Derek Sherinian of Sons Of Apollo

Prog-metal supergroup keyboardist on their eponymous return

Dr. Tim: What was your first record?

Derek Sherinian: Aerosmith Toys In The Attic.

DT: What’s the last album that you bought?

DS: Queen News Of The World.

DT: Have you done anything that fans may not know about?

DS: A song in the Christina Applegate movie, Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter Is Dead, and I performed at the Country Music Awards with Kristin Chenoweth.

DT: Who would you like to produce?

DS: Van Halen. I know that I could get great music out of them and make a killer record with Michael Anthony. I’d try to get Dave Lee Roth to sound like he used to. Back to basics.

DT: What was your favourite record shop when you started out?

DS: Odyssey Records, Santa Cruz, during the 70s.

DT: What record made you want to go pro?

DS: Van Halen. When I first heard ‘Running With The Devil’ and ‘Eruption’, it was like being hit by lightning. I realised that you can become immortal on a record.

DT: Did you ever write songs ‘under the influence’?

DS: What music wasn’t? [laughs]

DT: What would you ask your music hero?

DS: I’d love to discuss his music, career and everything else with Edward Van Halen.

DT: Of all the people that you’ve worked with, who taught you the most?

DS: Simon Phillips. An incredible musical partner, mentor and friend.

DT: What fact about you may surprise your fans?

DS: I love gangsta rap, circa 1992-93.

DT: With whom would you most like to record?

DS: Jeff Beck and Edward Van Halen.

DT: What unfulfilled ambitions do you have?

DS: To score films.

DT: Dying peacefully on your deathbed, what would you like to hear?

DS: Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rain Song’ would be blissful. Or the new Goatwhore album!