15questions_williams

» 15 questions to......

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1. Now when you have insight in the business - would you encourage your daughter or son to become a professional musician, or advice against it?

Steve: I'd certainly encourage it if that is what they wanted to do. At least I would be able to pass on the things I have learnt over the past few years and also keep them firmly rooted in reality as well. It's important to have something to fall back on if the career in music didn't quite work out.

2. A metalsong you think "Man - I wish I'd written that one...." when you hear it?

Steve: There's been quite a few over the years but especially songs from Iron Maiden and Dream Theater. I would say "Surrounded" from the Images and Words album and Maiden tracks like " 2 minutes to Midnight" and "Caught Somewhere in Time" (really underrated song that one!)

3. The last album you bought/acquired, and your brief opinion about it?

Steve: Last album I got hold of was "Beyond Daylight" from Vanden Plas. Amazing album, especially if you are huge fan of "Images and Words" era Dream Theater. I just can't stop spinning this disk as it has everything. Melody, great vocals, great riffs and superb arrangements. In fact it has made me re-visit other Vanden Plas albums like "Colour Temple" and I'm really getting into them over again!

4. If someone told you tomorrow that you can't be involved in music anymore, what do you see yourself doing in 5 years from now?

Steve: I guess I would continue working my day job as a computer systems analyst or maybe have a complete change and go work in the outdoors, maybe forest work or something in the country. But I guess it's much easier to sit in front of a screen all day....hahaha!

5. Myself as a privat person in a few sentences?

Steve: Well, I suppose I'm a fairly quiet kind of guy in private. As all the band live in different places, we don't see each other every week or anything like that. I tend to keep myself to myself and spend my time writing, reading, watching movies, playing music. Always on the look out for a new idea!

6. Unexpectedly and out of the blue you get a whole week totally off from music and work - what would you most of all want to do?

Steve: I would love to take the chance to have a proper holiday which I haven't had for years. Maybe go to Scandanavia or Canada, and chill out in a log cabin somewhere for a few days in the mountains. Can't think of anything more inspiring. I want to do it before I get too old....hehe!

7. Mp3 - an abomination or a good way to make your name and music heard?

Steve: I can only say good things about the MP3 revolution. I know some international acts don't like the concept and feel they are losing money but for a band like Power Quest it has given us a way to get our music to people around the world. We could never have done this 10 years ago, that's for sure. I think it's great that you can put up full songs or clips on your website for the fans to check out before they buy the album.

8. What do you treasure most in your life, except metal and family?

Steve: I'm very grateful to be a pretty healthy guy overall and I think this is one of the most important things you can have in life, especially these days given the state of the world. I also remind myself that I am lucky that I had parents who encouraged me all the time with my music when I was a kid.

9. An instrument you always wish that you started playing/learning, but never did?

Steve: I wish I had continued to study the violin longer than I did. I reached Grade 6 level by the age of 14 but then had to stop as I was playing too much sport at the time. I should have quit playing sport really as I had to do that anyway 5 years later through injury. It would also have been cool to learn a woodwind instrument such as oboe or clarinet.

10. Beer, whisky, wine or a cocktail in the tv sofa on a relaxed at-home-saturday night? Brand of the beverage?

Steve: Crashed out on the sofa at home, my drink of choice would be tea, coffee, coke or water. I haven't had an alcoholic beverage for 4 years now so it's the soft stuff for me these days. Typical British guy though drinking tea eh? hehe!

11. Which historical person do you feel would fit best as a description on you as a person?

Steve: That's a tough one. Maybe a character like Robin Hood or something. I know he's not truly an historical character, but I like to think that I'm the sort of guy who will help someone out if they need it. Or if I have something that will help someone in a difficult situation, then I am happy to give it to them.

12. What most people don't know, never have known, and probably never would know about me if they don't read this?

Steve: Well I guess one thing that people might not know is that I was born with only one kidney! As a result, I'm not allowed to join the armed forces or work for the police or any other service like that.I also once blew up the power circuits in a physics lab at school and got away with it....don't tell the school! hehehe!

13. If a famous actor were to play the part as you in a motion picture - who would be best suitable for that purpose, you think?

Steve: Oh Jeez! hehe! I quite like old movie stars like Alec Guinness, John Mills, David Niven etc so maybe someone from that era...maybe Patrick Stewart from today.

14. What ingredient is the most important and vital of them all when making good music, according to you?

Steve: Melody is everything for me. If you don't have a strong, memorable melody then a song is lacking in my opinion. You want to be able to write music that people can hum or sing when they are doing the daily chores or whatever. Certainly works for me!

15. Your best advice to a person determined to make it in the metalbusiness?

Steve: Of course, make sure you are dedicate to your chosen instrument and try to find like minded people to work with you. I have been very lucky with Power Quest as all the guys in the band (and the previous members) are all really down to earth people as well as being very capable musicians. There are no egos or anything like that and I think this is really important to the band dynamic.

~ Asked by Tommy, Dec. 2003

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