JSS WTF INTERVIEW 5/29.

by **Behshad** Fri May 29, 2009 11:02 am

We all know you’ve been busy with the TSO tour and also promoting “Beautiful Mess”. Tell us about your experience with TSO and if you have any plans to tour with them again.

It's a cool organization, unlike any big corporation I've ever experienced. Everyone involved is ultra cool, the 'suits' are pretty much one of us, not corporate scumbags who don't care for the little guys. The musicians are top notch & it's one of the easiest tours I have ever experienced in terms of no drama, everyone getting along & every night just slamming! Of course I am involved with the west production this year & supposedly many years to follow.

Your “Beautiful Mess” is released world wide. Do you feel satisfied with the outcome of the CD and the fan’s reception of your new “style”?

I am BEYOND stoked on the outcome of the album & am extremely surprised on the acceptance of something considered so different for me. The album has outsold all my albums by triple to date which shows I have opened the doors to a new brand!

You have a new line up for this new direction you’ve taken. How’s the chemistry and more importantly, how does the audience react and interact with this new line up?

I was concerned not only that the audience would miss the other guys but if I would get that 'chemistry' that took some time to work up within the initial 3 week tour in Europe. Within 3 shows, things started gelling big time, by the end of the tour I would get amazing responses to these guys as well as the vibe although different than the past guys & I shared. This new band has a completely different dynamic on the new songs but still blaze on the older songs....this 'vibe' was missing on the new songs with the older band which prompted me to look into retooling things. I hope to show these guys off to the rest of the world soon.

You mentioned recently that a new Talisman album could become a reality in the future. Have you and Marcel discussed this any further and do we have a time frame?

It's been a bit stagnate regarding details of when & where but we still plan on moving forward with it all, I can't make a concrete date for much but it will happen soon & we plan to tour next year as well.

Any chance of a Soul Sirkus reunion and tour?

Probably not, that band was as much Neal & I as Talisman is Marcel Jacob & I, without 1 of the main entities there really is no reason or point to continue....oh wait, others have done so without their main entities

With the recent hoopla in regards to Lambert and his chances of singing for Queen, your name has come up in various message boards. Have you been contacted by Queen/May recently in regards to a possible audition for the open position!?

Just like Lambert has said on a few interviews, I am pleading the 5th!!

If Queen were to offer you a permanent position in the band, would you accept it?

If I didn't, I would need my head examined!! I certainly am not looking to replace any more singers in anymore established bands, lengendary or not, but this is Queen, this is a band I know the music of as much as my own....if not more. I would do it as a tribute the amazing Freddie as well as fulfill a dream of playing with these 2 idols/influences. If they asked me to sing backgrounds on a tour I would probably not turn it down, haha!

Any updates in regards to your long awaited plans with Lukather?

None, we're both too busy at the moment to follow up on this idea...I hope to get back to discussions about it before the year ends.

Thanks for your time, Best of luck to you and keep on rocking .

by Lynn Fri May 29, 2009 11:09 am

Great interview. Thanks Cool

It's good to know he still wants to do more with Talisman. That's great he will continue with TSO too. I hope he'll be on their next album.

by Shadow Sat May 30, 2009 3:21 am

It's all good!!!

Razz

by Styxman Sat May 30, 2009 4:48 pm

What is Lukather busy with scratch

by Sunshine Sat May 30, 2009 6:31 pm

Lynn wrote:Great interview. Thanks It's good to know he still wants to do more with Talisman. That's great he will continue with TSO too. I hope he'll be on their next album.

Lynn, yes Jeff will be on the next TSO album called "Night Castle". Hopefully it will be out this year, they've been working on it for a few years now! Jeff had been in Tampa all week, recording with them. He just left for Sweden this morning to work on the WET videos. He is the true definition of a 'workaholic'! LOL tongue