Interview
(Progressive Newsletter Nr.43 03/03)
excerpts from an interview with Phil Erhart (Drums)
We've always wanted to do a DVD. It took us about a year and a half to put it all together.
Was the DVD more something the fans wanted to have for a long time or was it also something the band wanted to do, finally having the chance to work with this new media?
We know the fans wanted it, but we took a while to make sure we did it right.
Is is just a coincidence that the capital letter of "Device Voice Drum" are in direct correlation with the medium DVD or what was the reason for choosing this title?
No, we did on purpose. We thought it might make it easier to remember.
For the DVD / CD you choosed a special setlist with some older songs, that haven't been played for a long time and even some songs from the John Elefante ("Fight fire with fire", "Play the game tonight") and Steve Morse ("The preacher") era. What was the reason for playing this songs and why did you especially choose them?
All the songs we picked are there because we like them and we hope the fans will like them, too. "The preacher" allowed us to use a choir.
Who's idea was it to include a choir for "The preacher"? How did you get in contact with the New Advent Choir and how long did it take to arrange the music with choir?
Steve Walsh came up with that idea. The choir lives here in Atlanta. We gave them a tape and they put the arrangement together. We think it came out incredible.
Even though you play a lot of your standard tracks since the 70s, they the don't sound dated at all. Especially on "Device-Voice-Drum" you can hear the sheer power and passion you still put in them. How do you keep the songs fresh and vital for yourself over all this time?
Thanks! The audience each night keeps it fresh. We they get excited, we get excited!
How do you decide in general which songs you include in your setlist, having this really massive back catalogue to choose from?
We picked songs that represent our whole career. We picked songs we like as well as the fans.
You're planning to tour with Styx in 2003 in the U.S. How difficult is it in these days, to make such a tour possible and promote it in the U.S?
There is a huge classic rock fan base here in the US. The general media has been very responsive to this DVD. Styx and Kansas always does well on tour.
Are there any plans for a tour with this package in Europe, because I've already read something about a unconfirmed gig in Holland in May 2003?
Not that I know of.
Are there any plans for a new studio album in the pipeline and will you also be working together again with Kerry Livgren like you've done on "Somewhere to elsewhere"?
We are discussing a new CD with Kerry possibly in 2004.
Is there a schedule which other albums will be released in the "remastered" series additionally to "Masque", "Leftoverture" and "Point of know return"? And if yes, which additional material, like demos and live cuts will be included on these albums?
The next one to come out will be "Song for America". there will be a surprise or two on it.
On your website there's a special feature called "Wheathead.TV". Can you tell a little bit more about the idea behind it?
It's an internet subscription service that takes our fans backstage and on the road with us. The proceeds goes to a children's medical charity.
Lateley "Proto-Kaw - Early Kansas recordings from 1971-73" was released. Any comments about this album?
It caused alot of confusion. It has nothing to do with us or our career.
Looking back you your long career, is there's something you regret you have done or haven't done?
We would still like to do a soundtrack score for a film.
Do you have an explanation, a secret formula for the long successful career of Kansas?
The secret to any band's success is it's fanbase. We have great fans!
Kristian Selm © Progressive Newsletter 2003