Why did you decide to record an all instrumental CD ("Alone, But Not Lonely")?
A- Over the years I have written a lot of music that doesn't quite fit in with Kurgan's Bane. Something might be too straightforward or too happy or maybe just too guitar oriented. Bane songs are band oriented. I don't want to have a 4-minute instrumental section that spotlights the guitar. Well, at least not in every song. Since we had some down time last summer, I decided to throw some things together and record this music that would have otherwise been tossed away or forgotten.

Your music is sometimes really complex...how do you create your compositions?
A- We've tried many different processes. On our demo CD I wrote and arranged all the music and Jeff (my brother and our drummer) and I wrote the lyrics. I think that process proved to be inferior. I think the song always turns out better if we all have input on parts, arrangement and melody. As far as writing for my CD, I guess I have the same criteria as we do for the Bane. I like to keep the melody as the #1 priority using the changes as support by building and releasing tension. And I try to never repeat myself.

Why did you decide to record "Alone..." in the Secret Sound Studios?
A- We chose to record our first CD with John Grant at Secret Sound by listening to examples of his work and because of John's great reputation. Whether he records folk, rock, metal, prog, or jazz, his work always sounds great. We've used him ever since. Dennis Chambers, Carl Fillipiak, Illuvatar, Mercury Rising and Sonus Umbra are examples of his customers. In fact, Dennis Chambers recently went to John to record all of the drums tracks for the upcoming Greg Howe CD. If Secret Sound is good enough for them, then it's good enough for me.

Do you prefer to compose on your own like on your solo album or to compose in a band like in Kurgan´s Bane?
A- I prefer to write in a group setting. I think the music will only sound better if everyone gets a chance to contribute. It can get a bit frustrating, but the end result is usually worth the tension.

How important is technique for the music that you play?
A- Technical ability is like any other asset. Anything that adds to your vocabulary can only help you down the road. If we want a part of a song to convey a certain emotion...like anger...we would like to have the ability to do something more than just play a flat 5 or tune the guitars down to Q. However, balance - more than ability itself - is key because the last thing we want to do is overplay and take away from the music. I believe we keep each other in check so nothing will get lost in an over-abundance of changes, beats or notes. Although, I admit that I do like to listen to some bands and guitar players who are not afraid to be a little self indulgent.

What can you tell me about Out of Phase Records?
A- Not much right now. It was started by our bass player, Luis Nasser (who is also the main writer for Sonus Umbra), and by "Big" Mike Galway and Dave Grollman of the band Uncle Gut. Currently, there is an issue with the name and they had to put everything on hold until they and their lawyer work out the legal problems.

Are you influenced by jazz, fusion or latin musicians?
A- For about 10 or 12 years, I've had a mild interest in jazz. While in college, I played in the school jazz ensemble. But it wasn't until recently have I really started getting into it. Tony MacAlpine's "Cab" and Chris Poland's "Chasing the Sun" are two CDs that stand out, but Greg Howe really hits me hard...He is the man. A friend recently gave me a Tetsuo Sakarai CD that has Greg Howe and Dennis Chambers accompanying him. It just doesn't get any better than that. As for Latin musicians, I would say that Ottmar Leibert has affected me as much as anyone else in the last 6 or 8 years.

Which is your equipment on studio and when you play live?
A- Mainly, the only difference while recording would be the use of Lexicon Reverbs and Delays. Live I use my TC Electronics G-Major. However, my sound - whether live or in the studio - comes from my Marshalls. Until recently I used a Marshall JCM 800 #2210 and a Real Tube Overdrive from Tubeworks. I now use a Marshall JMP-1 preamp, a Marshall 50/50 power amp, and a rockman compressor, but only to boost my highs while playing clean. I have a Charvel steel string acoustic and a Yamaha nylon string acoustic. My main electric is a custom Schoales that I had made by Glen Schoales about 12 years ago. (I last heard that Glen has been working in Gibson's custom shop.) I also have a Carvin DC127, a Time mini SG, and last week I picked up an Ibanez Jem7D.

It seems to me that the guys in Kurgan´s Bane, Sonus Umbra and Dysfunctional Family are really united musically. Is that true?
A- Yes, definitely. Luis and Jeff are both in Sonus Umbra and Lisa Francis, our singer, will help out with vocals. The band Uncle Gut, practices in the room next to ours. "Big" Mike Galway (bass player for Uncle Gut) started Dysfunctional Family with Rocky Cancelose, who was with the band Boud Deun. So, you can see that we are all friends and we are all rooting for each other. There are a lot of good rock, prog, and metal bands in the Baltimore area and it's only natural to want to support your friends as much as possible. Not only are they all good, genuine musicians, they are also good, genuine people.

Any final words?
A- If anyone wants to know anything else about me, Kurgan's Bane, or any of the other bands we've mentioned go to www.kurgansbane.com or contact me at PeteLaramee@aol.com.

Interview by Federico Marongiu