Διαβάστε την αποκλειστική συνέντευξη που έδωσε στο Rock Overdose ο Frontaman των CircleIICircle , και πρώην τραγουδιστή των Savatage, Zak Stevens
(Στό Ζήση Πετκανά και τη Vivi Jd)
1) Hello Zak and welcome to Rockoverdose.gr.
A: Thank you for the interview!
2) Consequence of Power is the fifth release for you and Circle II Circle and I could say that the title has to do with the power of your voice... Would you like to tell me some things about this album?
A: C.O.P. is a different type of album because we have reached a larger fan base due to a high demand in the U.S. market. Our fan base consists of old CIIC fans, new CIIC fans, old Savatage fans, our usual strong European fan base plus this new blend of U.S. fans. Things are really great for the band right now and we have extensive plans to tour the world for the next five years. C.O.P. is our second “concept” album along with “”Burden of Truth”. It’s a bit more aggressive sounding this time around mostly because of the subject matter explored in the concept story of the album. The story is based around a personal story within a border war between Mexico and the US, involving all the elements you would expect; law enforcement, the FBI, cartel and gang warfare, unlimited cash resources on all sides, and the personal story of the main characters intertwining into this tumultuous story setting. The story drives the musical content so the overall sound of the album is greatly influenced by all of this.
3) What are you planning for the future?
A: We’re going to continue touring worldwide in 2011. Touring for the C.O.P record started with a European tour in October 2010 of 22 shows. Then we returned home to the U.S. and toured in November and we are still on the road into December for the remainder of the 2010. CIIC will start 2011 with a run of the Southern U.S. in January, then we’ll be heading to South America in early February for a tour of Brazil. After that we are heading back to Europe for the spring/summer festivals to get in front of lots of fans in those countries where CIIC has been touring for the past seven years. So we have a really busy 2011 upcoming and we’re really excited about that. We really hope to be back to Greece soon to give you a taste of the new album songs live on stage and revisit the other albums live as well.
4) Let’s go a little bit back in the past. Where was Zak before Savatage?
A: In the three years before I joined Savatage I was just graduating from college. At that point I went to school at the famous school in Hollywood, CA, Musician’s Institute of Technology (MIT). I attended the vocal program there called VIT. I met Matt Leff of Machines of Grace, and we started the original band WickedWitch along with Jeff Plate (Savatage, TSO). At that point we moved to Boston, MA and played all around the New England area for about three years. In 1992, I got the Savatage gig so we had to stop what was to become MOG at that time.
5) Is there any chance to see Savatage together in the future?
A: To be honest with you I don’t think that will any longer be possible. I see Savatage as simply becoming a new band. And you may know the new band name for Savatage, it is Trans Siberian Orchestra. And that should put and end to any further rumors that Savatage will have a ‘reunion’. That was the one of the main reasons I started CIIC, was to ensure that no matter what happened with Savatage, fans could still enjoy songs from my era in the band at the CIIC concerts. So matter what, at least there’s a hint of Savatage still out there between CIIC and JOP for all the die hard fans to enjoy.
6) “Edge of Thorns” is an old time classic song nowadays!! Is a song in combination with your voice that makes me feel different feelings and reminds me things especially from my youth age. Is there any special song for you that when you are singing it you feel something strange?
A: Well I must say that singing “Edge of Thorns” gives me that feeling very often. Most of the time when I sing Savatage songs, I get that feeling to some extent. Like you said, it’s a reflection of the time period of that era, and it’s like a classic rock song at this point given the fact that all of those songs from my era in Savatage were released between 1993 and 1998. Yikes!
7) How would you describe Circle II Circle in three words?
Never….Say…..Die!!!
8) One of my favorite songs from your new album is “Out of Nowhere”…Which is your favorite one?
A: Yes “Out of Nowhere” is one of my favorites too. I also really like the songs “Take Back Yesterday”, “Mirage”, and “Anathema”.
9) Tell me about the lyrics in this new album? What’s the inspiration?
A: When you listen to the CD from top to bottom, you will find that there is a great story line and many personal story lines, especially among the main characters (Aaron, who is kidnapped by the cartel and forced to work for them, and Jessica, an undercover FBI agent who actually works secretly for the cartel). The basic concept is the story and journey of Aaron after hearing some information that he is not supposed to hear. And the government & drug cartel officers corner him into different situations. And so his journey begins. All of the songs of the album are basically chapters in the overall story, which could actually easily become a movie if it were presented in that medium.
10) What’s your opinion about Greek fans?
A: We’ve always loved the Greek fans for their enthusiasm and enjoyment of hard rock, heavy metal, and progressive and melodic metal like we perform. We’ve had some really great experiences in Greece and the people are always very warm and welcoming to us. We also enjoy being in Greece because the climate is a lot like Florida, USA. But the beauty of the countryside and the Oceans, the Aegean Sea, and the high cliffs and hills against the beaches is incredible. We love Greece!
11) If you had the power to change one thing in the world what would be that?
A: I would like to see a lot more peace between the various countries of the world. The economic downturn across the world, and the tensions that are arising because of this, are causing a lot of aggressions all over the world right now. I want to see these tensions cease because it’s hard to travel around the world and do our job with all of this craziness going on.
12) Is there something on your mind, maybe a big dream that it hasn’t come true yet?
A: I still dream about playing certain venues I haven’t reached yet and things like that, but the best days are to some for CIIC so we’re in really high spirits right now about our new album….So in reality I’m actually living the dream right now!
13) I would like to thank you very much for this interview. I hope everything being good for you. The conclusion is yours.
A: I just want to say a big “Thank You” to all of our friends in Greece for all the support through the years! We’ll see everyone soon for some nice shows in Greece in 2011. Follow us on You Tube, MySpace, and Facebook until then and you’ll see what’s going on week by week with CIIC! Can’t wait to see you all in 2011!
Zak Stevens, CircleIICircle
Provided by Promo Agency: http://www.rockngrowl.com
Comments
