A buzz of excitement surround the news that XYZ were recording again, albeit with only vocalist Terry Ilous from the original line-up. Our Irish newshound Kieran Dargan got on the phone with the man himself to catch up on the story...

The early days of XYZ must have been really exciting - a great debut record produced by Don Dokken, touring all over the world... did you think that it was going to continue forever?

Of course, and it did last a long time. We toured until 1994. We had a great time... you would have had to be there to truly appreciate it. Thank you, all of you out there...

Following the success of the debut you came back with 'Hungry', a much heavier record. Was this an intentional move on the part of the band or were you being leaned on a little by the record company?

No, the band was getting heavier. To tell you the truth I would have loved to make the album more acoustic sounding but not all the members of the band would have agreed.. so.. it says it all...

I have quite a lot of video footage of the 'Hungry' tour - it looked like the band was really firing on all cylinders and things were looking good for the future. Did you feel confidant at this time that the good times as it were were going to continue for the band?

No, because I felt the storm coming. We disagreed on what to write... I was a bit more bluesy and mellow, so.. but as I said I will never forget. You can take it all but those fun memories are still there. What a rush! I remember playing in England at the Astoria. God, what a crowd! I was overwhelmed. The English crowd is really loud and they always know all the lyrics to the songs...

'This Could Be the One, 'I Know What's on Your Mind', 'One is Eenough to Tango' and 'Ready For the Rain' surfaced as bonus material on 'Take What You Can - Live' having been recorded as home demos in March of 1993. Also on the sleeve notes of the album the band says a very public goodbye and thank you to their fans, which was dated December 1994. Can you give us an insight to what exactly contributed to the demise of the band and when you all, in actual fact, realised that it was over. I thought it rather surprising considering the strength of the demo material?

Yes, but Nirvana came along and all of the sudden you had to play like them. Sorry but it wasn't my style. So we took a break instead of doing CD no-one would ever release. It was not that cool anymore to like Judas Priest or Maiden. Well I still liked those bands, so I decided to take a break and pursue other things. I did few movies as an actor, I studied martial arts even more than before .. and I took the time to love the people around me that needed my attention. I was also a bit unsure about my musical career so I did anything but music. Sometimes one had to take a break or know when to bow...

In the interim you have worked on various projects such as Cage and Flynn. Both very different musically. Perhaps you could elaborate on both from your own perspective?

I am a musician... my dad taught me out to love all kinds of music from jazz to bossa nova to trash metal... as long as there is a groove or feelings. I did and still do a lot of Latin rock music... and maybe I did not think anyone would be interested in another XYZ album.

Following the demise of XYZ, you worked on the aforementioned projects. Did you maintain contact with Paul, Patt and Marc throughout this period and were they involved in anything musically during this time?

No, really we went separate ways. I wanted to forget them. Now I realise it was a mistake because what we did together was great. I miss them guys.. but I had to move on. Being in a rock band is kinda being married - when it's over you want to move on but sometime you still think about your ex partner...

Also during this time period XYZ have been subject to a few re-issues. 'Take What You Can - Live' in 1995 as well as a different version through Axe Killer in 1997. It seems like there has always been a demand for XYZ product. Is it with this thought in mind that you have decided to put the band back together in 2002 with a view to the new studio album in 2003?

I was really surprised to find out about the sales! I had many offers to do another CD, but something kept me away from doing one. But now this time is time I have something to say. I have a site www.terryilous.com and I received over 7000 emails in 2 weeks when people found out we were recording another CD. Amazing.....

I've noticed that some of the original band members are not involved this time around. Can you tell us why things have worked out this way and are they comfortable for you to continue using the XYZ name?

I'm not so sure, hahaha, but the demand for another CD was too big. I believed I had to do another CD because the fans were asking for one, and also because I still had something to say and to prove to myself and others. I really think of myself as a boxer who believes he can still get one more fight to get his title back - Evender Holyfield is one of my heroes - time will tell us if I was right. Maybe I am dreaming, who knows, but I need to find out and I am very sincere about it.

So can you tell us a little about the new line up of XYZ?

JK Northrup on guitar, Paul Monroe on drums, Sean Macnab on bass...and yours truly on vox. Plus a special appearance by Vinnie Appice on few traxs.

Some people have heard a demo of the new material which has surfaced on an MTM Records sampler and many have commented that it sounds very different from the 'classic' line up. What's your opinion on this? Given it's been almost ten years since you last recorded as XYZ , is this a natural progression for the band or are you deliberately trying to move away from that 80's sound?

They only have heard one song of the CD, not even mixed. When I first listened to Led Zep 4 I heard 'Rock' n' Roll' and thought the entire album would sound like that. Well not at all, it was a very acoustic album full of interesting styles... so please be patient and you'll see. Some songs will be heavy and others very mellow. I have remembered the past and applied it to the future and that is the best way to say it. All I can tell you is this - it will be a very interesting CD with lots of moods. During the recording of that CD I suffered two very big losses: my dad and my son passed away. So I transposed my emotions, pain, anger, sadness and everything else into music and lyrics. One of the songs off this CD is called 'Letter to God'...it's very heavy, but full of emotions.

What would you say to the fans out there that want you to make another record that mirrors the debut or 'Hungry'. If there is one thing that fans of melodic hard rock tend to dislike it's change. What I mean is that for every fan of the new material there will surely be many more out there that want to hear another 'Maggy' or 'Face Down in the Gutter'. Is this something you have contemplated as you compiled the material for the new record or are you just happy to be able to do what you want without pressure from a record company?

Of course, but as an artist you have to evolve and I think a lot of people reading this interview will agree. You can't and should not repeat yourself. Those who want to get another 'Hungry' album should buy another copy of it or another band that sounds like it, because it won t be another 'Hungry' CD. It will be different. Listen, remember Led Zep from their first CD to the last one - every one of them was different but yet it was still Led Zep and we were still waiting for that new CD knowing it would be different from the previous one, yet it still sounded like Led Zep. Rest assured I do not wish to or can compare my self to them at all - they were the greatest - but I am just trying to make a point... never forget where you are from if you want to know where you should go. The new CD will still be XYZ with that bluesy/rock vibe sound with lots of melodies. It will be XYZ...fans should not worry - I'm still the same guy who wrote those songs few years ago. I remember that...believe me. Let's call it evolution.

Who do you think the new album will appeal to? Do you think the old XYZ fans will find something in it for them or are you looking to develop a new fan base?

It will appeal to all those people in need of heavy rock guitars and melodic vocals.. Old fans: welcome back.. thank you for being here again. New fans: welcome to my world where music and melodies are still very, very important...

XYZ were always a touring band. Do you think that you will get the opportunity to do some touring on the back of the new album, possibly even make it back to Europe?

I would love to. I am a touring guy and believe if fans would like to see the band please go see them. Give them a little bit of yourself .. you owe that to them. And I mean it.

Is there anything that we haven't covered that you would like to add for our readers?

No, it was great. I put all my heart and soul in these recordings - I just hope people will feel it too. This is not another pretentious CD but a very true and honest one from a band that still has something to say. Please close your eyes and listen - rock is back!