this project

JK- Well, sort of the same as my record! I am co-producing it with Ted, engineering it, playing guitars and bass and mastering. It will be released through Frontiers Records and I am very proud of the way it turned out! Ted is awesome.

So of your many talents which do you prefer production, playing or song writing?

JK- I really am getting more into production. Although writing music will always be a part of my life, there is so much more involved in production side. It allows me to be even more creative and I find that to be very exciting and stimulating.

Do you have any plans to tour in the near future ?

JK- I honestly don’t have plans for touring, even though I have been asked numerous times. I am currently too busy finishing several new albums for various artists. Although I do miss the stage! I will get out again at some point.

So with that in mind what’s next for JK Northrup?

JK- Sleep………just kidding. After I am finished promoting Wired In My Skin, I will concentrate Alien Productions. I am looking for more bands to work with. I have a side project called Mood Groove that is releasing a new CD soon. It is very different than what I am known for, but I am having so much fun being a part of it. I will start on my next album early next year on Alien Records.

And finally, the standard HardRockHouse question, is there anything further you would like to mention that we haven't covered so far?

JK- I just want to say thanks for the interview, and I hope everyone enjoys the Wired In My Skin CD. Keep watching my website www.jknorthrup.com for updates. For any recording artists/bands that are reading this, check out Alien Productions at www.alien1111.com I hope to see you soon at a stage near you.

Many thanks to JK for taking the time to speak with HardRockHouse. As he mentioed you can find out more by visiting his webiste at www.jknorthrup.com and you can find the HRH review of his latest album 'Wired In My Skin' via this link