411 Interviews TransFormers: The Movie recording artist Stan Bush

Posted by George H. Sirois on 09.03.2007

Now You’ve All Got “The Touch…”

After writing for this site for over three years, it's become pretty obvious that I wear my fondness for the 1986 film TransFormers: The Movie on my sleeve. I've listed it as one of my Top 5 favorite animated movies, I wrote a Scene Anatomy 101 column using a scene that was literally pulled word-by-word from memory, and I made sure to get the 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD as soon as it was released.

I did not, however, expect to interview someone whose fanbase took off due to his involvement in the film, but that's what happened this past week when I discovered the homepage for recording artist Stan Bush. Stan, as many of you are aware, performed the songs "Dare" and "The Touch" for TransFormers: The Movie, and with the re-release of that film's soundtrack and the recent release of his new album "In This Life," I thought I'd take the chance and ask him for an opportunity to interview him for 411Mania.

Stan quickly responded, saying he would definitely like that, and we wound up having an interview that covered his influences in the music business, his involvement with TransFormers during the movie and afterwards, his thoughts on music used in 80s action films and his opinion on the new TransFormers film. Enjoy…


1. It's safe to say that the majority of our readers discovered your work in the same place, so can you tell us about Stan Bush, the man? Where did you grow up and what first got you turned onto playing music?

I grew up in Florida. My older brother played guitar and started teaching me when I was 10. I played in bands all through school, and later toured throughout the South making my living as a musician.


2. How did you eventually break into the music industry? Who were your influences that you could point to and say, "That's the kind of music I want to play?"

My early influences were The Beatles, Led Zepplin, and I loved the Motown songs. I've always loved pop music, especially the songs with great melodies. Early in my career, I left Florida and joined a Colorado-based recording group called Boulder. When we signed our first record deal, we moved to L.A.


3. How did you first get involved with TransFormers: The Movie? Were you familiar at all with the show and characters beforehand?

We originally wrote "The Touch" for Sylvester Stallone's movie Cobra, but the record company arranged for it to be used in the Transformers movie instead. Before that, I knew about the toys, but I didn't really know about the characters.


4. I understand you worked with Vince DiCola on the song "Dare." What was it like working with him?

Vince DiCola is extremely talented as a musician and a composer, and is a really good guy.


5. What did you think of the rest of the film's soundtrack? And what did you think of the overall film when it was released back in '86?

I thought the soundtrack was great! At the time, I wasn't sure a ‘cartoon' movie was the best thing for my career. But it turned out really good, because of all the loyal fans from the whole Transformers phenomenon.


6. What is it that you think has made this movie last as long as it has in fans' hearts? And how does it feel to be a part of a cult classic like this?

The original TF movie really has such a positive message about good overcoming evil, and the songs The Touch and Dare have that same uplifting ‘go for it' theme. I've been amazed at the way it's taken on a life of its own. A lot of Transformers fans are also Stan Bush fans.


7. How did you get involved with the films starring Jean-Claude Van Damme?

I was basically hired as a singer by composer Paul Hertzog. Paul wanted a strong rock singer for the films, and he knew me from session work we did back then.


8. Do you have a favorite song that was used in Van Damme's films?

"Fight to Survive" from Bloodsport was really powerful, and is the one I still remember.


9. So many of the 80s action films - Iron Eagle, Over the Top, Cobra, Rocky IV, etc. - had the same type of synthesizer rock that eventually faded away. Why do you think that music worked for these films, and what is your opinion on the rock soundtracks to action films out there today?

I've always loved the 80s rock anthem with the big synths and memorable choruses. It seems like a lot of the movie soundtracks today aren't as powerful and there aren't that many songs that stand out.


10. What was it like hearing "The Touch" performed by Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights?

I thought it was really funny. Wahlberg was doing an over-the-top spoof of 80s rock.


11. Tell me about your first BotCon. What were the fans like, and how was the convention put together?

Vince DiCola and I performed together in Rochester for BotCon '97 and it was awesome! The fans were great! It was very similar to BotCon '07, only smaller.


12. Vince DiCola told a story on the first TransFormers: The Movie DVD about a concert that he helped put together for a BotCon. What was it like taking part in that? What was the reaction from the fans like?

Vince and I performed along with another keyboard player and backing tracks. I also performed an unplugged segment. The fans loved it! I think everyone had a great time.


13. It's been over 20 years since TransFormers: The Movie was released. How do you feel it's held up over this time?

Well, people do consider a cult classic. I'm honored to have been a part of it. This year, I performed at BotCon '07 just before the new film was released. The fans are still really into it.


14. What prompted you to re-record "The Touch?" Do you prefer one version over the other?

I recorded a new version because the live action movie was coming out, and I wanted to include the song as a bonus track on my new album. The new version of "The Touch" is very similar to the original. While I loved the energy of the original version, I feel the sound quality is a bit better on the new one.


15. After hearing your song "Til All Are One" – which literally plays like a love letter to these characters – and comparing it with Mutemath's pseudo Power Rangers-esque "Transformers" theme that snuck onto the 2007 film's soundtrack, I have to ask: what the hell do you think they were thinking when they went with Mutemath?

I think "Til All Are One" is a great track and would have been made a wonderful theme. It's got that powerful 80s style rock sound, but has a cool new edge to it with modern keyboards.


16. Did you see the 2007 film? If so, what were your thoughts on it?

I thought the film was great, but I wasn't too thrilled with the soundtrack. I liked the score and the songs like "Baby Come Back" and "Who's Gonna Drive You Home" were good, but there was no real theme song.


17. How do you think fans will react to your latest album, "In This Life," which is available for download on iTunes?

So far the reaction to the new album has been incredibly strong. Melodic Rock.com gave it a 96%, ‘must buy'. It has been selling well in Europe and Japan. I'm going to Europe to perform in Germany and the UK end of September/beginning of October.


18. You've been such a great sport answering all these questions. Is there anything you'd like to plug?

First of all, I'd like to thank all my fans for their support and say that the new album "In This Life" is available at stanbush.com and on iTunes.


Many thanks to Stan for answering all these questions. And for your viewing and listening pleasure, here's the song we all know and love… right after the introductory video…