What was it that made you go into the studio and record the album? What gets you inspired these days?

The album grew over around 3 years. Andy submitted a demo of his ideas to me and I had a few ideas of my own which were unsuitable for UFO – then we brought the Northern lads on board and it all came together.

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How long did it take to lay down the album and how did the recording process look like?

The album took 3 years to complete as Andy had moved up to Scotland and I was touring with UFO in between, so we just  had to do what we could when we found the time.

You gathered some fab musicians on this record and it's collaboration with Andy Simmons. How does the writing chemistry between you guys work?

Andy and I are musically on the same page – he always knows exactly what to play and I am inspired by his music. His orchestration is really great

... and how does it differ from what you normally do in UFO when it comes to writing new stuff?

I can write in whatever style I want with PRP, but with UFO I always have to keep in mind Phil’s vocal style and UFO’s musical history, so it is quite liberating!

The album kicks off with 'Born & Raised on Rock’n’Roll' which has a killer riff and catchy melody. Can the lyrics be treated as rocker's creed?

I try not to think about it too much, but I guess if it works as a rocker’s creed I’m happy to accept it! This song actually started life sounding like a Buddy Holly song, but I managed to bring it more up to date!

The album sounds more rounded than 'Virtual Insanity'. Was it a conscious attempt to squeeze the fatter, more spacious sound than on your previous effort?

It wasn’t a conscious attempt, but I guess as recording equipment gets more sophisticated it is bound to have an impact on the sound. Andy and I have also improved as engineers as time has gone by!

Are you going to take the album on the road? I know about the London show, but the audiences abroad would definitely want to see you as well.

The logistics of putting a band on the road, especially without a well known name like UFO behind it is challenging. UFO is of course my first priority, but you never know – more UK dates may be possible, we’ll see how the London gig goes.

'End of Life as We Know' is your nod to MSG. You invited Michael to play on 'Reach Out'. How's Michael these days and what inspired you to write 'End of Life...'? Why did you choose 'Reach Out' for the album?

Michael seems to be very well these days, although we are not in regular contact – I asked him if he would guest on the London show, but unfortunately he is in the recording studio in Germany at the moment. A close friend of mine inspired the lyrics, of End of Life as We Know It he was in a very lonely place for a while and feeling very down, also reading Ozzy Osborne’s autobiography about his school days and how teachers said he would never make anything of his life. Funny where the inspiration comes from sometimes!

Reach Out is a strange song, and not one that would immediately spring to mind to cover. It’s always a challenge to me to reinvent a song and recreate it in a completely different genre. I am a rhythm guitarist and I think in riffs all the time – putting riffs into that song made it interesting for me. It’s turned out to be the “Marmite” song of the album – people either love it or hate it!

'The Deeper Shade of Blue' is a very nice boogie. How did that come about? It reminds me of 'No Place to Run/The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent' UFO period very much...

 

This was inspired mainly by “Cherry” off the Obsession album – and I originally had this earmarked for a UFO demo, but as I added lyrics it turned into a bit of an epic – so I kept it. Lyrically, this is about a very close friend of mine who passed away a couple of years ago – it is reminiscing about the fun and good times we shared many moons ago.

Both on Terms & Conditions and Virtual Insanity there are some apt comments on the state of things as far as state of the society is concerned. You seem to be a very ubiquitous observer. What are those things in our society which you don't approve of? ​​

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I like to find different subjects to write about, it gets boring just writing about love and relationships. The state of the economy dominated the news, so it was in the forefront of my mind. The lyrics for Terms and Conditions were written in around 30 minutes. It’s not that I don’t approve of certain aspects of society, I just find them interesting to write about.

In your opinion, how has the digital age and the Internet altered the music scene?

It has made a huge difference – it is easier to make good quality demos, music can be shared and worked on between musicians who are not in close proximity, it has also allowed amateur musicians to have much greater exposure for their music via youtube and myspace etc

How would you describe Terms & Conditions in three words?

 

Melodic, Diverse, Powerful!

'C-List Celebrity' is your brilliant attempt to have a say about the rat race to stardom and the little amount of real artistry in such a desire. Anyone particular in mind you had in here?

 

Nobody in particular, it was just a comment on TV programmes such as “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here” and “Big Brother” etc and their insatiable desire to be featured in OK magazine doing something not particularly interesting!!!!

Your blues roots seem to permeate UFO now more than ever. Of course you guys don't abstain from your trademark hard rock. I love the way the band naturally progresses. How much do you contribute to this bluesy side of UFO?

 

Actually the blues direction UFO has taken is primarily Phil’s influence. Of course it fits in nicely with my musical history with Savoy Brown and Chicken Shack, but Vinnie and I have fitted around Phil’s ideas.

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'We Will Be Strong' has a very much Queenesque leanings to it. Are you a fan?

Yes, of course! I had the chorus to this song written many years ago. I came up with a new verse, but I thought it was a bit “Andrew Lloyd Webber” Andy Simmons insisted that it was cool, and he added his magic touches on the six-string.

On both Terms & Conditions Apply and Virtual Insanity fans can find two guitar-driven instrumentals, which are great btw. Have you ever considered recording an instrumental album?

 

No – I am no Vinnie Moore!!!

What keeps you in shape these days? You're a volcano of energy on stage, you sing backing vocals, play the keyboards and the guitar of course, and your voice hasn't changed much since say,' Man on The Mission'. Apart from that, you always have time for mates and fans backstage. What keeps you in shape?

 

My voice HAS changed since Man on a Mission – that’s why I’m not singing lead vocals in the live show. Even Reuben has had problems singing some of the songs from that era. I guess what keeps me going is that I just love what I do.

Apart from playing music, what are your interests?

 

Watching cricket and recently helping my daughter record her first demo. She is a really great singer (in the mould of Avril Lavigne) Watch out for her name – Erika Raymond, a force to be reckoned with in the future I think.

Reuben Archer sings a wonderful ballad 'Love is Blind'. What made you pick Reuben for singing this tune?

 

Reuben’s daughter is my manager and so it seemed like a natural choice as Reuben and I go back many years.

How would you compare Andy's attitude and style of playing to Vinnie's ?

 

They are completely different as people and as musicians. Both have respect for one another, but I think Andy is more introspective and he expresses his emotions through his playing. Vinnie is technically brilliant and has a style all of his own.

Tell us something about your ‘Secret Life’ album. Not many people know you recorded it. Even I don't have it in my collection. Yet. From the samples on your website I heard it's something quite different musically to what you normally do, nevertheless immensely interesting...

 

I don’t think I even have a copy of that CD anymore! It was something that I needed to do at the time, go back to my jazz roots and reinvent some old songs from the 1930s and 1940s, I think Rod Stewart sparked my interest when he did his American Songbook album. I also grew up with that music, so it was natural for me to gravitate back to it.

What made you use accordion sample in 'Bright Lights'? It sounds monster, and gives it all a kind of American zydeco vibe.

 

This song ended up with a John Mellencamp vibe to it, so it fitted nicely with the feel of the track. How do you know I didn’t play the accordion!!!

One last off the cuff question, how did ‘Michael Caine’ off the Virtual Insanity album come about? I just love this track.

 

This is one of Andy Simmons songs that I came up with lyrics for. I was watching “California Suite” starring Michael Caine and Maggie Smith – the scene where they are flying to Hollywood as Maggie Smith’s character has been nominated for an Oscar. I then got to thinking about all the great movies he had been in and it just went from there.

You've travelled the world far and wide. Any particular place you really fell in love with? Any fond memories of Poland?

 

The USA has always had a special place in my heart, particularly LA as I lived there for a while and my daughter still lives in California. More recently Brazil made a big impact on me, the fans went crazy for UFO and made us feel very welcome.

Our visits to Poland have been very brief and infrequent – not enough time to get to know the country very well, but hopefully we will be back in the near future.