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Lukas' Super Break, T.O.'s Rossi Sees a Long Future with Tommy and the Boys
So, just how "big" has Toronto singer Lukas Rossi become since winning the frontman gig on the reality-TV show Rockstar Supernova two months ago?
"You know what the weirdest thing is? There's a web site devoted to my gear," Rossi said with a chuckle yesterday. "They'll crop out this area (points to his crotch) and comment on it. It's ridiculous. They were like, 'I guess Tommy Lee's not the only one that's well-endowed in the band.'"
The 29-year-old, who grew up at Jane and Lawrence in Toronto, arrived home this week to promote the just-released, self-titled debut disc of Rockstar Supernova -- which also includes drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), guitarist Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses) and bassist Jason Newsted (Metallica).
Some early reviews have been negative, but Rossi said he's not going to bother reading them.
"All we can do is write the best music we can. For as many people that love you out there, there's just as many of them that hate you. So whatever."
Rossi did say he wasn't surprised that two male Toronto singers have won the two Rockstar searches. J.D. Fortune was the first a year ago; he now fronts INXS.
"I think Canadians -- we don't give up," he said. "I don't think it's a coincidence at all that two Canadians won."
Still, Rossi doesn't know Fortune, nor has he seen him perform.
"J.D. has nothing to do with me," Rossi said.
Rossi insists his Rockstar Supernova gig isn't a one-album, one-tour deal.
"I already have material for the next record. When we get on the road, it's going to be me and Tommy on one bus, and there's a studio in the back of Tommy's bus, so we're just going to write for the next record."
Rossi said he isn't concerned INXS have already lost their U.S. deal.
"We're not INXS, we're Supernova, which means I don't think the guys would have dedicated so much of their time if they just wanted a quick buck. I mean, I don't think any of the guys in my band really need any money."
Still, like Fortune -- who was living in his car when he went to audition for Rockstar -- Rossi had a similar tale of woe to tell.
"I was living in my jam space in Montreal with no heat -- honestly -- and my blanket was, like, newspapers," Rossi said. "I would still be there, living out of my suitcase. I just always knew that music was my only salvation."
Rossi went from those dire conditions to living with Lee at his Hollywood Hills home right after he won Rockstar Supernova.
"Tommy's like my big brother," said Rossi, who has since moved out. "It's so weird. We're like very, very much alike. (And) I'm not the most normal guy.
"But I'm still broke," he added with a laugh.
He said he'll see the money when the Rockstar Supernova tour gets under way Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 in Las Vegas.
Rossi, however, was particularly excited about playing Massey Hall on Jan. 24.
"That's amazing. I was working construction on the building across the road from Massey Hall a couple of years ago, and I remember looking down on it going, 'I'm going to play that place soon. I'm going to play it.'"
But one serious blow to the Rockstar Supernova camp came when Newsted was injured and had to bow out of the tour. Rossi said his replacement, Johnny Colt of the Black Crowes, is working out great. "He rocks a Mohawk better than I do, man. He looks rad."
Jane Stevenson, Toronto Sun
2006 Canoe Inc