The release of this CD after all
the years must be like a dream comes true for you. Did you sometime
stop believing in this?
For me, the release of the CD was
a good dream come true. I waited 20 years for the public to hear my
music, and now, finally it is becoming popular. I did stop believing
for a short period of time 1991-1993, but I never stopped trying to
make something happen. Probably due to the fact that I believe in my
music.
How did you come in touch with
Musea?
My new, good friend Rene Janssen
of the Dutch Prog-Rock website advised me to send demos to various
companies. After reviewing the various websites, I knew Musea was
the best for me, so Rene and I kept pushing them. Bernard, the
President of Musea stayed in touch while all the other important
members of the company auditioned the demo. Finally they agreed to a
distribution only deal.
What about the recording? Did
you use the origin tapes? Was there a kind of remastering or
rerecording?
8 of the songs on the CD were
already recorded and mixed to DAT. We recorded 3more songs for the
CD, however the 3 were from the same era as the Apocalypse Concept.
After the 3 were finished, we mastered the 11 and burned the disc.
There is no booklet - I think
it's only a question of coast. But when you are signed by a label
like Musea I think it would be fair to support you also on the
financial side. I think it's quite simple to bring only the name
Musea on the record - and that's all...
There is no booklet because I had
to finance everything myself. I had no financial assistance from
Musea or the other band members. This has always been MY project, so
I have always paid for everything. Musea offered a distribution only
deal and therefore they would not put out any money. I had a
difficult time come up with the money needed for the recording
studio, mastering studio, CD duplication and shipping the CDs to
France. I had to sell my Rolex and some keyboards to do this.
Fortunately the CD is selling and things are more settled now and
all is paid for.
The band name comes from some
famous science fiction movies - why espacially2001 and 2010?
The Monolith in those 2 films
held something special for me. The Monolith is dark, mysterious and
omni powerful, like me and my music, so I found it to be fitting.
Also, I am registered with BMI as Monolith Music Publishing since
1988.
Some people could say bringing
out this record now is like an anachronism
I don't fully subscribe to that
idea. Yes, it would have been better for a 1970'srelease, however my
music for the CD was not completed until 1979, so it was to late for
that. This point in time, 1998 is ok because there are many fans of
this style of music all over the world. If they want a true taste of
the 70's in a new band, they have it with MONOLITH.
There are some AOR oriented trax
on the record - don't you believe they could be "out of the
character"?
You are referring to "Mister
Personality" and "When Push Comes to Shove". I was
not keen to put these 2 songs on the CD, however, Bernard at Musea
thought it was a good idea. I don't disagree with him, as it gives
something a little different for the fans.
You believe that the end of the
world is coming soon. Why you are so sure? And - where do you take
the power to create in view of the apocalypse?
If you are a true believer in the
Bible, especially the Book of Revelations, you see and hear the many
things happening in the world today, and see that things are
progressively getting worse. Actually, you don't have to be a person
of enormous faith to agree with that. There is a feeling that
overcomes me much of the time that causes me to "feel" the
end coming. Of course, nobody knows exactly when, except for God
himself. The music on the CD was written from 1976-1979, while the
AOR songs were written in 1988-89. I have a lot more material that
is in demo form. This CD is an absolute inspiration from elsewhere
to write about the Apocalypse and related themes. These songs carry
a message which I believe people would do well to listen to and to
remember.
Do you think about adding an
regular guitar player in Monolith?
I can easily live with or without
a guitar player, but personally I like a 3 piece band. But if the
fans really wanted a guitar player, I would consider it, only if I
found a proper type of player with the right mind set for this
music. Someone like a Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Greg Lake type.
How would you like to develop in
the future? Do you think about changing your style?
I have not really thought about
changing anything. I like the style of music that I write &
record, and so do many other people, so I doubt I will change
anything. I am planning the new CD for sometime next year, however,
I cannot talk about that at the moment.
What is the best thing in
musical business? And - on the other side what is the worst
thing?
The absolute best would be to
play live in front of 15-50 thousand people. The worst is not
playing live for anyone. Unfortunately, the latter is the current
state of affairs.
Is there a most important event
in the history of the band?
At this point in time, I would
have to say that the acceptance by Musea and the fans and the
release of the CD were really gratifying experiences. Beyond that,
nothing super outrageous has happened yet. I feel that we will
continue to progress towards a prosperous future.
What do you think about the
situation of your musical genre in the presence and what will change
in the future?
I think that my musical genre at
this point in time is just fine. As I have said, there are many fans
of this style. The future will continue to release hundreds of new
releases of various styles. The new rock music being played on FM
radio in the USA, to me is nowhere near the caliber of progressive
rock in the past. Everything depends on individual taste in music.
Everyone is an individual and therefore will listen to whatever
pleases them. I personally feel that the best rock music came from
bands like ELP, UK, Triumvirat, Yes and Refugee. The music that came
from these bands was the most innovative that has ever been
released. I would argue very strongly against anyone who said
otherwise.
How would you see the relation
between music and lyrics? Some musicians don't care about the
lyrics, others understand the music as a vehicle to fit the
lyrics...
Fortunately for me, for all of my songs, the music and lyrics
came together at the same time. I think the only song which did not
happen that way was Mister Personality. The lyrics came after the
music, but they came instantly. I feel that the music and lyrics
must have a strong relationship, otherwise you end up with weak
material.