Derek Sherinian: From Lemons To Platypus! Welcome To The Bordello!

Q: On the album, as well as your mainstream playing, you come up with some nice subtle little touches here and there, that on the surface could go unnoticed. Do you consciously add these pieces, or is it a spontaneous thing?

Some of the subtle parts are contrived, but most are spontaneous. I believe that the most exciting playing is when it is off the cuff.

Q: On the recent Xmas CD, you play an Elton John medley. Was he a big influence on you?

Elton John was a huge influence on me when I was younger.

Q: Also on the disc you break into a piece of Rick Wakeman’s Six Wives of Henry VIII. A big album for you?

I like the Six Wives piece from Rick Wakeman, even though I don’t play it correctly.

Q: You played with Alice again around New Year, a good time?

It is always a pleasure to play with Alice Cooper! He recently invited me to his 50th birthday party, but I was busy recording the Platypus record. I have written a couple songs for his upcoming release, and I’ll be playing on it as well.

Q: Your stage set-up, prop-wise: where did the idea for the lava lamps and globe TV come from?

The lava lamp ‘70s vibe was actually something that I came up with after a conversation with Alice. One of the things that Alice has ingrained in me is that in order to pick the fruits...you have to go on a limb. My keyboard riser looks like a cross between an opium den, and a bordello!!! Frankly, I do it to stand out. I want my look to stand out as well as my sound.

Nicky Lemons is my alter ego. Nicky Lemons is larger than life. The times that Nicky has appeared on stage, the crowd went ballistic. I honestly believe that Nicky is part of me, and when he takes the mic, Derek doesn’t exist. Nicky has written 2 songs: “I Don’t Like You” and “Monkey’s Ass”. The name of the album will be “Ugly American”.

Q: The Platypus project: how did it come about, who is in it, what style of music are you writing, and will there be vocals with it? When do you expect to see it released?

Platypus is myself, John Myung, Rod Morgenstein and Ty Tabor. Ty sings lead on 4 songs. The music is very Jeff Beck influenced. John Myung and I get to show a “funky, bluesy side” that we don’t get to show with Dream Theater. The album will hopefully be out by summer. It will be titled “When Pus Comes To Shove”. We are all very excited about this project.

(There will be more on the Platypus project from Derek and John next issue!)

Q: Any new material/ideas for the next DT album?

I haven’t started writing DT riffs yet, there will be plenty of time for that.

Q: Anything else you want to say to the fans?

If anyone wants to drop me a note via e-mail. I can be reached at __________