| 1. What are you currently up
to? |
Well at the
moment I'm just kind of taking a break from recording and working on other
things. I usually need to take a month or two off when I've finished an album
before I start recording another. I need to get it out of my head and start
collecting my thoughts. I can't make an album without some kind of feeling
and perspective. My next project before I start recording again will be to
do some more upgrades to my studio. |
| 2. Who were your
influences? |
I'd have to
say Hendrix from a musical perspective. |
| 3. Which band would you like to
see reform? |
Hmmmm...you
know, I'm not a fan of the whole "reunion" thing but it depends. Most of
them seem to be in it for the money or bleeding the last hope, but if it
was because they genuinely enjoyed playing together, my answer would be original
Rainbow with Ronnie Dio. Sadly, Cozy is no longer with us, but that was my
all time favourite line-up and group. |
| 4. Your latest CD is very much
influenced by the events of Sep 11. As the first anniversary approaches of
those tragic events, do you think anything has changed for the
better? |
No. I think
everything's gone quite wrong actually. I worry a lot about the future of
our civil liberties as a result of 9/11. I have strong opinions in politics,
but I don't care to really go into them.
I'm a musician, I put this energy
into my writing. |
| 5. You are a very talented guitarist.
Would you consider in the future the possibility of setting-up your own guitar
school / workshop? What tips would you give to aspiring
guitarists? |
I've never liked
teaching really. If a potential guitarist has "the goods" in terms of developing
into a great player, I've always honestly felt that the world will be their
teacher. There's a world of great musicians and guitarists out there one
is free to learn from if they're truly motivated. Ultimately, my philosophy
has always been that if one has a teacher, or one doesn't have a teacher,
they are ultimately self-taught. My advice to aspiring guitarists has always
been to record themselves and then be their own worst critic to make
improvements. It's the best mirror there is really. |
| 6. Who would you like to work with
in the future? |
I've been pretty
happy with the people I'm working with actually. Michael Flatters will probably
be singing again on my next album. He's been great to work
with. |
| 7. What are your views on the current
rock music scene? What countries are the most receptive to your music? Which
countries have the most loyal fans? |
It's quite hard
to say really. I'm not sure that it can be as easily answered these days
as say ten years ago. Ten years ago I'd have said "Japan" and "Germany".
But the internet has diversified everything and it seems to be some people
from everywhere. |
| 8.What has been the highlight(s)
and lowlight(s)of your career so far? |
I'd say the
low-light was the way things went with Fifth Angel after we got picked up
by Epic. That really sucked. Hi-lights are happening right now really. I
mean I can't answer this from any perspective other than how I feel about
what I'm doing, and right now I feel very fulfilled. I have control of my
art, and I'm able to make the albums I want to make. What more is there?
A million dollars?
Sure, it'd be great thank you,
but it wouldn't change what I do, and if it did, I wouldn't be
interested.
So happiness is no regrets and
right now that's me. |
| 9. What was the last thing you
read? |
I'd love to
tell you that it was some long intellectual treatise on world history or
physics, but in the interest of honesty, it was the National Enquirer. My
girlfriend brought it home from the market and you know, as cheesy as it
is, I just couldn't help myself :) |
| 10. Message for your
fans... |
Hi and thanks
for hanging in there! |
