Interviews

Back After Personal Tragedy, Steve Morse Sets the Record Straight on 'Triangulation', Deep Purple & More

4/11/2025

Steve Morse has been through it all since stepping back from Deep Purple in 2022. Initially taking a temporary hiatus from the band to tend for his wife Janine who was battling cancer at the time, he eventually announced his permanent departure a few months later. However with 'Triangulation', his new solo release, the Ohio native is getting back to what he does best; tasteful licks, wailing leads and rocking riffs. "Picking up the pieces and finally having that sense of purpose and drive again after seeing the band I was with for twenty-eight years, Purple just ride off into the sunset without me, it feels really good to have my musical gang again", he confesses as we sit down for a chat. Talking the album, the emotional impact of the track 'Taken by an Angel', and his favourite Deep Purple album, we caught up with Steve Morse.

Photo; Nick Neresov

Hugh Cornwell Talks about the Creation of 'Nosferatu'; his 1979 Collaboration with Robert Williams

30/10/2025

Hugh Cornwell has always subverted expectations, whether as a solo artist, front man for The Stranglers, or in his collaborations. There's perhaps no greater example than 'Nosferatu', the cult classic created with Captain Beefheart drummer Robin Williams in 1979. A challenging release, Hugh's performing it in full, for the first time on his 2025 UK tour. "I never thought that it could ever be played live, but here we are able to do it", he confesses, as we sit down for a chat. We joined the original Maninblack to talk the album's creation, reflect on the enduring pull of hits like 'Golden Brown' and 'Nice 'N' Sleazy', and how his new record promises to challenge and surprise his audience once again. Walking on the beaches; Eamon O'Neill.

From The Royal We to Faith No More; Roddy Bottum Discusses His New Memoir

29/10/2025

As founder Faith No More alongside bassist Billy Gould and drummer Mike Bordin, Roddy Bottom brought the "pretty" to the band's abrasive sound. "My band was taking pride in our disdain for each other", even at the height of their fame however, as he discloses in his new memoir 'The Royal We'. A vivid dive into his life, his art, and his years with Faith No More, the book captures the band’s raw energy, their ground breaking sound, and the chaos behind it all; from addiction and personal turmoil and more. But this is Roddy's story, not the band's and it goes much further, and is bursting with honesty and emotion. We caught up with the keyboardist, song writer, and actor to discuss the process. Just a man; Eamon O'Neill.

Vernon Reid Summons 'Hoodoo Telemetry' on New Solo Album

3/10/2025

Vernon Reid needs little introduction. Best known as a founding member of Living Colour, he's also one of the most respected players of a generation, having worked with everyone from Mick Jagger to Donald Byrd to Public Enemy, Jack Bruce, and many more. Readying his first solo release in two decades, we were supposed to be talking 'Hoodoo Telemetry', but the discussion got so much deeper; from dissecting the history of recorded music from jazz to hop hop to metal, to blurring the lines into philosophy and art. Touching also on his appearance at Ozzy Osbourne's final stand at Back to the Beginning, we caught up with Vernon Reid. Cult of personality; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Justin Borucki.

Alex Skolnick Discusses his Journey into Jazz & His Trio's New Album

26/9/2025

As guitarist for Testament, Savage, and - briefly - Ozzy Osbourne, Alex Skolnick more than made his mark in the '80s and '90s, but it wasn't enough. Returning to study at The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music in 1998, he focused on jazz guitar, forming The Alex Skolnick Trio as the new millennium arrived. About to release their sixth album 'Prove You're Not a Robot', we sat down with the guitar player's guitar player for a chat about his musical journey, the recording of the album, and why his return to Testament in 2008 is better than the first time around. Asking for a friend; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; D. Randall Blythe.

Forty Years on from 'The Touch' Stan Bush is Battle-Ready for Transformers' 40th Anniversary

22/9/2025

The king of the fist-in-the-air anthem, Stan Bush made his name soundtracking Transformers The Movie and a clutch of Jean Claude Van Damme movies in the 1980s. From 'The Tough' to 'Dare' to 'Fight to Survive', his uplifting songs struck a chord with a generation who remain hooked on his hits. Back with a new album which doesn't stray far from the blueprint, we caught up with Stan to talk about 'Born to Battle', his eighties' success, and plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Transformers The Movie in 2026. Taking the heat; Eamon O'Neill.

John Bush Delves Deep into His Anthrax History Ahead of Solo Shows

19/9/2025

For many fans, the prospect of John Bush doing a live set of his Anthrax material has been a tantalising dream. First mentioned in a chat with this very site back in 2017, the Armored Saint front man has always skirted around the idea, until now. Set to play three historic shows in December 2025 where he'll delve deep into 'Sound of White Noise', 'Stomp 442', 'Volume 8' and 'We've Come For You All', the singer is as excited as the fans are. "I love those tunes, and I want to play these songs live", he tells us as we sit down for a chat over Zoom; "I've been practicing them, and they sound pretty awesome". Telling us what to prepare for - and hinting at some former bandmates joining him - as well as going deep into his Anthrax history, we caught up with John Bush. In a zone; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Press.

Nick Van Eede Talks Cutting Crew's Hits & Longevity, and How he Came to Write with Marillion

12/9/2025

Formed in London in the mid 1980s, Cutting Crew conquered the UK and America with monster hit '(I Just) Died in Your Arms'. Featuring singer Nick Van Eede, and guitarist Kevin MacMichael, the band scored a number of hits before splitting in the 1990s. Revived in the 2000s, following the sad passing of MacMichael, they're back and busier than ever, with new material planned for release shortly. We caught up with Nick ahead of the band's set at Rewind South, for a chat about success, song writing, and his work with Marillion. Broadcast; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Gerry Driver.

Dizzy Reed Steps Out From Guns n' Roses for Solo Album

8/9/2025

A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who used his illusion on the street of dreams, Dizzy Reed is out to explain why 'Rock n Roll Chose Me' with his new solo album. His second solo work is a deeply personal one, but his priority still lies with Guns n' Roses, of whom he's been a member for three and a half decades. "Number one for me is always G N' R", he clarifies; "It's because of G N 'R that I can do things like this and I've been so fortunate to be able to play rock and roll music for a living". Discussing the new album and its themes including mental health, unity, and positive change, we sat down with the multi-instrumentalist. Dust n' bones; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; press.

Andrew Roachford on the Influences That Drove Cuddly Toy

5/9/2025

We're at Rewind 2025 in Henley On Thames, and as a celebration predominantly of all things '80s, Andrew Roachford has every reason to be here. Released in 1989, his song 'Cuddly Toy' was a smash hit, peaking at number four and spending a further nine weeks inside the top 75. His signature song, it's been covered by Beverly Knight and Gary Barlow (among others), and featured predominantly in the 'Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa' movie. We caught up with Andrew following his performance at Rewind to talk about the song's creation. Lion's den; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Eamon O'Neill.

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