Vocalist David Reece is back with a new album featuring guitarist Martin Kronlond called 'Solid', an album that lives up to its name a must have for lovers of quality melodic hard rock. Reece also gives us the lowdown on the latest with Bangalore Choir and Gypsy Rose...

1. What are you currently up to?

Right now I'm writing and rehearsing in a new project where we write at rehearsals! It's very organic and no file sharing strictly natural. It is developing into what I can describe as sort of old Bad Company meets Deep Purple 'Come taste the band' it's really straight forward hard rock with a bluesy edge. So far there’s some 5 recorded and as I say we wing it while together I'm really digging this old style approach now and hope to release it later this year or maybe next spring?

2. Could you take us through the songs on the new album ‘Solid’ please?

Well? I don't want to get boring so I'd rather kind of lay out the process as I see it behind the tracks. I'm really tired of the cliché' lyrics of party all night or doing groupies or cryin in the rain sort of stuff so I focused on writing about what I as a middle aged man thinks about? The songs to me all have a deep lyric in each like 'Could this be madness' which is about this period of my life and what I think and feel about the changes personally and around me. 'Samurai' obviously is about just that the life of the Samurai which I find cool, 'Angel wears white' is a positive spin on the Bangalore Choir song 'Angel in Black' as for lyrics the contributions made from Jon Wilde also really elevated the theme content I think anyway?

3. This new album is very solid (excuse the pun) melodic hard rock. Did the two of you approach creating this album with a set sound in mind or was it seen more as a natural progression of your existing solo career?

With Martin one of the most rewarding things is that we seem to just naturally get on? We have the same type of influences like Thin Lizzy, Purple, Nazareth so when we get together most times we just kind of drink beer and jam and when something happens we focus on it and give the piece time to evolve. Martin is a special talent he knows melody and knows my voice so it all just seems to fall into place most of the time!

4. Were you pleased with the reactions from reviewer and fans to last year’s Bangalore Choir album?

Yes very! Also pleased to be working with Curt Mitchell and Danny Greenberg again! It's all still kind of surreal to me being back together now? We are writing a new record and it really smokes! We have about six songs ready and hope to record a new record this year together we are also doing a short live stint in the U.S. in August.

5. Although Bangalore Choir are a known ‘name’ how hard is it to get the band known again and let fans know you are back and with new music?

Surprisingly no problem at all! Especially after shows like Firefest last year we realised that there is more to it than we thought?

6. You are also in Gypsy Rose, along with Martin Kronland, what is next for this band?

Ahhh? Honestly Gypsy Rose is over for now, Martin and I are writing a new Reece Kronlund record and feel it's a better direction to go.

7. Is melodic rock/AOR music in a healthier state now than ten years ago? How important has it been to have a specialist magazines – ‘Classic Rock Presents AOR’, ‘Classic Rock’, ‘Fireworks’ – in the High Street stores raising the profile of the music?

I'm feeling a healthier vibe now than before and the institutions you mentioned are definitely helping one... because they’re so passionate and I believe that comes through in what they deliver I mean I would hate to think what the genre would be like without them!

8. If you could go back in time and perhaps change one career decision what would it b and why?

Hmmm? probably when I slapped Peter Baltes of Accept? I mean I'm not saying he didn't deserve it!! but all of the fallout that created was a nightmare! Accept help put me on the map period! but if I knew then what I know now things would have been different, I would like to sit down with him one day and bury the hatchet time will tell?

9. What have been the live highlights to date for you and why?

Well? the reforming of Bangalore Choir,the transformation of myself personally meaning getting stronger and learning to say no when necessary and last year’s shows like the H.E.A.T. festival the UFO show and of course FIREFEST!

10. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from music?

I'm an avid hunter and also enjoy training bird dogs and spending time in the field with good friends and hopefully good dogs!!! LOL!

Anything else to add and a message for your fans...

Just thank you! to you and all of the people who continue to support rock and roll and believing in me and being so cool about my endeavours!

Yours in voice
David Reece