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| MSJ: What is the origin of the name for the project? |
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| I tried to use Rocket Science as my AOL screen name, but that was as close as I could get. Rocket Science is the name of my studio and production company, and ROCKET is my internet "handle". |
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| MSJ: Is the "Mr. Hogarth" Steve Hogarth? |
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Yes. The song addresses the casual use of Christian imagery in music, and I was also listening to Marillion's "Afraid of Sunlight" a lot at the time. I was holding the AOS CD in my hand when I wrote the lyrics.  |
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| MSJ: Flower Pot Hat is essentially an EP. Why not a full length CD and are there plans for a full length CD? |
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| I co-wrote some of the songs with someone who dropped out of the project, and chose not to give permission for me to use those songs. We have the songs fully recorded and mixed, and he hopes for us to use them in a future project, but....Well maybe when the box set comes out (laughs). I am producing these in small quantities, so I am thinking about expanding the CD with some bonus tracks and some CD-ROM data at some time in the near future. I have most of the music already written for the next album. |
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| MSJ: What do you see as the musical influences present on the album? |
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That's a hard one. I was planning to read your review before I answered that one. My influences range from Wishbone Ash, to Yes, ELP, Marillion, Genesis, Todd Rundgren, King Crimson, etc.
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| MSJ: What is your background and the background of the other musicians? |
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| I started as a club player, and did a stint as singer for the Royal Guardsmen, before moving on to studio work. I've produced and/or engineered quite a few indie albums for other people. Dan Collins is a good friend, and started as my drummer in another band, but was way too good of a bass player. Steve Spayde is a smokin' guitarist who has spent most of his career doing gigs and local studio work. Brian Carlson was doing session work in Nashville, and was part of my niece's stage band. I sat in with the band one night in a coffee house, and Brian and I were instant friends as well as fans of each other's playing. |
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| MSJ: What was the last CD you bought? |
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Crucible's "Tall Tales". I am a big fan of independent music. I love the creativity level that has been absent since the record companies have become large corporate entities. It's an exciting time to be doing this because of the internet and the rise of the independent record business.
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| MSJ: What was the last concert you attended? |
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We get very few prog concerts here in Florida, so that would be Marillion in Cincinnatti, last Summer.
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| MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: The Early Years Volume 5 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-The-Early-Years. |
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