The release of the forthcoming Hardline cd,"Just add water" had been already announced way back in late 2004. Why such a delay?
This is the third studio album release. Well, Johnny is so busy with his family, company and working with Axel Rudi Pell, he rarely had time for the recording phase of this record. He has a home studio at his place and periodically works on the record on his spare time. He does give it his all in every recording he does, which requires more time to lay down tracks. I remember when he recorded his parts with my group Accomplice and how much time he spent during the recording process to make sure he had the best vocals he could possibly do. He didn’t just do a few takes and say, ok that is good enough. He really gave it his all and was never satisfied with his parts, wanting to make them better and better. I tell you, the first takes sounded killer to me.

Hardline encountered massive changes in their lineup between the first and the second album. Should we expect further turnovers for this third chapter?
Well, the main bulk of it is still there with Johnny, Josh and myself, so yes and no, because we have drummer Atma Anur aboard now, who is a monster for those who know who he is (88 records released, including 8 Ritchie Kotzen records) but as the main focus comes down to this- No Neal Schon. I do have to mention our new bassist Jaime Browne who Josh brought in the group from San Francisco, who kicks ass too.

Will the band use any previously recorded versions of the tunes written for "Just add water", or did Hardline enter the studio again to re-record the new tracks included on the album?
The tracks are new but I`m sure Johnny pulled out ideas from the archives because he has really cool unreleased material that was never used. Josh actually wrote most of the record, like music for 7 songs, so we all can expect some cool tunes because he is a great song writer, as we all know from his last solo record "Living in the Light". I wrote two songs and one of them is a ballad with Johnny and myself on piano. I really like his voice on this track with him sounding like Bon Jovi meets Klaus Meine.

In the actual situation, may Hardline be considered a regular fulltime band, or just a side-project re-grouping musicians with own different main activities?
We are all in different bands but we make sure not to stray to far away because each member knows working with Johnny is a blessing. Josh and I both have talked about how such fans we were of Johnny`s voice and are pleased to be apart of this historic band even without Mr. Schon`s involvement. Overall, it is a regular fulltime band that just doesn`t hit the road constantly and simply puts out a record every couple years and likes doing select festival shows.

As for you, we know you`ve got many musical project going, from Accomplice to your brand new solo release. But the most intriguing news is your membership in the legendary pomp-rock band Angel. What`s your feeling as heir of such a keys master as Gregg Giuffria? Would you say you`ve reached the ultimate goal in your career, playing your role in one the most keyboards-oriented rock bands in history?
Man, these are good questions:).ok, growing up listening to Angel and now being in the band for the last two years, I guess it still hasn`t sunk in my skull yet. I mean, what is the definition of making it? If being in one of the most notable keyboard bands in rock history is making it, then yes, But I`m still well into my career and plan on accomplishing much more, like it would be an honor to perform with my favourite group Thin Lizzy and they are not even known for the keyboards. I am reminded of how lucky I am being in Angel when I`m in rehearsal with Barry Brandt and he says after the jam that what I played was bitchin` and sounded/reminded him of the old Giuffria days when they jammed.

What are the recording perspectives for Angel? Have you got a deal for a new album?
We have had unofficial discussions with Serafino at Hardline`s label Frontiers Records, but since we have not played him the new material yet, these talks have not developed further. We have thought about going for broke and putting it out ourselves.

I guess Angel would try to get back to their musical roots, which made the band so popular in the late 70/early 80. Am I right, or should we expect any evolution in their music style? How much space will you be given in songwriting, as keyboards should have a fundamental role in Angel`s music?
Well, to date, Barry and myself have written half the record and guitarist Steve Blaze with Frank co-wrote 4 songs, which in my opinion has been the more metal side of the music. Barry and my songs cover the original traits of the classic Angel sound. Since I grew up with the Moog and Giuffria like playing, I naturally go through that style during the writing process with a taste of my influences today, including Dream Theater and a bit shred like Yngwie, so this record should please the old and the new.

Back to Hardline, the band has faced a period of changes even regarding their official website, and seems like you`re the one who`s holding their keys today. So who has the control over the strategic decisions concerning Hardline at the moment?
Well, Johnny signs the checks, so he`s the boss. Oh yeah, and it`s his band too. Regarding behind the scenes for my website, which many now notice, is also the official Hardline and Angel website, is done by C-Master and Daniel Giess from Offenbach, Germany. I`m working hard as a solo artist because my debut solo record is soon to be released, so I do step forward more aggressively than other band members, but at the end of the day, I`m still just the keyboardist. Thankfully, keys have become the forefront in the European market, so we don`t have to hide behind a curtain anymore. I guess that`s me taking advantage of that. I`ve recently brought onboard Elisa Muratori from Milano, Italy to assist me and she has been doing a great job. She flew out here to Los Angeles in January, 2006, to assist me at the largest music convention called NAMM, which was a big success. We hung out with Jeff Scott Soto, Oz Fox, Paul Crook and Marco Mendoza and also marketed to major music companies. There were a lot of Hardline fans there, which was great. Since the original line-up consisted of no keys, with Neal Schon playing the guitar synth, I find myself stepping outside my place at times, but Johnny doesn`t do many interviews, so I speak for the group when I can.

In the actual situation, can we expect Hardline to plan some live activity?
We have been in discussion with the promoter for The Monsters of Rock Tour in Bulgaria this summer, so the answer is yes because Johnny has shown great interest in taking the band out.

Seems like Johnny abandoned music for economical matters, and he would limit his music activity to the collaboration with Axel Rudy Pell. I suppose this just might depend on the fact that A.R. Pell usually plans many more tourdates than Hardline. Am I wrong?
That`s the way it`s been but we do look forward to getting out there this summer to promote the record.

This decision of Johnny suggests a question to me: in percentage, how much of a musician`s earnings derives from royalties and how much from gigs, today?
Definitely the song writing process is the longevity of financial gain, while a string of shows can earn a popular group in the thousands per gig, but for sure, a lengthy tour is where the money is at.

Besides Hardline, have you got any further opportunities of playing live?
I've recently performed with popular singer "Liv" throughout California with Josh Ramos on guitar and Atma Anur on drums. I've also done special guest appearances at the local Musicians Institute in Hollywood with artists such as GIT instructer Ken Steiger and bassist Rudy Sarzo.

What are your main influences among keyboardsmen?
I have a selective list of my favourites, including Derek Sherinian, Tony MacAlpine, Jens Johansson.

Would you briefly depict to us your own artistic career?
My first professional experience was at 17 playing the Hollywood Sunset Strip with bassist Doug McRoy (Boogie Knights, Jeff Scott Soto) and then later working with Orange County guitarist Ron Sachs in "Strangers in the Night" covering the UFO hits, who later formed Rattleface, including Kevin Jones on vocals (Stepchild), which I played the keys on several of their records, including the newly released "Second House on the Left". I then joined Accomplice and following that Hardline, bringing Johnny to record with Accomplice. Then I was introduced to tour manager Danny Stanton (Thin Lizzy, Europe) who offered me the Angel spot. Other works include recording with Terry Ilous (XYZ), Ken Steiger`s "Defiance" record with Tony Franklin, Virgil Donati, Gary Hoey, & Derek Sherinian, and co-engineering on a couple tracks on Derek`s latest solo record "Mythology" with Zakk Wylde and John Sykes.

Which was the main satisfaction you got from your past activity as journalist?
My brother created Hollywood`s largest multi-music magazine called Mean Street Magazine 17 years ago. I helped my big brother out and created the Musician`s Spotlight writing for this section for five years. Highlights included interviewing Yngwie J. Malmsteen Joey Tafolla, Steve Morse, Joe Satriani, with the highlight interviewing Michael Schenker asking him if he was influenced by Randy Rhoads for my first question. He then walked away. I ended up interviewing Robin McCauley instead.

Do you think that the freelance activity of international fanzines and webzines such as Slamrocks does help the rock scene by adequately promoting artists, or it should be all left to professional magazines?
You guys are the professionals in my eyes. I live in Hollywood and we have sites like Blabbermouth.net and metal-sludge.com where everyone talks crap about each other. Your site is very informative and covers material about real issues and things fans really want to hear. I`m thankful for sites like yours to promote myself, a musician from Hollywood, California to fans in Italy and abroad. You guys are the rock stars! I appreciate the interview you guys and keep rockin`. For more information on my activities please visit http://www.michaeltross.com , we have many unreleased Demos, new Songs and more of all Bands I play available at the VIP Downloads Section on my site and so much more.