Hi Eric and accept my congrats on “TMG I”… As you already know we have chosen it as the best album of June here in Grande Rock! Can tell us how did you decide to participate in Tak’s project?

E: Tak called me at my home and asked if I could write and record an album with him for a solo project that he was putting together. It had been two years since Mr. Big broke up and I was itching to get into a big project like this.

Have you ever co-operated with Tak in the past? Did you know him?

E: I have known Tak for a few years now. He used to go to Mr. Big shows in the 90’s. Not many people know who he is outside Asia. Tak is an Icon in his home country of Japan. He has been a famous guitar player for 25 years. His band the B’Z has sold 80,000,000 albums.

Can you give us some more details about Tak’s vision on “TMG 1”? And why do you think that he invited two very known musicians like you and Jack Blades to join his project?

E: Tak has wanted to do a solo album for many years. He wanted an American style Rock record. He told me that he was a huge fan of Jack and myself. He knew that many fans of his B’Z music were fans of ours too. The tour that we are on now has been sold out for months.

I know that Tak has written all the music for the album but you and Jack if I’m right have written all the lyrics. Can you tell me some things about the lyrics of the album?

E: Yes, Tak wrote the music and Jack and I wrote the melodies and lyrics. Some of the lyrics are geared to fit with the Japanese way of life. There are non-fiction and fictional stories. Jack and I wrote 4 songs together and split 10 others.

Is there a chance to co-operate gain with Tak for “TMG 2”?

E: I am crossing my fingers for that one. I have had so much fun touring with this record. This has been the best band that I have ever been in.

Can you make a comment about each one of the songs below of your new album?

E: “Oh Japan – Our Time Is Now”: This is supposed to be an uplifting spiritual anthem for the people of Japan. It was purposely written for the Japanese Olympic team.

“Everything Passes Away”: A song written by Jack, I think it’s about evolution.

“Kings For A Day”: It’s derived from the movie “The Wild One” starring Marlon Brando. A look back on the 1950’s when it was wild and free in the streets of Brooklyn New York.

“The Greatest Show On Earth”: The world is a living-breathing circus. How it’s turning into the grand façade.

“I Wish You Were Here”: A postcard from paradise.

“Two Of A Kind”: Jack’s love song.

Which tracks of the album are your personal favorites and why

E: The crowd goes crazy with the tune “Wonderland.” It has all my influences in rolled into one, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith and The Clash.

Do you believe that this is the strongest stuff that you have sung in years?

E: Oh yeah by far. I would honestly say this has been my favorite record to sing on in over 10 years. My vocal tracks are engineered with such clarity. This is the real me folks. (Interviewers note: I totally agree with Eric!)

Do you agree with the point that… Hard rock music is the kind of music that Eric should “serve”?

E: Let me put it to you this way, the next recording solo or band record that I do will be in this type of direction. (Interviewers note: Exclusive news! Just remember where you heard it first!!)

Did the recordings brought on your mind the music of Mr. Big’s first album?

E: I think it sounds it little like a hybrid of the first two Mr. Big records and “Dawn Patrol” by NightRanger.

Are you completely satisfied with the production of the album?

E: The guitar tone alone is breath taking. Tak did an excellent job producing this CD.

Is there any chance to release the album in Europe or the US? It’s so sad that has been only released in Japan such a great album!

E: We are working on getting a distribution deal with Europe. (Interviewers note: As I learned afterwards they are talking with Frontiers records in order to release the album in Europe.)

What more can TMG can offer to hard rock scene?

E: How about a kick in the teeth rock show.

Are there any plans for a tour?

E: Were on a 19 city sold out tour right now. I am writing to you from Tokyo, Japan on my day off. We have 11 shows under our belt so far. We are recording every show with a 48 track mobile truck. 12 to 21 cameras capturing every sweat bead, hammer-on, head bang and siren scream.

Some personal questions now. What is your next music plans?

E: My wife and I are working on “Two American Releases” for December… We are expecting twin boys. I will be writing up until then. I want to put out another solo CD (Melodic rock) out in the beginning of 2005.

Can we wait a surprise from you in the future? Like re-uniting with Mr. Big? Have you talked with the guys from the band about a reunion?

E: I’m sorry but I know in my heart that the Mr. Big that people loved in the 90’s is long gone. We created an excellent fan base from our records and our live tours all over the world just to piss those great memories down the drain from our internal squabbles. I just can’t see any future for a new Mr. Big. That old spark has gone out. Hey but thanks to the people at IPOD, now I can listen to all those cool albums we made.

By the way, why you did not participate in the album “Influences and Connections Volume 1” that Mr. Big released almost a year ago and they ended up covering themselves any way?

E: I wasn’t asked to participate in that odd endeavor. What was I going to do? Play tambourine or sing “To Be With You” again? Honestly I didn’t get the whole concept.

Which album do you consider as the best that you have released and why?

E: “TMG 1” for obvious reasons. I love these guys on and off the stage. I loved the musical chemistry between Tak, Jack and myself. It was a joy to make.

Do you believe that hard rock music it’s on its rise again?

E: I think most everybody loves this type of music… some are just to trendy and afraid to admit it.

Which band do you consider that can take a leading part in hard rock music in the future?

E: Van Halen and Aerosmith are still the leaders of melodic rock. But I think a band like Silvertide (We just played with them at the Summer Sonic festival in Osaka and Tokyo two weeks ago) can carry the torch. I don’t know if Kings X is still together but I have always considered them to be an innovative force in the melodic rock realm.

And some Weird Questions now, to relax somehow!!! I think a big problem of the today's music industry are all the CD copies people do with their computers or the music they can download from the Internet. What do you think about this issue?

E: Total bullshit. It is simply not fair. How am I and other working musicians going to survive? Am I just a fucking puppet? Do I just entertain the kids for free now? People have got to think about that when they download a song. It’s our livelihood. We are here for you! Be there for us.

What are the biggest life lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career?

E: To be… responsible for my part in this crazy mixed up world, keep my friends close, Go with my gut feeling and always keep ‘em laughing.

If you were living in Middle Earth which character would you choose to be and why?

E: I would probably be an elven archer. Not only are they skilled with a bow but also seem to posses an extra sensory perception. That could be a great gift… scoring those elf chicks.

Do you believe that is so easy for a band to differ in today’s music industry than in the past? And if yes what shall it do in order to achieve it?

E: We’re all going in a full circle.

If you were a God’s messenger what would you tell Him to do for the good of humanity?

E: Come down here and have a little chat with the murderers, rapists and warmongers.

Who are the top 5 singers of all time according to you?

E: Paul Rogers, Steven Tyler, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart and Steve Mariott.

And… which are the top 5 albums of all time according to you?

E: Aerosmith – “Rocks”, Beatles – “Rubber Soul”, “The Motown Story”, Rod Stewart – “Every Picture Tells A Story”, AC/DC – “High Voltage”, Bad Company’s 1^st album.

Do you consider yourself as a rock star?

E: My mother and my wife refer to me as a rock star, I would hate to rock the boat.

Which is the most overrated band today?

E: Modest Mouse, I don’t get it at all.

If you could go back in time and see any band live in their prime & open for them which would it be and why?

E: Led Zeppelin. All my friends have seen them. I missed them completely. My family sheltered me, growing up on many military bases in Europe. When I came to live in the USA, Jon Bonham had passed away and it was too late.

Imagine that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy herself an expensive ring. How would you react?

E: Denise would never do that; she’s a musician too… Now my first wife, hell she would sell my soul to the devil. (Interviewers note: Excellent sense of humor!!)

Thx for everything Eric… I wish you the best, cause you truly deserve it.

by Thanos Aggelakis