Ladies and Gentlemen, will you welcome please Uriah Heep's own Mick Box ! Date: Thu, 4 Feb 99 00:54:23 +0100 From: Mick Box To: "Dave White" Hello Dave, Well here we go........!!! [uh.com] www.uriah-heep.com has been online almost 2 years now, and is growing still in popularity...the band is very visible, and the fans love being able to find out what's happening with you and the boys...all in all there are about 65 Heepsites...sites with some very very good Heepcontent ! Could you tell us what benefits it's afforded you and/or the other members of the band? [Mick Box] I think the most important thing apart from the influx of information about the band and the tours is that it brings the band members that much closer to the fans. UH has always been about communication and there is no better way than this. Apart from of course when we meet everybody out on the road which is great. I am often told by people that visit the UH Website how good it is and this makes me feel really good. We have to thank Dave, Hani, Rodrigo and Louis for that and of course we have to congratulate Boris for winning the Heepsite of the year contest. [uh.com] Being on line with e-mail, you have been so easy to communicate with...I get letters from all over about how you answered someones mail (usually they say something like "I GOT A LETTER FROM MICK BOX !!!") , or did something very special like the the birthday call we set up last October to the Heepfan in the UK...these kinds of things wouldn't be possible without e-mail... [Mick Box] I agree and it is a wonderful medium to work with. None of the above would probably be possible otherwise. It is always a pleaseure to do the odd surprise and letter and once again this brings us all that little bit more closer. [uh.com] Do YOU recall anything that really sticks out in your mind concerning e-mails from fans? [Mick Box] Not really as I answer so many and it is so fast moving. [uh.com] Any plans for a live album from the So tour? [Mick Box] Not yet but you never know. Spellbinder was a just by chance live CD due to the Koln Radio Station WDR in Germany wanting to come down and record a few numbers. I saw the opportunity and worked out a deal with them so we could get a live CD out of the situation. [uh.com] Sonic has some really great tunes on it...is there ONE that's your favorite? Mine's Shelter from the Rain... [Mick Box] I would say at this point in time " Question " Purely because it still gives me the same buzz as it did when Phil and I started writing it in Sydney Australia. We just used his keyboard and my acoustic and recorded it on to a Sony Walkman and it sounded good just like that. This is always a good sign and a test we always stand by.If it is good on the Walkman it will be great in the Studio. [uh.com] Who were tour promoters in Israel (1983) and in Russia (1997)? Russia - TCI Concerts Ed Ratnikov. Israel - I cannot remember.I think his name sounded like Shookey or something like that. [uh.com] I can imagine your computer is a pretty serious business tool for you. You keep in touch with promoters, heepsters, friends and business associates...what kind of laptop do you use, and would you consider joining us online for a chat? Maybe the day after a gig would be totally cool ! [Mick Box] I have a G3 Powerbook Macintosh Lap Top and yes it has become a very valuable tool in terms of Heeps business. Dave of course I would but as you know it is always a problem having the time and place to hook up etc. [uh.com] The sound of your guitars is a little different on Sonic...similar to SOL, but more compressed...more refined... When I saw you, you had a Marshall (900 JCM I recall?) double stack, your Pacifica's and a Marshall Guv'nr for the sustain...Did you use basically the same gear on Sonic ? [Mick Box] Yes I did. In fact on most of the CD I used the Yamaha Pacifica going into a Marshall 100watt amp through a bottom Marshall 4 X 12' Speaker Cab. When you saw us live I only used again the Marshall 100watt amp and one bottom Marshall cab. The most I ever use is one amp one cab linked to one amp one cab. ( both bottom cabs ) This would be at a very large type venue. I do not like using top cabs. [uh.com] Considering another Heep Video ? [Mick Box] The USA are looking at releasing 2 singles. One for AOR radio and one for Rock Rradio. They are going with Across the Miles for AOR and Only the Young for Rock Radio. If either one takes off then we can look at the next stage and maybe do a video perhaps. The video will not be an automatic thing. They costa too mucha $$$....:-) [uh.com] When you tour, do any other members have computers and e-mail for thier families/friends, etc? Not that we would want thier e-mail addresses Ha Ha !!! [Mick Box] Nah I am the only one I am afraid. A few of the guys send the odd message home if their Girlfriend or Wives have computers at work. The only e-mail available is mine sorry. [uh.com] Any recording plans in 1999? [Mick Box] I do not think so by the way the touring plans are being discussed for this year. We also need to put some time by to get some writing finished too. [uh.com] Last question...The internet fans that visit the pages are very interested in your "All Things Heep" articles, and looking forward to them when you get on the road again...would the other members of the band be up for contributing to them as well? [Mick Box] I am sure they would. Just ask and I will do my best to chain them to the lap top. The only problem is that I would have to type it up for them.Ha!!! Cheers, Mick Box. |