Head Games




1. Tell us the story behind Head Games beginning as a tribute band to Foreigner and what each band members histories were before joining the band?

Mike L - Well, Billy and I decided to start a rock tribute band, after years trying to do originals in different band situations, and once in the same band. After that last one broke up, we hadn’t seen each other in 7 years. But, we bumped into each other in a dance club on Long Island and started working on this project. Which is turning out to be the best and most rewarding of all the bands I’ve been involved in. I worked in many hard rock/metal outfits over the years, including Panther, Next of Kin, Seeing Eye Dogs, and Hangtown. I did record company showcases, toured the states and Europe, and made a lot of friends doing it. These guys are such hard core rockers. Mike D. played drums for NYC metal band Wild August. John Francese played guitar and sang for NYC hard rock band Steel House, Jose is from Irish rock band Gael Force, Jon Loyd plays keyboards and is touring the world with blues artists Robert Ross and Stevie Cochran. I’ll let Billy tell you his history.

Billy – Over the years I’ve played bass in several all original bands. I had a small record deal about 12 years ago with a melodic rock band called "Grand Illusion" (no relation to the Styx album). We later changed our name to "Forever". Unfortunately the record label went bankrupt. We kicked it around for a couple more years until finally calling it quits. I was so frustrated with the music business that I took a long break. I eventually got back into it when I joined a NYC band called DropDeadGorgeous. They were an over the top original glam rock band in the style of Marilyn Manson/Motley Crue. We developed a huge following throughout the tri state area, but due to personal tension within the band I decided to leave. A few months later I bumped into Mike L after years of not seeing him and we starting talking about forming a cover band that was a little bit different from what was going on today in the tribute scene. After discussing this a bit, we unanimously decided on forming a

Foreigner Tribute band. It was the most appealing to me since I grew up with their music and I was a huge fan! Foreigner has been such an underrated band over the years and most people don’t realize that they sold more than 50 million records worldwide. They had a number hits that are still played on the radio today and of course "I want to know what love is" was a number one smash it back in 1985. As a band we really gel great together live. Mike L does an amazing portrayal of Lou Gramm. His vocal talents far exceed anyone that I have worked with. It’s a real pleasure to work with such top-notch musicians.


2. The band took it's name after one of Foreigners album. Did that album of some sort have any related links to each band member,as which one were of Foreigner's album were the best one?

Mike L – "Head Games" happens to be my favorite Foreigner song, along with "Break It Up". The lyrics convey something that everyone without a doubt has gone through in his life. Mick Jones and Lou Gramm have a gift for writing such concise and meaningful lyrics. And the music always has some incredibly catchy riff, whether it be guitar, keyboards or vocal part, that just grabs you and stays with you. I remember the first time I heard their music on the radio. "Cold As Ice" and "Feels Like the First Time" were huge hits here in the states. And each has a monster guitar part. The solo in "Cold As Ice" is one of the most unbelievably humongous guitar riffs in history. It’s classically tinged and has such a catchy sound. Foreigner had a knack for injecting other musical styles into their music and make it work. They mix rock with rhythm and blues, pop, jazz, funk... you name it.

Billy – When I mention the name Head Games to people they immediately associate it with Foreigner and that’s what we wanted to achieve. The album itself produced a few hits, but when it was released in 1979 it turned a lot heads due to its racy album cover. Even in today’s world, the Head Games cover still shocks people. It’s always good to cause a little controversy. That’s what makes you stick out from the masses.


3. Head Games are based in New York. How's the area there for a band that covers Foreigner numbers, is it hard competition out there and do the band also cover other songs from other bands?

Mike L – New York is fast becoming a dance club town. There are new dance clubs opening up every month somewhere. But, there are still places to go to hear blues, jazz, rock, and world music. But, the competition is fierce. We mostly play outside of Manhattan where rock is still king. As far as other cover songs, we do stuff by Deep Purple, Kansas, Jefferson Starship, Paul Mcartney, and a lot of others. We all have our favorites. But, we are essentially a hard rock band.

Billy – Yes, New York is definitely a tuff place to perform as a tribute band. There are a sea of tribute/cover bands and I’m happy to say that none of them are doing any Foreigner material. This is definitely a unique situation. Mostly we perform outside of NYC since the tribute scene is so much more embraced. And yes, every now and then we throw in other classic rock material.


4. Is playing around places in New York enough to put bread on the table and pay the bills by the end of the day or do you all have normal day jobs beside doing the tribute thing and if so what do you all do?


Mike L – You can definitely make a living playing music in New York City. But, we all have our own jobs. I am a computer systems administrator. Mike D. is a computer systems manager. John Francese owns his own business. Jose is a teacher. Jon Loyd is a piano restorer. Billy: tell the man what you do.

Billy – I guess you can make a living doing this, but it really depends on how often you perform. Like Mike L. said, we all have day jobs. I work in sales/marketing.





5. Been listen to the bands covering of the Foreigner tracks on the bands home page www.headgamesnyc.com the band has a strong foundation in what it's doing and not only playing the songs. Have the band ever considered to take it to the next level a might record a full length album of own songs and is it ever something the band would even think about?

Mike L – We do write our own material. We are all songwriters. We’ve been approached by industry people about this many times. And when the right situation comes along, we’ll consider it. It would be a blast to record our own music and have it distributed globally. I’ve worked with many music industry people back in the hair band days in showcasing my bands and trying to get signed. Music these days has a certain sound and we are trying to match our type of hard rock with today’s sound. Velvet Revolver are doing it very successfully. They are awesome. I wonder what Foreigner would sound like today if they were still recording.

Billy – Yes, being in this situation I’ve really thought about recording original material. We all write music, so we’re just waiting for the best time to move forward with it.


6. Talking about maybe releasing something on bands own hand. Does the band have any written material of it's own and have there ever been any record label interested in having the band recording something on it's own, any offers at all from within the States or outside?

Mike L – We’ve had some interest and are keeping an eye out for the best situation that would make sense for us. We do have a bunch of songs and are constantly writing. And, of course, there is a Foreigner flavor there. The 70’s Foreigner, I would say.

Billy – Yes, Mike L said it all, but I’d like to add that we would most likely pursue a deal outside of the USA.





7. Have the band ever had any of the original members of Foreigner turning up to any of the bands shows around New York?

Mike L – Almost! A person from Foreigner’s management company almost brought Mick Jones to a show. But he couldn’t make it. She really loved the show and was very gracious. But, we have a standing invitation to Mick or Lou, or any member of Foreigner for that matter, to join us on stage at any time. That would be the dream of a lifetime. To sing with Lou Gramm, my favorite singer of all time, and play with Mick Jones, a true genius.

Billy – Yes, I remember that! It would be real honor to have Mick and/or Lou in the audience or even better, on stage performing with us. Maybe one day that will happen. We’ll keep on fingers crossed on that one.


8. What's the bands personal point of view on todays music business, as it's seen on MTV and heard on the mainstream radio stations and driven by the major labels?

Mike L – It’s no different than it’s always been. Record companies spend millions to record, promote, and develop an artist. The public decides what sells and what doesn’t sell. No one can predict what will be successful. So, music evolves as a symbiotic relationship between artist and public. What the public wants, the labels provide. The labels can sway public interest to a point, but in the end it’s the people who have the ultimate power. But, it’s still a roll of the dice.

Billy – Well, to tell you the truth, I’m not a big fan of today’s pop music scene. With all the medical breakthroughs and technology out today like plastic surgery, lip syncing, pitch correction devices, and sequencing, almost anyone can be the next pop star. If an artist or group is selling big then the record company replicates that a thousand times till it eventually becomes overly saturated and stale. Everyone’s out to make a quick buck and there seems to be no longevity for artists in music today.


9. What's the current future plans for the band at this current moment in time?

Mike L - To bring Foreigner’s music to as many people as possible. Foreigner is one of those bands that defy description. They were so successful because they can touch so many styles of music. They had something for everyone. We’re hearing it from everyone who has got on our web site or seen one of our shows. Mick Jones and Lou Gramm started something that has a life of it’s own. Their music continues to touch people from all over the world to this day. People from all walks of life. We see it in our emails. We’ve had people from the islands come to New York just to see a Head Games show! Not to mention from all over the states. Because no one else is doing this music. We strive to bring a rock and roll spectacle to the stage, not just a hack show. It’s an unbelievable feeling to play Foreigner’s music, which you love so much, and affect people so deeply from so far away.

Billy – World domination! No, just kidding! We just want to perform as much as possible. We have booking agents all over the US, so we hope to play other states and countries in the near future. People really get excited when they hear Foreigner’s music. It brings back a lot of memories and emotions in people. That’s what music is all about for me.


10. Any last words to the fans/people of there here in the end?

Mike L – Yes. Stop hacking our guest book! LOL! No, I finally fixed that! Seriously, we just want to thank everyone out there who have thanked us for doing what we’re doing. Which is bringing this music to live venues. We’re just riding on that monster that Lou and Mick created so long ago and holding on for dear life. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do. Except, maybe, a reality show with Ashley Judd! LOL! Keep rocking everyone!

Billy - We would like to thank Foreigner for creating such incredible, timeless music and of course the fans, near and far, who come to all the shows. Music can’t be appreciated without an audience, so we are truly grateful for everyone’s love and support. It’s always been a dream of mine to perform music on stage and to touch peoples hearts makes it that much more rewarding, so thank you for making my dream come true.

Mike L- And thank you for interviewing us, guys. Your web site is awesome! Ciao!

Billy - Yes, this was really a blast. Cheers!