Distorted Views interview :
1)It has been since 96's Ego Decimation Profile since we have heard from you, what have you been doing musically?
Michael Harris- Since that time, I have been musically busy!!! I released an album by Surgeon, a heavy progressive band I formed here in Dallas, TX. In 1997, my melodic metal band, Arch Rival, released our 3rd Cd, "Third Degree Burns" as well.
2)Tell us about the other musicians on Distorted Views.
MH- I used 4 drummers : Matt Thompson, who also played on the Surgeon Cd, played on about half of Distorted Views; Rob Stankiewicz (from Haji's Kitchen) did a great job on the first track, "Transmigration of Souls"; Clint Barlow did an excellent job on several tunes; and last, but certainly not least, Mike Haid absolutely nuked the song "Identity Crisis", along with an incredible performance from bassist, Adam Nitti on that track. The other bassists were Derek Blakley from Haji's Kitchen, myself, and James Martin, from my live band. My live keyboardist, Erik Martinez, also played on several tunes, and I used a cellist, Jenni Ritter, and violinist, Dawn Oyedipe, on several songs.
3)What are your favorite tracks on the Cd and why?
MH- It depends on my mood, but overall, I would say "Transmigration of Souls" because I treaded some new ground composition-wise, "Identity Crisis" for its dichotomy of jazz fusion and progressive styles, "Centurion" for its progressive melodies, and "Blue Tokyo", because it is my most emotional song ever.
4)With so many different players, please explain the recording process of Distorted Views.
MH-Basically I recorded drums to scratch tracks in several studios, then bounced those tracks over to a mono submix on my Tascam DA88, which I recorded my guitar/kybd/bass tracks on in my studio, and synced the tapes up at NOMAD studio to mix.
5)What were your main guitars, amps and effects used on the new Cd?
MH- My main axe is still my blue Hamer Scarab, although I snuck in a few other guitars and many acoustics. For ampage, I used my Ampeg SS150H amp and a Boogie Dual Rectifier, which gives me the best of both worlds. The Ampeg seems to work out better for solos and Boogie for rhythms most of the time. I do remember using the Boog for the melodies and solos in "Blue Tokyo" for a more brittle tone. I run them both through Marshall cabinets. I also use my Digitech GSP2101 for many cleaner direct sounds and effects.
6)Have any of the new bands released in the last few years had any influence in your music? if so, which ones and which ones do you like?
MH- It's hard to be totally objective about what actually "comes out" in my music. I've always had a lot of influences ranging from the Beatles to Rush, the latter of which is probably my most noticeable influence. I tend to be more inspired by my original influences as opposed to new stuff, but many people would probably be surprised to know that I do like a lot of Soundgarden and Alice In Chains stuff, and I think the best "song oriented" album in recent memory is "Schizophonic" by Nuno. I'm also a "prog" freak, but I find 90% of it is shred for shred's sake and the vocals are an afterthought. There's really nothing better than the prog era Rush albums to me.
7)Once again the drumming on this Cd is great. Tell us the differences in each of the drummers and why do you choose to work with so many different players.
MH- It is difficult in many ways to use many musicians on one album, but I find the results are better in the long run if I find players that have an individual passion for each of the diversity of songs that I compose. Matt Thompson has great timing and feel, and can absolutely rip when the time is right; Rob Stankiewicz has great chops and a very identifiable style; Clint Barlow has some great ideas and is very meticulous ; and Mike Haid has great chops and feel, especially for jazz/fusion and a great groove as well, so each of these guys excel in different areas.
8)Any plans for any sort of national tour to support Distorted Views?
MH- Yes, we're starting in Texas and branching out from there. A national tour would be great. I would like to see several guitarists and/or prog bands touring together for more impact.
9)Who plays in your live band?
MH- James martin on bass, Rob Stankiewicz on drums, Erik Martinez on keyboards, and I show up occasionally.....
10)What is the current status of Arch Rival and Surgeon?
MH- I will be releasing albums w/both bands in the future when we have an appropriate amount of material and when I can find time, but my solo career is paramount at this time. I'm always compiling and organizing new material for the other bands even while I'm writing my stuff though.
11)We hear you and David T. Chastain are making another Cd together, please tell us about it?
MH- David and I formed a new dual guitar band called ZANISTER, with my brother Brian on drums, James Martin on bass, and Brian Sarvela on vocals. it is a very cool aggressive, yet melodic metal group that, along with several other bands' recent success, will be serving to refuel the resurgence of metal worldwide. We focused on quality songs and melodic solos as opposed to the "shredfest" many people might expect from this particular lineup.
12)We noticed that you have located to Dallas Texas from Dayton Ohio. Why and when did that happen?
MH- I relocated here in 1994 to move to a better climate, but more importantly to an area with a better music scene, and it has proved a lucrative and important decision for my career.
13)What does the future hold for Michael Harris musically?
MH- I will have another solo release out next year, which will be 50% instrumental and feature my vocal debut on the other 50%. It will further state my true and increasingly focused direction of "progressive" guitar.
14)Any final words?
MH- thanx - it was fun!
Interview conducted by Steven Taylor
Michael's other releases
E-mail Michael Harris:guitout@flash.net
