First off Bill I'd like to thank you for this interview and for the honor to present Firehouse though Metal Perspective. Now let's proceed with our initial question; prime time has been released for about 8 or 9 months now. What is the reaction of the fans and the media?

Thank YOU for the interview. The reaction to Prime Time has been great. Everyone, fans and media, has said that this is our best album ever, or at least since our first or second album. We are very happy about how well this album has been received.

Almost every band says that its latest album is also its best. For Prime Time I can assure the hard rockers for that and for its heaviness? What is your opinion?

I think it's our best ever. It is as heavy as anything we've ever done, but we still have a softer song on there. Heavier doesn't always mean better. This album still has the emphasis on melody and songs, but still has guitars and drums that have a lot of energy. Michael Foster sings a song on this album, and does an amazing job; I sing two songs; and CJ sings all the rest. The album shows a lot of growth musically while we still stay true to our melodic rock roots.

What gives you the strength to carry on and stay on your initial musical course? How difficult is this for a band that doesn't follow trends, although hard rock used to be one?

We just try to be ourselves and make the music that WE are going to love to play every night. We are not interested in being something that we are not. As we grow up, we change a little bit, but for the most part, we're still the same band that we were back in 1990 when we first hit the scene.

What do you remember from Firehouse's early days? How difficult were things back then? Which events do you think were your big highlights and your big disappointments?

I remember quite a bit about the early days trying to get a record deal, being turned down time after time, and then finally getting signed by Epic Records. The biggest highlight was when we finally got the deal, the biggest disappointments were the times that the other labels passed on us. One major highlight was when we won the American Music Award for best new hard rock band in 1991. I wonder how the labels that passed on us felt when we won that award?

How difficult or expensive is it for you to release and distribute your music through your label. I believe this is the main reason of its existence, isn't it?

It is very expensive to record, manufacture, promote, and distribute our new album, but until a label comes up with the right deal, we are going to do things this way. There is no greater feeling of frustration than being tied to a label that doesn't do anything for you. We won't be put in that position ever again.

Have you been approached by a big label for a future cooperation, or better distribution? Would you accept a good deal or will you continue to release your work through Leverty Records? I can't understand why a label like Frontiers, which specializes in hard rock, hasn't approached the biggest hard rock band, yet?

We'll just keep doing it ourselves until a label offers us a good deal. Not a good deal for THEM, but a good deal for US.

What inspires the band to write a new record? After all these years and all these albums do you still enjoy the whole process?

I LOVE the process of creating new music. I do it all the time. Our inspiration for lyrics comes from our personal experiences and from other people's experiences that we witness. Musically, I'm inspired by so many artists, but ultimately, when I write music, it's about 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration.

Do you know which country is the one that "loves" Firehouse most? Is there any particular reason for this?

I think that we have loyal fans all over the world. I'm constantly reminded of that by the fan mail that I get about our new CD. I hope that we continue to tour more places around the world.

How do you feel about the hard rock scene these days? Have you spotted any good bands lately? Is there one that impresses you most?

To me, the hard rock scene today is missing lead guitar and tenor vocals. I'd like to hear more guitar solos and more vocals that are performed by people who are gifted with amazing voices, and have really worked hard at their craft. There are a lot of great rhythm guitarists and baritone vocalists out there, but many of them are starting to sound the same to me. Here in the USA, we don't get to hear about too many new melodic rock projects that are released. The latest one I've heard that I thought was good is the Velvet Revolver album.

Bill you have also released a personal album. What do you expect from this release? Do you try a different musical approach?

My first ever solo album, WANDERLUST, is a little bit more of a southern, bluesy style than FireHouse. The only thing I expect from the release is to let people hear a side of me that they might not know about. I hope that you will check it out at my website www.wanderlustband.com

Are there any other project bands you participate in?

I produce other bands and I also play on other projects. I'm about to record a song for a Frankie Banali solo album. I also recorded a solo for the Jason Becker Tribute Album, "Warmth In The Wilderness Vol. 2". I'm always writing and recording in my studio and when I have enough songs to put on a particular album, I'll release them.

Is there any chance to see you live in Greece (Please make my day)? Will you tour within the next months?

We hope to tour Greece in March. The promoters are working out the details. My bags are packed! I hope that the promoters can make this happen for us.

The music market is full of DVDs with live performances and videos from the bands? Do you plan to release a DVD soon (so that we can see you live through that)?

Yes, in September, we plan on shooting a DVD. Please check the band's website for the latest: www.firehousemusic.com

What do you prefer between the studio and the stage?

I love them both. The stage is instant gratification where the studio takes a while before the project is finished, but when it's finally done, there's a feeling like no other.

Any other future plans? Should we expect a new Firehouse record soon?

We'll always try to keep making records. We have a cycle where we tour for a long time, then go away for a while and write songs, then record another album. Then we repeat the cycle. This is what keeps us going!

Bill thanks very much for this interview. You know interviewing you was my dream and thank God it came true? I hope we will be able to talk again soon. Is there anything you'd like to add?

Again, thank YOU for this interview. I hope that everyone will check out our new album, PRIME TIME and my solo album, WANDERLUST. See you on tour!!