Nostradameus

MM: Do you feel it's important to break into the U.S. market to gain more acceptance?
FP: Actually, in our situation it's quite important to break into ANY market.

MM: What are your current touring plans?
FP: We're planning to make some shows in Sweden during Jan.-Feb. next year, and if everything goes as planned, we'll play a couple of shows in the Benelux area in April approximately.

MM: Any bands in particular that you would like to hook up with for a tour?
FP: Well, Judas Priest if we could have the choice.

MM: How important is staying true to the recorded material while performing live?
FP: That depends on what kind of gig we're talkning about. But in general, I think it's quite important that the audience recognize the songs and are able to join in. On the other hand, we'll give up a lot of the recorded effects on our future gigs as we have a wish to get back to the roots somehow. Just us and our instruments on stage in order to just give the audience the most possible concerning energy.

MM: Every band lives to play live shows, can you describe your feelings about performing live and why it's important to give your best performance?
FP: I guess it's a matter of just enjoying the situation. To be standing on stage with your friends and see a lot of people in front who came there just to have a good time togheter with you and the rest of the band. I love that feeling and I'm very grateful that I have the privilege to every now and then, have the opportunity to do this.

MM: Your earlier releases seemed somewhat more heavier and faster, but "Illusion Parade" is more controlled and developed. Do you feel the band has progressed since its formation?
FP: Oh yes! After all, when we started this band, I was the only member over 20 years of age. Today, after changing some of the members, only Jake is younger than me and he's 30 in a month. We're older and more mature (I hope..:)) and the new members also have a lot of different input on the bands songwriting and performances.



MM: It also seems like your earlier releases dealt with the Fantasy aspect more than on "Illusion's Parade." Who comes up with the concepts and lyrical content, and where did you draw your inspirations from for the songs on this CD?
FP: Most of the lyrics I write. Very often, when I feel down, since writing about your crisis is a very good way to get it out of your system. Then I also feel it's more inspiring today to write about a personal experience compared to writing about kings, dragons, unicorns, steel, battles or any of the other topics we've been dealing with in the past.

MM: AFM Records, the label you're signed to, has such a great roster of bands. With the record industry being as it is, as well as the global economy and internet downloading, do you feel AFM are doing all they can to promote you and get you the publicity and tours that you need to carry on as a band?
FP: I think they are doing what they can in a VERY hard, tough, lousy, destructive market. It's close to impossible to compete with what can be found on the net for free and to be honest, if we don't sell enough copies of this CD, it will be the last one for us. The reason is simple, I've spent quite a big amount of my private money just to get this album out on the market and if I cant get it back, we cannot afford to record another one. It's as simple as that! So to put it straight, every free, illegal download of "Illusion's Parade" is bringing the band closer to the end. I hope the people who like the band, who are downloading our material for free, consider that.

MM: I really appreciate your time. Any last words for your fans?
FP: Nothing more than support the band by buying the album. Hope to see you all on the road in a near future! Thank you for your time!

Article by Kelley Simms