JOEL HOEKSTRA (JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13, WHITESNAKE): “Even Though I’m Writing Everything, Everyone Gets To Play The Way They Play”

Let the Games Begin

Joel Hoekstra’s 13 was created as a side project in 2015 by current Whitesnake and Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist Joel Hoekstra.  Under the 13 moniker Hoekstra released Dying to Live that same year.  On February 12, 2021 the group returns with it’s follow-up Running Games.

Hoekstra is once again flanked by Russell Allen (Symphony X), Vinny Appice (ex-Black Sabbath, Dio), Tony Franklin (Every Hard Rock band that had a record in the 80s), Derek Sherinian (Sons of Apollo), and Jeff Scott Soto (Sons of Apollo, W.E.T.).   I jumped at the chance to speak with Joel Hoekstra about the new album.

Highlights Include:

• Discussion of Running Games
• Why he prefers home recording and file sharing to recording in the studio
• Were any songs on Running Games leftovers from the last Whitesnake album
• Why Jeff Scott Soto is only doing background vocals this time around
• His YouTube jam sessions
• Is there any future with his Echobats project with Tony Harnell (TNT)
• How he got the gig as the live guitarist for Cher
• Is Whitesnake working on new material
• How Jim Peterik (Ex-Survivor) helped jump start his career
• … and much, much more!

Joel Hoekstra’s 13 is:

Joel Hoekstra – Guitar
Russell Allen – Vocals
Vinny Appice – Drums
Tony Franklin – Bass
Derek Sherinian – Keyboards
Jeff Scott Soto – Backing Vocals