John Myung

Do you feel that this album is vitally important for the band?

Yes it is very important, with all the things that have happened to us in the past three years, from Kevin leaving the band to all the personal changes that have happened in our lives. There is a lot to prove to ourselves and others with this album.

How do you feel about the album material-wise?

Material-wise, I feel that we have a pretty strong album written. Writing with Derek brought about new energy and directions – places we wouldn’t have gone without him.

What sort of direction has it taken this time?

It depends with each song. We’ve written a variety of material that encompasses many different emotions. I think the direction is having more diversity in the types of songs we can write together.

What are your favorites of the new material?

I really like Lines In The Sand, The Way It Used To Be, Trial Of Tears, Just Let Me Breathe and Take Away My Pain.

What was your inspiration behind the lyrics to Trial Of Tears?

It’s a song about balancing love and pain, and accepting the way things are to a certain degree – not really trying to change the world but more importantly finding a way to live in it. As you move on in life, you need to find ways to increase your capacity to love life.

Has a producer been nailed down yet to do the album?

No, not yet. We met with producer Paul Northfield during the shows in December ’96. Paul has recently worked with I Mother Earth on their latest album, and has worked with Rush on the Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures sessions as an engineer. We still have a few more people to meet before we make a final decision.

What was your first bass, and what did you use on the first album?

My first bass was a Memphis P bass copy that I bought from someone I knew in junior high school. On the first album, I used a 4-string Music Man Sting Ray bass.

What are a few of your all-time favorite DT songs?

It’s really hard to say, I love them all.

1996 was a tough year for the band. What are your hopes for 1997?

To get this album off the ground and lots of touring into new areas that we haven’t been before.