Dear Taz thank you very much for your presence in Metal Perspective. Could you please give us a brief biography as a starter?

I began playing guitar in 1979 at the age of 11. My first musical memory was seeing Rainbow perform Since You Been Gone on TV in England. I quickly discovered the playing of Michael Schenker, Randy Rhoads, Gary Moore etc. I played in various bands in England for some years but drifted away from the scene in the early '90s due to being disillusioned with the apparent lack of musicianship in Rock Music at that time. I moved to California in '97 after becoming re-obsessed with playing a couple of years earlier. It became my goal to simply be the best player that I could be.

Are you satisfied with the overall result in "Welcome to America"?

Yes I would have to say 'yes'. Graham's voice is the perfect foil to my guitar playing. I think everyone did a great job.

What are the main differences between "Welcome to America" and your previous album?

Well the immediate difference is that "Welcome to America" has vocals of course. I think the core sound on the two albums is very similar, but having someone as talented as Graham as a co writer, gives the album a different angle. I hope people will enjoy "Welcome to America" and then check out Caffeine Racer to see what came before!

Trying to find information about your music on the internet, I always find about your influences by M. Schenker. However listening to "Welcome to America" I would say that the influences by Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow era) and Randy Rhoads are obvious. Tell us something about the favorite guitarists that have influenced you.

I am surprised by your mention of Ritchie. He was a very early influence, I don't think I sound anything at all like him... .but everyone hears different things in music, it is so multi dimensional. The Randy Rhoads influence is definitely there though. I learnt a lot from him as a songwriter and arranger by studying the two albums he made with Ozzy. We did "Goodbye Mr C" on the album which is a combination of "Goodbye to Romance" and "Mr Crowley" as kind of a homage to Randy.

I hadn't listened to Graham Bonnet's recent recording since System X and Impelliteri. Can you give us some details on your collaboration?

Well, it was extremely easy. I contacted Graham and we chatted on the 'phone at length, we immediately had a lot in common. I sent him a copy of Caffeine Racer and he was immediately up for working together. The writing went very smoothly. He often commented that he found my music very easy to write to. The ideas flowed freely.

Are you pleased with the result and if yes are going to keep it up?

We have talked about working together again... time will tell.

Tell us about the rest of the band members. How long have you been together?

Bob Miller is on keyboards. Bob comes from a more prog rock kind of background, Keith Emerson, King Crimson kind of influences. I had to put him on a steady diet of UFO and MSG to make him think more in terms of Hard Rock haha....but it works perfectly. Dirk Krause is on Bass. Dirk has almost the exact same influences as me!!! He is a totally solid bass player. We have been together about 2 years and now have a new drummer named Val Trainor.

Is there any potential participation in other projects?

I would love to play as a guest on someone els' album, anybody out there reading this... send me an e-mail!

Is there any chance of touring in order to promote "Welcome to America"? Do we have any chances to see you in Europe?

We do plan on playing some dates in Europe. The extent of that will depend on reaction to the album/sales etc.

How did you sign contract with Escape Music? Are you pleased with your cooperation so far? Are you planning to carry on with them?

Escape got in touch very soon after I sent them a couple of songs as a taste. Everything has gone smoothly so far. Yes I would like to see the relationship continue into the future.

Can you name an album of the past that changed your life and one that you would like to have recorded?

I would say that the second album from M.S.G. from 1981 definitely changed my life. I have never thought about the second part of your question before... but I guess it would be nice to have recorded that album!!!

Are there any bands of the modern stage that you like and that you would care to play with?

Unfortunately most of the modern Rock Bands that I have heard don't really move me. Though I am sure there are many great ones out there that are just not getting enough exposure for me to have heard them.

What are your future plans? Do you think of releasing a new album some time in the near future?

I just want to play live and promote "Welcome to America" for a while. As I said it would be nice to contribute to someone else's album. We will do a follow up to Welcome to America when the time is right.

Dear Taz this is the end of our short interview; end it your way…

Thank you for your time and your interest in our music. I wish everyone out there well... grab a copy of "Welcome to America" and we'll see you all out there.