Hi Danny… it’s an honour talking to you. Congrats on “Robert Johnson’s Tombstone ”. Is it me or this is the best release of the band since you’ve moved to Frontiers records (and not only)?

D: You may well be right about the LP. It’s certainly been the best received by a large number of people, fans and media people alike.

Before we talk about the new album…. I wanna ask why did you name the band Thunder and who’s idea was?

D: Luke named the band. He said it worked because it’s big loud and simple, like us..

OK thx… Now as it concerns the new work of the band can you tall me why did you name the album “Robert Johnson’s Tombstone ”? I mean that it is obvious if you see the name and look at the artwork of the album to understand that you are referring to the great blues man Robert Johnson… but why have you decided to honour him? Was the myth behind his great guitar abilities that made you dealt with this matter?

D: We heard a radio show all about him, his work, life and death, and it’s a great story. The legend about him selling his soul to the Devil, and being poisoned and supposedly buried in 2 different places all adds spice to his story. The story inspired the song, and the song sums up all the themes covered in all the rest of the songs on the record so it made sense to us to name it after the tune.

Do you think that some of your fans may have misunderstood the album’s title and the artwork? Was it a good idea to show and “evil – darker side” of the band? Personally I like it but I have heard complains from some fans… I bet that you have heard too, right?

D: I couldn’t care less what other people think of our artwork. I learned long ago that provided we’re happy with what we do, that has to be good enough, as no matter what we do we’ll never please everyone else.

By the way have you heard the most of the songs of Robert Johnson? What do you think of him? There are so many rumours around him that in the end some may believe that he was never existed! I know that all those who dealt with blues music “worships” him and they try to “study” his way of playing most of the times.

D: He was most influential on so many guitarists, there has to be something in it. He was also so much better than everyone else at the time. I guess he was the Jimi Hendrix of his time.

Which are your favourite songs from the new album? Do you prefer to rock tunes or the mellow ones better?

D: It’s too early to say which are my favourites, ask me again in a year…

The production also is awesome… it’s just getting better and better with each release… Luke has another talent I must say! So, there’s no chance to co-operate with a big producer in the future?

D: We like the way our records sound, and we’re pleased with the arrangements and creativity within the band. Why would we want to work with anyone else?

I was thinking about Andy Taylor… so tell us what are your relations with Andy? How valuable how his help back in the early 90s? Any chance to see him participating in any future Thunder release?

D: Andy was a big help with the first LP, he taught us a lot. He’s busy nowadays, and we’re fine as we are, so I don’t see us working together again.

I do not try to flatter you but you in this album you have given some of your best performances of the years… your voice is so fantastic no matter what you sing… how do you keep it in such a good shape?

D: I drink drain cleaner, and I eat powdered glass. Seriously, I don't do anything special, but I keep healthy and don't smoke. Smoking I'm told is the quickest way to wreck your voice.

It’s true that Luke and you are one of the most successful rock duos… have you ever though of going separate ways with Luke? I bet that many record labels in the past have made you such offers… in order to go solo… what was your response to that?

D: We like working together, we compliment each other as people and with our approaches, so it works well for us.

Are you planning to release a video-clip to promote the album? I would love to see a video clip for “Robert Johnson’s Tombstone ”… or any other song of the album…

D: We’ve just released “The Devil Made Me Do It” in the UK , and it went into the chart at number 40. We’ve commissioned an animated video clip, which is finished as of today, and it’s really rather good in a rude and shocking way. I’m waiting for the copies to arrive before we decide where to go with it, but it will inevitably end up on our site and youtube etc. We want to get it shown all over if possible.

Are there some plans for a tour as well? Have you decided to participate at any big Rock Festival this summer? Are there any plans to visit Greece as well?

D: We’re hopefully about to announce a European tour any moment, the dates will be next March. No Greek promoters have asked us to play there for this record yet, but that may change. We’d love to play there if we could find a promoter who’d take us. (interviewers note: we’d love to see you as well… does any promoter out there read these lines?)

What is missing from today’s music industry and most albums have not that quality that they used to have back in the 70’s and 80’s?

D: Sorry, this sounds like a statement rather than a question. I agree with you, I think.

Are you playing music to become popular or you just want to give your own messages to the people with your music and your lyrics?

D: We play music because we can. We do it because we like doing it and because other people like it and pay us to do it. I gave up trying to be in the biggest band in the world a while back, nowadays it's a lot more laid back, and a lot of fun.

So, what shall we wait from Thunder for the future?

D: More records, more tours, more everything.

And some weird Questions now!!! How difficult is t survive and to succeed in a music world that is ruled by irrelevant people that promote shit-wannabe-good pop music all the time… without caring about music’s quality?

D: It’s not hard for us because we make good records and have a loyal following who like what we do. They buy the records and tickets and enable us to keep doing it. It’s not easy for new bands starting out because the music industry is going through massive changes and no one really knows how it’s going to end up. I suspect it will carry on evolving very quickly for some considerable time to come.

What things can make you laugh and cry in your life?

D: Almost anything makes me laugh. I cry usually at cruelty to children or animals, or really the suffering of others.

Do you believe that internet has helped the bands to become more popular or has caused many problems?

D: I think it's great in some ways, and bad in others. It's like any tool, you have to learn to use it correctly to do what you want it to do.

Which are the things that piss you off from today’s music industry?

D: Not much, I've been in it a long time, I understand how it works and why it works. It's not always fair but you can say that about anything. My motto is celebrate the good and forget the bad, and I try to do that every day.

Which is the most overrated band today?

D: Bon Jovi. Always were.

Do you distinguish any new groups that worth listening to?

D: I like a lot of new bands, but not many rock or metal bands.

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

D: Sorry, that’s not possible, she already did it. I’ve got it all on my iPod now so it was good to get the space back.

Those were my questions Danny. I wanna thank you from the bottom of my heart for the beautiful music that you have offered me (us) all hose years, please leave a note to Grande Rock readers… Take care!

by Thanos Aggelakis