Cage

MM: You co-produced "Science of Annihilation" with Dave Garcia. Do you feel it's an advantage to be involved in the production process or are you more critical because it is your voice/sound?
SP: Well, I have been involved with the production of all of our CDs even when I knew absolutely nothing about it. I have learned more and more as it has gone along and really trust my ear. It is fun most of the time and gruelling other times. Now that we have our own studio and are producing everything ourselves, it is cool because we are not paying $100 per hour so you do not have to rush things that might otherwise be hurried through. Dave and I have a lot of fun busting each other's balls about performing and recording but we have managed not to get into a fistfight yet!

MM: How is the San Diego metal scene? Do you feel you have outgrown the bar circuit?
SP: Of course we have. Any time we play our local clubs we always have a great time and deliver the same show there or in front of 10,000 people, that is just how we are. We have played quite a lot of all ages shows lately and it has been great to see the reaction of the younger metal heads. They are completely awestruck by our show and it really energizes us too to see a row of heads banging furiously while a crazy pit erupts behind them and kids are stage diving. That has been really refreshing.

MM: How cool it is to be included on the Prog Power USA X Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, in Sept.? How did you get included on such a great bill?
SP: Well we are very grateful to have been selected but always have wondered why it has taken so long given our resume of accomplishments and reputation. Nonetheless, we have big plans for the show and plan to open some eyes and melt some faces. The set we are playing is a blistering scream fest, which will definitely put the power in the prog powerness of it all.

MM: Cage has a reputation for putting on a great live show. What is your mindset before each performance, and how important is it to give it your all?
SP: I just love to perform. I really enjoy the challenge of captivating an audience and completely mesmerizing them. If you watch Halford and Dickinson they really mastered it, and I just kind have watched how they did it; how they moved, what and when they said things. I have gotten a lot of credit for my stage presence and am proud to hear the great comments. The band as an entity carries a certain charisma and we really have some serious metal magic when we play together.

MM: I know you're a huge football fan. You played Division 1 for San Diego State and had a tryout as a goalkeeper for the San Diego Sockers indoor team. Tell me about your upcoming tryout with the team as they join the PASL-Pro league, which replaces the now-defunct MISL.
SP: I have been playing goalkeeper in the top indoor soccer league in San Diego and had regained my skills to the point where I was getting recognized around town for playing soccer and not singing in CAGE! I have been playing just to get into shape for touring and get my stamina up, but of course I love playing. All throughout my soccer career I was center forward/striker and was a goal-scoring machine. I began playing keeper just for fun and got really good at indoor. I actually made the pro team 10 years ago in a private tryout but sprained my ankle severely right after making the team. I am set to be on the semi pro team in the PASL but am trying out for the big boys Oct 3rd 2009, we will see!

MM: With all the great press you're getting with "Science of Annihilation," where do you see Cage in the next five years?
SP: I think after the progress we made from just one small tour in Europe, the sky is the limit. I believe we will continue to climb the metal mountain and really spread our brand of heavy metal to the far reaches of the world. The listener can really feel our live show and authentic presentation and our attempt at showing constant gratitude towards our fans has really endeared us to them. I think our CAGE army will continue to grow until we are able to finally claim the throne as the AMERICAN POWER METAL KINGS!

MM: Any last thoughts or comments for the faithful Cage fans?
SP: Great interview and thanks for the attention. Please everyone say hi to us at
http://www.myspace.com/cageheavymetal and http://www.cageheavymetal.com
Hails!!

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Article by Kelley Simms