On May 7, the renowned band Baroness will embark on an exciting tour titled the Red and Blue Tour, celebrating their groundbreaking albums, the 2007 Red Album and the 2009 Blue Record. In anticipation of this highly anticipated tour, frontman John Baizley made a special appearance on Loudwire Nights on Tuesday, April 29, to discuss the tour’s significance and what fans can expect.

To catch the complete conversation, be sure to listen in the audio player located near the end of this article.

Baizley expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming tour, stating, “It became clear to us that we could take this concept on the road.” He shared this insight with host Chuck Armstrong while reflecting on the success of two recent sold-out shows in Philadelphia, where they performed both albums in their entirety.

He elaborated, “The challenge was to determine how we wanted to present this experience. We had considered various ideas, including focusing on specific markets and creating grandiose events in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Austin.” However, the band ultimately chose to prioritize a more intimate approach.

Baroness decided to minimize production and select smaller venues, aiming to recreate the intimate atmosphere of their earlier performances. Baizley highlighted, “We thought it would be a unique and nostalgic way to connect with our fans, similar to the venues we played during the band’s formative years from 2007 to 2009.”

As he reflected on this decision, Baizley acknowledged the nostalgia of preparing to tour in smaller spaces, saying, “Back in those days, the crowd was always just a foot-and-a-half away from me, fostering a deep personal connection between the band and our audience during those formative years.”

How Black Sabbath Revolutionized Music for John Baizley

In addition to discussing the Red and Blue Tour, Baizley shared his admiration for a legendary band often compared to Baroness: Black Sabbath. He reminisced, “Growing up in a rural community nestled deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I want to emphasize that we were disconnected from the national touring circuit, which meant we rarely experienced live music, especially contemporary acts.”

Despite this isolation, Baizley was fortunate to discover music through the record collections of his friends’ parents. Notably, he mentioned a friend named Mike, who played drums with him and whose father provided Baizley with his first guitar lessons.

He recalled, “[He] was the sole instructor I ever had for guitar lessons.” He fondly remembered, “One of the first things I learned was the iconic riff from ‘Paranoid,’ which was significant for Steve when he was younger. It resonated with my generation too, coming from a time when we had bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden—any of whom had even a hint of heaviness traced back to Sabbath.”

Baizley shared how he spent countless hours immersed in LPs and cassettes, particularly drawn to Black Sabbath’s first two albums, which left a lasting impact on him. “These albums were remarkable because I could easily grasp the riffs as a budding musician,” he reflected.

He continued, “You didn’t need a teacher to learn; Steve introduced me to ‘Paranoid,’ but afterward, I could tackle songs like ‘Iron Man’ and many others on my own. They were catchy enough that even a casual listener could hum along to the riffs.”

READ MORE: Maynard James Keenan Says ‘The Reason I’m On a Stage At All Is Because of Black Sabbath’s First Album’

For Baizley, the essence of music lies in the riffs. “I [might] believe it’s a fantastic riff, but more importantly, I was able to connect my brain, heart, and hands to those riffs,” he stated passionately.

He explained how Sabbath taught him that music is not an exclusive art form. “They showed me that you can create music that feels accessible … You can play this. That was the crucial lesson I absorbed from both Sabbath and Nirvana. I realized I could make music, and once that realization hit, there was no turning back. It’s incredibly important to recognize how influential Sabbath has been for riff-driven guitar music.”

Insights from John Baizley’s Discussion on Loudwire Nights

• Looking ahead for Baroness: “Before we scheduled the Red and Blue Tour this year, our intention was to dedicate the year entirely to writing, so now it’s about finding time after this tour to kick off our next project.”
• Why Baizley believes the Red and Blue Tour will influence Baroness’ upcoming album: “Being deeply familiar with Red and Blue and transitioning directly from tour to writing new material will certainly add some flavor and direction to our next endeavors.”
• His thoughts on creating Baroness’ 2023 album, Stone, without a producer: “This experience provided us with perspective and an exhilarating sense of independence. We faced every success and failure without anyone else to blame. When your band’s goal is to create and express artistically, operating independently empowers us to confidently declare our identity.”

Catch the Complete Interview in the Podcast Player Below

John Baizley joined Loudwire Nights on Tuesday, April 29; the show is available online here, and you can listen live every weeknight at 7 PM ET on the Loudwire app. Additionally, check if the show is accessible through your local radio station, and enjoy on-demand interviews at your convenience.