----------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 2001 -----------------------------------------------------  Source: Drummer Interviews  http://www.geocities.com/drummerinterviews/alanwhite.html The Exclusive Alan White Interview!  By Billy McDonald Alan answered the following questions shortly after the completion of the recent YesSymphonic tour. Many thanks go out to Paul Secord, Alan's webmaster of the offical Alan White Website for making this interview possible. Hats off to Paul for his persistence!  Q: In reflection to the Yes Symphonic tour, how was it to rehearse and perform with a full orchestra rather than just a five or six man setting? A: There were many different things to adjust to while playing with an orchestra. The most important I think is to always keep an eye on the conductor and the 1st instruments of each section, and at the same time, you must accomodate the band. Q: Is this the first time that you have played with an orchestra? A: Yes played with an orchestra on the band's first album but I don't think it really translated to stage. I myself have played on two or three albums with orchestras, one of which was a conductor who arranged the Yes orchestrations, his name is Johnny Harris.  Q: I have read interviews previous to the 2000 "Masterworks" tour that you had been wanting to play "Gates Of Delirium" and that finally became a reality. Are there any other songs in particular that you would like to see included in the set list that eventually get thrown out? A: Not really, we usually agree on all the music chosen. "Gates" is a difficult but great piece to play on stage. Q: After nearly 30 years of playing together with Chris Squire, the two of you have really been the anchor that has held Yes together through all of the personnel changes over the years. How have you both managed to "weather the storm" and keep the playing so fresh for so long? A: Basically it's called believing in what you stand for in music, and trust and admiration for each other's playing. Q: Yes broke new ground by playing in Russia for the very first time this past tour. How did you enjoy Russia, and is there any other Country that you would like to play some day? A: Yes, I think Russia was a great place to play. Also Riga, Latvia, Tallin, and Estonia. I think the band would like to play in China and other countries in the far east. Q: Yes obviously isn't the only project keeping you busy of late. You have been recording in Seattle once again with MerKaBa. How is that project coming along? A: The members of MerKaBa are very good friends of mine and I enjoy their music a lot. I just wrote a couple of songs for them on the new album they are working on. Q: Another interesting project I wanted to ask You about was "Crash and Bang" with Reek Havok. What is this project targeted towards and is there a public release date for it yet? A: Crash and Bang is a project that Reek and I put together to channel other kinds of music we may write that is more applicable to TV, Radio, advertisements, video games,etc... Q: One question that is on every Alan White fan is are you any closer to the long awaited follow up to "Ramshackled"? I have read in earlier interviews that you have tons of material on hand for it. Has any of the material been recorded yet?  A: Yes I am a little closer to a solo project. However, Yes will keep me busy during this next period of down time. I'm hoping to get some more work done in the studio. Q: I wanted to change directions here and ask You about equipment. With the population of new drum manufacturers on the rise, many drummers have been taking up endorsements with such drum companies as DW and Mapex. After all of these years, what keeps you coming back again and again with Ludwig Drums? A: Ludwig along with Zildjian Cymbals have been very good to myself and the rest of the band over the years. It's been a great relationship and I have a lot of loyalty for the people and the company. It is also easy to get good sounds out of any of these products if you know what you are trying to achieve.  Q: Are there any drummers that you enjoy listening to lately? A: My usual answer to this question is that I listen to lots of different music and I have lots of drummers that I have respect for. A few that I really enjoy are Leon White, Neil Peart, Steve Gadd, Jim Keltner, Louie Bellson, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Lee, Alfonse Munson, Bernard Purdie, Bill Bruford, Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Kenny Aronoff, Mike Portnoy, and John Bonham. There are many good drummers out there who do things for their own reasons to fit into particular styles. Q: With the explosion of the Internet, fans have even more access to learn about the band and to talk to other fans about Yes. Obviously, you are in touch with this technology as well and I was wondering if you have browsed many of the sites about Yes and what are your thoughts on this new medium in which more people can learn about You and the band? A: I think the Internet is very important for getting info out to the masses if it is used in the right way, however, many people abuse the system. I do check the Yes sites regularly. Q: Wrapping things up here, I am sure You get asked by many young drummers or musicians in general if you have any advice for them on how to pursue their musical interests in the right way. Is there any advice you can give anybody reading this interview? A: This is another question I do get asked quite often. When I was starting out and wondering where this was all taking Me, I had people telling Me never to give up. Always keep trying to be the best at what you want to be. My sincerest thanks go to Alan White for his time and patience for this interview. Please take the time to check his great website for all of the latest on Alan and Yes Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com