Why did you decide to continue with the name Tantric instead of starting a new band?
Well, I worked with the band for over ten years ... if everyone left in the band because I fired them or it were different
circumstances, I probably would have. But, everyone left on their own, they just didn't want to do it any more.
I feel that the person that is left over is entitled to continue it on. I put ten years of my life into this band, I've
got the name tattoo'd on me... (laughs) I have so much emotion invested in it, it was important to me to keep the name.
Are the former members ok with it?
I'm not sure if they're cool now that I've got a record deal again, but at the same time... I didn't make them quit.
I love those guys, they're great guys, they were just done with this particular business. It's a hard business, especially
when you have kids and a wife.
I'm sure you feel that you have to step it up a little bit to prove to prove to people that
Tantric is here to stay, what are you doing to prove that you're better than ever?
I think that all people need to do is come out to the show to see that we are better than we've ever been. When
you have something that you love and then lose it ... you look at it a lot differently. You definitely watch your steps
and everyday is so appreciated.
Do you hope to achieve the same mainstream success that you had prior to the other members
leaving?
Of course... that's like; "Do you hope that you win the lottery?". (laughs) Of course you do, you're always
aiming for that ... And I think with some perseverance and some luck we'll achieve that again. Obviously we're in a
different jungle right now as far as the music industry is concerned ... and people aren't selling a million records like
they used to. But that is definitely our goal, that's what we are aiming for... and God willing, we'll get there.
What new sounds or styles are you incorporating into the new songs?
Well, we got a full time electric violinist... probably the craziest guy in the band. We're running the electric
violin like a guitar, at some times it has the original violin sound, but at other times you're like; "What the fuck?".
It adds incredible dynamic to the music.
Did you do all the writing on the new CD?
I did most of the writing, and I had most of the writing done... I demo'd it out in my home studio. I demo'd most
of the songs, and the band all threw in their individual styles... but there are a few songs on the record that were written
by the whole band.
I read that Kevin from Candlebox does a song with you on the CD, tell me about that collaboration.
I wrote a song called "The One", I wrote the song for Todd and I... our old guitar player... basically I was looking
for a well known singer and our label just signed Candlebox and we were big fans, they're a really cool band that has a new
CD coming out, so it just made sense. He was in L.A., he came out and nailed it like in one day... he's an incredible
singer.
Tell me about your record deal with Silent Majority Records.
It's a hundred million dollar deal. (laughs) I'm literally shoveling money out of my ass right now.
(laughs) I'm just joking. It's an awesome deal. Jeff Hanson is the CEO of this label, it has a really fresh
outlook on how to approach the industry right now. Even though it's an indie label that's supported by Warner Bros.,
you would never know. I have nothing but incredible things to say about them. They will definitely get a Christmas
card from me.
Since Tantric has all new band members, have you changed any of the older songs any?
No, when we play the old songs we play them how they were... but we add a little violin to them. It's not incredibly
different.
When does the new tour start?
We're on it right now. It's been fantastic, the shows have been sold out... I'm actually a little surprised on
how well it has been going. People are welcoming us back, and it's great. I thank the lord everyday.
You're playing smaller clubs right now?
We almost have to, our last record came out in 2004, and we stopped touring that record in 2006. That's a long
time to be out of the market, and our second record wasn't a smashing success. We have our label, we have a record...
we're just going to work it like we did on the first record... I definitely think we have the songs to take us there.
Anything else you'd like to add?
All I would encourage people to do is join our
MySpace, that's the way we communicate with fans. And to check out our new record.
