Khymera is back after a 7-year hiatus, with a wonderful melodic rock/AOR album. We caught up with the mastermind behind Khymera, the bassist, vocalist & producer Dennis Ward, so as to find out about this project, the new album “The Grand Design” and various other interesting things…
Hi Dennis, it’s always a pleasure to have you on Grande Rock. This time we’re gonna talk about Khymera. I thought that this project was over… why did it take you 7 years to come up with a new album?
D: Well, I was very much caught up in my other activities with PC69 and Unisonic. I had actually agreed to do this album almost 2 years ago but just never got around too it!
Can Khymera be considered your own personal music vehicle, where you write the songs, sing, play the bass and produce, since there’s none left from the first line-up of the band today?
D: It’s a project where I can live out my fantasy as an 80s musician! My only “boarder” is that the album must be and AOR album.
Did you choose the new members of the band or it was a mutual decision with your label Frontiers?
D: It was like this: Serafino, of Frontiers records, asked me if I would take over the production duties. In the past I had sang, played bass and mixed/mastered the album. Since I agreed and I live a few hundred KM distance from the previous musicians it was an obvious choice to work with musicians more local. However, it was also a chance to get some of my good buddies involved to have some fun. It was like when you invite your friends to your house to help you paint all your rooms, when you are done you drink a beer together and appreciate the collective work you have done.
Do you believe that “The Grande Design” could have been released under a different name? I mean the Khymera project had almost been forgotten after all these years. I think it was the label’s choice to “resurrect it”, right?
D: Certainly, however in the past few years I have signed many Khymera CDs and since I thought there was still an obvious fan base I decided that keeping it “Khymera” was the only right thing to do.
When did you start working on “The Grand Design”? Was there a plan for a new Khymera album or it just came out of nowhere? Did you have any songs ready that you used for this project or you’ve written tracks, from the start, specifically for this album?
D: I started around Christmas 2014. All the songs were written fresh and, minus a few odd musical parts, for this album – exclusively.
And what’s “The Grand Design”? What does the title declare?
D: Well, the song was there first. Then I saw the album cover and I just put 1+1 together. Besides that I feel that the “band” chemistry was “grand” and together we’ve “designed” a very strong AOR album.
Please give us a hint about each track…
D: Never Give Up on You: This is a song I wrote expressing my support for my kids’ goals in life. That’s all I’m going to say so that everyone can make their own “head movie”.
Tell Me Something: This one is about a guy addicted to internet porn, more specifically – paid video chatting! Listen closely to the lyrics.
Say What You Want: Man explaining to woman that she shouldn’t “beat around the bush”. Stop playing head-games and let him know what you really want.
I Believe: I believe, in everything I want to believe in. It’s my choice.
A Night to Remember: “Every dog has his day”, we say. And everyone will get their chance to shine…
She’s Got the Love: My woman, she’s got it all!
Land of Golden Dreams: Girl and boy have lost the stamina between them. She’s always searching for “better” but still always ends up with the wrong ones.
The Grand Design: Too many people are too caught up in their own beliefs of how the world should be. They are certain that their way is the right way. We need the variation in life to hold a balance.
Streetlights: “Loving a music man ain’t always what it’s supposed to be”, a great singer once sang. I’m just following up on that concept.
Who’s Fooling Who: Don’t try to fool with someone you should respect. They just might get up and walk out on you leaving you alone with your problems and fears.
Finally: We all hope to get somewhere in life, for some it happens sooner than for others –for better or for worse.
Where is the Love: Where is it? Why have we lost it? How can we get it back?
What has changed this time on the Khymera writing/production part?
D: I have a beard. Last albums were written by outside songwriters. I and my buddies (the band) wrote all the songs this time.
It’s still shocking to hear you signing. You do have a wonderful voice and it was due to the Khymera albums that you decided to sing. Do you enjoy singing the same as writing & producing? And why had you never tried singing in any of your bands/projects prior to Khymera?
D: I enjoy singing and those who know me know that I write a lot of material and sing on it as well. I’m not really interested in being a “front man” and I feel a front man should do more than just sing well. I used to sing in a band years ago and it was always my dream to have a “power trio” band (bass, drums, guitar – one of us singing) like Rush or Triumph. But things went differently in my life so now I’m a bass player.
What shall we wait from Khymera in the near future?
D: I really don’t know. It all depends on what happens with this album. I enjoy making this kind of music and as long as I have fans asking for Khymera I will continue to deliver.
Are there any plans to give any live shows in particular at some point?
D: No. It’s too difficult to put together logistically and I have other plans for the future that I need to concentrate on first and foremost.
What’s the news from the Unisonic & Pink cream 69 camp? When shall we wait a new album from both bands?
D: I can’t say that PC69 will be making a new album anytime soon but it’s always a possibility. Unisonic is in the works.
I’ve read on your FB page that you’re conducting a contest for newcomer & unsigned bands. Do give us a few more details on that and how did the idea to do it occur?
D: I just wanted to give something that I could. I’m hoping to find a deserving artist that will bring his or her career farther. (i.n.: Check it out here)
Time for our “weird questions”!!! If you could “erase” one thing from modern music, what would it be?
D: The computer.
Which is your biggest unfulfilled dream?
D: To climb the Himalayas. And to have a golden Ferrari.
Which are the best 3 AOR albums of all time according to you?
D: Journey – “Escape”, Giant – “Last of the Runaways”, Aldo Nova – “Aldo Nova”…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
D: Michael Jackson – “Thriller”. Because I have no idea how to do it.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
D: Slim Whitman –“The Indian Love Song” (google it)…
Fill in the phrase… “AOR wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
D: “…the 70s punk scene”…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
D: “Your father was right”…
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star of all time?
D: Joan Jett…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
D: Last Tuesday, then I wouldn’t have driven through that radar trap.
Thx for talking to Grande Rock, Dennis. Thx so much for the music all these years! Say anything you feel like saying before we close. Take care dude!
D: I’m grateful for all the attention Khymera is getting and genuinely hope to see a lot of fans somehow and somewhere. I thank you all for your support!!!
D: Well, I was very much caught up in my other activities with PC69 and Unisonic. I had actually agreed to do this album almost 2 years ago but just never got around too it!
Can Khymera be considered your own personal music vehicle, where you write the songs, sing, play the bass and produce, since there’s none left from the first line-up of the band today?
D: It’s a project where I can live out my fantasy as an 80s musician! My only “boarder” is that the album must be and AOR album.
Did you choose the new members of the band or it was a mutual decision with your label Frontiers?
D: It was like this: Serafino, of Frontiers records, asked me if I would take over the production duties. In the past I had sang, played bass and mixed/mastered the album. Since I agreed and I live a few hundred KM distance from the previous musicians it was an obvious choice to work with musicians more local. However, it was also a chance to get some of my good buddies involved to have some fun. It was like when you invite your friends to your house to help you paint all your rooms, when you are done you drink a beer together and appreciate the collective work you have done.
Do you believe that “The Grande Design” could have been released under a different name? I mean the Khymera project had almost been forgotten after all these years. I think it was the label’s choice to “resurrect it”, right?
D: Certainly, however in the past few years I have signed many Khymera CDs and since I thought there was still an obvious fan base I decided that keeping it “Khymera” was the only right thing to do.
When did you start working on “The Grand Design”? Was there a plan for a new Khymera album or it just came out of nowhere? Did you have any songs ready that you used for this project or you’ve written tracks, from the start, specifically for this album?
D: I started around Christmas 2014. All the songs were written fresh and, minus a few odd musical parts, for this album – exclusively.
And what’s “The Grand Design”? What does the title declare?
D: Well, the song was there first. Then I saw the album cover and I just put 1+1 together. Besides that I feel that the “band” chemistry was “grand” and together we’ve “designed” a very strong AOR album.
Please give us a hint about each track…
D: Never Give Up on You: This is a song I wrote expressing my support for my kids’ goals in life. That’s all I’m going to say so that everyone can make their own “head movie”.
Tell Me Something: This one is about a guy addicted to internet porn, more specifically – paid video chatting! Listen closely to the lyrics.
Say What You Want: Man explaining to woman that she shouldn’t “beat around the bush”. Stop playing head-games and let him know what you really want.
I Believe: I believe, in everything I want to believe in. It’s my choice.
A Night to Remember: “Every dog has his day”, we say. And everyone will get their chance to shine…
She’s Got the Love: My woman, she’s got it all!
Land of Golden Dreams: Girl and boy have lost the stamina between them. She’s always searching for “better” but still always ends up with the wrong ones.
The Grand Design: Too many people are too caught up in their own beliefs of how the world should be. They are certain that their way is the right way. We need the variation in life to hold a balance.
Streetlights: “Loving a music man ain’t always what it’s supposed to be”, a great singer once sang. I’m just following up on that concept.
Who’s Fooling Who: Don’t try to fool with someone you should respect. They just might get up and walk out on you leaving you alone with your problems and fears.
Finally: We all hope to get somewhere in life, for some it happens sooner than for others –for better or for worse.
Where is the Love: Where is it? Why have we lost it? How can we get it back?
What has changed this time on the Khymera writing/production part?
D: I have a beard. Last albums were written by outside songwriters. I and my buddies (the band) wrote all the songs this time.
It’s still shocking to hear you signing. You do have a wonderful voice and it was due to the Khymera albums that you decided to sing. Do you enjoy singing the same as writing & producing? And why had you never tried singing in any of your bands/projects prior to Khymera?
D: I enjoy singing and those who know me know that I write a lot of material and sing on it as well. I’m not really interested in being a “front man” and I feel a front man should do more than just sing well. I used to sing in a band years ago and it was always my dream to have a “power trio” band (bass, drums, guitar – one of us singing) like Rush or Triumph. But things went differently in my life so now I’m a bass player.
What shall we wait from Khymera in the near future?
D: I really don’t know. It all depends on what happens with this album. I enjoy making this kind of music and as long as I have fans asking for Khymera I will continue to deliver.
Are there any plans to give any live shows in particular at some point?
D: No. It’s too difficult to put together logistically and I have other plans for the future that I need to concentrate on first and foremost.
What’s the news from the Unisonic & Pink cream 69 camp? When shall we wait a new album from both bands?
D: I can’t say that PC69 will be making a new album anytime soon but it’s always a possibility. Unisonic is in the works.
I’ve read on your FB page that you’re conducting a contest for newcomer & unsigned bands. Do give us a few more details on that and how did the idea to do it occur?
D: I just wanted to give something that I could. I’m hoping to find a deserving artist that will bring his or her career farther. (i.n.: Check it out here)
Time for our “weird questions”!!! If you could “erase” one thing from modern music, what would it be?
D: The computer.
Which is your biggest unfulfilled dream?
D: To climb the Himalayas. And to have a golden Ferrari.
Which are the best 3 AOR albums of all time according to you?
D: Journey – “Escape”, Giant – “Last of the Runaways”, Aldo Nova – “Aldo Nova”…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
D: Michael Jackson – “Thriller”. Because I have no idea how to do it.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
D: Slim Whitman –“The Indian Love Song” (google it)…
Fill in the phrase… “AOR wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
D: “…the 70s punk scene”…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
D: “Your father was right”…
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star of all time?
D: Joan Jett…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
D: Last Tuesday, then I wouldn’t have driven through that radar trap.
Thx for talking to Grande Rock, Dennis. Thx so much for the music all these years! Say anything you feel like saying before we close. Take care dude!
D: I’m grateful for all the attention Khymera is getting and genuinely hope to see a lot of fans somehow and somewhere. I thank you all for your support!!!