Earlier this summer, guitarist Nita Strauss took hiatus from Alice Cooper's band to join pop star Demi Lovato's backing band, saying that her departure from Cooper's group isn't necessarily definitive and that she hopes one day to return. Still, Strauss has caught some flack from fans confused by the switch and some accused her of even selling out. So, when an interviewer with Guitar World recently suggested to Strauss that her move to Lovato's band was well received, it drew quite a chuckle from the 35-year-old guitarist,
"You and I are looking at different social media feeds! It is what it is. In a way, I feel very cared about – people are so protective of me and my career that they want to weigh in on my decisions [laughs]. If people didn't care, they wouldn't say anything. I'm choosing to look at the bright side of things.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity. I haven't been to Brazil to play a gig since 2017. I can't wait to crush these shows. And it's not just about me, it's an amazing all-female band: Brittany Bowman on the drums, Leanne Bowes on the bass, Dani McGinley on the keys. If we can reach this next generation of passionate and intense fans, and inspire them to play music, isn't that a wonderful thing? They might pick up a guitar or bass, try out drums or see Dani on keys and think, 'I could do that!' Some of these younger fans might not have been reached through a traditional rock show."
Strauss also pointed out that many incredible rock guitarists have played, or currently are playing, with pop stars.
"I've gotten to play with Jennifer [Batten, who played with Michael Jackson]. She's amazing and it was very humbling. Yeah, there's a long tradition of rock players in pop acts. There's Justin Derrico with Pink, Nuno Bettencourt with Rihanna. Greg Howe did NSync as well as Michael Jackson. Then there's Monte Pittman playing with Madonna while simultaneously playing with Prong, which no one seems to care about in terms of juggling both. And you know why they don't care? Because they shouldn't!"
Strauss also revealed that Lovato is a big metalhead, and that Strauss is actually giving her guitar lessons. "Demi has been taking lessons with me since we started rehearsals," the guitarist said. "She's playing an Ibanez on stage and really going for it. She's a total metalhead. I've been quoted saying that a lot and it's true. We did the first gig only a few weeks ago in Springfield, Illinois. I walked past a dressing room and could hear somebody listening to Megadeth, and it was Demi. There she was, getting ready for the show. She's not trying to fool anyone with air guitar or any kind of act; she's finally being her genuine self. It's a big move for Demi, you know? She had a very safe pop career that she didn't need to mess with but she chose to step out and play the music she loves."
People will always be divided, but artists are just like anyone else trying to do their best in this world. We wish Nita all the best in her new gig. Aside from playing with Lovato, Strauss released the shreddy new single, "Summer Storm," from her forthcoming solo album. The album has no release date of yet, but fans should be on the lookout for it hopefully soon.
