From The Inside: Danny Vaughn and his return to a more melodic sound. Danny talks about this new project and his upcoming tour with the classic Tyketto. Hey Danny, great to see you back in action with the new From The Inside release. After two well received Vaughn albums, what drew you towards this project? I'm always looking for challenges. Things that I haven't tried before. I feel that a musician gets stagnant if he or she only works along the same set lines all the time. I have never attempted to interpret other people's songs on a recording before. It isn't as easy as you might think and I really enjoyed trying our best to make these songs our own. Also, I was very unhappy with my previous record label and this opportunity from Frontiers seemed like the perfect way to test new waters. So far I'm very happy with this arrangement. There was obviously a certain willingness to record some other people's songs and also return to a more AOR sound, what was the thought process going into this record? It was something like, "Here goes nothing!" You have to be willing to fall on your face sometimes. ...

Gary Hughes: Return To Intensity. Gary Hughes talks about the new album and the chosen path of an indie artist, plus his now open to the public studio. G'Day Gary, thanks for taking the time out to chat today. The new Ten album Return To Evermore is out now, having just been released. How would you compare this Ten album to any other in your career? This album was probably the most pleasurable of my career. There's a real sense of desire and purpose in the Ten camp again and it has been a pleasure to work on the album with a air of freshness and hunger in the ranks again. The general moral in the band is better than at anytime I can remember. I said in my review that you are always busy and it didn't occur to me that it had been 2 years since the last Ten album! We all know how you have spent this time - has it been satisfying for yourself? Yes, very much so. I was very pleased with the outcome of the Arthurian albums. They were a mammoth task and all in all I feel that they are very complete in the ...

Glen Burtnik: Something old and something new. Glen talks in detail about his diverse, but rocking new CD Welcome To Hollywood, out now. And then there's his time with Styx!       G'Day Glen. Great as always to talk with you - you have had a busy time of it lately. Not sure where to begin, so maybe I'll start with the album and work backwards! First of all, Welcome To Hollywood is now released. Judging by your Newsletter comments, it must come as a great relief to see if completed and actually available? I am very glad this record is finished and finally finding it's way to an audience. As Bon Scott once sang, “I've done everything I'm gonna do. The rest is up to you” It seems there were times where you felt that wouldn't happen? Well, it sure took a very long time… Like Eric Clapton said, “Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees.” Was the recording process for this album much harder/different to that of previous albums - and if so - why was that the case? I've never recorded an album while on tour before. At the same time I ...

Over The Edge: Mickey Thomas - The voice of Starship returns. Mickey Thomas talks a little about the Over The Edge project with Fabrizio Grossi, life in Starship and placing a modern twist on the AOR sound.           First up-congratulations on a great and lengthy career-you must be very proud of the body of work you have produced. I'm very proud and I feel lucky and blessed. I've been so fortunate to have unique influences and associates in my career. Everything from Elvin Bishop to Grace Slick. Let's jump straight to Over The Edge project. First of all, you signed to Frontiers for an album some time ago and at that time it was for an album under the Mickey Thomas/STARSHIP moniker. Can you detail the events of the time between signing and commencing work on OTE and why that project name was selected? I was originally signed to a solo album. I wanted to do something a little more modern and original. Serafino Perugino from Frontier's really wanted me to do something a lot closer to the 80's sound of STARSHIP. In the end we compromised on the special project CD "OTE" = 80's melodic ...

Tim Donahue: Madmen & Sinners. Tim Donahue had a broad vision for his follow up to the successful Into The Light release. This time he enlisted Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie to drive the powerhouse progressive / melodic metal project. Tim speaks about the already highly acclaimed results! Hi Tim, congratulations on the album - which is finally available! This one has been a long time coming hasn't it? When did you start work on the album and did you envisage that it would take this long to complete? Thank you Andy. I started composing MADMEN & SINNERS in 2002, and I really didn't think it would take 2 years to finish the album. There were a lot of technical problems came up that had to be solved along the way. From memory, you had plans for this album before the Into The Light project was released - have you realized your long time goal with this album? You're right- some of the initial music for this album came to me as INTO THE LIGHT was being released. I'm happy to say that musically speaking, the MADMEN album is everything I wanted it to be. Production-wise, there will always be things that can ...

TNT: Their religion is our religion. Tony Harnell talks from his temporary base in Norway as the band continue to do press in support of the release of their classic My Religion album. Tony talks about the trials and tribulations of getting this album written, recorded and promoted.       G'Day Tony, thanks for talking TNT with me! I know you have seen my review already, but others seem just as enthusiastic for the My Religion album. This must be very satisfying for all the guys? Yes of course. Very much so! My Religion has been some time in the making - all said and done - was the effort worth the result? I believe it was. You know, some bumps along the way and I always think we can do better, but we did pretty well! Could My Religion have been possible had it not been for Firefly and Transistor? No, I don't think so. I think those albums were turning points creatively for Ronni and I and ushered in a new era of writing styles for us as a team. Those albums have their fans - I rather like Transistor, but as a band, you really took ...

Hugo: The fire still burns... Hugo talks about the recording and release of his new solo album Fire In The Night and a little of the other things in his life.     G'Day Hugo, let's get straight to the new album - Fire In The Night. Where did the title come from? It's basically the idea of keeping that dream alive! Whatever it may be, it is a very powerful thing having a vision. Often, it's the one thing that keeps you positive and motivated. For me, it was having music. When I was growing up and I had a shitty day at school or work, I always knew that there was practice or a gig that weekend to keep me going!! It's something we all have and can never let go of!!!!! You had better let everyone know where it will be available from and how they can pay/purchase it..... You can get it by going to www.hugothisway.com and please specify if you would like it autographed or personalized. I will be signing all copies that leave my hands!! It's my way of saying thanks for hanging in there while I figure out a way ...

Shiva: Sweden's melodic rockers get tougher. Shiva's duo of Mats and Anette talk about their new harder rocking release and life as Sweden's Shiva. Hi guys, Congratulations on the new album. It's a slightly heavier affair than the debut - what thoughts did you have in mind when starting to write and record this new album? Mats: Thanks a lot! We wanted to do a heavier album than “SHIVA”, but still very melodic. It felt more exciting to do something different on Desert Dreams comparing to our debut and it felt naturally in a way to take this step. Anette: Yes, it s a little bit heavier and harder than the first album but it s still very melodic and, in fact, Desert Dreams has more ballads than the first so it has a soft side as well. I think the album is partly in the style of the debut and partly heavier, and little more contemporary. Are there are any bands that have influenced your style in this manner? Mats: I listen to all kinds of music, everything from hard rock, heavy- , trash- metal to classic- and pop-music and I can t particularly mention new bands that I m ...

House Of Lords: A new decade, a new sound. The new House Of Lords album has a lot of people talking. Everyone has an opinion on this record, especially two of the people behind the record - bassist Chuck Wright and vocalist James Christian. Here is what they had to say about the recording and release of The Power & The Myth! Both interviews make for an interesting read.   CHUCK WRIGHT Hey Chuck, thanks for your time. First off, let me say that I know your web site is probably the most read melodic rock site on the net - congrats on helping to keep the genre alive…ok now the questions. The House Of Lords album is done....and it's about to be released. Did you think it would ever happen at some stages over the last year or two? There were a couple points when we almost threw in the towel. In the beginning, we had to deal with the name usage problem which was a major hurdle. We had serious logistical issues having everyone spread all over the country, coast to coast, and scheduling problems to deal with not to mention a tug of war with ...

McQueen Street: 2nd Time Around.     McQueen Street was another classic American hard rock act that was swept aside by the grunge revolution. But thanks to persistent fans, good music and the Internet - they're back! I talked to frontman Derek Welsh about the road to their second CD release. Derek, great to see a new release from the band on the market. A lot of classic hard rock bands are utilizing the Internet to reconnect with old fans and make available music and merchandise that they otherwise would have a chance in releasing. At what point did you decide this was a good idea and how did you get started? I've been thinking about doing this for a very long time. Actually I've been involved with the Internet and music promotion since the mid 90s. There's no doubt that the Internet is a great vehicle for music. To someone who hasn't heard of the band - can you describe your sound and attitude - this is your chance to sell yourself :) Hard driving, in your face, no frills hard rock. How did the band get started? What are the origins of the band when you first hit the ...

Last Autmun's Dream: A dream come true.   Mikael Erlandsson and Andy Malecek talk about the new "supergroup" project that seesm the guys team with the trio of Ian Haugland, Mic Michaeli and John Levén from Europe. Both guys were asked a set of questions - some involving the LAD project were the same, some different, so the interviews are posted one below each other.       Mikael Erlandsson: So Mikael, it has been a busy year for you. Your solo album and now Last Autumn's Dream. I am impressed with the album - how did the idea to form this band get started? It started as an idea during performing my solo-songs live.. all songs we played were more like , " hard´n´heavier " in the same time my record - company in japan had the same idea to put a "band-feeling" into my songs, so , my management and the company and i put this dreamband together...... And where did the name come from? The name came up as an idea from the brilliant company in Japan (the name was too good to reject) ha ha... How long did it take to get the line-up together? I must ...

Johnny Lima: A Californian boy! Johnny Lima talks about the frustrations of life within the melodic rock scene in 2003 and in detail about his new album Made In California. So Johnny, all this time we've been mates and I've been plugging away for you on the site, but this is our first interview?!! Thanks for pointing that out by the way...make me feel bad and all!! Yeah, I was beginning to think you didn't like me. HAHA! So Made In California is done, complete, finished and on the verge of a release. Can you believe that? I won't believe it until I have the finished product in my hand. I keep checking my mailbox, but nothing's arrived yet. Even better - can you believe you and Danny Danzi have album's released in the same month??? You mean to tell me Danny's album is out and that little bastard hasn't sent me one yet?!!! Not yet, but it's out in Japan December 17. Made In California is a great album - you must be very pleased with the results, but how do you view it now, looking back over the last few years and past albums? I still think it's a ...

xxxx   Dreamtide: The guys get daring on album number 2. Helge Engelke and Olaf Senkbeil talk about the brand new Dreamtide album and the songs that make up the new opus. Interview with Dreamtide guitarist and mastermind Helge Engelke. I really like the style of the new album - you seem to be closer to a Fair Warning style sound. Was that a deliberate move? Oops, right the very first one is a question I didn't expect at all. But first of all, thank you. Having been in Fair Warning for more than 10 years I would have estimated that 80% of the songs on this record NEVER would have been on any FW record. Maybe I am wrong but that would mean that the tastes of my ex-fellow members have changed drastically. To answer the question more straight ahead: There was no intention at all, not even a single thought about it, to get closer to FW. What did you have in mind when you started to write the new songs? I'm a simple mind, so most of the time there is not much going on there. I wouldn't even say that I write songs. I would call it 'discovering' what ...

Newman: Modern times, classic sounds. Steve Newman talks about his latest Newman album and the Butterfly Tattoo material and gives some advice to new bands and AOR fans out there! Hi Steve….our first ever interview – thanks for taking the time! What are you up to right now? I am currently in the studio going through the Butterfly Tattoo material. I'm not sure who this is going to be released through, obviously Escape will have first choice on this. I'll let you know what happens. Congrats on the new album - sounding as good, if not better, than ever. Thank you Andrew. There's been a 3 year delay between albums this time around, but you haven't been sitting around the whole time. You recorded a set of songs under the title Butterfly Tattoo. What happened to those songs and why weren't they released? Yes, that's right, I was involved in doing something a little different with regards to Butterfly Tattoo. I got together two other musicians, a bass player, and a drummer and we spent around 2 months in the studio writing songs with the intention that this was to become the next Newman album. We started to actively write together and ...

Shugaazer: A new name, but a familiar voice. Paul Laine talks about his new band Shugaazer and his role and future in Danger Danger. Shugaazer has been a while in the making - I know you have been working on songs for some time now. Just how long did the writing process take and then the recording? The idea of forming this band started many years ago....I had always been writing songs for Shugaazer (the band that never was) and every time I had to do a D2 record, Steve and Bruno would choose some of that material, and that's what would end up on their album's. This album in particular was about a year in the making-8 months writing it and about 4 months recording it. How many songs were written and/or recorded for the project that has resulted in the 10 tracks included on the final album? Probably somewhere around 30 songs were written to various stages before Chris and I decided on the 10 that made the record....When I set out to do this, there was no deal on the table...I thought to myself, I am going to make the record that I want to make, sing ...

Zebra: Zebra IV, 9 years in the making! Guitarist, singer and songwriter Randy Jackson talks about the new Zebra album and the difficulties of life in 2003. It seems like Zebra fans have been waiting for this album for a long while! Why so long between 3.V and Zebra IV? We didn't have a label to finance the recording after 1986 but eventually (recently) technology allowed us to produce the entire thing ourselves at minimum cost with better quality than all the previous records. ALSO - I was involved in the development of an interactive musical instrument called "The Key" from 1992 to 1996. The instrument allowed anyone to play a guitar-like instrument (The Key) along with videos or CDs. I oversaw the programming of the music. We encoded a lot of Videos that came out during that time period (Page and Plant "Unleaded", Aerosmith's "Big Ones", The Who's "30 Years of Maximum R&B" among them). If you have any of the videos we worked on you will see our "KEY" logo on the back that identifies the tape as being "interactive". We recorded the drums for "Zebra IV" in New Orleans in 1996. Guy got breast cancer that year which slowed the process down ...

Richie Kotzen: Breaking up is hard to do.... Guitarist, singer and songwriter Richie Kotzen talks about his new solo albumm Change, plus all things Mr. Big and that new Influences & Connections record. Hi Richie, thanks for taking the time out to answer some questions for me. How has the album been going where it has already been released? I am very happy about the way the CD has been doing. In Japan we have had 2 TV tie ins. One with the song Change and another with the song Get A Life. I will be touring Japan in September and plan on touring Europe in November. We made a new deal with Frontiers for Europe and they have been doing great with the new CD. Change will be released in north America on Shrapnel Records within the next few months. You are an extremely diverse guitar player - has that helped in the marketing of your name, or hindered as the press doesn't know what category to box you into? I can't say if it has helped or hurt. I am who I am. When I made my first CD I became known as a guitarist. As time went on ...