This time, answering The Rock Explosion question is Steve Heyden, a hero that is on the rock scene since early 1977. After listening the great "Truth Or Consequences", last Firesign work, I decide to speak with Steve about his past, present and future.

Steve you're on the rock scene since 1986, do you wanna tell us about your previous musical experiences with Quahana, Bronx, Sex Attack, Backslash and Bad To The Bone?
Well, actually I started out in 1977 with Quahana which was a band in the vein of Uriah Heep a bit, Bronx was a more blues-oriented band, Sex Attack was a hardrockband and we were dressed pretty much like all these guys from LA, Backslash was just a brief period,we recorded a nice demo though, Bad to the bone even had a record deal which in the end did nothing much for us. I was with them for nearly 4 years!

I know that you released a solo album titled "Remainder" in 1994. Why did you decide to start with a solo career after your adventure with Sex Attack reached the end?
I just were looking for some musicians and I had some songs ready and so we hit the studio and recorded them. I knew that I never would end up as a solo artist then!

Ok, now is time to talk about Firesign! Do you wanna tell the Firesign's history to our readers? Why did you choose Firesign as monicker? There's some particular meaning about it?
Firesign was founded by me and drummer Klaus in summer of 1998. We had a hard time until we had our line-up which lasted more than 3 years . We recorded 3 CDs so far which got really good reviews throughout the world . The name Firesign has no particular meaning: we just wanted something short and understandable for everyone!

In your opinion, which are the main differences between the last release "Truth Or Consequences" and your previous albums?
The main differences are that the production for "Truth" is much better and that the songs are a bit heavier this time!!

Steve, who are the artists that influenced you the most since the beginning of your career?
All early stuff like the bands of 60's and 70's, later came the 80's stuff…my faves are The Who, Dokken, Ufo, Keel, Johnny Winter…I listen to a great amount of artists.

Please, tell us something about your last album...
Overall this album was prepared in a quite long run: we had some songs for years, played them live and stuff. Some are older songs which are kinda rewritten, some are pretty much finished in the studio. Lyricwise we deal with fanatasies, things we have experienced. Some lyrics are just like word games if you want. For example "From The Asylum": we needed a long time to get that song done how it turned out on the CD. Arthur and I usually write the songs alone , play them to each other, change some parts, add some new and then put them together.

Is there a song of 'Truth Or Consequences'' to which you feel particularly close to for some reason?
"Dirty Rock ´ n ` Roller" is very personal, it was a song in 1980 when I was with Bronx. I rewrote the lyrics. Well… it´s a bit about me! My favorite is "Comin"´ on still strong" because of the song itself. I like the melodies alot

I really like "Dirty Rock'n'Roller"! How and why did you decide to insert in this song a sax solo by Alex Wullich?
First we wanted to add a harmonica, but we did not know some guy who could play it and then came the idea to give the sax a try because I know Alex.

How the italian and international fans can buy your last album "Truth Of Consequences"? It is possible only through internet or there's a particular distribution...
You can order it thru our site: www.firesignrockshard.de or www.mapleleaf-records.de.

How are the selling trend datas about your latest album?
We do not know now exactly the sales from the mailorders, so maybe 200. this is ok for a band without any deal at all.

In which Countries do you sell the highest number of copies & in which ones fans seem to appreciate the most your musical proposal?
Maybe Germany!

In your opinion, how the music businnes is changed in the last 20 years?
With all the hype things that are going on on TV I ´d say real music is only on the streets and in clubs.

If i'm right Firesign are an unsigned band! I think it's a shame 'cause your pure hard rock sound is surely amazing! This unsigned status is due to your own decision or just to labels blindness?
Well, there wasn´ t any real attempt from any label so far... and you know what: we do not care!

Steve, i think to know little bit present and past (70's, 80's, 90's) German hard rock & metal scene... I really enjoy bands as Lucifer's Friend, Axxis, Pink Cream 69, Fair Warning (R.I.P.), Sinner, Accept (R.I.P.), Axel Rudy Pell, Running Wild etc.. Which are your fav past and present German bands? Viceversa, which are the German bands that you really dislike?
I always liked Accept and Sinner, others I sometimes like are Scorpions, Fair Warning, Primal Fear, Pink Cream 69, Victory, Frumpy and some others. It depends on the songs and albums!

What's your habitual instrumentation in studio and on the stage? Is there some brand in particular you love the most to use? Why?
At the moment I often use ESP, Hamer & B.C.Rich guitars. For amplification I use a Mesa Rectifier, a Soldano Hot Rod and Genz Benz and Rivera cabs. These all stand for great sounds, handling and looks!

Which are the most important differences between the first Steve Heyden and the man of today? Both in personal and musical terms!
Musically I did not change much because I always played rock. And I mean: Rock! Personally I would say that I try to see things more relaxed than in former years. But I do not always succeed here.

Would you say something to the new and young bands that are going to face the rock world? So which are the secrets that allow you to remain on the scene for such a long time despite of all the difficulties?
Go on and try your own stuff, keep on doing it , be persistent and stay true to yourself!

In your opinion, which have been the most difficult moments of your career and which ones have been the best?
Best moments are playing gigs, recording songs and having fun doing it. Bad things are band fights, bad promoters and asshole bands! I had both of em but it is the fun which still keeps me going.

Steve, i noticed a 98's photo with you & Marc Ferrari (Keel, Cold Sweat, Medicine Wheel) togheter in Los Angeles loaded on Firesign's Official Website. Do you personally know this great artist? Tell us how did you meet Marc Ferrari. Do you wanna spend some words to describe an 80's hard rock hero as Marc?
Yes. I once wrote him a letter in 1996, he replied soon after and we kept being in contact until today. I visited him several times when I was in LA. Firesign covered one of his songs on our second album! He is pretty down to earth, very friendly. Not some bigmouth. And he is a good business man, too.

What's in the future of Firesign? What about your new album? Can you do some anticipations about it?
Well, since this summer we have two new guys in the band and we are rehearsing for the gigs in fall. Maybe in 2005 we will record a new album. But at this stage it is too early to make plans like that.

Tell us about your greatest concert/live/gig experiences of ever...
Playing in front of 1000 people with Sex Attack!

Can you tell us something weird or particularly memorable occurred during your gigs?
I once emptied a beer bottle over my head during my guitarsolo while in Bad To The Bone.

What's your opinion about internet and about exchanging music on-line, sharing mp3 files and so on? Which are the best and the worst aspects of the net?
Generally speaking internet is a good thing. The world is getting smaller , it´s breaking down a lotta walls and barriers. But on the other hand it can cause a lot of trouble when people abuse it, spreading bad things and stuff. Sometimes it gets a bit out of control!!

If you had the chance to change something in the today's world, what would you do for sure?
Trying to stop all wars!

Do you have some dreams still to realize? Ok, tell us about them...
To go on a proper tour with some cool band for some weeks thru the US.

Ok Steve, we've almost finished. I thank for this interview.Would you like to say something to The Rock Explosion readers?
Hello guys: do not stop to rock and keep reading this great site. Bruno, I thank you very much for this great interview and for featuring us on the Rock Explosion!

Intervista realizzata da Bruno Rossi
Tradotta da Kendy K. from Snakebite
Supervisione di Margherita Realmonte