For the past 20+ years Dokken has been one of the most creative bands in the entire hard rock genre. The group has been through several incarnations but Dokken has persevered - surviving new trends, different images, and the always changing music scene. On the band's latest release entitled Hell To Pay nothing has changed as Dokken has cranked out another disc that is a intense hard rock throwback to their vintage sound.

Jon Levin is the guitarist giving Dokken a re-energized edge taking the band to a entirely new level. Make no mistake about it Levin owns this album from the first track to the last his remarkable guitar work is what makes Hell To Pay one of Dokken's best releases in their current discography.

Picture Courtesy Of: www.dokken.net

Island: What is the feeling you get being in one of the most legendary hard rock bands the likes of Dokken? Getting up on stage night in and night out playing classics like Breaking The Chains and Into The Fire and working with world class musicians the likes of Don, Mick, and Barry?

Jon: I still can't believe it. It's as good a feeling as you could possibly imagine. It's always great to play with such awesome musicians as well. Mick and Barry are consistently at the top of their game night after night.

Island: Hell To Pay is one of Dokken's strongest albums of the past few years. Is there any particular song(s) that every time you listen to or play that just stand out in your mind that is/are essential Dokken?

Jon: Yeah. I think "Haunted" and "Letter To Home" are particularly great songs. You never know when you are writing a record what songs are going to be the best ones. Usually you are surprised. "Letter To Home" was the very first song Don and I wrote together.

Island: Not only is Jon Levin an accomplished rock guitarist but your also a lawyer. So what do you prefer - Playing blistering guitar licks or kicking ass in the court room?

Jon: I far prefer playing music to being in a court room. You know I was a musician long before I ever became a lawyer. I have been playing music since I was two years old and guitar since I was eight.

Island: What was the time frame to write and record Hell To Pay? What do you feel was the most enjoyable part of recording the album?

Jon: We began writing in April of 2003 and finished recording in May of 2004. The most enjoyable part was having the finished product in my hand and being proud of it.

Island: What is your view on the hard rock genre in today's music scene?

Jon: For the most part it has become a rehashed cycle. Most of the new bands sound the same to me. There really isn't much of a 'Scene' anymore.

Island: Right now Dokken is in the middle of a summer tour, how has the crowd turn out been for concerts? How have fans reacted to the new material played/added into the set?

Jon:  The crowds have been surprisingly good. Most fans seem to really like the new material. I notice fans are now singing the words to "Escape". That makes me feel great.

Island: Your guitar playing on Hell To Pay is downright breathtaking. Gritty, heavy, powerful riffing mixed in with a modern vibe. For example the opening riff off of Better Off Before sounds like a modern band almost like a Staind or Nickelback sound but still retains that classic Dokken feel. It’s basically Dokken with a bit of 21st century twist. Is this the direction the band is heading on future albums?

Jon: I honestly don't know. Don and I didn't plan on how the record would sound. I guess this is just the way our writing chemistry worked out this time. Perhaps next time it will be completely different, but with two perfectionists I know we won't be putting out anything of lesser quality. We wrote 35 songs for Hell To Pay to get to the final 11 on the record.

Island: You grew up a Dokken fan before joining the band. Is there any particular album(s) in their discography that stand out as your favorites? Are there any album(s) that have significant meaning for you?

Jon: I like Tooth And Nail, Lock And Key and Back For The Attack.

Island: What do you like more and why? - Being out on the road touring or in the studio writing/recording music?

Jon: I like being on the road more. I have a bad case of attention deficit disorder so I have trouble being in the studio for hours.

Island: Tell us about some of the gear you use. What is your favorite guitar to play? Do you have a signature model like other guitarists? (Richie Sambora, Eddie Van Halen, etc..)

Jon: I am using Charvel guitars. They now make them exactly like they did in the early eighties. They are truly great instruments and the guys there really care. I couldn't be happier. My amps currently are Marshalls.

Island: Are you working on any other projects outside of Dokken?

Jon: No.

Island: So what can fans expect from Jon Levin and Dokken in the future?

Jon: More great music.

Island: If you could describe the following bands (in one sentence) what would you say?

Jon: Van Halen - Best guitar player in the world, ever, no exceptions. Bon Jovi - Wrote some great songs and seem like really nice guys. Hardline - Another awesome guitar player. Mr. Big – Don't know enough to comment. 3 Doors Down - Not my scene.

Island: Thanks for stopping by www.shipwreckislandstudios.com Jon any final words you would like to say to your fans/our readers?

Jon: See you at a show or in court.

Dokken's latest album: Hell To Pay is out on Sanctuary Records and available at: www.cdnow.com - www.cduniverse.com - Or your local music store!