Mail-Interview mit Alan Morse (Gitarre) - English Version

(Spock's Beard)

01.03.2007 von Andreas Weist

Nach Erscheinen des neuen Albums hatten wir die Gelegenheit, per Mail einige Fragen an die Band zu stellen. Herzlichen Dank an Detlev Schmidt von InsideOut für die Vermittlung und an Alan Morse, der sich die Zeit nahm, uns zu antworten. Die Fragen wurden gestellt von Andreas Weist.

First of all congratulations to your new album. Throughout the last three albums there has been a steady development. In “Feel Euphoria”, you have been very much on the search, “Octane” was already pointing in a certain musical direction and with “ Spock´s Beard” you seem to have found your new style, which covers a wide range of music. It is in my opinion your best Album since “V”. What are you thinking about it yourself?

Alan Morse: I really like it. It's very eclectic, covers a lot of styles. Fun. Has some killer prog, some real rockin' stuff. But then, I really liked Feel Euphoria & Octane, too...

I miss the pure a-capella-passages like for example in the middle part of “At the end Of The Days” or very defined in “Sid´s Boys Choir” . There has been none of this on the last two albums. Do we have to live without it in the future?

Alan Morse: Maybe it's time to bring that back. We kind of got away from it because it seemed it was getting a little cliché, like there had to be one of those on every record. But maybe if it seems to work in a tune we'll do it again. Kind of depends on where the material is going.

InsideOut is doing an excellent job, particularly regarding the design and packaging of the albums (like the digipacks of "Snow" and "Feel Euphoria"). Still missing is a good publication on DVD. The existing one is not my favourite. How about a release of the actual line up?

Alan Morse: There's talk of doing a DVD this time around, but I'm not sure if it will happen. People are asking for it. I think it would be cool.

I hope you will come on tour in Europe this year. How are your plans?

Alan Morse: We're coming in May, so get ready! We're playing the Rock Hard festival plus a bunch of other dates around Europe, check our website. Not sure after that, we'll have to wait & see.

A live concert will surely concentrate on the new album. Have you already thought about which classics could complete the set?

Alan Morse: Yeah, we're thinking about Walking on the Wind & some other cool old stuff we haven't done in awhile. Should be fun.

The vocal variety, that Nick is showing at the moment, is particulary striking to me. The high notes in “With Your Kiss” and the musical-voice in “Hereafter” show the possibilities of his voice. Surely some listeners will be surprised. Is the band surprised, too?

Alan Morse: He continues to surprise me. I'm wondering if there's anything he can't sing! Nick, Ryo & I did a gig at the Hollywood House of Blues with Chris Squire awhile back. Nick came in with a cold so bad he could hardly talk, but he sang a bunch of that Yes stuff - and played drums - just amazingly well.

Critics say, that there is no musical line to be found in your mixture of prog, mainstream, hardrock and ballads. What are you thinking about this?

Alan Morse: Well, if we were more consistent, people would complain that it all sounded the same! Maybe we could be a little more focused next time. We just try to make the best record we can each time.

“As Far As The Mind Can See” tells the story of a “prodigal son” and so treats a motive of the bible. Can you tell us more about the idea behind this song?

Alan Morse: It does? I'm not really sure what it means honestly. But it sounds cool!

“Rearranged” treats the subject of fame and the reaching of a point, you didn´t absolutely want to reach. Written by Nick it seems to be a very personal song, which is also presented in an impressive way. How do we have to interprete this statements?

Alan Morse: I think it's about the love versus the business of music. Sometimes you get sort of lost & wonder why you're doing it. You get so tied up in all the business, you have to work to stay in touch with the love of it, which is why you got into it in the first place (other than to meet girls!)

Thank you very much for the interview and good luck with the new album!

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