<< Interviews deze maand
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Ik had nog niet eerder van de muzikant Michael T. Ross gehoord, maar zeker wel van de bands waar hij nu zijn brood in verdient. Dan heb ik het over Angel, Hardline en Ramos. Hij bood zichzelf aan op de hoofdredactie voor een interview en ik had daar wel oren naar. Hier het resultaat van ons gesprek.
Text: Eddy
 Hi Michael, your name is pretty new to me, but when I see the bands you are involved right now it is a pleasure to have this little chat with you. Please start with a little introduction of yourself and let our readers know a bit more about you.
I’m a keyboardist here in Hollywood, California and raised here my whole life. I grew up playing melodic to progressive rock keyboards. I new at an early age this was what I wanted to do and simply went for it and here I am.
As I read your biography, you started piano studies at the age of eight. I’m wondering how a boy from eight years old can be already so motivated to study. Can you remember those days and how intense that study was?
I grew up with a family that was very goal oriented. I remember my father telling me that at the age of eight he new he was going to be a doctor. It was just something I fell in love with right away. Normally the parents have to tell their kid to practice for the piano teacher, but I never had that problem and actually, my Mother had to tell me to stop playing after many hours or practicing. My older brother played piano too and that made it easier for me to practice because I wanted to do whatever my brother was doing.
In 1987 you had a similar job as the one I am doing now, interviewing you. You helped your brother to launch this magazine called Mean Street Magazine. Please tell us some more about the jobs you did for that magazine and is this magazine still around?
This was another situation where I wanted to do what my brother was doing and being the older brother, he let me work for him. I started a section called Musicians Spotlight and I picked Shrapnel Records owner Mike Varney for my first interview. I went on to do articles with Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Steve Morse, Rod Morgenstein and Joe Satriani. The magazine is still in circulation today after 15 years and is the largest music magazine in Southern California.
Mike Varney introduced you into the scene; please tell us some more about that period, the band he introduced you to?
After interviewing Mr. Varney, I simply pitched my keyboard playing to him because I new how keyboard friendly his label was. He liked my playing and introduced me to several key players including guitar virtuoso Joey Tafolla who later got me in Hardline. I was also introduced to drummer Michael Maysonet and we jammed together for four years in Possumdeth until I joined Accomplice in 2000.
Later in your life you became a student of the famous Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater). How did you came in touch with this man, and what did he mean for the way you play your instrument nowadays?
I was a big fan of his when he joined Dream Theater. When I heard he was no longer in the group, I kept watching out for him live in the Los Angeles circuit because I heard he lived out here. Sure enough, I saw a show advertised at the Bake Potato in Hollywood with his group Planet X. I went to the show and we talked for a minute and I started lessons the next day. Five years later, I’m still working one on one with him and he produced my last record with my group Accomplice and is producing my debut solo record called “Deep Freeze.” Derek has helped me out with programming my sounds, which has made me sound much better as a player.
Can you tell me who your personal influences were for becoming a musician yourself?
When I was little, my brother played me albums of Rick Wakeman, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and took me to a Kansas concert when I was in 6th grade, so that is were I probably got the prog bug in me. My first concert was Triumph and although they weren’t really a keyboard oriented band, I remember the bass player also playing keys and I new that was what I wanted to do.
You play in several bands right now. Hardline, Angel and Ramos. Isn’t it hard to keep an agenda for all bands when you are involved in them all?
It can be difficult on a personal level because one member of a group sometimes gets upset seeing me work on another band’s material when we know that we have a lot of work to do, but usually it doesn’t turn into an issue. There is a lot of down time between bands. For example, Johnny Gioeli is in Germany on tour with Axel Rudi Pell. So, right now I’m working on Angel and when Johnny gets back from touring, the Angel gigs will be done and I’ll start recording the new Hardline record. And by having Josh Ramos in Hardline and Ramos, there won’t be any overlap of bands, as it is common to have several band mates in the same groups, so it would be impossible to overbook each one.
Can we say that there is one of these bands that gets your priority right now?
Are you trying to instigate something here? Just joking. Well, at the time of this interview, Angel is priority because we have scheduled shows and are working hard on a new record. Hardline will probably take precedence after summer when Johnny returns from Germany. I’m working hard right now on my solo record but only work on this during the off-times of band practice and writing sessions.
To single out each band you’re in right now I like to start with Hardline. How did you get the job with this band?
Guitarist Joey Tafolla introduced me to producer Bob Burch and I went to a studio in Huntington Beach and met Johnny Gioeli there. Although I didn’t have a formal audition, Johnny listened to my playing and agreed to have me join the group.
 Hardline once had the great guitar player Neil Schon (Journey) in their ranks. Was he still a member when you joint, and if not, did you here some stories of the rest of the band about him that they shared with you?
I was a bit nervous because I new that Hardline never had keyboards, as Neal Schon played the guitar synth on “Double Eclipse.” Neal is not in Hardline and has dedicated his time with Journey and currently has a side project with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto. Neal did contribute one song on the latest Hardline II record with a ballad called “This Gift.” I would tell you this one story I heard but I don’t want to get my ass kicked.
The singer Johnny Gioeli is also known for his vocals with the German guitar player Axel Rudi Pell. Did you ever hear CD’s from this artist with your singer and what do you think about that style of music?
I really dig on Axel’s music but man, is it just me or does he need to invest in a guitar tuner? His band is awesome and I tell you, I wish I were in this band! I have several favourite tunes like “Oceans of Time” and “Snake Eyes.” Honestly, I never heard of Axel until I joined Hardline and Johnny gave me some CD's he had recorded on with Axel. I was blown away by the band and have been a fan since.
Did you already do a CD with Hardline or are you planning a CD right now?
I joined Hardline in 2001 and recorded all the keyboards on Hardline II. I also performed with them at the Gods Festival in England in 2002. I’m also scheduled to record the keys on the new record and Johnny asked me to collaborate on a ballad with him.
Next band is the band of your Hardline colleague John Ramos. What can you tell me about your collaboration with him on his solo project?
After the success of the Hardline II release, Frontiers Records offered Josh a solo record deal and “Ramos” was born. I got to be a special guest on the track, “Tell Me Why” and wrote/played a long keyboard intro with bassist Stu Hamm (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani) playing a harmonic solo over it. Drummer Atma Anur is on drums and man, he is for sure one of the best drummers I’ve ever heard.
Then there is a third band you are involved, a band who had a great claim of fame in the seventies. Who is the current line up of this band and do they have any plans of recording a new album?
This group is headed by original members Frank DiMino on vocals along with Barry Brandt on drums. Lillian Axe guitarist Steve Blaze, bassist Randy Gregg (also in Thin Lizzy) and myself on keys complete the line-up. I’m working one on one right now with Barry Brandt in a studio in Burbank on the new song “Even Now.” We will be forwarding the tune to Frontiers Records in hopes they will sign the group and a New Angel record be born. Of course, the new record will have lots of keys in the tradition of Angel material.
Angel is performing in Germany this summer on the Bang Your Head Festival (by the way I will be reporting that festival for Lords of Metal). Are you already doing some rehearsing with this band for the shows and if yes, where does this take place?
I haven’t heard of any rehearsal dates yet but man, we need to get moving’ on it because we have a lot of material to go over. Randy told me he was coming out here on the 14th of May. He lives in Long Island and has mentioned relocating our here. I spoke with Steve Blaze last week and he is getting ready to come out for rehearsals soon from Louisiana. We rehearse at Mate’s in North Hollywood, same place Def Leopard rehearses when in town.
You are taking the place of a big player called Gregg Giuffria. What’s up with him, why does he not take his place anymore in Angel?
Good question. I really don’t know why Gregg has not decided to continue on with Angel. I saw that he also quit House of Lords. I hope to one day meet him and ask him several questions out of curiosity. That would probably be my first question- why leave Angel? Hey, either way, I’m glad it went down this way because I found myself a new home with these guys.
How did you got the chance to team up with Angel anyway?
I went to see Jeff Scott Soto in Hollywood last summer and a friend of mine, drummer Demi Solorio, introduced me to someone who knows tour manager for Thin Lizzy and Angel Danny Stanton. Danny called me the next day and asked me to join the band, which I gladly accepted.
If you could create your favourite all-star band around you as the keyboard player who would be the players and the singer of your choice?
My dream line-up would be Atma Anur on drums, Ynwgie J. Malmsteen on guitars, Rudy Sarzo on bass and Johnny Gioeli on vocals.
Next to playing music, do you have some other hobbies too?
Well, after this interview I’m going on my daily hike in Hollywood Hills right by where Eddie Van Halen lives. But basically, my live is 100% music and I don’t really have any hobbies other than playing foosball and chess.
What are your plans in the near future for your self and your music?
I’m also on several new releases right now, including GIT instructor Ken Steiger’s “Defiance” with his group Project Steiger featuring Derek Sherinian, Virgil Donati and Tony Franklin. Ken is working on the new release, which I’ve already started working on one of the tunes. Although, I’m scheduled as a special guest on several more released this year, I’m really excited about releasing my debut solo record, which will show everyone another side of my playing that you don’t here on most of the other recordings, with blistering solos and melodic instrumental like tunes. Once my solo record is released, along with the new Angel and Hardline records, and the Accomplice release, I will probably concentrate on more live performances for the rest of the year overseas.
Okay Michael, it has been great to get to know you a little better, do you have anything to add and tell our readers?
I want to thank you Eddy for this opportunity and I recommend anyone to visit the LoM site because it rocks! For more information on upcoming releases and tour dates, please visit my website at www.michaeltross.com
http://www.michaeltross.com
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