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(Summer 2006) by Highway Boots
Paul Michael Stewart who is affectionately known as “Mitch” granted
me the great honor of doing his first interview ever. He was born February
25, 1973 in Pontiac, Michigan, brought up by Christian parents who introduced
him to the stage at the tender age of 3 as part of the “Stewart Family
Band;” performing in churches across the east coast as a singer. By
the age of 6 he took such a great interest in the bass guitar that his parents
bought him one. Then, in the early 90’s Mitch took a deep interest
in rock music citing influences such as Van Halen, Kiss, and Led Zeppelin.
He also has an interest in country music. This is where the interview begins.
RIL: Do you have any interest in country music?
PMS:
I did some country stuff, I still write a little here and there. There’s
never been any future in that or any benefit of doing some Country stuff.
But you never know, you might see my name on a Tim McGraw album or something
down the road (Laughs).
RIL: On your website you mentioned a forthcoming solo album, how’s
that coming along?
PMS: I don’t want to say a whole lot on that because there’s
no time limit on it, but it’s something I’ve been shooting for
quite a long time but you never know, it could be coming out someday. Maybe
I could get Zak to play drums! (Laughs)
RIL: I listened to the 4 tracks on your website; I think
they are really good.
PMS: Thanks, I appreciate
that very much! All that stuff was some pre-production and demo material that
I did before I got
into Circle 2 Circle. I got some
way better stuff I’m going to throw on there soon. I have a whole all-star
lineup of ideas for an album that could come out one day.
RIL: I noticed on your website, you have a song called “Jah’s
Dream” What can you tell me about it?
PMS:
It’s an instrumental. I gained the name “Jah” Mitch
through a band I played with about 10 years ago. It had to do with the whole
reggae thing that was going on at the time. Nicknames are something that
is given to you. You can’t just go out and say I wanna be called “Hacksaw
McGee” (Laughs) “Jah” was kind of an obscure one so it
stuck. The song is a cool little piece so I just decided to call it “Jah’s
Dream.”
RIL: You are in another band with your Circle II Circle bandmates
Evan Christopher & Tom
Drennan called Hellz Bellz, What’s going on with that band?
PMS:
I’m taking a small vacation for the last
2-3 months to do some recording and writing. I’ve been doing this
for so long dude. We’ve
been doing this for 6 years now, playing every single week. We are a very
hard working band. Those guys are out there right now heading to Sturgis,
SD. Evan is a real superstar in that band, and He really shines as “Angus.”
RIL: Speaking of Evan, did he play a lot on the Circle II Circle
albums?
PMS: We all took part in the last
couple of albums. But his involvement in Hellz Bellz doesn’t allow him to take time off and come out all
the time. His stuff was not as much as the others. But, we all dig the hell
out of the work especially “The Burden of Truth” You guys are
going to love it!
RIL: How did you get involved with Circle II Circle? And what was your first
impression of Zak and Dan Campbell?
PMS:
I got a really good childhood friend from Wisconsin that I jammed with
and I’ve known the guy since my teens. He put a band together with
John Osborne (ex-Doctor Butcher) and they put an album out that Jon Oliva
and Chris Caffery did some work on. The opportunity just came up and Osborne
told Dan these are the guys (Tom and Mitch) you are looking for and it pretty
much took off from there. And now for the second part of your question, Zak
and Dan are very much put here for me. They are 2 of the best friends you
could ask for, great personalities, and they always put other people first.
It really made me feel good when they brought me and accepted me. Unfortunately,
Being raised as a Christian, I wasn’t brought up on Savatage. So, I
didn’t know who Jon and Zak were. That was another thing, I wasn’t
starstruck, I came into it as a normal guy, but that came later when I relised
that they have been touring all over the world.
RIL: Do you have any pre show rituals that you do?
PMS:
I’ll keep it legal, how about that? (Laughs) I know this sounds
funny but when you hit your 30’s all of a sudden knees and ankles don’t
seem to be as forgiving so we do stretches and vocal warm-ups. I usually
just grab my bass and sit for 20 minutes or so, just playing scales and stuff
to loosen my fingers up. Just kind of sit by myself and get my head together.
RIL: What are your favorite Circle II Circle songs to play live?
PMS:
Well, let’s see. It would have to be “Sea of White” because
of the whole bass thing. I also like “Psycho Motor”, “Hollow” was
a good one, “All That Remains” is always fun. I like the heavier
side of things. I also love playing piano so anytime we do “Watching
In Silence” or the Savatage stuff I enjoy those as well. I don’t
have a song I dislike either.
RIL: What are your favorite Savatage songs to play?
PMS:
I like “Turns To Me” I also like “Labyrinths/Follow
Me” because the whole piano on “Labyrinths” is challenging
to me. Jon Oliva is a mastermind, A genius of music. When I had to learn
that piece it was just sinking that into stone. Jon has his definitely has
his stuff together and I really love his piano orchestrations. I also like
the heaviness of “Taunting Cobras” and all the fists in the air
when we play “Edge Of Thorns” I love playing all that stuff.
RIL: Are you going to tour the U.S. for the new Circle II Circle album?
PMS:
We’re working on putting something together, it’s just
really hard. The lack of support for true metal and bands like Circle II
Circle, Masterplan, or Kamelot is hard to get on tours that pay enough to
support everybody here in the states. Unfortunately, Bands like Green Day
and Papa Roach are smothering everyone else’s music in the market.
We got a few things in the fire and were waiting to see what happens.
RIL: What can you tell me about the DVD you will be filming at Prog Power?
PMS:
Yeah, We’re shooting a live DVD the whole deal; there will be
like 6 cameras and a high quality soundboard. It’s going to be off
the hook! We’re hoping to put together a really “sick” DVD
for you guys. There will be video clips of us in the studio, Dan on 4 wheelers
in the mud with me chasing him, some alligator chasing. We’ve done
some crazy stuff during the making of the forthcoming CD. The whole DVD will
be pretty neat.
RIL: Is there a projected release date for the DVD?
PMS:
It’s hard to tell, we’re going to put a lot of work into
it and make it look really good and not release something bad. With having
Circle II Circle’s name on it we want it to be special. I’d like
to see it come out by the end of the year. It would be a great Christmas
present for me and my family. I could say “Hey Mom, Look, I really
am in a band!” (Laughs)
RIL: Let’s talk about The Burden Of Truth, what
is the exact release date?
PMS: The cd is
coming out Friday October 13th. It just so happens, it’s
699 years to the day of the Templar’s execution. It ties into our album.
We’re doing a lot of secret hidden stuff; I don’t want to give
too much away so you just got to find out for yourself when it comes out.
There will be some sort of contest where you’ll be able to win a Jackson
guitar signed by all of us.
RIL: How much of the songwriting did you do on The Burden Of
Truth?
PMS: On 8 of the songs, I wrote
all of the music and Zak wrote all of the lyrics. On the other 3 Andy and
I wrote the music.
I can’t tell you
guys how I can’t wait for this to come out. I want to send everybody
a copy but that’ll ruin the whole deal, you know (Laughs)
RIL: So in a way, you are kind of replacing Jon Oliva as Zak’s
writing partner?
PMS: In all respect, Jon’s shoes are big to fill. So, I guess you
could say that. I love Jon, he’s a tremendous songwriter and an incredible
performer. But, on this album that’s the role I played. I’m just
very grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given. It’s humbling
and really cool.
RIL: What’s your favorite song on the new album?
PMS:
I like “Messiah” and “Live As One” is a really
great song. There’s a very special piano/vocal thing Zak and I did
at the end of “Live As One” it just gave everyone cold chills
when it happened and it’ll almost bring a tear to your eye. Zak just
shines when it’s him and the piano. That’s one of my favorite
moments.
But, they’re all my children, I dig them all and I don’t have
a least favorite.
RIL: Tell me about the first single “Revelations.”
PMS:
That was the very last song I brought to the table like a week before we
went into the studio. They already had the
songs picked out and everything.
Zak said “Man, I’d really like to have a heavier song” I
was like, “How about this one?” So, we sat there and put it together
and it came out to be the first single from the album. It packs some balls,
I really like that song. Andy’s solo on there is monstrous.
RIL: Did Zak play drums this time around?
PMS:
Yeah, the drums are his pride and joy. He loves playing those things. His
eyes light up like a kid in a toy store. I’ve seen it a couple
of times now where he goes into the studio after not playing drums for a
year, puts his gloves on, and you’d never know it as it sounds like
he just played them yesterday. He’s an incredible drummer. I don’t
think he gets the credit he deserves for that as well.
RIL: So Tom Drennan is primarily a live drummer for Circle II Circle?
PMS: Yeah, Well Tom comes in and does some consulting, throws in his ideas.
And of course, living in Nashville with me, he helps with the drum ideas
in the writing process. Tom plays a big part in the vocals and his ideas
are always welcome.
RIL: I know you guys have a lengthy history
with Matt LaPorte (Jon Oliva’s
Pain); did he contribute anything to this album?
PMS:
Not as far as a writing credit, But with some the ideas I brought to the
table, Matt would take and give a face lift
to and give a “metal” touch
to it. He’s an inspiring and very special person in my life, I really
love that guy! Everything he’s had to say, I’ve taken it in because
he hears things on an incredible level. When I came into the picture, I thought
I had these great songs but Matt, Zak, & Dan came along and they would
say “try this, let’s take that riff and play it this way” and
suddenly my songs would become amazing. I can’t say Matt’s name
is going to be on there but his inspiration is all over this album. I took
a lot of inspiration from Criss Oliva, Andy Lee, and a whole lot of inspiration
from Matt. He’s still a huge part of this band even though he’s
not in it. He’ll always be the 6th member.
HB: Thank you Mitch, Do you have any last words for your fans?
PMS: Drop by the forum and
say hello to us every now and then, We’ll write you back and
sometimes we’ll
email every now and then and you never know, you could be next.
Related interviews:
Zachary Stevens - Circle II Circle vocalist
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PAUL
MICHAEL STEWART
