ZZ Top - (from left): Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, and Dusty Hill - will release a two-DVD set, “Double Down Live,’’ Oct. 20.
ZZ Top draws from past while moving forward
ZZ Top - (from left): Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, and Dusty Hill - will release a two-DVD set, “Double Down Live,’’ Oct. 20.
ZZ Top turned lemons into lemonade last month. After the Texas trio’s tour with Aerosmith was canceled when Steven Tyler fell off a stage in Sturgis, S.D., the band booked its own string of headlining shows, including one at the Orpheum Theatre next Tuesday. The bearded banditos will release a two-DVD set Oct. 20 called “Double Down Live’’ that contains concerts from 1980 and 2008. Lead guitarist and singer Billy Gibbons explains with a chuckle on the phone from California that “the 1980 disc is called ‘Definitely Then’ and the second disc is called ‘Almost Now.’ ’’ We chatted with Gibbons about the band’s famous “Eliminator’’ videos from the past and the group’s plans for the future, which includes heading into the studio with acclaimed producer Rick Rubin at the end of the year.
Q. You guys seemed to rebound and book your own tour dates after the Aerosmith cancellation quickly.
A. Yeah, we got lucky. The official announcement was made on a Wednesday, and within 48 hours we were still in forward motion.
Q. That must have been pretty alarming, to hear about Mr. Tyler’s fall.
A. The good news is they’ll rebound and make a big bounce. Their show is tight as a drum, so all they need to do is get back after it.
Q. You’re going into the studio with Rick Rubin. He’s famous for stripping back artists to their essence. Is that what you’re interested in doing?
A. Oh yes, that’s what makes so much sense to have Rick come in and perform his magic. He knows how to keep it streamlined and keep it simple.
Q. Will you trade beard grooming tips?
A. (Laughs) Yeah, we’re definitely on that same path. Ours get trimmed when they get caught tangled up in the guitar strings, so we don’t have to worry about it much.
Q. You all have been together for 40 years now. What’s the secret of staying together without wanting to kill each other?
A. We still don’t know who’s going to do what next, and keeping it on that level, it’s kind of an intriguing guessing game. (Laughs)
Q. What do you think when you see those old “Eliminator’’ videos from the ’80s?
A. I’m still waiting to drive that car.
Q. You never got to drive the car?
A. No, the girls always got to drive the car. (Laughs)
Q. ZZ Top has been chosen as models for the John Varvatos fall fashion campaign. How did that happen?
A. I don’t know. We always considered ourselves immune to fashion. (Laughs) He’s got a real talent, and we were quite flattered that he thought our rather unusual style was a complement to his great line.
Q. Well, you are - I’m sorry - sharp-dressed men.
A. Yeah, that’s right! Thanks to him it’s true. (Laughs)
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
