First of all, I’d like to ask a few questions regarding Fates Warning. When did you decide that you wanted to leave the band?

 

It wasn’t a decision to leave the band, just the touring aspect of it. Because of the scheduling, it made it very difficult. 

 

Despite of all these things, were you fully involved in the song writing process of FW:X?

 

Like the other albums, Jim would send me the basic music and I would write my drum parts to the music. Then we would go back and forth and revise and change some parts to fit better. Sort of a refining process.

 

What do you think of that album?

 

I like the album but it was sort of strange being the “session” guy after being in the band for 14 or 15 years...

 

Btw, what is your favourite release with Fates?

 

APSOG. I just think it was musically the best that we ever did. There was just something magical. But, that being said, Parallels was also very exciting. Recording in Toronto with Terry Brown was also very special even though the process was a bit draining.

 

Do you see yourself ever playing together with them again?

 

I am up for anything.  I do really enjoy the recording process with Fates. I am not sure what Jim and Ray are planning, but I am always open for future musical projects.

 

What do you think about the two guys who replaced you on the European shows, Nick D’Virgilio and Mike Portnoy?

 

Both are very good drummers. I really like the way Nick plays, very smooth. I felt for both of them as I know how much work, time and effort are involved in preparing for live stuff... and since they had to learn someone else’s material it was even more difficult. I could just imagine the work they had to do. 

 

Now, let’s talk about your new project TempleWithin. How did you get the band together?

 

I have always been looking for people to form a new band with.  I got in touch with Chris Leibundgut and got a few names of guitar players. The cool thing about Wayne Findlay is that we live 20 minutes apart from each other. Even though I have done plenty of albums being 3000 miles away from each other, I was hoping for real interaction with the members of the band. When I first contacted Wayne, he was out on tour with Michael Schenker. So I sent him a bunch of drum grooves and drum tracks that I had been working on. I am always recording and working on grooves and patterns. So by sending Wayne some stuff I figured he would get an idea of what I was trying to do. After he got back, we got together and played a few of our ideas. Wayne basically took some of my ideas and wrote bit parts and ideas for them. We started to get together each day and work out song ideas. It was very important for me to find someone who could take my ideas and work with them. Coming up with all of these drum ideas doesn’t do me any good if they can’t be used in a song. Kevin Moore and Gary Wehrkamp were two other guys that could do this. The problem is that I did not want to force my ideas into someone else’s ideas if they didn’t fit. Because many of the drum ideas were sort of strange and not so typical, I knew I had to find someone that could work the way I wanted. So we started putting songs together. When we had a few songs, it was time to look for a singer. So I called Chris again and he gave me a few names. So we sent out a few “demo” songs for guys to put their vocals to. A few guys sounded pretty good, but sort of dated. When we got Gregg Analla’s stuff back, we were really floored. With his modern vocal approach he really changed the direction of the band. It really opened our eyes. There was no doubt he was the guy. Besides a great singer and writer, he fits in well with Wayne and I.

 

Btw, do you consider TempleWithin a real band or more like a project?

 

This is my band, I have no other band. TempleWithin is a full time working situation. Everyone involved has this as their number one priority. Touring, videos, recordings are all part of what we are doing.

 

You have recorded a three song demo for promotional purposes. What are your plans with that? Shopping to labels?

 

We are currently in the middle of negotiations with a label that we feel would be a great home for the band. This should be wrapped up in the next couple weeks.

 

What are the reactions so far?

 

It seems that people like the material and the “modern” touch that it has. People have also commented on the fact that they really like the groove as well as the fact that we actually have songs, melodies and hooks. I have also heard a few people say that they expected it to be more proggy, now remember they have only heard three songs, but I find it sort of funny as the whole first tune is in 5, not your most common time signature. But these same people say that they love the groove which tends me to believe that since it does groove, they do not put it into the prog field.

 

Where do these more ‘modern’ influences come? What are you listening that inspires you that way?

 

Honestly our “modern” sound comes from Gregg and his vocals. Wayne and I are just writing what we like. When I sit down and start coming up with ideas, I am just doing what I like to hear and what I think would be interesting. I am not really thinking modern or trendy. I have always just sort of done what I do. 

 

Did all the three of you take part in the song writing process?

 

Yes, this is a three way collaboration. Wayne and I put the basic song together and Gregg adds the melodies and vocals. Wayne and I have spent a lot of time with the production side, trying to create a unique sound. 

 

Do you already have the rest of the album written?

 

Yes, the material for the album is done. We will start recording in the middle of October. 

 

Do you also plan getting this thing out on the road tour with it?

 

YES, there is a tentative plan of a May 2006 release which would work perfectly for summer and festival touring. Very good timing. 

 

Do you plan additional stage musicians or you’d do it as a trio?

 

Yes, we will take a bass player as well as a keyboard-guitar player. The first guy I will call is Gary Wehrkamp for the keys-guitar position. He would be the perfect guy for this. 

 

You always tend to work on projects of other people. Is there any stuff you are working at the moment?

 

Actually since November 2004 I have been putting all of my time into TempleWithin. It seems to keep me quite busy.