Ring Of Fire is your band at the moment and the
line up is really impressive, including Vitalij Kuprij on the keyboards, Philip
Bynoe on the bass, the one and only Virgil Donati on the drums and you on the
vocals of course. I would like to ask you, what is going on with the
guitarist's place? We all know that Tony MacAlpine is the one who followed you
in the Japanese tour, but I have heard that George Bellas didn't achieve to
join you only because of a problem with his Visa. Is George Bellas permanetly
out of the band? Is Tony MacAlpine back once and for ever? What is going on?
Can you inform us about this? Yes! Tony is a permanent member now!
George really let us down and almost made us miss the tour in Japan, which
would have been a disaster, but Tony was able to help us, and we had such a
great time, as he is such a pro, that we decided to make it permanent.
I want to begin asking you about the future of
the band. Tell me about your next steps. I know that a DVD/live CD is going to
be released in the next months. When should we expect this? Will it be released
only in Japan or in Europe too? Did Frontiers Rec show you that it is
interested to release it in the European territory too?
Yes! It will be released worldwide in August , but the Exec.
producer has the rights so I don’t know which labels will release it in the countries other than Japan. We
will record a new studio album this summer also, for release in November.
You are the one who sang in Yngwie J. Malmsteen's
legendary "Trilogy" album. Can you tell us what do you remember from
those days and how did you get together with Yngwie?
That was the first album I did EVER! So it was special as an
experience. I got the job after Yngwie heard a demo that I sang on with a
Swedish friend of his.
Almost at the same time with Yngwie Malmsteen's
"War To End All Wars" you released your second personal album
entitled "Ring Of Fire". Tell me a few things about this album
please. I have heard that you saw Virgil in a gig there in LA and you got
amazed (just like anyone else who has watched him playing, including me of
course) and that was when you decided to approach him and propose him to join
you. How did you get in contact with Tony MacAlpine?
Right. Everybody played amazing on that album! I got in
touch with Tony through some contacts and I got his phone number, called him,
and got together for lunch and a couple of beers, and we hit it off as good
friends immediately!
Are you satisfied with how "Ring Of
Fire" turned out to sound finally? Is there something that you don't like
at the moment regarding this album? Do you think that the sound could be
heavier and clearer?
Well, you hit that nail on the head! I wish I could remix
it, and someday, I probably will, because the mix was a bit lacking a bit!!
Comparing "Ring Of Fire" with "The
Oracle" I must tell you that - in my opinion of course - the departure of
Tony MacAlpine from the band is obvious. I am not saying that George Bellas is
not a good guitarist, but I personally believe that Tony has the "magic
touch" that can make a simple song sound as a masterpiece. What do you
think about this? Do you want to make a comment on this?
They are both great guitarists, but the main difference is
that Tony has so much more experience, from traveling the world over and back
and working with so many different types of musicians and music. Of course they
are both friends of mine. George will develop more as his experiences allow. I
think Tony is the right choice for Ring Of Fire now. He was my first choice.
Half of the music included in "Ring Of
Fire" is written by Tony MacAlpine. Do you know if he wrote the songs
after you agreed for this cooperation or he had them already written and he
simply presented them to you?
No, we got together and worked on ideas, and he would give
me the music and I went away and wrote the melodies and lyrics to those songs.
They were all specifically written for that album.
I would like you to talk to us especially about
the song "Keeper Of The Flame". How did you come up with this amazing
song? What do you think about it? Does it mean something special to you?
I’m glad you like it! It has such a strong melody and hook,
it came to me in a dream, and I sat down(woke up) and played the guitar and
sang it into the little tape recorder that I keep by my bed.
Another song that I personally love is
"Dreamer". If I remember well you didn't include it in your set
during your Japanese tour. Do you think that there are many differences between
"Ring Of Fire" and "The Oracle"? Would you agree with me if
I told you that the songs in "Ring Of Fire" are catchier and more
straight forward?
Yes I do agree. But the record company at the time that we
did the Oracle wanted that kind of an album so we gave it to them. Later, some
critics agreed with you also. But, I think the music is great on both albums!
You have played in Greece with Yngwie Malmsteen.
Are you planning to tour in Europe with Ring Of Fire or it isn't the right time
yet? Are we going to see you here again? Do you have in mind to write something
similar to "Samurai" but this time being inspired by another
country's history?
Great places and great people always inspire me! I am hoping
to bring the band to Europe this fall. I wanted to do it sooner, but scheduling
was impossible with everybody so busy. (Including myself)
11. Personally I don't know if "Ring Of
Fire" is released officially in South America. Would you mind informing us
about this? How can a fan who lives in Latin American get your album and listen
to your wonderful music?
So far it’s not an official release there. That will change
very soon, but until then I am setting up a store on my website that will sell
stuff that can’t be found elsewhere.
12. It is obvious that the style of music you are
playing isn't something new or revolutionary. Do you think that you have
something important to offer to music in general? What does a fan get when he
buys one of your cd's? Personally I know very well and this is why I love your
albums, but the rest of the fans must hear about it only from you.
Of course I have something to give! I am only getting
started. I was born to sing and I will do it until I die!!!! There will be a
new solo album from me (that will surprise everyone, I promise) released in
Sept. 2002, and the new ROF album will be out in November.
Thank you very much for your time. Good luck with
your band and your personal carrier of course. Cheers!!!!!