Introducing… Anthony J. Resta

When did you first realize that was what you wanted to do?
When I recorded with bands and everyone played faster than the drums then said the drums sounded draggy. It was the beginning of getting musicians to groove and lay back on the beat (a lifelong battle for all of us).

Which musical instruments do you play?
Drums, percussion, keyboards, flute, Gtr.

Were you ever in a band yourself?
Many, from 8th grade right through college and into my early twenties.

How did Duran get to hear about you, and how did you come to work for them?
Warren got a tape of my solo stuff through Dale Bozzio. He loved the warmth and bottom it had.

What was the first piece of music you helped them with?
It was "White Lines" and "911 is a joke."

What do you think captivated them about it and made them ask to work with you again?
They liked what I did to everyone's tracks and the way I made everything flow rhythmically together. Also Warren and Nick and I have a similar taste for sounds.

Which other bands have you worked with?
Letters to Cleo, Collective Soul, Missing Persons, Blondie, TV Mania, Dan Reed Network, Extreme, Alisa Carroll, The Mudhens, Nuno Bettencourt, Suze Demarchi of Baby Animals, The Beloved Few, about 40 records total, these are the most well known.

Describe your role in Medazzaland, how much influence did you have?
I do post production and mixing with my partner Bob St. John, as well as live drums, percussion, and programming. I have a fair amount of influence in the overall vibe, we are all on the same wave length though.

What do you think caused such lack of interest in it?
A million people bought "Thank you" with all those bad reviews, it baffles me why the same hardcore duran fans didn't go out and buy Medazzaland. The reviews were really good (I have collected about 18 that are more than favorable). Too bad the same people didn't buy the next one. I have no idea why, when the record first came out, everyone raved about how unique and modern it was, but no one bought it.

What is your favorite Duran track that you have worked on?
There are many. White Lines, So Long Suicide, Midnight Sun, Buried in the Sand, Medazzaland, these are some of my favorites.

What is your favorite Duran track of all time (studio and/or live)?
I can't really say, of course Rio would be right at the top.

Which track do you think is the worst?
I have to be honest and say I hate "best"and "worst" of anything that has to do with art. There is no right or wrong in it. It's all in the ear of the beholder. The same holds true for Paintings. I just saw Van Gogh's Starry Night at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, and it is incredible, at the same time I am sure someone somewhere is painting just as wonderful things. And I would bet that that artist would never say what he thinks is Van Gogh's "worst" painting.

Did you own any Duran albums before you worked with them? Which ones?
I worked in a Night Club as a DJ and Bartender when they broke, I had all of them. They were popular at the club.

What is your earliest memory of Duran Duran?
The Rio video I suppose.

Which concerts did you attend on the 1997 US tour? What did you think?
Boston and NY NY. I enjoyed them so much, I thought other than some technical problems they pulled things off quite well. But then I had never seen them before so I had nothing to compare it to.

What are they really like to work with?
They are really enthusiastic and passionate about every detail that goes into the songs they do as a labor of love. They are all critical in different ways, but compromise with each other and find a mutual ground without too much pain. They really let you know when they love something, and they really let you know when they don't. It's a good working relationship.

Have your perceptions of them as a band changed now that you have worked with them?
Not really, No.

Can Simon really sing, and can Nick really play the keyboards?
Of course, I can't believe you're asking me that. Simon is an amazing singer, I have worked with many artists' voices that needed a lot more fixing up than his, Nick is functional on keyboards but his forté is abstract sound design and conceptualizing soundscapes. He is like a walking encyclopedia of synthesizers. Mark Tinley his tech is really talented as well, helping Nick find what he is looking for quickly.

It is said that Duran fans are very loyal and dedicated to the band, what are your experiences with fans and would you agree?
I have found it to be true, I just wish more of them bought Medazzaland.

The Dutch Go Duran has now been running for ten years - where were you and what were you doing in 1988?
Just starting in this business and working in a nightclub.

What do you hope to be doing ten years from now?
What I am doing now only ten years worth of experience better.

Do you think Duran will still be going in ten years?
It's up to them really, I wouldn't be surprised if they just kept making records. They need to do it. It's a major part of their lives.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.
You're very welcome. Hope I wasn't completely vague.