*Musical Influences…..
Guns & Roses and Marilyn Manson are two of C.L.’s strongest over all musical influences. He says Guns & Roses introduced him “to the attitude (and) the lifestyle” of Hard Rock culture in general. But they, as he said, “most importantly…..introduced me to the sound that will echo in my brain forever”. As to Marilyn Mason he said Mason “expanded the idea of what a rock band could be”. Citing the “visceral, unapologetic lyrics” and “the orchestration of music, the way instruments interact with the movie samples and weird digital bits” C.L. told me that Mason showed him how musical ideas can “expand”. Adding to that he said that Manson’s “live show merged it all” and that it was a “revolutionary art form” in itself. Watching such hard rocking and entertaining stage shows as Mason’s and Guns & Roses helped C.L. to know what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. As a guitarist C.L. was influenced heavily by “Dimebag” Darrell of Pantera and Damageplan. He not only influenced him sound wise, but in his particular style of playing the guitar. C.L. also credits the revolutionary Heavy Metal guitarist, Dimebag, with influencing him as a person, and philosophically, as well, and not just musically. C.L. said Dimebag’s own personal philosophy on life had a big impact on him and that Dimebag influenced him more in his musical pursuits than any other musician.
Captain Lou, as he is known to fans of AMERICAN LESION, has been compared in his playing style to Eric Clapton and Dave Gilmour (of Pink Floyd). “God didn’t bless me with fast fingers” C.L. says, and refers to his own playing style as being “very bluesy” when doing a solo. I’d say God did bless him just the same, listening to the lead guitar parts in AMERICAN LESION songs will prove it.
*Life Philosophy…..
“I’m a realist” –Captain Lou
C.L. says he has a “pretty broad view” about things in life. He considers himself a “philosopher in the purest sense of the word” and says he tries to look at things from all angles. His is an open-minded individual and is willing to change his mind about anything if he is “given substantial evidence to a fact”. The talented guitarist is as “very spiritual person, but totally against religion”. He tries to love everyone in general and strives to be the best person he can be in his personal life. C.L. is a respectful person as well as very respectable. He is a forgiving person “if someone were to try to reconcile”. He is no push over and believes respect must be earned and realizes it is a two-way street. Captain Lou, like all the men in the band are, is a human being and is more than just a great musician. Musicians are all human beings with their own thoughts, opinions and beliefs. C.L. is as human as the rest of us and is a three dimensional person and not just a guitarist in a rock band. He has is own opinions and is very candid about expressing them. A good example of the Captain’s openness is he is not afraid to tell you that he “stands firmly on the Bill of Rights”. He is opposed to certain U.S. Government foreign policies and believes Americans of all races should “unite in retaliation against (political) Zionism”. As to immigration he states that all immigrants should be allowed to live here, provided they have gone “through the channels” and legal processes. He says he personally does not agree with miscegenation and homosexuality but says each person must make their own moral choices in life. Whatever other people choose to do has “no affect” on his own spirituality, he told me. He said whatever choices a person makes in their personal lives “are between that person and God” and that “it has nothing to do with me”.
Chatting off-and-on with C.L., I have found him to be a very kind person, with vast interests, and a great sense of humor. I will end this article with another quote from Captain Lou that sums up his perspective on life and the unknown ideological challenges it throws at us in our lives……
“(I will) chew that food when it gets on my plate.” –Captain Lou
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