FLOWER POWER

HEAVY CLASSIC ROCK SUPERGROUP THE DEAD DAISIES ENRICH THE CROP BY BRINGING TRAPEZE, DEEP PURPLE AND BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION LEGEND GLENN HUGHES INTO THE GARDEN. HUGHES AND GUITARIST DOUG ALDRICH TAKE US ON A TOUR OF HOLY GROUND.

- MARTIN POPOFF

No question, The Dead Daisies are the domain of guitarist, aviator and Australian business magnate Dave Lowy. But this top-flight collective has always had within its ranks some esteemed collaborators, including, previous to Glenn Hughes, vocalist John Corabi as well as drummer Brian Tichy and bassist Marco Mendoza. Now onto their fifth album, titled Holy Ground, Lowy is joined by Hughes, Doug Aldrich — this is his third with the band — and drummer Deen Castronovo, making this latest lineup of the consortium their tightest yet, a fearsome foursome, as it were.

GLENN HUGHES

GOLDMINE: Congrats on the new record, Glenn. Is this a whole new lease on life for Glenn Hughes?

GLENN HUGHES: You know, for me, it’s another chapter in my career, if you will. I’m very fortunate to be able to do what I do. And joining The Dead Daisies was an opportune moment for me to express myself with my music.

GM: What surprised you about writing with these guys versus past bands? I know you’ve toured with Doug.

GH: Yes, and primarily, coming into the band, knowing Doug was there, I feel really comfortable with that. Doug played in my band five years ago for four or five months, and it was great. Doug and I had been talking about doing something like this, and here I am in this band. As you know, it’s been difficult to do anything, but we made the album exactly one year ago. And here we are; I’m talking to you.

GM: Do you feel like this is ticking off a lot of boxes for you, you know, based on the frustration level of Black Country Communion? Is this basically a neat replacement for you?