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(Summer 2006) by George Dionne
Who exactly is Michael T. Ross? That's what I was thinking the day he sent
me an e-mail. As I delved deeper into the Mississippi native's musical background
and current dealings, I realized; why don't I know Michael T. Ross?! Ross
is currently a part of several underground 80's metal acts that are in the
process of releasing new albums (Angel, Hardline). I don't know about you,
but after
discovering all of the normal players of 80's and 90's pop-metal, I had to
search for the hidden gems. Hardline and Angel were both at the top of my
list.
In addition to playing keyboards for them, Ross has his first solo album
in the works, as well as a new band (that you'll read about later on). This
is Michael's first interview, and Rock Is Life.com is honored to have the
exclusive.
RIL: If I knew absolutely nothing about Michael T. Ross, how would you describe
your music to me?
MTR: My solo work is described as progressive
instrumental rock. My style is influenced by artists such as Rick Wakeman
and Tony MacAlpine, so it is very
classically oriented. The crazy tunes are the Planet X and Zappa side of
me. This really is the side of my playing that the melodic rock fans never
get to hear.
RIL: You’re going to be releasing your first solo album Deep
Freeze in the near future. What is the projected release date?
MTR:
I do not have a set date yet. I would like to have the record pressed by
the end of November, but with the schedule constantly changing, it may be
at the end of the year. All the material is written and basically the schedule
needs to be cleared to go into the studio. I’m excited to have Atma
Anur on drums.
RIL: What particular songs really stand out to you?
MTR:
Track five called “No Worries” is the one that comes to mind
right away. It is very melodic with cool melodies. There are harmonies going
on throughout the tune and a tasty keyboard solo in the middle and at the
outro. Track two “Totally Diminished” is definitely an upbeat
and unpredictable piece, making it quite interesting. It starts with a wacky
diminished riff that repeats itself. Then a 9/8 drum beat enters, along with
the verse melody. The keyboard solo really takes off on this one.
RIL: You’ve been a part of the music industry for more than
15 years, why has it taken you so long to release your first album?
MTR:
The first five years of my playing, I was busy working at my brother’s
music magazine. I then spent several years studying with T Lavitz and then
Derek Sherinian, while I was still out gigging. Then in 2000, I hooked up
with friend Joey Tafolla and he introduced me to Johnny Gioeli who got me
in Hardline. After Hardline II came out in 2002, Josh got a solo deal with
Frontiers. It was then discussed about me doing a solo keyboard record too,
but it didn’t happen. Well, in 2003, I joined Angel and got busy with
them. So, it’s all about timing and scheduling. It has been a long
road to get to this point and I believe now is the time.
RIL: You worked with Terry Illous (XYZ) on a solo album of his.
How did that opportunity come about?
MTR:
Well, we both live in the Hollywood area and know each other’s friends,
and I got recommended to him. He called me up one day and I jumped on the
opportunity to record keys for him because I’ve always admired his
voice. The songs were Latin Rock and he wanted piano and strings, so that
was a lot of fun to record. Terry is a great guy to work with and very professional.
RIL: Do you plan to work on another project together?
MTR:
Terry did call me recently to record some more but because of his schedule
back and forth overseas, and with my ongoing
projects, we haven’t had
time to get together and record lately, but hopefully soon again.
RIL: You are also a part of the upcoming Angel album. How did that
opportunity come about?
MTR: Barry and I
are the only two that live in Los Angeles, so we’ve been
jamming out at Nightingale Studios in Burbank every weekend for the last
couple years. We ended up writing ten songs together. Barry said after one
of our rehearsals that it reminded him of how he & Gregg Giuffria would
get together and write songs like these with lots of keyboards giving it
that classic Angel sound. Frank works closely with Steve Blaze and they have
a bunch of killer songs too. Randy Gregg is also contributing in the writing.
RIL: How is the process coming along? Will it be released soon?
MTR:
The word is getting on the street about the new record so I’m feeling
the anticipation. Now that we have an album worth of material, discussions
have started to recording before the end of the year and possibly at Steve’s
studio in New Orleans.
RIL: What songs should we pay particular attention to?
MTR:
Steve and Frank wrote a song called “Over The Hills”. I like
this song a lot and have always loved Steve’s style of writing. Barry
and I wrote a song called “Falling” that really kicks butt. Frank
has been working on lyrics for it recently and it is sounding great. The
keyboard intro leading into the verses worked out good. The chorus is very
original with the chords starting in C minor and ending in A Major. I tell
you Frank came up with a very cool melody out of it. Another favorite is
a song called “Smoking Gun” because it has an overall classic
Angel sound to it with lots of keys. Barry would probably say the song “Believe” is
one of his favorites because it has Zeppelin feel to it and he’s all
over that.
RIL: If those projects weren’t enough, you’re also a
part of the upcoming Hardline album. Same deal, how did you become a part
of it?
MTR: With the success of Hardline II and live
at The Gods DVD in England, it was for certain a follow up would happen. Atma
Anur
was brought in on
the drums
and Jamie Browne on bass to complete the new lineup for Hardline III. At
that time the recording started, I was out on the road with Angel. Upon my
return, I went with Josh to Johnny’s studio and recorded the keyboard
tracks. Johnny has been so busy in Axel Rudi Pell recording and gigging,
he hasn’t finished the vocals.
RIL: What songs stand out for you?
MTR:
The song Hole in my Head because to me this song is the definition of melodic
rock. Johnny really nails it on this one. It sounds like older Journey
with some Van Halen added. Josh wrote most of the material for the record
and it sounds awesome. Another great one is “Save Me’ with Johnny
again really shining on this one and Josh’s killer guitar playing really
drives the tune. I had the opportunity to record an instrumental piano solo,
very bluesy & part classical that is about 2 minutes long. Also, I wrote
a ballad with Johnny and this one is my favorites and very radio friendly.
Not sure what the title is yet.
RIL: The Gioeli’s were involved in a bit of mail order controversy
earlier this year. Do you know or have any information about it?
MTR:
Well, all I heard was a lady complained about a product their company owned
or distributed. Johnny gave a public response
to it and defended his company’s
position. It was cool because he plugged in the new Hardline release on national
news!!!
RIL: Hardline (post Schon), Angel, and XYZ were sort of underground
melodic rock bands from the eighties. There isn’t a lot of information
about them out there, but it appears your website has become home for them.
Whose idea
was that, and how is it working out?
MTR: Well,
I got lucky finding Christian Giess (C-Master) to be my webmaster. He is
from Germany and has been the driving force behind
the sites. He is
a genius. We both got the idea of including Angel and Hardline sites out
of frustration that both bands lacked cool official sites. Because fans continued
to come to us for news, we felt an obligation to provide it. We’ve
received so much response from fans around the world that we plan to continue
running the sites until further notice. We do it out of the shear love for
melodic rock.
RIL: You were one of the contributing musicians on Derek Sherinian’s
Mythology. How did you hook up with him?
MTR: I took keyboard lessons off him then roadied
for him in town with Planet X. He encouraged me to learn Pro Tools and
one day the opportunity came up
to do some engineering on the record.
RIL: Why would Sherinian need another keyboard player?
MTR: I only engineered a little and did not play any.
RIL: Why didn’t you come back for his latest album Blood
of the Snake?
MTR: Derek didn’t
ask me, but I kept busy because I was recording Hardline III at that
time and gigging with Angel.
RIL: You’re tied into that 70s cover band Boogie Knights.
I only know of them from interviewing Jeff Scott Soto. Can you tell the
readers about
them?
MTR: They are based in Los Angeles and have been around
for over 10 years. I grew up with bassist Doug McRoy and got my first Sunset
Strip experience
playing in a band in highschool with him. He actually belongs in Thin Lizzy
because he can sing and play just like Phil Lynott. Jeff Scott Soto has been
their lead singer for many years and as you all know recently joined Journey.
You can always find them at the House of Blues in Las Vegas every Saturday
night playing your favorite disco tunes.
RIL: You and your brother Shael print a rock magazine called Mean
Street.
Tell me a little about how it got started.
MTR: My brother Shael first became a known
local promoter in a town just outside of Los Angeles. After a few years
of that,
he decided
to start
a music
magazine. In 1989, Mean Street Magazine was born and was covered throughout
Southern California. In the early 90’s, the magazine grew becoming
the epicenter of the Orange County punk/ska era. Mean Street was putting
bands like No Doubt and Korn on the cover and had them perform at Mean
Street anniversary parties. This helped the cult following grow into thousands
and eventually the magazine moved to Hollywood and MS is getting ready
for its 18th year Anniversary party.
RIL: How have you been able to maintain a rock music magazine with
the Internet giving away news and information for free?
MTR: I’m sure most print media magazines
took a hit and we are one of the lucky ones I guess that survived. Thanks
to our loyal readers that we’ve
kept all these years. Also, the magazine has an advantage being based in
Hollywood by having thousands of tourists constantly flowing in whom like
to pick up a free magazine and read about upcoming events or learn about
a specific artist that is in town.
RIL: Why were the Wu-Tang Clan and Ice Cube on the cover of your
rock magazine?
MTR: We cover many styles of music, including hip
hop, alternative and rock. We are based in Hollywood, a town of diversity
and Mean Street is proud to
cover what is being placed on the streets, festivals and the radio. I remember
people thought we were nuts putting Black Eyed Peas on the cover years ago.
RIL: You’ve interviewed a lot of musicians for your rock magazine,
who was the biggest ass? For me it was Blackie Lawless of WASP.
MTR: I would definitely have to say Yngwie [Malmsteen],
which is probably not a surprise. I couldn't understand one word he said
because he mumbled the
whole
time.
I ended up getting an audition from him later and he said I played like shit.
Whatever.
RIL: According to your bio, you’re a vegan. For God’s
sake, why?
MTR: Well, I live not far from the Beach and do love
seafood. Does that count? Some of the best places to eat in Hollywood are
vegan places!!! Besides,
keeping less pork chops and more shred chops in my system is not a bad thing!
RIL: Why did you choose the piano to be your instrument of choice?
MTR: My brother started piano and keyboards so I was
just copying him then fell in love with it. He would always play Queen
and Yes records, so I grew up
wanting to play keyboards in a band.
RIL: What do you think about the current rock scene here in the
U.S.?
MTR: We have our share of outdoor festivals each summer
but not nearly at the capacity of most European festivals such as the Wacken
or Bang Your Head
Festivals. You hear people say rock is dead in the States but Journey and
Def Leppard just sold out a 15,000 seat venue presale this month, so who
knows.
RIL: Do you have any future projects in the works that we haven’t
spoken of yet?
MTR: I’m proud to announce
the new release with my group ACCOMPLICE from Orange County California
called She’s
on Fire with Johnny Gioeli from Hardline recording the vocals. He
is not in the band though.
The group is headed by guitarist Sean
Michael Clegg who wrote the music and lyrics for the record.
We hired Derek Sherinian (keyboardist for Billy Idol, Yngwie J. Malmsteen,
Dream Theater) and Simon Phillips (drummer
for Toto, Whitesnake, Judas Priest) to record and produce it at the infamous
Leopard Room in Hollywood Hills and Coy Studios. The style is melodic rock
to progressive rock with influences like Journey, Van Halen, Slaughter and
Dream Theater. "Cry Again" is getting alot of response and is described
as our Zeppelin bluesy rock tune. Johnny really sings with soul on this one.
The ballad “Everywhere” is a favorite to many. Track 9 is a neo-classical
instrumental called “Last Hurrah” that has lots of guitar & keyboard
solos. For more information on Accomplice, Hardline and Angel, go to www.michaeltross.com
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MICHAEL
T. ROSS
