Fan Club Director's Interview with Yngwie
by phone, May 26, 2000

Anne: Hi, hope this is a good time for a short phone interview. If you're busy in the studio, I can check back later.

Yngwie: No problem-- fire away.

Anne: How's work on the newest album coming along? Who's still there working with you?

Yngwie: Mark's still here. We are recording the vocals last this time, which is kind of backwards from my usual method. Usually I put the guitars on last. Most of the songs are done, we're just fine-tuning some things now. I may do some more work on the guitar and bass parts before it's really finished. I've decided to play bass myself on this album.

Anne: Are the other band members done with their parts?

Yngwie: Yes. Mats [Olausson] has gone on to Sweden, and John [Macaluso] has finished up the drum tracks so he's gone back to New York. We had some bad luck and some good luck where the drum tracks were concerned.

Anne: What happened?

Yngwie: Well, the bad luck was that the new studio space I've established for recording all the drum tracks developed a leak in the ceiling during a heavy rainstorm, and water came in all over the drum kit and console. It was a huge mess! The good luck is that it happened the day after all the drum tracks were finished. I haven't assessed how much damage is done to the equipment, but at least the album drum tracks sound great-- much better than I've been able to get in the past. The drums on this album will be huge. In fact, I can say that about the whole album.

Anne: How do you mean?

Yngwie: You could say I've created a monster. I started working on this album with no prior expectations of what it would be-- unlike Alchemy, where I had a predetermined concept of what I wanted for that entire album: dark, heavy, dramatic lyrics and a full-throttle, no mercy guitar attack from beginning to end. I achieved that, so with this next album, I didn't quite know where it was going to go. I just started composing songs as they came to me. And as the band members started arriving and we began working on each song, the album has turned into something much bigger and bolder than I imagined. The arrangements are very strong, and we added all kinds of things into the mix, like tablas, sitars, zithers, you name it. The songs are all very solid with great catchy melodies.

Anne: Can you give me a song by song track listing?

Yngwie: There are 14 songs, but the track order hasn't been decided yet, and it's so far away until the projected release date [early 2001] that some titles may change before then. I can tell you what some of the songs are, though.

Anne: Okay, which ones stand out to you?

Yngwie: There's one called "The Wild One" that gives you an idea of what I was like when I was younger. There's one I like to call "Bloodsucker" that you may be able to figure out. Some others are "Catch 22" and "The Wizard." The album has a couple of instrumentals as well, like "Instrumental Institution." By institution, I mean a madhouse-- I was ready for one by the time I had finished recording it! Another instrumental is currently called "Arpeggios from Hell," which expands on some of the licks that are on the Full-Shred video. I've also written a song for my son, Antonio, called "Miracle of Life." This isn't the first song I've written for him, but it's the first to go on an album.

Anne: How is Antonio these days? He celebrated his second birthday in March-- is he going through the typical "terrible two's"?

Yngwie: I wouldn't say terrible. He basically does what he wants, but he's really a very good boy. He's so happy-- he gives me high-fives and is just so cool. He has a complete kid-sized drum kit which I gave him for his birthday, and he pounds away on it like crazy. I'll be trying to relax and watch a bit of TV, and I'll tell him "Antonio, not now," and he will hold off as long as he can stand it, then he'll let loose and bash away, and smile sweetly. It's hard to get mad at him. He's very good-hearted and loving. He is truly a blessing.

Anne: I assume Antonio and April will be traveling with you to Sweden for the big rock festival.

Yngwie: Definitely. My family travels wherever I go. I'm really looking forward to playing in Sweden again. I want to reconnect to the fans there.

Anne:And you'll have the chance to play with some old pals, too, like Anders and Marcel.

Yngwie:Yes, we'll be doing the Sweden Rock Festival on June 10, and then 4 or 5 club dates the week after [venues are listed on the Fan Club website].

Anne: Will you try to pick up the rest of the Alchemy tour this year? Last year you only played a few dates in the USA, Australia, Japan, and Korea.

Yngwie: Yes, I definitely intend to do more touring this year. I want to go back to South America, as well as other countries in Europe, Asia, and the U.S./Canada. I haven't hired a new tour booking agency yet, but when that all falls into place, then I'll see what can be done with the touring schedule. I used to never be involved in putting the schedule together, but that's changed now. I'm going to be very much involved in deciding where I play, and when. I'll give you all the information you need for the website when the time comes.

Anne: That's good news. With a fan base like yours that's spread out worldwide, you could spend all year trying to reach everyone. Some fans have been waiting years to see you play live.

Yngwie: Tell them not to give up waiting! Once I get the managerial and booking issues straightened out, I'll definitely be back on the road.

Anne: Thanks for your time. It's been a pleasure talking with you, as always.