TEE "The Earth Explorer"

TEE is a five piece flute front progressive rock band from Tokyo, Japan. Their so-called 'European' sound is unique considering their far-east origin. The imaginative tunes with complex ensembles and rhythms will definitely catch the attention of prog lovers all over the world. Their sound will remind you bands like Camel, King Crimson, Asia Minor or even Frank Zappa on some parts. The band was formed in 2004 when... more

Kevin BARTLETT

You may not know his name but you have definitely heard his music more than once or twice in your life. Maybe on HBO, or on MTV, or on VH1, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel. Doesn't ring the bell? How about American Idol Rewind, or Dr. 90210? We had interviewed Kevin Bartlett a couple of years ago when his second solo album GLOW IN THE DARK was released. Bartlett has been quiet since that time but but he has been secretly brewing new projects. A few months ago he had put a new song...more

Peter Hammill, founding member of Van Der Graaf Generator, released his 28th solo album " nearly 3 months ago. He recently got back home from a short tour covering North America, Canada and Italy. In the 70's when bands like...more

FRIGHT PIG Barque At The Lune *** REVERSAL OF GRAVITY Scuba Gear ***

Interview with MIKE KENEALLY and BRYAN BELLER by Hande BURDG / Dale JUDAY

On May 18, 2009 we had lunch at the Flat Top Grill with Mike Keneally, Bryan Beller and his wife Kira Small in Peoria, IL right before their guitar clinic. The duo was on the road again for Taylor Guitars, after a 3 year break. The guys were kind enough to grant an interview during the down time. With the tape rolling, Mike and Bryan were generous with their detailed answers. So, we've brought it to you in audio format.

TPF: Mike, you recently finished the Scambot project. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Mike says Scambot trilogy will feature Bryan Beller on bass and Marco Minnemann on drums:

TPF: When will you be going to Europe with the Miles Davis project?

Mike and Bryan talk about the Heavy Metal Miles Davis European tour.

Mike's answer:

Bryan's answer:

TPF: So the prep work for this project has already begun?

Mike talks about KMB making up three fifths of Heavy Metal miles:

TPF: Will this Miles Davis project come to the States?

Mike's answer:

TPF: Will there be a Scambot tour following the CD?

Mike's answer:

TPF: Working on the first Vai Piano Reductions album, you mentioned, drove you crazy. How is the second one coming along Mike?

Mike talks about the Vai Piano Reductions being Steve Vai's most favorite album:

TPF: What format do you feel most comfortable writing your songs in? Guitar, piano or do you ever write songs on the computer?

Mike says he wrote the Universe Will Provide album on the computer:

TPF: You both play so many different genres. Is there any particular genre that would make you say "No, I don't belong here"?

Mike: "A genre is a carrying case..."

Bryan on playing jazz:

TPF: You guys have been together for a very long time. How did you meet?

Bryan and Mike talk about playing with Dweezil and Ahmet Zappa and

Joe Travers:

Bryan talks about being a fan of Mike's music:

TPF: So Bryan, was it Keneally more than Dweezil and Ahmet that drew you to the audition?

Bryan's answer:

TPF: So when Mike was ignoring you, did you ever think "this guy just doesn't like me"?

Bryan's answer:

TPF: (To Bryan) what is it like, the risk factor of "I'm moving down there, but what if this doesn't last, or what if they don't like me"?

Bryan talks about how he was just about to move to New York City to be a part of a blues/rock band right before moving to Los Angeles:

Mike adds more details to the story and talks about how Bryan became a part of his future projects:

TPF: Beer For Dolphins strikes us as something quite different. How did this idea develop into becoming something called "Beer For Dolphins"?

Mike talks about how the project evolved from a three piece band to an eight piece band:

TPF: So Mike, is this just a legend or can you really play Zappa backwards?

Mike's answer:

TPF: We also read that when Frank Zappa heard that you could play all of his songs he kind of did not believe it and said: "You know how many songs I have right"?

Mike talks about the first phone conversation he had with Frank Zappa prior to the audition:

TPF: So actually the feeling of "Wow, I'm playing with Frank Zappa" never wore off?

Mike talks about how he admired Frank Zappa on stage during their tour together, especially during his guitar solos on Inca Roads:

TPF: Do you ever wonder what Zappa would think of your music if he was still with us?

Mike talks about what Zappa's impressions of his first album:

TPF: Mike, do you have a complete picture of what you want your compositions to be, or does the writing kinda take on a life of it's own?

Mike talks about the change in his songwriting since hat. and Boil That Dust Speck:

TPF: Mike, in an older interview, you mentioned how important it was for you to express feeling rather than technical pieces of music. However, you obviously produce incredibly progressive works, do you consciously bridge the two, or do you default to feeling?

Mike's answer:

TPF: This question is for both of you guys. What are you listening to these days?

Mike and Bryan talk about Neil Young, Leonard Berstein's MASS and Chick Corea:

TPF: Mike, is there any topic you wanted to cover in an interview in regards to your music, but were never prompted to do so by an interviewer?

Mike talks about how he works hard on his lyrics:

Thank you Mike and Bryan very much for taking the time to answer our questions, and of course for having lunch with us as well! We really had a great time.

you can visit Mike's website at: www.keneally.com.

You can find all things Bryan Beller at: www.bryanbeller.com.