Matt and Jacob from Mars Electric talk about their new harder rocking album, their departure from Portrait Records and the future.


Hi guys...Mars Electric bounded onto the scene as one of the original new-crops of melodic modern rock acts and were signed to high profile Portrait Records.
Things went well in the beginning - how was the initial time with the label and the release of the debut album?
Jacob- We were really excited in the beginning. We were signed by John Kalodner and he signed all of our heroes. The label released our record, but the timing was weird. Radio at the time was playing almost nothing but heavy bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit. When "Someday" hit the radio, it just didn't fit in very well with what was going on. When "Someday" failed to meet the labels expectations, they decided to stop working the record completely. The reason they signed us was because of the song "Another Day On Top Of The World" so we were hoping that they would release that song to top 40 radio stations, but unfortunately in this business you only get one chance now days. If your first single is not a smash, you could have the next "Stairway To Heaven" on your record and they won't release it. It would be nice for labels to believe in the bands they sign and try to push the album more than just putting it out and seeing if it sticks.
Matt- Not a whole lot of great execution on the things they said and actual action! Later learned, though - we we're doomed before we started. People's pissing contests and egos in the way of our plans!!!

Were you happy with the response it got? Do you know how many units you sold of the album?
Matt- Of course we wished it would've sold better, but a lot of that was outta our hands. We always sold a lot at our shows! When we had the CDs that is!
Before the release date we were out developing a fan base and a lot of people wanted to buy the disc and we didn't even have a release date! Not the greatest plan!!! Especially in today's day and age if someone wants something they want it now. How likely are you going to tell someone, Hey! check back in the stores in a coupla months! People tend to forget about you fast!! Sort of "the carriage before the horse"!!!!

Were you holding on for things to change, or were you held from leaving by the label?
Matt- We we're busy fulfilling our end of the bargain, touring commitments etc., We were still promoting ourselves even though they pulled the plug! Talk about building character!!

How did you actually come to be dropped from the label?
Matt- We had to drive to ATL (our manager dropped the bomb!) and we still had like 2-3 months worth of dates, which we chose to fulfill. To this day it is my proudest moment in this band, because there was some inner turmoil in the band and we instantly bounced back like a fist and we're one!! No new release of a single, no more nothing really just us, four hungry bastards in a van showing the world who and what we ARE!!! Our only hope was they [Sony] wanted to hear some new material which we provided, in the middle or touring I might add. We did everything asked of us!!!!! They didn't get the new stuff-so the rest is history!!!

This must have been a crushing blow, but you have successfully re-grouped. How hard was it to find yourself without a label?
Matt- Life goes on and everything happens for a reason, I'm glad because now we have the chance for more people to hear Jacob's songs, they would've sat like the first CD and not as many people would've known about us!

When did Atenzia step into the picture? Were you recording a second album for Portrait, or did you record this new album yourself and shop it around?
Matt- I kind of touched on this before, we gave it to them and they didn't get it and thank GOD!!!
Jacob- Magnus Soderkvist from Atenzia E-mailed me several months after we parted ways with Columbia and asked if I would send him a copy of the new CD. I sent it to him and he got what we were doing and asked if we wanted to do a deal. Everyone at Atenzia has been really great to us. We're glad to have the opportunity to have our songs heard all over the world.

I much prefer the new album - I think it has a tougher edge to it and some fine songs. What was the plan going into writing this album?
Matt- We planned on laying them down as fast as possible with more of a live feel and just going for it! I listened to Beautiful Something not long ago and it doesn't sound like the band at all! It's still great, great songs-but it didn't capture us as a band. A little too, no a lot too polished for us, we are a RAWK band, now!!!! One big complaint from the label was, they thought we were better live than or CD represented us- that's confusing especially when you see some big bands that totally suck ass live!!!

Are you happy with the feedback and reviews from this release?
Matt- Yes and deed!
Jacob- So far the reviews and feedback have been great. Everyone seems to like this record better than "Beautiful Something". I wasn't sure what kind of response we would get, but we couldn't be happier. There are definitely some heavier songs on this album.

Will you concentrate now on Europe, or do you have plans to release the album in the US?
Matt- We hope!
Jacob- We would like to release the album in the states, but we don't have a US distributor. We will concentrate on Europe.

How about touring? Plans to play Europe or continue playing in North America?
Matt- We will have to see-I'm IN!!!
Jacob- We would love to play Europe. Hopefully we will get a chance one day. We have also never been to Japan. I think that would be a great time as well.

I notice that Marselectric.com and .net still point to Sony. Nice of them to give you your URL back!! Are you going to change that?
Matt- We definitely need to get a site up and running to see the feedback and communicate with anyone who digs the new CD!

What's next for the band?
Matt- We MUST, MUST, MUST record again soon!!!! I've been bugging Jacob about his song "Lottery" that haunts me daily in my head!! We must record it!!!!

What avenue's do you have to promote yourselves in the USA these days?
Jacob- We really arent doing much in the USA. Our focus is completely overseas now. We don't have a US deal, so we have nothing to promote. We are all playing in different bands in the states.

Anything else you are working on?
Matt- The FaTt MiNn solo project that will probably never be heard by the world! But I'm fine wit that!
Jacob- I play in a band called Lynam. We have 2 CD's out and a song coming out in a movie. The movie is called Mission Without Permission and it will be in theaters this January. We have a website www.lynamsucks.com

Anything you would like to add?
Matt- Thanks so much for your interest and we LOVE you ALL or Y'ALL!!!!!!

Thanks for taking some time out to talk with me!
Matt- Thank you INDEED!
Where are you guys based (LA right?) and do you enjoy living there? What are the good and bad points?
Matt- In (LA right?) you are referring towards Lower Alabama!! Good points-less smawg and although there are large breasts here too (at least the ones I've come across (HEHE!) pardon me!!) they seem to be less plastic! Bad points- all the damn kids being born with banjos on their Knees!! What were we talking about??!!??!!?????
Jacob- We are based in Birmingham, Alabama, but everyone lives in different states. I live in Birmingham, Matt lives in Iowa, and Chris and Carl live in Texas. After we parted ways with Columbia, we all went our separate ways until recently. This new deal pulled us back together. We haven't played any shows since we parted ways, but hopefully we will get together soon and play.

Thanks for your time guys!

Green talk about their unusual debut album and where the band gets it's heart from.

First of all - when were Green formed?
Green were born in the summer of '98 as a cover band. It was mainly a way of having a chance to play live (instead of being looked in a studio). At the time the name of the band was ppg but the band members are still the same. None of us had any project of composing or bothering with anything like that, we were a cover-band. I wanted to make my guitar scream a bit since it had been "suffocated" by endless studio sessions.
I knew Michele from a previous "bad toys" (one of my first metal projects of the eighties) reunion a few years before (we hired him for the occasion).
I asked him if he fancied playing a few songs and then asked Guido to join us. Michele then introduced his brother Giovanni, our keyboard player and seventies rock became the basic ingredient of our cover band. I started playing Jimmy Page again, rediscovering the thrill of playing in a band (which I hadn't done for 10 years about)

Your album is rather diverse - what artists influence you as a song writer and as a band as a whole?
Inevitably the music one grows up with will influence his writing: bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, Rush are very important to me when I write music.

Happy with the result?
Yes, very much. Sales are going well in Europe and Japan (where there are requests for more copies) of course we must not rush, but let the people get to know us through concerts, interviews and reviews (which have all been very good by the way)

How does a new Italian band make themselves known in the world - how does your location help or hinder your efforts to become known throughout the world?
Through the distribution of the album and, as said before, through interviews and reviews.
Last but not least, playing live as often as possible.

Do you play live very often in your local area?
It's not that easy finding place where on can play his own music. Here in Italy club owners prefer to have cover bands who guarantee a “safe” show based on the fame of the “copied” artists.
We are looking for dates for new gigs…We really want to play “Life” live.

What other bands have you played in, or what have you done musically before Green?
I started playing the guitar at the age of 5 and when I got to 7 (when I finally could cover all the strings) I already did many GIGS : I played in church every Sunday. At ten I started playing the piano but my passion went to a beautiful organ sound I heard on some records which somebody told me was called a Hammond. The priest once again knew how to exploit my musical attitude by promoting me to organist; can't say I didn't like it, 'cause I had a beautiful piped-organ.
At about 14 I fell in love with rock, with Richie Blackmore and Jimmy Page, Made in Japan and “The song remains the same”(which I now off by heart), finally at 16 my first adventures with local cover bands playing Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Who.
Ah yes: The Who…. I remember going to the cinema to watch musical movies such as Woodstock, The song remains the same, Tommy, Quadrophenia. Maybe it was thanks to these shows that I developed the feeling. common to all rockers, a spirit always hungry for distinction, rebellion, exploding with all its rage in endless solos, kneeling in front of its inspirational muse and taking your amply (Marshall, of course) to the maximum, with deafening Larsens, or in Pete Townshend-like flights. This is the period which has mostly characterized my way of living and playing.
Between 1980 and 1981 I play with a very important metal band of the time, BUD BLUES BAND (later known as Strana Officina and Bud Tribe)It's a good time for metal and in 1981 I got a few friends together and form “BAD TOYS” whom I played with till 1984.In 1985 I started playing with a band from Siena “AIRSPEED”, following my new instinct for progressive music. The result is a 10 track demo called Pictures which received very good reviews from the specialised magazines of the time. In 1988 I was called in by TIME ESCAPE (where Guido used to play) to sing on their DEMO. In 1989 with the help of producer Bruno Zambrini I started working on a solo project, mixing the grit of rock with the melodious soul of Italian Music. In 1991 my first single is released with BMG: “Affetti Smarriti”, which I take to “Festivalbar” in the same year. Finally in 1995 Fonit Cetra releases my first CD: “Fabrizio Pieraccini” where I had the chance to record with an exceptional rhythm section: Drummer Alfredo Golino and Bass guitarist Cesare Chiodo.

I noticed you also produced the album - how do you enjoy that side of the process and what do you have to do to ensure you get the best performances from the band?
The production experience has been very stimulating and almost taken for granted, as even before we starter playing I had the whole record in my head, how it should sound, atmospheres and arrangements
The boys felt this and the feedback was very intense. After 5 years playing together it was quite easy to take the best from each member of the band and put it on the album.

Tell us the story of the album - as it's a concept record isn't it?
Yes , Life is a concept album. It's partly biographic and my first thought while creating "LIFE" was of a Movie.
Each song expresses the various emotions and feelings of Mr. Kite, and each arrangement and every sound effect have been selected to convey these feelings (very unlike some other projects which tend to just create a genre or sound.
Together with the music I also saw images which had also to be "transmitted" in order to complete this "movie"
The guys from Frontiers where great in helping with a top level artwork just right for the project.
Life tries to describe reality around us through the eyes of the main character, Mr Kite.
His will to live, to go on no matter all difficulties, his strong desire to feel the world still alive inside of him; these are the feelings challenged by the darkest moments, when torment and restlessness hit him hard. Life is his flight , the flight of a kite through calm or stormy sky, in search of the wind of love, in search of something worth living for
At the end of his travel (at the end of album) Mr Kite will find the way,
we can only tell you there are some traces in the whole album.

Can you comment a little on each track?
· The Wind Of Love: The Introduction to the concept atmosphere

· Mr. Kite: We meet Mr Kite and we learn about his need for love of Mr. Kite, his search for the Wind of Love, always searching for a current that will take him higher but still through difficult weather.

· Conscience: A mirror conversation between Mr Kite and his conscience

· I Gotta Run: The typical working day for Mr Kite: Always in a hurry, always late.
He hates his boss and his boss hates him so work to him is just a pain. But still he has to run, run till the end of his days, until his legs support him

· The Work: His daily routine and of the things from which to escape.

· Escape: Says it on its own. The search for a moment of freedom….

· Cycling In The Rain: ... and peace which he finally finds. An interior peace with himself and the rest of the world. Mr kite leaves the office, gets his Mountain bike and rides it through the woods; two hours of freedom, of free thoughts, under the pouring rain.

· Sometimes: in bed, when sleep comes more difficult: Mr. Kite opens his mind and goes back to his childhood, then thinks of his friends, the world were he lives in, his future and his strongest desires.

· All Is Ok: Maybe the most intense moment, a scream for help. Behind the words “all is ok” we can find all his fear and torment.

· The Storm Inside Instrumental

· Can You Feel The World: Mr Kite still wants to go on, he still wants to feel life.
· I Still Love: There are clear and stormy skies, calm and warm currents but also terribile storms: Mr kite doesn't give up and decides to keep betting on this beautiful adventure, Life.

· The Wind Of Love (reprise) Instrumental

What's next for Green? What will the next album sound like - any plans yet?
Some dates in summer for the time being. We are waiting to see what people think of our album, and planning some shows to play live all the songs from Life. Then we'll start thinking of the second album, which is already being worked on, and if things keep going well it might be even more surprising than LIFE!! We can't say more!!!

Anything you would like to add?
Well, just thank you for your interest, and we hope to give good emotions to everyone who will listen to Life!!

Hey Josh. Ok, here we go with some questions!

First up - your saw my review, so you saw I really like the new album. Based on the albums you have been involved in previously, what was the game plan for the album before you hit the studio?
I wanted to write songs, ideas that had been in my mind for some time, but I didn't want to use them with anyone else, I wanted to write the words and music for at least half of the CD. Sometimes it's hard when your in a project with someone else and you say to them, here's a song that I've written, it can cause friction, because the other person feels left out, or doesn't want to accept the fact that it's your vision,

You have recorded and album that touches on your past, but also has a new sound in there too. Is this Josh Ramos asserting more of hi sown individual sound/style?
Yes, I think so, a person needs to grow, and move in a different direction in order to find yourself, sometimes express what your all about, I've always added my style of writing and playing to other artist and often wondered what my individual sound would be, I guess some of the songs I've written alone, reflects a light on what I'm all about as a musician and songwriter.

I don't have the full songwriter credits, but from what you have aid previously, you wrote, or co-wrote all the album's songs. Did you find that task daunting, or did you jump at the chance to be in full control?
I don't think anyone really needs to be in total control, what I mean is, there's so many great ideas coming from the people around you that are working with you, from song writing to production etc. I think you should have a clear plan of what you want, but yet be flexible with your understanding and understanding of other people's ideas, to listen and be aware of everything around you, and then make your decision.

I don't want to get into any comparison deal with Two Fires - as that's its own project and one I have really enjoyed - but would you like to have written more songs on these two albums or The Storm records?
Yes, I would have. With Two Fires, Kevin had already written most of the songs, but then I would play these ideas I was working on and Kevin would start to sing a melody and then the next thing you know we have another song. I tend to be a chameleon and adapt to that other persons style of writing, with The Storm I did include some of my ideas, but again, most of the material had already been written, plus Gregg and Kevin were doing the majority of the song writing, and I think I was the new kid on the block working with these heavy weights, so I still needed to prove myself in the writing department.

There is only 1 issue I would like to raise - there is one track on the last Two Fires album that didn't feature you - why was that? You still play gigs with Kevin Chalfant - is there any chance of a third Two Fires album?
Well the reason for that was, I had already finished all of my guitar tracks, I guess Serafino wanted another uptempo song, so after I left to go back home Kevin decided to record that song. I think maybe if we all had tried, I could have recorded my guitars on that song via sending it to me or something, anyway… Then to name the song Ignition, which is the title track to the CD, and not have me on the song, well I mean it's supposed to be Two Fires, Kevin and I… it's behind me anyway, I have been doing shows with Kevin as The Storm, except without the other guys, it's been going pretty good, as far as another Two Fires CD, I don't know, the circumstances would have to be different, but I'm enjoying my solo career for now.

How about a third Storm album with Gregg Rolie if he was interested?
I don't think that will ever happen, Gregg is very serious about his band and his Latin roots, plus Ross is doing great with Journey, it would probably have to take a lot of fans wanting another CD, plus money if anything was going to happen, it would be great thou.

Let's talk more about the Ramos album. The players involved on the record - where were they drawn from?
Well, lets start with Atma, I've known Atma since '86, I love his playing, I had been working with Neal Schon and his line of guitars at the time, I would go to there rehearsals, they were auditioning drummers for (Raised on Radio) tour, I kept telling Neal I have a drummer for you, he kept saying yeah, yeah, until the last day of auditioning I brought up Atmas name again. This time he said, call him but he has to be here soon, I called Atma, he was there in a flash, he sounded great, Steve Perry came up to me and said thank you very much, I'll have your baby any time, and then we laughed, long story short I don't want to say what happened with Atma and Journey, you would have to ask him.
Atma was great on my CD, I've said before, I always play with drummers that come from a fusion music background, they give me what I hear and need for my music, Stu Hamm played with Atma in another band and asked if he could play on my CD, I almost fell on the floor, he's such a great player, Russ Greene was in a Journey tribute band, so I knew he could play all those keyboard parts I was thinking about, he's also a great Classical player, Micheal T Ross plays with me in Hardline.
I needed some other key parts and he was there for me, Scott Snyder is a Bass player with Micheal in a band called Accomplice, he plays 5 string Bass which I needed for the songs, and he nailed everything and played on the rest of the CD.
Finally Mark - I was already recording with another singer, he didn't work out, so I started auditioning singers, nobody really touch me, one day I heard from this guy who was mastering the Hardline CD that he had a friend that we should check out, we did, and he blew me away, Kelly Hansen who was producing my CD had him come down to the studio when I wasn't there, he called me and played a little of a song he had Mark sing on, when I heard it I thought it was Kelly, because Kelly has a great voice too as you know, he said no, that's Mark, and I knew I had found the singer, things happen for a reason.

Good to see Michael T Ross involved (from Hardline) - what about Russ Greene's excellent keyboard work?
Russ is one of those players that can play anything your thinking about in a song, and adds his own style to it, like (The Dream Is Alive) or the beginning of (Winds of Change) it gives me goose bumps, I love when a musician can do that to me and Russ does.
How did you find working with Mark?
Mark is great to work with, He's not afraid to try different ways of singing, for example the song (Living in the Light) Kelly suggested trying a different approach, more breathy, something he hadn't really done before, but when he tried it , it came out perfect, and he's a great guy too, I have a picture I took in the studio while he's recording a vocal track with his baby in his arms looking up at him with these big eyes while he's singing, great shot.

Favourite tracks on the album? I love the title track and Winds Of Change!
Winds of Change is one of my favorite songs, I love what Stu and Russ do on the opening chords, and then Mark comes in with that beautiful voice, Living in the Light is another one, the solo on that one came out pretty good.
Tell me Why, the Egyptian voice into the guitar intro was very cool to do for me, it came out exactly as I had pictured it in my head, The Dream is Alive is another song that I love Marks voice on, lots of room to just concentrate on his voice.
I love what he does coming out of my solo, Come back to Me, Love is the Magic, again Marks voice, the message of the song, everything came together in that song, and Willie, for my brother, I love all the songs on my CD, they all have something good to say.

Take It Or Leave It rocks!! Might we here more of that side of you in the future?
I think so, I love uptempo songs, most of the other artists that I've worked with tend to shy away from songs like that, but yeah.

I still hold in high regard the Two Fires Gods 2000 show -shame it wasn't ever released as a CD. What a line-up!!!
I had a wonderful time at that Gods fest, we sounded great, I was so lucky to have been playing along side Jim Peterik, Kelly Keagy, Gary Moon and the rest of the guys, I'll never forget that night including other things that made it magical, I agree with you that it was never recorded properly and released, what a shame.

What's the best few gigs you have ever played?
Wow, I've played so many great gigs with everyone, the first time I played with The Storm on tour with Bryan Adams, because it was my first big tour, playing with Menudo at Radio City Music Hall in New York, almost ever gig in South America, every show for me is the best, because you make the best of any situation.

When was the last time you spoke with Neal Schon? You guys seem to swap half-hearted insults and compliments!
I saw and spoke to Neal last year with Journey, I have never said anything bad about Neal or will ever, he has always been a friend to me and one of my biggest influences.

Other than Journey and Schon, what other bands/artists have you grown up with and been inspired by?
Well, I grew up listening to mostly fusion music, for example UK with Allan Holdsworth and Tony Williams, nobody plays like him, Al Dimeola on Elegant Gypsy, Gary Moore on anything he's played on, Eddie van Halen, Lenny Whites album with Neal Schon on one song, the list goes on and on.

What would you like to do next Josh? Another Ramos record or have you something else planned?
I would love to tour with my band in Europe, and play this stuff live, and then I would love to start another Ramos CD.

Is there anyone you would really love to work with?
Yeah, David Coverdale, I love the way that guy sings, and of course Steve Perry, I wrote Winds of Change with him in mind.

In the album Track By Track we did, you speak of your past band Elan. Who were this band and what was your history with them?
Elan was a band that David Peterson, one of my best friends had that I joined back in 86 thru 91, we were managed by the great late Bill Graham, Elan won Best Bay area band a lot of times in San Francisco, we were a great band, everyone always came to see us when we played, a couple of times Neal Schon came and sat in with us, we came so close, too bad we never had a real chance, but I still write songs with David, for example Love is the Magic.

Are there any other projects you have worked on but have not been released?
No, I don't think so, unless someone released something I'm not aware of.

Anything you would like to add Josh?
I just hope my fans are happy with the music I'm putting out, anything that comes from the heart is always pure and honest, so this is my gift to all of you, Life is short, so live it like if it was the last day on earth, love to you all!

Thanks again for taking the time out to talk to me!
Thank you Andrew and Melodicrock for your time.

Hi Andrew. How are you. Hope that you are well.

Hi Vinny. Great to see you at The Gods this year - how did you enjoy the show?
I enjoyed it a lot. I love playing live and it seems like ages since I had
played a gig. The venue was a great and it was a good crowd.

And did you get the crowd reaction you had hoped for? I thought it was rather good considering the material was almost all new.
It was weird doing a show with material that isn't yet released but the response was more than favourable. As long as we did not get bottled off we were happy. Seriously though, it was the first ever gig for this band so I thought we did a good job. People still spoke to us afterwards :-)

Besides having a pint, what do you do to warm up before a show?
Believe it or not, I don't really drink before we go on. I might walk on with a beer but that will be the first of the day. I make up for it after the gig!
Before we go on, I usually like to be on my own or have very little conversation and just collect my thoughts. Most of the time I sit there playing my guitar to warm up. I don't have any special rituals though and I hate pep talks to get the band in the mood and all that. The people who do them normally do it because they are nervous :-)
For most of my career, the bands I have been in normally have a no wife/girlfriends or guests in the dressing room for half an hour before and after the show. That way the band can just relax without anyone bugging them. This works pretty well as there is nothing worse than having someone annoy you before you get on stage.

How do you find the dynamic of your new live show as compared with that of
Ten?
Well, it's more light hearted and fun. No long epics and wizards and elves, swords, stones and cloaks and other Spinal Tap stuff. It's just 4 minute fun rock 'n' roll songs. No deep hidden meaning or anything. The music is just what it should be and that's fun. Just look at the photo's of ourselves inside the CD to know what we are about.
That does not mean we don't take ourselves seriously as far as what we are doing but we are just trying to inject a fun element back into rock.
Everyone is so fucking miserable or serious these days. Lets get back to the fun element that Van Halen were having in '78.

Did you ever consider including any tracks from your previous bands in that live set or future sets?
Yes, we have discussed it but we are trying to break a new band here and it's sometimes difficult to know what to do for the best. I mean the original interest in the band will be from the very people who have bought material from previous bands we have been with and I am sure they want to hear us do some of that material but on the other hand, we don't want to get too bogged down in the past and depend on that to pad the set out.
Sam and myself have no problem doing it but at the moment, we just wanted to promote Burns Blue. In the future there may be some Dare, Ya Ya and some of the solo stuff we wrote though.

Do you miss performing with Gary and the Ten guys?
Not really. When you leave a band you should mean it and not be looking back afterwards. I have spoken to Greg a few times on the phone.

I noticed that you are happy to let Sam take the lion's share of the limelight on stage - do you prefer to be the man behind the action?
I haven't really thought about it that way. It's a team effort really. I do usually move around a lot more than that but with it being the first gig, I was not really on the kind of autopilot that I am usually on after a few dates.
Saying that, I am not going to be diving round like an idiot while Sam is singing because everyone will be watching him anyway. He's a good front man and always holds the crowd well. He did when we were both in Ultravox together.

I agree that Sam's a great singer - how did you originally hook up with him?
Well, my old manager Sir Harry Cowell called me to ask if I would do a one off gig with Ultravox because their guitarist had walked out. I went down to rehearse with them but I thought the singer was not too god. I mentioned this to Sir Harry and to cut a long story short, we started auditioning new singers.
I felt bad because I had only gone down to do one gig and got the singer fired. We started auditioning singers and Sam was one of the guys who came down. He had a great voice and we hit it off straight away.
While we were on tour, we were into the same bands, albums and always said that we would get together and write sometime. When I got offered the solo album, he was the first person I called.

You used Sam on the majority of tracks for your solo The Journey album -
why the name change to Burns Blue for this release?
Well, that was supposed to be a solo album and this is supposed to be our band Burns Blue but I see what you mean. Nobody can really see a difference but the difference is that because I was not in another band, we could concentrate all our efforts into this album rather than work on it whenever I was not working on one of the other five albums that I played on while we did The Journey.
We had no distractions from other things like being in another band. This was our band and this was all we worked on and it made such a difference. We thought that Burns Blue was quite a cool name as in "It Burns Blue". Unfortunately everyone has just seen it as a project name but this really is far from being a project.

I suppose the answer lies in the fact there is quite a difference between the albums musically speaking - what was the plan going into writing this album?
Just to get together and write a bunch of good British sounding songs.

I was actually surprised just how pop the album is - it has a very 80's pop vibe, while it certainly doesn't sound dated, it does have a good fun vibe....
Well, it's just the way they came out. We did not have a template or anything, we just wanted it to sound fresh and fun.

Can you detail some of the process behind recording the album - there's several different sounds and textures to the album and I was wondering what thoughts went into that?
To be honest, it was just doing what I heard in my head. I heard sax on a couple so we got a sax player in. I wanted the keyboards that I played to be mostly Hammond organ type sounds so it was more UFO'ish but with an up to date production.
I bought a Custom Audio Amplifiers pre amp for guitars too so that my guitar sound was different than it has been. I spent thousands of pounds on new amps and effects for this album.
We also recorded the whole thing in 13 days. The album, from starting recording to mixed and mastered was only 26 days. I have never done an album that quick before be we all had our shit together. I have always spent 3 months just recording. I think this helped to achieve the live feel we wanted.
Even simple things like putting a tambourine on some of the songs made a difference. We approached everything with a fresh open mind and tried what we heard.
We also demo'd the tracks a couple of times in my place so I had time to
work on the majority of the sounds and textures before we started the album.

I also felt that Sam's vocals were light years ahead of The Journey – did he do anything to change the sound/delivery of his voice? Or does the material just suit him better?
The material just suits him better.
Have you ever heard the Ya Ya stuff? Its brilliant singing and delivery. Everything was more together on this album.
I really had my stuff down with the production so that everything ran as smoothly as possible with no major surprises. On the Journey, I really was not prepared. There was so much other stuff happening and I did not do enough homework.
The thing is, once you get in the studio and you don't have everything prepared, you feel like you are just about keeping your head above water.
Simple things that are obviously wrong pass you by because you are too busy
and don't have time to pick up on them. A lot of the tempos of the songs were simply too slow but I was so busy that before I noticed, the drums had gone down and then it's too late.
I never wanted to go through that again so I made sure that I was on top of all that before we went in to start.
It's nice to come up with a few things under pressure but not the whole album :-)

Vinny, you have played with several bands over the years - with the material varying - do you consider Burns Blue to be a return to where you started - a more pop/melodic player?
I am not comfortable doing the Iron Maiden riffy type stuff or even for that matter the really heavy stuff. I grew up listening to UFO and Lizzy, I am more of a Toto, Journey, Y&T kind of melodic guitarist. Too be honest, I have always been more interested in writing songs than wanking off on guitar.
I'm no slouch on guitar but the guitar hero thing, well it's not what I am about.
Everyone was surprised what I could play with Ten because I never really did it in Dare but you have to do what is right for the songs at the end of the day. It's not that I suddenly got better, it's just that there was more of an outlet for it.
Because this is a new band, I can do what I like on guitar. There are no preconceptions of what we should sound like.
In that sense, it's very much full circle and back to Out Of The Silence
because no one had any preconceptions about that album and we were allowed
to do what we wanted. It's great that Sam and myself think along the same lines about this band. We both pretty much know the direction a song will take when we start it. We are both into very melodic stuff.

The debut Dare album is still rated as an all time classic album. Do you play that back on occasions and what do you think of it now?
Yes, I still play it. It's still a good album although I do think that the drums sound dated now where as the second album Blood From Stone, I think the drums sound current on that one.

Did you chat with Darren at The Gods or see the Dare set? (Actually I saw you drunk that night, so scratch that part of the question!!)
Yes, I had a chat with Darren back at the hotel bar. I think we were up until about 4 or 5 in the morning having a drink. We had a good laugh. I also had a chat with Andy, Dare's guitarist. He was a cool guy. I did actually catch most of Dare's set but as you noticed, I was rather drunk :-)

What's the favourite album you have recorded/played on to date?
Oh, that's a hard one. My favourite at the moment has to be 'What If' with Burns Blue. I am not just saying that, I really am proud of this album and I love it. I also think that the first Dare album was very special and will always be one of my favourites. It's a great album and sounds like nobody else.

Ten seemed to be very much Gary's band - was your departure more to do with taking control of your own material, or did you feel you had done all you could with 6 albums?
As I said earlier, I like to write songs. I want to write songs. I am not in the business of lining someone else's pockets forever.
I thought the songs on the last Ten album were unoriginal. I felt I had played half the songs before and there is more than a few fans who have mentioned this. The other half just sounded too similar to other artists songs.
Again, fans have mentioned this. I was getting uncomfortable with where the vocal range of the songs were heading. It was getting lower every album. It all started to feel uncomfortable. Add to this the fact that I felt the songs Sam and myself were writing were better by far and it's not going to be too long before I walk.
Ten is in a ridiculous situation. Just look at it now. Paul Hodson is writing great stuff for his own band and Bob Catley but he will not get more then the odd song on a Ten album (if he's lucky) no matter how good they are and how bad the Ten material is.
There is something seriously flawed in a set up like that. It's too frustrating after a while and the only motive behind no one getting a look in on the songs is greed and not wanting to share song writing/mechanical royalties and publishing advances. I don't
miss it at all.

I kind of touched in this a little earlier – but do you feel equally as home playing heavy riffs like you did in Ten, or the more melodic riffs as in Dare and Burns Blue?
No, things like Thunder In Heaven from Babylon and The Phantom on Spellbound
I was a little embarrassed playing. I have said this in other interviews before I left the band that I didn't like them. The Phantom sounds like a cabaret song to me. I don't like the drum pattern Greg was asked to play When the vocal comes in it sounds like some hotel show from Vegas.
I just prefer to do something less generic and Iron Maiden sounding and with more melody. I know this sounds like sour grapes now but I have said all of this a long time before I left the band.

What's next for Vinny Burns? What can we look forward to?
We are just starting to write material for the next Burns Blue album. We are also trying to work out some sort of way to get the band out on the road. In-between that when Sam is next up here writing, we are probably going to do a few low level gigs off our own backs to have a bit of fun. Just local bars and stuff. I have not done that since I was 18 years old and it would be fun to do again.
We have a great band with Sam, myself, Craig Fletcher on bass and Kev Whitehead on drums. Also looking forward to Rockin' Ralphy S, Shane and Todd coming over to
record. I can try and steal some new guitar licks!!

And finally - what are you listening to right now?
Recently, loads of old Rainbow (with Dio) and some old Rush (first four albums). Must be going back to my second childhood or something :-) I also listened to some Talisman after seeing them at The Gods. I thought that Nexx and them were brilliant. Best of the weekend for me.
Just got the new Bill Leisegang album but not had a chance to listen to it yet. He's a great guitarist.

Thanks again mate!
No problem Andrew. Look forward to talking again. All the best.

Chris Troy talks about the band's new singers, new songs and dealing with life in 2003.


Hi Chris…This album was recorded after the departure of vocalist Tony O'Hara. How did that originally come about? What were the circumstances leading up to his departure?
It is quite a long story but basically like all singers, they get too big for their boots and eventually start making excessive demands.
We really did try to salvage the band but I think when he moved from London to Birmingham the death knell was already sounding. Sometimes geography like that does make things very difficult.
On top of that there was talk from him for the requirement for big money and the band got sick and tired of it ...it just was not worth the hassle.

You have used the band members and two guest vocalists for the album - how was the process behind selecting those sings undertaken?
Mainly because there is some history there. John worked with Dennis when he was in Lionheart a number of years ago and he told Tino and me what a great voice he had.
I certainly could not disagree with that view after hearing him sing.
Doogie White (more commonly associated with Yngwie) also shared some history with Mantis when he did a tour of Japan with us some 11 to 12 years ago.
We have often looked forward to getting his great voice an album.
I think the combination is great and it certainly gives a different feel.

And how did you select what songs would suit which singer?
Both of them have great ranges and in the end I don't think it was a case of matching the song to the singer, I think either could have sung any song on the album. In truth I don't think there is a favourite as each vocalist showed their merits on each of the songs and did an admirable job.

Did you consider replacing Tony with a new permanent lead singer?
Time will tell. As you may know we have had more singers than hot dinners and I often wonder if that trend will ever cease.
Contrary to what people might think, we are so easy to work with and I think this is just a case of extreme bad luck!!!!!. Future singers, I just don't know, we'll see what's drawn out the hat!!.

Will you do this for the next album, or continue with the guest singers policy?
That is a definite possibility as there are few complications and the result can be just as satisfying.
In some ways I think we have had our stint of awkward vocalists that have the world constantly spinning around them.

The last album was a big hit in Asia and Europe - critically acclaimed etc....how much pressure was on the band to try and top that effort?
There is always pressure to better any album you do. And it will go on in the same manner. I personally rate this album higher because of the pressure we were under in many respects and the pure emotion that is evident in a number of the songs.
They may take a few more times listening to get the full impact, but then I think it is the fact that when songs grow on you too quickly you can also tire of them equally as quickly.

I'll be honest with you (as you can always read my review if I lie to you) I prefer the last album - in fact, it's my favorite of all your albums. Are landmark albums impossible to follow up on?
No, because each of us are different and there are so many factors to consider. We have had as many people say they prefer this album to the last , but then again there a re a huge number that still prefer the original "Time Tells No Lies"!!!!

Who will you tour with if you play some shows this year?
It's still a little early to know at this stage as things like this are all about timing and of course finance!

What's next for Praying Mantis?
Well if I had a crystal ball I would try to answer this one....but I really don't know. We have been to hell and back and survived so if the going gets a little easier there may be a bit left in us yet. Wisdom is a virtue indeed!

The band has been going a long time now - they have a great history. What differences do you find between working in the music business in 2003 compared with 1993 and 1983?
In 2003 there is immense pressure now and truthfully it is that much harder. There is very little meat on the bone as far as record companies go and I feel sorry for the up and coming bands as to make it now is really a great deal harder now than it was in 1983.
Aspects such as CDR and MP3 are certainly killing the business and I cannot see what can now be introduced that can possibly stop the rot.
In the early 90's there was still a good vibe in the industry and really it gave us a second bite of the apple where we kicked off again in Japan.

Anything you would have done differently if you had the chance to go back?
Obviously every one wants the chance of being a really really big star; I think anyone that disputes that is a liar.
Even for a short space in time it must be good to feel that you are that little bit special even if it a simple thing like being in a band. We are on this planet for such a short period of time, it is not a crime to indulge and want to have such a feeling.
I suppose in some ways we got very close but it didn't quite happen just because of a few crucial things our management company (at the time ) didn't do. I wish we could go back and change those few little things.

Can you tell us a little about each song on the new album….
The Escape - This about a man who lives a very mundane existence in both his job and life in general. However he manages to have very vivid dreams in which he becomes a main character, even a hero saving the world. The dreams gradually become more life like and absorbing , and here he dreams of a takeover of the world by alien beings. Each dream is accompanied by reality and he realises that real life is quickly slipping away.

Tonight - This is about a prophet who foresees many tragedies in the world and ultimately sees his own death.

The Journey Goes On - About the struggles of life , overcoming its many hurdles and looking for the ultimate goal that most will never find.

Silent War - This is about a country gradually losing its identity, nationalism and history by a gradual dilution of its race (immigration, etc )

Beast Within - Revolves around a murder that occurred in the UK a number of years ago. A young child was abducted ,tortured and murdered by two older children. They were later released and given new identities. The statement made in the song is that the extent of evil shown at that age cannot be removed through any punishment.......it is inherent to the way the are and will always be!.

Hold on for Love - When certain people in life can take away the pains and make life worth living.

If Tomorrow Never Comes - Dedicated to my father. Its about returning to the place you were born and going through the various childhood memories knowing that life is nearing its conclusion.

Lost World - This song is about the future when man has found a way to travel in time though the earth was eventually destroyed through a series of catastrophic events. A craft has gone back in time in an attempt to change the events of history.

The Voice - About a young girl that is born into a life of drugs and hard living and desperately tries to escape, however eventually the roots that she was brought up in are too powerful and eventually take control of her life and her final demise.

Naked - (Dedicated to Tinos daughter who has lost at birth ) . This is a powerful song and lyrics of how a family comes to terms with such a loss and the extreme traumas created by such a tragedy.

Thanks for your time Chris!

Steve Brown - from Trixter to Soaked to this....The oldest "kid" in rock n roll finds an home for his much loved 40ft Ringo.


Hi Steve, it's been a long road between releases - how does it feel to finally have this album out and in stores?
Very happy.....it's been a long time coming.

Let's go back a little....Trixter broke through when melodic rock was at it's peak. How was the roller coaster ride that was life on the road in the US heyday?
It was every dream coming true daily. Everything I ever wanted out of music was happening. We had #1 videos, sold out tours and met most of my heroes. Oh yeah.....lot's of girls and we made some money.......he, he, he.

Any particular story that stands out in your mind from that time?
The 1st time we played the Meadowlands Arena in 1991 on the SCORPIONS TOUR. That was the dream from day one , to play our hometown arena. We did it and received our gold records that night. The Bon Jovi + TESLA guys were there to celebrate with us along with all of our families + friends.

So the band have broken up, the grunge scene is wreaking havoc - what's the first thing you decided to do musically after it had all dies down for you?
I had just built my studio www.mojovegas.com and I began writing very cool pop tunes...the 1st one was "ABSOLUTE OZONE BABY" which became the launch
of THROWAN ROCKS.

Were there any thoughts of continuing the traditional hard rock sound onto your new projects?
No.....I wanted something different

The Soaked demos were excellent quality - what stood between those projects and a record deal? Did you come close at any stages?
BOTH band 's came close to deals. SOAKED was very close to signing w/ EPIC.

Among those visiting my site, some may accuse you of selling out, or at least playing whatever music is deemed popular at the time. How would you respond to any such comments?
Selling out???? That's my goal to sell out every CD, every show, every shirt....
The fact is, I've stayed true to what I love musically and that is MELODIC POP ROCK w/ crunchy guitars. The scene has finally caught up to what I've been doing for years.

The album is very much a feel good, fun modern rock n roll album. There is a distinct sound to the album and especially the fuzzy guitar sound. Why did you choose that sound and this path to travel?
I'm glad you said the thing about the CD having a distinct sound. I wanted a sound that was big + rock but not buried in that old reverb 80's sound. 40FT. RINGO is very present sounding…crisp + clean with crunchy rock guitars and up front vocals.

At the base of everything is catchy songs - which I think you guys have. You recorded 22 tracks as demos, what method did you use to scale those back to the ones featured on the album?
That's a good one because I know there are a lot of fans who thought we should have put other songs on the CD. We picked the best songs that we thought made the "best possible representation of what 40FT. RINGO is". I think we succeeded.

And what would you describe as a catchy song - what makes a good song in your eye?
Great melody, great riff, killer groove & cool lyrics = great song.

I heard another comment - that the demos were actually a better sound than the finished album. I don't think the two should necessarily be compared, but for answer to the question - what did you do differently to reach the final versions of the songs featured?
We did some remixing + mastering. Some versions on the CD are the original demos

The demos for the album seem to be well traded amongst the melodic rock circles! Do you think the fact that the songs have been in the public domain will hurt potential sales?
No. Real fans will always buy the finished product.

How does a band counter act this - how do you secure a deal and create a buzz around the band without letting some of the material reach fans and those that are involved in the scene?
You can't. The music has to get out there to create a buzz. I have no problem with the internet downloading issue.
Great music + great bands will always rise above.

What do you do now to keep the momentum going? How do you work the album now it's released?
We are waiting on the word on our 1st European / Scandinavian tour. Might be the 1st 2 weeks of June with shows in the UK, GERMANY and 2 festival dates in SWEDEN + DENMARK. I'm doing loads of interviews all around the world. ATENZIA is doing a great job with radio. So all the channels are working.
But I think, 40FT. RINGO IN CONCERT is the best way possible to promote this CD.
We are a great live band.

Any chance of a label deal in the US? Or will Atenzia try and reach retail with this pressing themselves?
That is in the works. Now that we have ATENZIA for Europe & UNIVERSAL for Japan we can build the Buzz around the world and then hit the AMERICAN record companies. I want to make sure that we get a great deal for the U.S. market. Not some Bullshit go- nowhere deal.

You are always playing live - what is it like playing to crowds in 2002/2003 compared with 10 years ago?
10 years ago was a lot of Arena shows...now it's club shows. I love them both.

Can you tell us a little about each song on the album:
Anyway = a song about the drive in getting some action + what you will put up with finally to get it.

Wired = How some people can't stay away from trouble

Inside Your Head = not knowing where you stand with some one that you are crazy about

Big Fat Smile = what ever you want to be in life......have fun + do it with a big fat smile.

Origami Mommy = a song about child neglect in the hands of substance abuse

Book Of Virtues = sometimes opposites attract but there will be trouble + fire.

Be My Fix = longing for that late night love or lust and the pain it brings when you don't have it

A Freak Like You = a song about never wanting to be a part of the general population

Unbroken = trying to change an insecure persons mindset

Miss You Blue = a song to all those people we've lost.

Fanatic = about those freaky people who show up at your doorstep and spy onto your windows.

Anti-Zero = never wanting to be a slacker.

Tough = a song about Parents who try to live their lives through their children and how some kids never feel that they measure up to expectations

Anything you would like to add Steve?
Thanx to you + all the melodic rockers for all the years of support......tell everyone you know about 40ft. Ringo + we hope to see on tour soon. Time to give the world a
"big fat smile"!!!!!!!!!!!! www.40ftringo.com

What are you listening to right now/currently?
Motley Crue Reissue Catalog......Love the Crue and as always my favorite.........40FT. RINGO "Funny Thing" on ATENZIA RECORDS. Shameless self promotion at it's best........see ya rock freaks!