1 – It’s been just over a year since your latest album, ‘Circle of Stone’, came out. How have the Blaze Bayley fans reacted to it?
It has been an incredible reaction; it’s so exciting that many of my fans have said it’s my best album yet. I’m shocked and surprised, but I’m very happy with the reaction.
2 – Reading the lyrics fans might feel the songs are mostly reflective but defiant – is that a fair assessment of Blaze Bayley in 2024/2025?
The album comes in two halves. The first part of the album is a mixture of songs that are personal to me, about subjects of interest and true stories. The second half is a concept, a story, a journey. The ancestors call from the dream world, asking you to take your place as the leader of the forgotten tribe and find your way back to the homeland. The lyrics are tragic, sad and defiant. We remember those we have lost and find deep inner strength we did not know we had.
3 – You’re currently playing shows celebrating the 25th anniversary of the ‘Silicon Messiah’ album – what’s it been like revisiting that album?
It’s been a wonderful experience. So many songs feel like old friends, it’s been great to sing them again. My voice has changed a lot in these 25 years and I feel I sing them better now than when I first recorded them. The themes and topics of the lyrics seem to be as relevant today as they were 25 years ago. Fear of AI and finding the inner strength to cope with the challenges of the modern world and following and fighting for your dreams.
4 – Why do you think ‘Silicon Messiah’ has endured and remained so popular?
I think the lyrical themes are very strong on Silicon Messiah. The production by Andy Sneap makes the songs very accessible and worthy of listening to again and again.
5 – You release new music pretty consistently – are you working on new songs between live shows?
Yes, I’m always trying to catch ideas and thinking about my next project. I meet my fans when I’m on tour, listening to their stories about the way they connect with my music inspires me to carry on.
6 – If someone had never heard of Blaze Bayley, what 10 songs of yours would you suggest they start with?
1. Ghost In The Machine
2. Born As A Stranger
3. The Man Who Would Not Die
4. Stare At The Sun
5. Blood and Belief
6. Circle of Stone
7. Together We Can Move the Sun
8. Pull Yourself Up
9. Warrior
10. A Thousand Years
7 – Wolfsbane has seen a revival in recent years—you re-recorded your 1989 debut album, and Live Fast, Die Fast was released earlier this year. What inspired this resurgence?
Live Faster… is the new album from Wolfsbane. It is a re-recorded and re-imagined version of the 1989 Live Fast, Die Fast album with all four original members. When those four people are in a room together, some kind of magic happens. We’re so proud of the Wolfbane Save The World and Genius albums.
8 – You never seem to stop touring – you’ve toured almost every year for the past 30 years – what keeps that fire burning?
I love to perform live and I’m so lucky to have incredibly loyal fans My dream has been to be a singer in a band on tour and I’m living that dream. I feel honoured and privileged to have the support that I do.
9 – What advice would you give to the next generation of rock stars?
Be a musician, be a writer. Do it because you love it, don’t do it to be famous.
10 – Finally, what 10 songs have influenced you the most?
1. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
2. Holy Diver – Dio
3. All Right Now – Free
4. Raining Blood – Slayer
5. Master of Puppets – Metallica
6. Children of the Sea – Black Sabbath
7. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
8. Kick Down The Walls – Wrathchild
9. Sin City – AC/DC
10. Panama – Van Halen
