| 1. What are you currently up
to? |
Getting ready to embark on my to month solo tour throughout a good
portion of Europe. From there, I believe we go to South America so
it's confirmed, this is the busiest time of my life/career!
|
| What has been the highlight(s) and lowpoints(s) of your career to
date?
|
Highlights have all occured in the past few months....did a smash-up
job at the Sweden Rock Festival & another in Belgium in front of
thousands of enthusiastic fans, but the prize goes to my appearance
with Queen onstage last October when they received their Star on the
Hollywood Walk Of Fame...singing with my all time heroes was a big
high 4 me!
Low moments, my time with Yngwie, but not because of him but because
the many weasels & dickheads surrounding him. It was a surreal, dark
period of my life when it should have been the most exciting.
|
3. How did you first get into the music business? Who have been your
main influences on your career to date?
|
I've always been singing as far back as I've been talking. Yngwie was
my 1st break at 18 years old. Queen, Prince, Journey & Van Halen were
the artists who taught about breaking the musical boundaries yet
giving them integrity...I would have nothing without those guys!
. |
| 4. What are your personal highlights on the new Talisman album Cats
and Dogs and why?
|
The fact that it feels like a band again...having Frederik with us
brought back a chemistry that was missing for years. The songs are
killer too, overall I couldn't be happier...well, I could, we could
sell a few 100,000 more, then I'd be happy as a clam!
|
| 5. Your doing a series of UK dates how have these been and what has
been the highlight for you? How do you view the current live rock scene in both the US & Europe?
|
It's been more than amazing, especially since I've never had much
presence at all in my career throughout the UK until now. My exposure
has been due to quite a few appearances with Queen alumni as well as
through the Gods Festivals held annually. It's quite sad how the
genre is really at a cult status but I can't complain as there are
many who have stuck by me through all these years & I'm now just
finding out about them.
|
| 6. Do you prefer working in a solo environment or as part of a band?
Which songs give you the most pleasure to sing live?
|
It's a whole new thing doing it on my own so I'm still getting used to
it, but damn, I do like it! There's a controlling factor that I enjoy
behind it, but I don't mean that in an egotistical way, more so in a
way that I can pick & choose what & how we do in the studio or live &
know the guys in the band are having a blast along with me. I have
such a huge past it's difficult as hell to get it right everytime, but
I'm having the time of my life doing it all.
|
|
Photograph © 2004 Martin Kessel
|
| 7. You've worked with Queen and the all star SAS Band. How did you
first come to work with these guys? Have you been approached to front Queen for their South African date in the autumn?
|
It's quite a long story, but in short, it was from heavy persistance
that allowed me to prove myself & what I do, from there I've been
invited to do more with them all. It's been a great ride I hope will
continue & also grow with.
|
| 8. What has been the best career decision you have made and why?
|
Taking a leave of absence a few years back & coming back stronger than ever now!
|
| 9. What do you do in your spare time outside of music?
|
There's not much spare time juggling my solo thing, Talisman, Queen
appearances & SAS Band, but I love basketball, water sports &
snowboarding.
|
| 10. Message for your
fans... |
U all rule, U all make me what I am, U keep me thriving to reach 4 the stars & 4 U I dedicate every bit of my success to!!!
|
