Exclusive Seibertron.com interview with Stan Bush

Recently we got a chance to catch up with Stan Bush, the singer/songwriter most known to Transformers fans as the man responsible for the iconic song "The Touch" which first appeared in the 1986 Transformers cartoon movie.

Stan has recently released a brand new CD entitled "Dream the Dream" and has a lot of other things going on right now, and he was more than happy to take the time to fill us in with all his latest news, as well as giving us a look back at his career.

Seibertron.com: You've been recording albums for decades now. Has there ever been a time where you've felt like stepping away from the business and have
you ever thought ahead to how long you'd like to keep performing?

Stan: Well, although I’ve had a fair amount of success, it’s a tough business and can at times be overwhelming. I love songwriting and performing, and the artistic aspect is certainly very fulfilling. I kind of had my ‘break’ from the business during the nineties, when rock went sideways with the grunge thing. I kept making records mainly for my fans in Europe and Japan, where eighties rock was still happening. Looking ahead, I plan to keep trying to create music. I don’t really have a timeline in mind, but touring will probably make less sense after a point.

Seibertron.com: You've become a mainstay at BotCon having been a special guest at 3 of the last 4 BotCons and have also made appearances at a variety ofsci-fi and anime conventions and even the world famous San Diego Comic
Con. Do you have any upcoming convention appearances over the next few months?

Stan Bush: I’ve been talking with a European promoter about doing some shows after the holidays. I don’t have any definite info right now, but fans can check the website stanbush.com to see what’s happening. I’ve been asked to appear in Australia next summer, and I plan to keep appearing in the U.S. as well.

Seibertron.com: Since you mentioned Europe, you have become a bit of a "Hasslehoff" over there, meaning your European fanbase is astoundingly large. Do you have any thoughts as to why?

Stan: I’m not sure why, but it kind of took off during the late eighties when I did the "Stan Bush & Barrage” album with “The Touch”. I did tours in Germany and surrounding countries, and kept making albums. It was cool to have such devoted fans.

Seibertron.com: Speaking of "The Touch," it has become your signature song. When you first recorded it, did you have any inkling that would be the case?

Stan: No, it took us completely by surprise. Lenny Macaluso and I originally wrote “The Touch” for the Stallone movie “Cobra” and then found out it was going to be in a cartoon movie about robots. We were like, ‘what’? Anyway, it turned out to be quite a phenomenon!

Seibertron.com: "The Touch" has been re-released multiple times on some of your more recent albums. Your other big song from The Transformers soundtrack
was "Dare," and some TF fans enjoy that song just as much as "The Touch." Do you have any plans on doing a remake of "Dare" and including it on a future album?

Stan: “Dare” is also a great song, although I didn’t actually write it. It’s been suggested that we put “Dare” on Rock Band. “The Touch” will be coming out on Rock Band fairly soon. I think you know this but my other song “Til All Are One” is featured in the new Activision game “Transformers: War for Cybertron”. I’m working on a couple of new ‘action’ songs as well.

Seibertron.com: You mentioned your website earlier. For those who have not visited it, or at least not visited it recently, what kinds of cool things can they expect to find at Stanbush.com?

Stan: Well, the new website is set up to be more easily updated, and I’m also now on Facebook and Twitter, and we have a YouTube account. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback on the new site.

Seibertron.com: What are the biggest differences in the music industry now and how it was when you first started?

Stan: Well, the industry used to be controlled by the major record labels and radio syndication. Now it’s anything and everything on the Internet. The overall quality of music perhaps is a bit lower, but people have more choices than ever.

Seibertron.com: For someone who has never heard your music before, how would you describe it and who are some of your influences?

Stan: I’m still an eighties guy. Early influences would include Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and I also liked the Motown stuff, and later, bands like Foreigner.

Seibertron.com: Having said that, If you could play on stage with any one musician or group living or
dead, who would it be and why?

Stan: I think Jimmy Page (back in the day) was probably one of the most creative musicians ever! I’ve always been a huge Paul McCartney fan.

Seibertron.com: What are the biggest differences in the music industry now and how it was when you first started?


Stan: Well, the industry used to be controlled by the major record labels and radio syndication. Now it’s anything and everything on the Internet. The overall quality of music perhaps is a bit lower, but people have more choices than ever.

Seibertron.com: What do you consider the biggest honor or achievement of your career?

Stan: Winning an Emmy Award was definitely one of the biggest moments in my career. It was for best original song for television.

Seibertron.com: I'm sure your fans have been vocal to you as to what some of their favorite Stan Bush songs are, but what's your personal favorite?

Stan: I really like “I’ll Never Fall” from the “In This Life” album. From the new album I like “Dream the Dream” and “Never Hold Back”.

Seibertron.com: How much do your own personal experiences factor into your song lyrics?

Stan: Many of my ‘go for it’ ‘believe in yourself’ songs have an uplifting message that resonates with my outlook on life. Each of us makes our own reality. Some of the loves songs are true and some are fictional, but have situations that happen to most of us.

Seibertron.com: Stan, thanks so much for your time today. We have time for one more question. You mentioned your new album "Dream the Dream." How does it compare to past albums you have made?

Stan: I think the “Dream the Dream” album has reached a new level of sophistication of songwriting and production. My producer Holger Fath really does a great job with arrangements, guitars and keyboards. As a writer I think I’m still learning though. I guess we all keep learning in life. Anyway, I really appreciate the support! Please visit stanbush.com!