The Greg Leon Invasion

This "5 and Dime" interview was conducted when I chatted on the phone on April 1 with Greg Leon, the founder and lead guitar/vocalist of The Greg Leon Invasion.

Tell me about The Greg Leon Invasion.

This newly reformed version of The Greg Leon Invasion is a power trio. We play all-original, hard-driven melodic rock and roll. We're kind of like Dokken meets Van Halen. My bass player, George Roelke, is originally from the East Coast. He used to play in the New England band Shout. When he moved to Los Angeles he played in Zac Daniels and the One-Eyed Snakes. My drummer, Greg Stevens, is a session drummer I met through a producer. We've been playing together for two years. I was in a band called Suite 19 with Tommy Lee prior to him joining Motley Crue. Joey Vera from Armored Saint joined me in the original version of the Invasion. I've also played guitar in Dokken, Dubrow and Marshal Law.

Tell me about your band's current CD, "Unfinished Business," its musical direction, where we can hear it, and where we can buy it.

"Unfinshed Business" was just issued and it's ten tracks of hard-driving rock and roll. One cut, called "Fever," is a twenty-minute jam. It's available through my website, www.gregleoninvasion.com We're currently looking for someone to distribute it.

Tell me about your band's touring plans.

Promoters only have to ask us. We're tired of playing local gigs, and we're itching to get out on the road. We might do some shows in Japan.

What does your band have in store for your fans in the next 12 months?

We're hoping to get signed and get major distribution. We're looking for the right management company, and we're really looking forward to touring. I'm writing songs for a new album, hopefully not so long a wait this time.

Feel free to promote anything else you'd like that applies to your band.

Again, my website is www.gregleoninvasion.com The current album, "Unfinished Business" is available at the website. We'll have some soundclips uploaded to the website soon.

Please share your thoughts on Dimebag Darrell.

His death was so tragic, it was a horrible way to go out. I freeze up every time I think about it. I never met Dimebag, but he influenced so many guitar players. His band Pantera keep metal alive.