Hi JK, thanks for your kindness. I did really appreciate your brand new album “Wired in my skin”. In my review for Slamrocks I defined it as a collection of variously crafted and performed hard rock tunes, more than a straightly oriented music project. Are you aiming to catch some attention around for a possible proposal to join a regular band?
Hi Alessandro. Thanks for the great review! Actually, the diversity on the album comes from the fact that I wanted show a broader spectrum of who I am as a guitarist, songwriter and producer. I really got tired of staying in the box (so to speak) of doing what I had already done before. I am also getting more involved in producing, recording, mixing and mastering through my production company “Alien Productions”. So in summary, I am looking for other bands, but more as a producer, mixer or collaborator. Of course if Robert Plant calls me tomorrow..???

Let’s talk about “Perfect imperfection”: did Ted Poley influence your songwriting on that tune, which has an evident D2 flavour, or did the song influence you on Ted’ s choice?
The music for all of the songs on this new album was written first. I didn’t have anyone in mind while writing the music. I sent Ted both “Perfect Imperfection” and “If I Were James Taylor” and he had the lyrics written right away. I would say the D2 sound comes simply from the fact that it’s Ted’s voice!

I might ask you a quite similar question about Terry Ilous and the track “Grind me down”. But my next question is instead: what particular James Taylor’ ability are you lacking in order to complete “that” song (I mean the last tune on your album)?
That’s funny! It’s a clever lyric idea from Ted that is a simple love song simply saying that he can’t find the words to express himself to his girl. But James Taylor, who writes such great love song lyric’s, he always knew just the right words to say. It seemed fitting to put this song as a closer!

Johnny Edwards was an old bandmate of yours when you played with King Kobra. What are your feelings and memories towards that band?
Johnny is one of my all time fave singers! Our time in King Kobra was short lived because after we finished the album, shot a video and did a short tour, Carmine left to join Blue Murder. It was an honor of course to be a part of that album. Johnny and I went back to writing songs under the name “Northrup” which those recordings were later released in 2001 on the “JK Northrup” album on Metal Mayhem.

Is there any particular reason why you chose Kelly Keeling as vocalist for “Big blue sky”, the most “modern-oriented” tune in your album?
Kelly is another amazing singer! In 2005, he, Terry Ilous, Ron Keel and myself did an acoustic tour in the USA. Kelly and I had been talking about doing something together at some point ever since. I had one last song that needed vocals and he was on break from touring with “Trans Siberian Orchestra”, so that was the tune he sang. It was perfect for him because I wanted a Beatlesque vocal and he nailed it!!!

Many reviews around compare your instrumental tracks to the sound of Joe Satriani (I would personally agree just regarding “Mark my territory”). What are your influences among guitar players?
Well any time you can be compared to someone like Satch, it’s an honor! I am a self taught player. I honestly don’t listen to a lot of other guitarists, but when I was younger and learning scales, Gary Moore was my hero! Others were Ronnie Montrose, Ritchie Blackmore, David Gilmore, Uli Jon Roth and Ace Frehley.

I noticed that your previous bandmate Paul Shortino doesn’ t appear on this album. Is there any particular reason?
I love Paul!! Another one of the greats. We kind of went our own ways and haven’t crossed paths since. I will leave it at that. I wish him the best : )

How did you bring my friend Michael T.Ross in for the piano tracks on the deliciuos ballad “the Road”?
Michael has been doing work with Terry Ilous on various projects, so when I asked if Terry knew of someone to play what I needed, he hooked up Michael. He is great! I look forward to working with him again soon.

By considering the huge variety of soundstyles that you performed on your album, what track made you feel most comfortable with its guitarplaying?
As I said before, I am self-taught and actually play many different styles. All of the solos on the album were comfortable. The most challenging were the solos on “Mark My Territory”, which has weird time changes. You may have noticed I love playing the slide guitar : )

Terry Ilous appears on many tracks included in “Wired in my skin”. Any chance to see you both together again on a brand new XYZ release, after you shared the “Letter to God” recording experience?
There is a very good chance! I am in constant contact with Terry, as we do a lot of work together. We have discussed recently about another cd!

What’ s your role inside the newborn Alien Records? Suppose it’ s much more than just an external Label you applied to have “Wired in my skin” released….I noticed that the alien’s face appears on your own logo, as well as I know that you’ re much interested in the extraterrestrial argument…
I have both my production company “Alien Productions” and “Alien Records”. Besides recording, mixing, producing and playing on the new Ted Poley album, as well as Terry’s upcoming “Best Of”, I am working with many other bands! Some will be released on “Alien Records”. I became fascinated by ufos and aliens since I was a kid. I certainly believe in life elsewhere! That’s why I have incorporated the logo of the Alien Head in all of my endeavors.

I’ ve read somewhere that Ted Poley and Terry Ilous are going to release their next works through Alien Records as well…Can you tell us more about these rumors?
Ted’s album is being released by Frontiers Records, and Terry’s through FYCO Records. However, both are being produced, mixed and recorded through Alien Productions.

Many musicians from the melodic rock scene are still trying to survive in the current music biz, but most of them use to appear on a large amount of projects instead than setting a regular band on. Do you think that the main reason for this hyperactive tendency is the low chance for a wide touring activity, or the reduced incomes from studio cds sales, due to the musical piracy?
Many artists like myself are diversifying and getting involved with every aspect in the industry. Things have changed drastically with all of the internet possibilities of downloads and including piracy. So by getting involved in more than one band, or like me, getting into the business side you can certainly pay more bills : ) There are of course exceptions with some bands that are doing very well.

Do you really think that those musicians, so frenetically involved in a large amount of projects, would always manage to express their artistic skills at their best, or that to accept a sessionman status is a hard necessity for a rocker, nowadays?
I would hope that even being in many projects or sessions that musicians will always be at their best. Unfortunately, this is not always true. However, even a musician has to eat. I am currently promoting my album, but am playing on and producing several. I am giving my best to all of them.

What kind of future do you see in the U.S.A. for the classic american hard rock that flours in your veins?
I have a 19 year old daughter that loves the new modern bands, but also like her friends, she is beginning to embrace the classic rock bands. I believe that as long as you write and record music that is good, anyone will listen. In America, I don’t foresee any new up and coming bands playing classic melodic with the 80’s sound being a huge success. I do however see that there is a market, even here in the states for bands that can actually play and write a great song, whatever the genre is!

One last curiosity: what does JK stay for, in your name?
Jeffrey Kevin! My first and middle initials. Although I did go by Jeff Northrup for the first few albums in my career, I wanted to re-emerge. Besides, there are many Jeff’s and not a lot of JK’S!! Thanks Alessandro! I hope to talk to you again soon.