Recording the new Album:

Chad: I love studio sessions man, it gives us the opportunity to capture where we choose to explore musically. It also shows us where we might need work to further tighten up our own styles. So, all in all, it can be a very productive environment.

Paul: Playing in the studio is always a fun situation. Trying to capture a live sound is the hard part in that; it’s easy to hear mountains of orchestration.

Chad: The orchestration for me is always in the back of my mind when I'm laying down the rhythm. I primarily follow Paul’s guitar work pretty close while bouncing in the pocket with Chris.

Paul: I tend to want to over do things a little because of my recording experience. I guess some of it stems from the way we typically write: I will get an idea, lay a guitar rhythm scratch track down on my 12 track, and for the sake of filling in the blanks, I start improvising. I do this to provide Chad with an example of song potential and to have a little fun orchestrating (layering) parts. The process gives me a chance to explore and visualize while at the same time to convey the sound picture I have in my head in a more finished format. Anyways, I can get a little carried away. You know the old phrase “less is more” it can be a tough thing to keep in perspective.

Chad: I think if everything is done right it adds a whole dimension that compliments the melody and song in general. If we are working on some basic rhythms then I'll ask what he or Chris hears over the top, throw in what I hear, and, at that point, I exercise several different layers, rhythmically. I think that it will be pretty evident in this project and the new album we're working together and touching on all of the dynamics…That’s where the real fun is.

Paul: Amen bro… This is the most fun I have had musically and spiritually since the first go-round back in the day.

Chad: Even though a drummer’s job in any project is to keep time, playing progressive styles is where I'm comfortable...I can explore while still keeping time for the rest of the band. One of the things that are completely different for a drummer as compared to vocalists or guitarists is the melody that can be created. Ours is in a different realm all together. I mean, we can chant our parts...”boom chicka...boom tat-tat” sorta thing but it’s not a melody like you'd expect when you’re singing along with a favorite song. This is where progressive comes in. We can explore more of an expressive state like the vocalist or guitarist rather than just keeping time. Don't get me wrong, straight forward beats and groves are good too but, in a different way. Everything in music has its place to a point and then you get more creative and start coloring outside of the lines.

Band Musicial Perspectives:

Paul: This project is a full circle situation… I started my career playing with these guys and feel like I have returned home after a long musical journey. We have all grown in so many different ways through our experiences in life but, we still fit together like an old glove after all of these years. The exciting part for me has been putting the puzzle back together. Trying to decide on direction has been easy. For the most part, this project has taken on its own identity which is normal and a blessing. We haven’t imposed anything on each other, we just let it come naturally and try to stand out of its way as much as possible.

We all have common bonds musically, as friends, and in other aspects of our lives as well. There is some interesting contrast too, which fuels diversity and depth in our compositions. I get a real kick out of our conversations and the way we all relate to each other; it’s a great feeling and an honor to be in this life situation with my brothers… We are just having fun and doing what we love, creating and sharing!

Chad: We've come full circle to this point in time, my brothers and I. I truly believe the listener will be treated to some incredible music that will show the journey we've been on but, more importantly, it will show, most if not all musicians, are always trying to find that creative musical connection that can only be described and felt through the music. Even though we all have different influences, the ideas and creative input we all bring to the table is at a level that’s almost sub-conscious in that "fits like a glove" kind of way… Now I am telling you, that is something that is next to impossible to find and something to cherish when you do.

Paul: When it comes to any musical situation, I usually do a lot of improve just to keep things fresh. With this band and the type of compositions we are doing, I feel the need to keep things a little more formatted for the purpose of live reproduction. I guess I could do the stool deal like Robert Fripp and create “Frippertronics” style guitar loops. I am sure that in a live setting we will expand on certain song elements providing an outlet for experimentation and just plain improvised jamming.

Chad: Hey now, you just follow me man, I will show you the way.

Paul: Ok, here we go again… “boom chicka...boom tatter-tat"

Chad: Ya, ya, ya!

Chad: How my musical perspective relates to me and this project is simply put as "I'm home brother, I'm home." There's chemistry here that people can spend their whole careers playing and never find. For all of us, we have a second chance after all of this time that has passed to say something musically and whether it’s called metal, rock, progressive and, or, any other "new" genre that pops up, it doesn't matter. It is a musical expression that only comes out with this group of long time friends. The musical chemistry we have, we believe that it is a gift that we need to share...It’s our soulObjective man.