Steven Tyler Says He’s Ready to Make a Solo Record
Steven Tyler says he's finally ready to work on that solo album he planned to do a while back before Aerosmith got back in the saddle for a new record and tour. The singer recently told Rolling Stone that he's "itching" to do a solo project.
"That's what I'm gonna do next," Tyler said in the online Q&A. "I've got some great people that want to get involved in it. It's early on right now, but that's the itch I got. I got that itch to do something that's a lot different than Aerosmith."
Tellingly, Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry sat down for separate interviews with Rolling Stone. While Perry mostly talked about an autobiography he's been working on, Tyler discussed his plans for his first LP. As he noted, the guitarist has made "like, four solo albums." But besides a one-off single, '(It) Feels So Good,' the singer's name has been attached to only Aerosmith records over the past 40 years.
"My heart is in stuff like that weirder, off-the-cuff stuff that I'm not sure Aerosmith would like," he said. "I'm into electronica -- I was when I used to listen to Stockhausen in '65. So there's just a lot of stuff -- good, weird f---ing music that I want to get off my chest."
Tyler added that he's talked with rodent-headed EDM master Deadmau5 about working on his solo record. He also said he's a fan of dubstep king Skrillex. "I really want to take a little risk here," said Tyler, who plans to start work on the album early next year.
But don't worry, Aerosmith fans. Tyler said the band -- which is preparing for a few upcoming concerts -- isn't going away anytime soon. After a few bumpy years, it seems that everyone is getting along just fine these days. "Aerosmith will always be around," Tyler said.
This weekend, Tyler and Perry will be inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. In April, they were awarded a similar honor by the Songwriters Hall of Fame. "Music expresses what cannot be put into words," Tyler told Rolling Stone. "So here we are getting an award for it."