If there was one band that symbolized raw, gritty, guitar driven hard rock - Y&T fits this mold seamlessly. Throughout the past 30 years the group has remained one of San Francisco's most prolific bands and to legions have been a driving force in the rock genre. Y&T's impressive track record includes releasing 16 albums, three greatest hits collections, having achieved over 4 million in album sales, and if that isn't enough Y&T has toured with some of the biggest names in the biz the likes of AC/DC and Motley Crüe.

The key component behind this band is a man who has revolutionized the music industry with his unique and domineering technique and to many guitar enthusiasts just the mention of his name brings to mind terms like: Legend - Guitar God - World Class Musician. But I think his website (meniketti.com) sums it up nicely with the following definition: men•i•ket•ti (men i ket’ ē) v. [origin: Bay Area] - 1. to sing with a passionate, gutsy emotion; much emulated, never duplicated 2. a songwriter who writes with unforgettable hooks, unique melodies, catchy lyrics —n. 3. guitar player whose solos have rocked the world of rock and sent other guitar players cryin’ for their mamas —adj.

So to see what Mr. Meniketti had to say keep reading...

Dave: When I first started to look through all our old demos & played many of them back again I was not prepared for what I would hear. Although I remembered most of the songs, I didn't remember just how good many of them were or how great they were performed. In many cases the performances on these demos were better than many of our records. I was very surprised & proud to hear the volumes of great tunes that we penned & happy we finally were able to let the fans hear these songs.

Choosing songs for these first 2 CDs was easy because I just picked most of the first songs I came across while digging through the archives. The UnEarthed Vol 2 CD was mostly in place at the same time I put together the tunes for UnEarthed Vol 1. As I started to finalize the 2nd CD we came across a few more tunes that Phil brought over at the last minute & decided to include.

Needless to say, we have many more tapes to listen to & decide if we have enough good stuff for a Vol 3. I'll be checking into that in January.

Island: Y&T is one of those San Francisco bay area bands that have a huge cult following, even though the band isn’t as huge as other area favorites like: Mr. Big, Huey Lewis and the News, or Journey, the musicianship for Y&T ranks right up there, what in your view attributes for the band’s 30 plus years of success?

Dave: I think it's because the fans can tell by the way we play & write that we were truly passionate about what we were doing. This real tangible energy thing seems to come across on the records and is especially there in live performance. Live shows are where Y&T has really been best at conveying the intensity of the band. We're very proud to say that we've been blessed with fans that never seem to lose their love for the band & many still come to the shows to show their support for us to this day. In fact every gig we play, fans fly out from all over the globe just to get a chance to see a live show. Now that's dedication!

Island: With Y&T being the main meal ticket, you’ve managed to strike out on your own making a name as a solo artist. With a couple Meniketti albums (On The Blue Side and Meniketti) and a live album (Meniketti: Live In Japan) So I’m sure many fans would like to know when the next solo album is coming and what can fans expect from it?

Dave: I will be working on new Meniketti material in early 2005. I really am not sure what direction I will take on this next CD until I get in the trenches & start cranking out the tunes. The inspiration will direct where I go, though I have a lot of things in mind that I would like to do with this next CD. However, as always, I never know for sure what is the final vibe of the record until it's nearly done.

Island: So with the release of these 2 Unearthed albums will be a brand new Y&T studio album anytime soon? It’s been around 7 years since the last Y&T studio release, Endangered Species, so it is safe to say that fans are probably hungry for a new studio album…

Dave: New studio albums have not been a high priority since we got back together to play a few years back. The band has been discussing this possibility but we've been putting most of our efforts towards releasing a Y&T live DVD at the moment, since there has been a large demand from the fans for one, even more than a new CD.

Island: Like many out there you’re a self taught musician and a world renowned guitar legend, at one point in your career you were offered spots with both Ozzy Osbourne and Whitesnake but politely declined as Y&T was your main focus. Which leads to the next question: Dave Meniketti can back himself up not only on guitar but also you just have one of those driving rock voices that packs an added edge to songs like: Rescue Me, Eyes Of A Stranger, and Meanstreak to name a few. Another musician that comes to mind who is both a singer and guitarist is Sammy Hagar and he said once that he preferred his skills as a vocalist then being a guitarist. So what would you say you like doing more? Playing guitar or singing?

Dave: Two decades ago I would have said guitar was my main focus. The last 2 decades I find that to be a lot more difficult to say. I believe I really turned the corner on my abilities as a vocalist from the mid 80's on to present & feel I'm still improving. There is so much expression to be had with either skill that I wonder if I would really be happy if I was only able to do just one.

Island: The music scene has changed over the last 20 years with looks and image being the main thing in the mainstream today there are some good modern rock bands out there but most of the material released by up and coming groups sound rehashed. Y&T is a group that has carried the banner of just great guitar driven rock ‘n’ roll. What is your take on a younger generation getting into Y&T or Meniketti? I mean I’m 23 and the music you’ve made over the span of a career is amazing, I love cranking Y&T and Meniketti through the speakers as when it comes down to it… it’s not looks or image that makes a band good it’s the musicianship that lasts forever… What do you think?

Dave: Just like a relationship - with many people it's the look that draws the initial attention & then you have to prove your worthiness as time goes on. But what has been proven over & over again to me is that the expression of the art is much more important in the long haul than the outward appearance or hype behind the artist. Hey, it's great when it all comes together - look, songs, feel, talent, passion - but for many bands it's likely the last 4 that will keep them alive in the hearts of the music lover. It's all about connecting in some way via the music & the playing & that can not hold up over time if it's style over substance.

Island: A few years back Y&T played Bone Bash III along with Journey, Montrose, and Joe Satriani. If I could go back in time that would be one gig I’d love to witness. The guitarists consisted of yourself, Stef Burns, Ronnie Montrose, Neal Schon and Joe Satriani so if you guys were locked in the studio and were to make an album with that talent what would be the results?

Dave: Well, one part of that is already proven out in UnEarthed Vol 2 since we were locked in a studio for a few months with Montrose & co-wrote 5 tunes on this CD. I have had the opportunity to jam on stage with Joe & Ronnie recently & have spent many years jamming with Neal in the 70's & it was certainly a vibe. Joe, Ronnie, Neal & I have such completely different approaches to our guitar playing that we would likely be a confusing mix if we all played together in the same band. I'm really unsure what combo would work best there.

Island: If there was one song that you have written throughout your career with either Y&T or Meniketti, which one sticks out in your mind as your favorite song? Also if you were trying to get someone into your music what song would you recommend?

Dave: For getting someone into our music I might choose "Forever". Simply because it has the mix of balls out rock & melody that we're known best for. Favorite tune I've ever written? No clue on that one. Like too many for different reasons.

Island: Y&T recently recorded a gig for a live DVD from internet sources this looks to have been a great live experience. So what can fans expect when this DVD hits? Is there any additional extras/bonus material besides the concert? Also any chance of Y&T releasing their music videos on DVD? As many bands are doing that now of days.

Dave: The show should be a great DVD since it will include songs performed with every member that has ever been part of Y&T through our career. We may also include a few bonus live videos as well. Yes we have plans to release all our videos in one DVD along with bonus live stuff. Look for that this next year.

Island: Ok let’s go take a trip in the way back machine the year is 1987, the album is Cher’s self titled comeback release. Being the music buff I am I got this one for my collection mainly for the all star talent on this album: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and the rest of Bon Jovi guest on this album as well as Steve Lukather, Michael Bolton, and the some of the era’s best songwriters with Desmond Child and Diane Warren but when I read the booklet I saw that Dave Meniketti lent his talents doing some backing vocals. So the question is how did this come about? I know that you and Cher were signed to Geffen at that point in time and that John Kalodner has been supportive of both your careers so just an interesting piece of music history that maybe you could elaborate more on…

Dave: When I was in NY doing some press for the upcoming Contagious CD John Kalodner told me he had this vocal gig he wanted me to attend singing background on a Cher tune. When I found out some of the background vocalists sharing the mic would be Michael Bolton and Joe Lynn Turner I couldn't refuse. It was a good time hanging with these guys along with Bon Jovi, who I had already known from touring with years earlier. Desmond was there as well, standing around adding comments. Too bad we didn't have video tape rolling on that 3 hours of fun.

Island: It seems that older/more established rock bands are releasing their albums on independent labels or putting albums out on their own which seems to be the safest thing as then musicians have control of what goes on the record and have ownership of their masters where as major labels decide what goes on an album. You have your own recording studio; produce the albums you put out; and put out albums yourselves so is it a relief to have control on what the fans buy when they put cash down for a Y&T or Meniketti album? Like the old saying goes quality over quantity right?

Dave: It's all about having that power over your own destiny. It's pretty hard to go back to big label mentality & pressure after you've been given the complete freedom to create what you want, the way you want it. Plus even though there are not the big bucks thrown around in promotion, it's still better in my opinion, to have independent labels that care about letting the artist do their thing rather than getting caught in the stupid politics of the way it used to be.

Island: So what does 2005 hold in store for Dave Meniketti? Y&T? Etc. Touring seems the main thing but are there any plans to hook up and just go all out and head out on the road for a while as Y&T has toured off and on over the past few years but I’m sure fans wouldn’t mind seeing the guys of Y&T hook up with another hard rock band and do an arena tour or something to that extent?

Dave: We're always looking for avenues to get the band on the road. Alone or with another artist or more - if it's out there to be had & we can make sense of the finances, we're there. Of course arena tours can be particularly difficult for support acts that need to actually pay their bills at home since many offer not even enough to pay for the simple expenses of the tour itself. That's why so few bands can afford to do these tours anymore unless there are other ways to support the tour.

Island: When it comes to songwriting one artist usually has a different approach then others. Some will write about true life experiences that they have observed. Others might be inspired by something going on in the world and expand on that and kind of get a song that tells a story. Do you have a particular approach when it comes to writing? Like starting with a general idea and growing on the basic structure of it?

Dave: I try to draw from my personal experiences & write about topics I feel strongly about or write simply based on what I'm feeling at the time. Occasionally I write from a fantasy position, creating a story as I go along. Many times the music itself dictates what I write about, by trying to go with what I get out of the feel from a lick or groove I'm coming up with. Many a Y&T tune lyric has been penned in this way. It's ever changing, but those are the main points I go by.

Island: Looking back at your career what has brought you the most satisfaction? Would you change anything if you could? Also if for some odd reason the career in music didn’t work out what do you think you would be doing?

Dave: (on what has brought Dave the most satisfaction): Performing in a way that moves people. I can feel the interaction with the crowd that at times gets so intense that I feel I go into an out-of-body experience. That feeling can not be lived without for me.

(on what Dave would change): I'm sure I could think of a few critical decisions I would have made differently & changes in a few business dealings, etc, but that's not what anyone gets another chance at so you live with what you've done & go on.

I have no idea what I would be doing if not music related. I've thought about it on & off for decades & still can't figure that one out.

Island: In conclusion thank you Dave for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview for www.shipwreckislandstudios.com

Dave: No problem.

Island: Thank you for all the quality music you have released with both Y&T and Meniketti. Are there any final thoughts you would like to say to our readers and your fans?

Dave: Keep supporting live music whenever you can. We'll see you on the road. Cheers!