With their second album “The Raging Fire” Seventh Key proved that they are not joking at all as they managed to make it even better than their debut. We thought that an interview with the band’s mastermind Billy Greer would be great for us and for the fans in order to learn more about their amazing new album. So read what Billy told Grande Rock below...
Hi Billy and congratulations on “The Raging Fire”. As you may know we have chosen it as the best album of February in Grande Rock!
B: Thank you very much and thanks for the honor of Best of February.
Do you believe that “The Raging Fire” is a step forward for the band?
B: Most definitely, Mike and I were able to produce a record that is beyond the first in sound, writing and performance.
What are the differences it has, if we compare it with the debut album?
B: Since Mike and I wrote all the material for this CD, it has a more cohesive sound to that really sounds more like a band as opposed to the first which kinda sounded like me singing a collection of songs. The music is a little heavier and the lyrics area little darker. The CD as a whole has a better flow to it.
How has the fans’ reaction been till now?
B: I have been getting great reaction both from the critics and fans. Almost all agree that this record is better than the first.
I also want you to tell me what the Seventh Key is and if it can open all doors! By the way, how did you find it?!J
B: Seventh Key is a lucky, magical, mystical phenomenon that happened to me in the fall of 2000 when I started recording my first CD with Mike Slamer. So far it has opened any door that I have wanted to enter. Funny enough, I found it in Napoli, Italy.
What is “The Ranging Fire” and where does it come from?
B: Besides being the name of my new CD and a song of the same title. It is a yearning inside of us all to express ourselves and let go of things that burn inside of us and are always looking for a door to exit. What is your raging fire and when will you release it?
Do you think that the artwork is totally related to the music of the album?
B: Absolutely, If I was the artist, I couldn’t have captured the theme better myself.
And let me go on to some personal questions. Although you are a well-known bassist/vocalist (Kansas is one of my all time favorite bands), you decided to do something heavier. How did you take that decision? Did a big name like Slamer “help” you to take this decision without any fear?
B: I had played bass and been the backing vocalist for Kansas for almost 16 years when almost out of frustration I decided to record my own CD. Mike Slamer is the first person I called to help me write the material and play on the project. From our first time of getting together to write and record, my solo project became an equal collaboration. As most people know, Mike and I played together in “Streets” and because of this former relationship, I knew that I had to have Mike involved. With him engineering, playing and producing, I knew the project would be moved to a higher level!
Have you always wanted to do a heavier work compared to what you had done in the past? And now, is it the right time and the right place?
B: When Mike and I work together, we don’t set our sights on any particular kind of song or any particular sound. What you hear on “The Raging Fire’ is just what comes out of us when we collaborate. I can’t say if the timing is right, all I know is that I am very proud of the new CD, the songs, the sound, the performances. I am very proud to have my name on it.
By the way, how is the co-operation between you and Mike Slamer?
B: It’s great, every time that Mike and I work together, we always have fun and always come away with a good peace of music. He is not only my partner, but is also a dear friend that I love very much.
Do you intend to go on with Seventh Key or you will leave us wondering what happened to this great band?
B: I am trying to get the fans to the point that they will revolt if Seventh Key doesn’t tour and make more records!
So, do you consider Seventh Key to be a full time band?
B: Kansas is how I make my living and is my priority. Seventh Key is how I hope to have a musical life if Kansas decides to hang it up or even during Kansas’ off time when they are not touring.
What was the first tune you learned on bass?
B: “Louie, Louie”.
Which of the two bands that you are participating in do you prefer to play and why?
B: I love playing with Kansas, it is very challenging with all the different time signatures and chord changes. Most of the songs are very difficult. As a player, I like this challenge. Seventh Key has not played live yet. We keep waiting for the outcry of the fans who insist that we come and tour in Europe and Scandanavia.
Do you think that your vocals fit with the music result better now in comparison to the debut? By listening to you I thought that I was listening to (at least) a 30 year old vocalist! That’s incredible! Once again, congratulations Billy.
B: Yes I do. As you know, there were many writers who contributed on the first CD. Again, because Mike and I wrote all the songs, we got to pick the key to optimize using my vocal range and also, because we were the ones who wrote all the melodies to compliment the song and my voice.
Hmm... It’s hard not to ask you… any news from Kansas? When can we expect new studio material from the band? I have to tell you that “Somewhere to Elsewhere” is an excellent album.
B: Thanks, I quiet enjoyed recording that CD. Also, I finally got to sing a song on a Kansas record. To be honest, I didn’t think that that would ever happen. As far as anything new, there are no concrete plans to record anything new at this point. Maybe there will be later on in the year. Sony records just remastered the first Kansas CD and will be releasing that at some point.
Now let me ask something that I have always wanted to ask a Kansas member for many years now. How do you feel having participated in a legendary band that has influenced the whole rock/prog music system and still continues to influence all new musicians?
B: I am humbled and honored. I was a fan of the band a long time before I was a member. Cover bands that I played in used to play lots of Kansas material. I thought then and still think that Steve has one of the classic voices of Rock and Roll!
B: Thank you very much and thanks for the honor of Best of February.
Do you believe that “The Raging Fire” is a step forward for the band?
B: Most definitely, Mike and I were able to produce a record that is beyond the first in sound, writing and performance.
What are the differences it has, if we compare it with the debut album?
B: Since Mike and I wrote all the material for this CD, it has a more cohesive sound to that really sounds more like a band as opposed to the first which kinda sounded like me singing a collection of songs. The music is a little heavier and the lyrics area little darker. The CD as a whole has a better flow to it.
How has the fans’ reaction been till now?
B: I have been getting great reaction both from the critics and fans. Almost all agree that this record is better than the first.
I also want you to tell me what the Seventh Key is and if it can open all doors! By the way, how did you find it?!J
B: Seventh Key is a lucky, magical, mystical phenomenon that happened to me in the fall of 2000 when I started recording my first CD with Mike Slamer. So far it has opened any door that I have wanted to enter. Funny enough, I found it in Napoli, Italy.
What is “The Ranging Fire” and where does it come from?
B: Besides being the name of my new CD and a song of the same title. It is a yearning inside of us all to express ourselves and let go of things that burn inside of us and are always looking for a door to exit. What is your raging fire and when will you release it?
Do you think that the artwork is totally related to the music of the album?
B: Absolutely, If I was the artist, I couldn’t have captured the theme better myself.
And let me go on to some personal questions. Although you are a well-known bassist/vocalist (Kansas is one of my all time favorite bands), you decided to do something heavier. How did you take that decision? Did a big name like Slamer “help” you to take this decision without any fear?
B: I had played bass and been the backing vocalist for Kansas for almost 16 years when almost out of frustration I decided to record my own CD. Mike Slamer is the first person I called to help me write the material and play on the project. From our first time of getting together to write and record, my solo project became an equal collaboration. As most people know, Mike and I played together in “Streets” and because of this former relationship, I knew that I had to have Mike involved. With him engineering, playing and producing, I knew the project would be moved to a higher level!
Have you always wanted to do a heavier work compared to what you had done in the past? And now, is it the right time and the right place?
B: When Mike and I work together, we don’t set our sights on any particular kind of song or any particular sound. What you hear on “The Raging Fire’ is just what comes out of us when we collaborate. I can’t say if the timing is right, all I know is that I am very proud of the new CD, the songs, the sound, the performances. I am very proud to have my name on it.
By the way, how is the co-operation between you and Mike Slamer?
B: It’s great, every time that Mike and I work together, we always have fun and always come away with a good peace of music. He is not only my partner, but is also a dear friend that I love very much.
Do you intend to go on with Seventh Key or you will leave us wondering what happened to this great band?
B: I am trying to get the fans to the point that they will revolt if Seventh Key doesn’t tour and make more records!
So, do you consider Seventh Key to be a full time band?
B: Kansas is how I make my living and is my priority. Seventh Key is how I hope to have a musical life if Kansas decides to hang it up or even during Kansas’ off time when they are not touring.
What was the first tune you learned on bass?
B: “Louie, Louie”.
Which of the two bands that you are participating in do you prefer to play and why?
B: I love playing with Kansas, it is very challenging with all the different time signatures and chord changes. Most of the songs are very difficult. As a player, I like this challenge. Seventh Key has not played live yet. We keep waiting for the outcry of the fans who insist that we come and tour in Europe and Scandanavia.
Do you think that your vocals fit with the music result better now in comparison to the debut? By listening to you I thought that I was listening to (at least) a 30 year old vocalist! That’s incredible! Once again, congratulations Billy.
B: Yes I do. As you know, there were many writers who contributed on the first CD. Again, because Mike and I wrote all the songs, we got to pick the key to optimize using my vocal range and also, because we were the ones who wrote all the melodies to compliment the song and my voice.
Hmm... It’s hard not to ask you… any news from Kansas? When can we expect new studio material from the band? I have to tell you that “Somewhere to Elsewhere” is an excellent album.
B: Thanks, I quiet enjoyed recording that CD. Also, I finally got to sing a song on a Kansas record. To be honest, I didn’t think that that would ever happen. As far as anything new, there are no concrete plans to record anything new at this point. Maybe there will be later on in the year. Sony records just remastered the first Kansas CD and will be releasing that at some point.
Now let me ask something that I have always wanted to ask a Kansas member for many years now. How do you feel having participated in a legendary band that has influenced the whole rock/prog music system and still continues to influence all new musicians?
B: I am humbled and honored. I was a fan of the band a long time before I was a member. Cover bands that I played in used to play lots of Kansas material. I thought then and still think that Steve has one of the classic voices of Rock and Roll!
Well, back to the album again. Tell me, which are your five favorite songs from the album? A small story about each one of these songs would be great!
B: “You Cross the Line”: I really like the production of this song. The feel is great and I like the lyric that we came up with.
“Always from the Heart”: One of the first songs that we came up with after our first meeting for this record. Mike wrote that verse and chorus idea after I had come home from that first session and played me the idea over the phone. I could feel the energy over the phone. When that happens, you know the song is going to be good.
“Run”: This song came from going through a bunch of Mike’s musical ideas. I heard this opening riff and knew immediately that I wanted to write a song around it.
“Wind of War”: Lyrically it means a lot to both Mike and me.
“The Raging Fire”: This is the first song that we wrote together when we started working on the CD.
How far do you think that Seventh Key can go?
B: The sky is the limit. It depends on the reaction of the fans will or will not buy the CD. I hope for the best. (i.n.: Me too!!!)
And some Weird Questions now!!! If you had the chance to give only one album that you have participated in, to someone so that he can have the best opinion about your vocals and generally about your job… which album would it be and from which band?
B: That question is too obvious, Seventh Key, “The Raging Fire”.
What are the biggest life lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career?
B: The biggest one is not to take yourself too seriously. Stay humble, thankful and hungry!
If you were living in Middle Earth (I hope that you have seen or read the Lord of the Rings) which character would you choose to be and why?
B: I have neither read nor seen the book/movie.
Which are the top 5 hard rock albums of all time according to you and why?
B: “Meet the Beatles”, “Led Zeppelin”, “Led Zeppelin II”, “Fresh Cream”, “The Allman Brothers Band”. These are the 5 that had the biggest impact on my life and career!
Imagine that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
B: I lost my record collection in a divorce 15 years ago. I miss it very much! (i.n.: Ohh damn!)
OK Billy those were my questions. Thx very much for having the patience to answer them! If there is anything else that you would like to tell Grande Rock readers, just do it!!
B: I would just to thank all the fans that have supported me throughout my career and especially those who have bought the Seventh Key CDs. I am honored and humbled by your support. Thank you!
B: “You Cross the Line”: I really like the production of this song. The feel is great and I like the lyric that we came up with.
“Always from the Heart”: One of the first songs that we came up with after our first meeting for this record. Mike wrote that verse and chorus idea after I had come home from that first session and played me the idea over the phone. I could feel the energy over the phone. When that happens, you know the song is going to be good.
“Run”: This song came from going through a bunch of Mike’s musical ideas. I heard this opening riff and knew immediately that I wanted to write a song around it.
“Wind of War”: Lyrically it means a lot to both Mike and me.
“The Raging Fire”: This is the first song that we wrote together when we started working on the CD.
How far do you think that Seventh Key can go?
B: The sky is the limit. It depends on the reaction of the fans will or will not buy the CD. I hope for the best. (i.n.: Me too!!!)
And some Weird Questions now!!! If you had the chance to give only one album that you have participated in, to someone so that he can have the best opinion about your vocals and generally about your job… which album would it be and from which band?
B: That question is too obvious, Seventh Key, “The Raging Fire”.
What are the biggest life lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career?
B: The biggest one is not to take yourself too seriously. Stay humble, thankful and hungry!
If you were living in Middle Earth (I hope that you have seen or read the Lord of the Rings) which character would you choose to be and why?
B: I have neither read nor seen the book/movie.
Which are the top 5 hard rock albums of all time according to you and why?
B: “Meet the Beatles”, “Led Zeppelin”, “Led Zeppelin II”, “Fresh Cream”, “The Allman Brothers Band”. These are the 5 that had the biggest impact on my life and career!
Imagine that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
B: I lost my record collection in a divorce 15 years ago. I miss it very much! (i.n.: Ohh damn!)
OK Billy those were my questions. Thx very much for having the patience to answer them! If there is anything else that you would like to tell Grande Rock readers, just do it!!
B: I would just to thank all the fans that have supported me throughout my career and especially those who have bought the Seventh Key CDs. I am honored and humbled by your support. Thank you!