(Translated from Spanish)

Tico Torres, Bon Jovi drummer: "We're sounding amazing"

PubliMetro.cl: There are several changes that Bon Jovi has experienced in recent years. The most significant was the departure of his historic guitarist Richie Sambora in November 2014. His place was taken by an old acquaintance, Phil X, who had already replaced the musician on previous occasions. Alongside him (is) John Shanks, who was the producer of his latest album "This house is not for sale" as a rhythm guitarist on their live shows.

Therefore, Tico Torres is enthusiastic about the tour that has the same name as his last album, which will bring him back to Chile this September 14 with a concert at the Monumental stadium after having to cancel his participation in the band's last visit to this side of the world, after being operated on twice for a problem in its appendix. "It broke my heart that I could not have gone the last time," says the drummer in conversation with Publimetro. It is a sort of revenge for Héctor Juan Samuel Torres, who says he is "very excited to go".


On this visit, you'll be without Richie Sambora. How has it been to go on tour without him and how have they settled?

Phil X has been with us several times before. In 2014, we did a world tour with him. He's an incredible guitarist. It's all a new type of sound for us and that makes it very exciting to work with. The band is sounding amazing and we are happy to be able to do these shows.

Bon Jovi are a band that has remained together since its inception. How do you take care to make music the most important thing?

Whatever you do because you love her, it's not really a job. It is a lifestyle. We stay cool between us. We love to keep going into the studio, composing together. We have the possibility to continue making concerts for large audiences and that is a great satisfaction. It gratifies you.

...Jon Bon Jovi said he sometimes gets bored playing the band's greatest hits. How does a band with a long career reconcile with their old material while still looking to the future?

I think the key is to stay honest with yourself. Every time we do the old songs, they are already part of the audience. They sing with us and it is as if we played them together. It does not matter how many times we play them, it gives the sensation that they sound different in Chile, Argentina, Spain or England.

Through the years we have tried to write music that generates that effect. It's what we feel about working with John Shanks as a producer. We try to keep our current sound and I think that's what makes us have different generations of audience. It keeps us cool and does not remake things from the 80's or 90's. The great thing about doing live shows every year is that people can listen to old songs and new ones.

What will the fans see in this show?

They have to go because I will be me (laughs). They have to go! As I mentioned before, the band is sounding amazing. We have prepared a lot and we have worked hard so that all the songs sound as faithful as they sound on the record. We are in very good shape. They are going to be great shows and we are very anxious to be able to play for the fans of South America. They are the best audience of all because they sing like no one else in the world.