Its a rare stormy night in the city of fallen angels. Its colder than death outside as the wind rushes past banging the large branches of the oak tree against my bedroom window. Lightening crashes and in that brief flash I see birds of paradise broken and bent all over the street. My stereo changes discs and David galas is next on the menu. I lay in bed listening to the downpour outside letting David's deep warm sensualvox envelop me. Lulling me into a world that holds my darkest dreams and horrific nightmares. I slowly drift as the world is destroyed outside of my window. A feeling of calm anticipation in the words and music of David galas.

There was a time where you thought about giving up music altogether. What got you back into recording again?

Basically, having Vendlus release my music. I was at the point where my life was no longer defined by my work. I felt that I had done everything that I wanted to do in music, and there was no other requirements for me to fulfill. I had the majority of 'thecatalcysm ' recorded, instrumentals and no vocals. I was going to release it for free. I was planning on selling my studio and being done with it. But afterVendlus contacted me, it was sort of the thorn that never let me retire from recording.

How did you get involved with Vendlus? Where you still sending out demos etc after having shelved the idea of pursuing music?

Actually I had not send any demos out. I didn't even consider having my music released on a label. Since the music was not completed yet, it wasn't something that I had planned. I had a few instrumentals up on an mp3 site, and a member of V:28, who was a fan ofLycia, talked Vendlus into contacting me. I was contacted shortly by Joseph of Vendlus, who was in Belarus at the time. So I sent a cd of all these incomplete songs, and it wasn't long before he wrote me back offering to release it.. once it was completed.

If you hadn't decided to go back to music what would you be doing now?

Either cooking at a country club, or, computer tech support.. or working at a radio or television station doing sound editing, production..which actually is somethingI'd like to get into.

For The Cataclysm did you use any of your older material or did you write the album from scratch?

The Cataclysm was a compilation of the music I had written between 1999 and 2005. There were only a couple idea's that I used from back in the early 90's. For example the short piano piece 'the burial'...which is only a clip of a few minute song. I've recently found some of my older material that I created when working withLycia. Including a lost song with Mike Vanportfleet doing the vocals. I'm still debating on releasing them for download..not sure yet. It's mostly just instrumentals.

Before The Cataclysm you were better knows as the bass player and synths for Lycia are there any plans for another album with them?

At this moment, there is no plans. We've recorded a few songs last year. Originally we were planning on producing a full cd, but because of the distance and our busy schedules, it's nearly impossible for us to complete anything. I'd love to produce a full newLycia cd, but the situation seems impossible.. sadly.

You also have another project in the works. How does The Petting Zoo differ from your solo work?

The Petting Zoo is another conduit for my work, it's more aggressive, more experimental and open ended with no actual boundaries. It just gives me more freedom to do whatever I want. I'd like to release at least 1cd a year.

You are currently based out of Kent Ohio what's scene like there? Every time I visit there never seems to be much of anything going on anywhere.

There is no scene. Which is fine with me, I rarely go out and generally hate being around crowds of people. I spend the majority of my time in the studio at home, or watching movies, drinking absinthe and writing. I enjoy theMidwest, it has some beautiful old architecture and the atmosphere works well with what I'm doing at the moment. In the next couple years I'll be moving somewhere back west. Montana, Wyoming or South Dakota.. I'd like an old large house somewhere out in the hills so I can record music, write..sit on my rocking chair on the porch with a bottle of Tequila and a shotgun...watching the rest of the world fall apart.

Are there any plans to do another solo album?

Yes there is. Actually, 2 more at the moment. The Cataclysm is part 1 of 3 releases. The 3 cd's working with each other within one coherent extended collection of work. The music will have a very close resemblance but each cd will have it's own theme. For instance, The Cataclysm being a surreal look at a world in destruction, the failure of mankind, the horror of our existence. The second revolves around my own life, the way I see the world from inside and revealing some of my most true thoughts on the world, people and experiences thatI've had. The third will relate to America.. the Amercian dream, the corruption and it's ultimate demise. It sounds cliche, but it wont be as obvious when it is finished of course.

How do you prefer to create music? The isolation of a solo effort or with the collaboration of a band?

At this moment in time, I like the isolation of doing solo work. I enjoy working with a bands and have often wanted to work again with an established group. It would be nice to lift the weight off my shoulders sometimes. There are a few bands, that if asked, I would drop everything and work with.

You’ve worked with a lot of different people through the years doing recording and production. Who has been you favorite band to work with over the years and why?

I enjoyed Lycia quite a bit. Mike Vanportfleet and I get along very well in the studio. I think it was probably my most productive time. We're both perfectionists, have similar influences and idea's. These days it's more difficult to work with other people and bands. I work 40 hours a week, and have little time to do what I want much less anything else. My website has been neglected for almost a year now.

Are there any plans to tour with this album?

I would love to, but it's just impossible at this point in time for me to do so. If i can get the next two cd's out within a year or two, then I may start thinking about putting together a surrogate band to do an extensive tour and promote the music more than I am now. If I put on a show, I want it to be done correctly, I want something verypowerful to offer my audience. I want the show to be a complete experience.

Anything you want to add before we wrap?

I'd like to apologize for my lack presence, the sad shape of my website and slow production of my work. I hate the idea that I need to work at a full time job, and neglect what I really should be doing. It's just the sad reality of life in this country and I truly believe that people should work way less, and spend more time with themselves, living, reading, doing something other than the sad shallowreceptiveness of American life... spend more time away from the prison of living within a capitalistic society. As a whole, the common people and the workers have lost their freedom and life. I truly believe we're entering into a very changing moment in history, things will get worse before they get better. Sorry for the rant.