XYZ singer Terry Ilous has just released his new album ‘Here and Now'. Nicky Baldrian hooked up with Terry to discuss the new album and all things related to his career from Foreigner to martial arts and Celtic/Cajun music.

Tell me about the recording of your new album ‘Here & Now'?

Some of the songs are brand new and some were recorded few years ago. Over the years I have recorded tracks with some great friends like the late Randy Castillo RIP of Ozzy, James Kottak of Scorpions, Chris Slade of AC/DC etc. So I gathered those tracks along with some brand new ones such as ‘The Road', ‘American Woman' etc ... and voila!

How have the fans been reacting to the new album?

The fans love the new CD! My fans have grown up with me so they like the different aspects of my singing and writing ability ranging from Heavy to pop to a Christmas song! I love to sing! I still have that passion so I want to share it with my fans!

What is your song writing process like and how long did it take to record?

Some songs were very easy to record, and some were a nightmare! I'm very critical of myself and do not like compliments! And the fact that I am a perfectionist, did I mention confused at time! It's always ‘let's try one more take, let's improve this or that!' The last few months I made my self-sick of hearing those songs over and over ...so I said ‘time to release the CD'.

How did you hook up with Jeff Northrup?

That's an interesting story! When we first lost our guitar player Marc Diglio we put on an ad looking for a guitarist! Jeff responded but it was too late, we had obligations toward another tour and I had hired a temporary replacement player for that particular tour. Jeff tried calling again and again but our manager ignored him so he gave up. A few years later I was looking for players and Jeff answered my anonymous ad not knowing it was me. That time it worked! So what's meant to be...

Do you have a favourite song and why? My own personal favourite is ‘The Road'.

I like the story behind the song ‘Waiting for a Girl Like You'. Foreigner was looking for a singer and their manager contacted me and asked me to record a song. Apparently Mick Jones loved it but realised I did not sound like Lou Gramm and they were looking for someone who could emulate that sound. Well I did not get the gig, Kelly the new guy; a great singer is perfect for them! I always love that band, but I think my favourite song is ‘The Road' and I'm glad you like it. It's a very close and personal song, I can't tell you why though, haha.

So now you have entered the realm of a solo artist, does this mean no more XYZ?

Who knows! I will always do some XYZ songs! After all I wrote them. I am very proud of the past and what I have achieved but it's time to move on. I will always enjoy singing these songs, as long as I have an audience who wants to hear them, I will sing them although I have to say I was a bit sad when the band broke up. But then I said to myself ‘Don't be sad because it's over, be happy because it happened'. XYZ is a part of who I am but not entirely who I am. These days I write not just heavy metal songs but also cha cha cha, rumba ... just joking! You know Nicky, I m a rocker that grew up in the worst part of France and Spain, places where only immigrants from other parts of the world live. I don‘t have to draw a picture right, so world music, Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Gypsy, Rock ... that's all part of what I have heard growing up, not just rock, and I think it was a blessing. My dad, a true Spaniard use to say, ‘Thierry -that's my real name - listen with your heart not with your ears. If you want to understand the true meaning of a song!' So dramatic! I love it! Those Spaniards!

You probably get tired of this question but how did you get Don Dokken involved on your debut album?

Don Dokken ... not sure I want talk about it, a blessing and a curse! I love the guy though.

You had the song ‘Maggy' featured in the movie ‘Tango & Cash'. How did this happen?

Well you know Sylvester Stallone is a huge XYZ fan, oo he really wanted to add that song onto the movie! Nah, I'm just kidding.... my publisher worked it out, ha ha ! I got paid and that was it. Most of the time your publisher and label handle it.

What are you fondest memories of the early XYZ days?

The chase. I am a fighter and love to be the underdog! People used to laugh at me, ‘What? A singer from where! France and Spain? Well maybe he can cook and play soccer' they used to tease. Ah well, I did more than that! I rocked the world, and yes I can cook and play soccer too, ha ha! but not at the same time. Gosh, it was so hard to get signed ... no one believed in me, but I am such a determined little bastard.

Then it happened. MTV, VH1, etc etc the tours, the craziness, the way too many girls surrounding me, and then the loneliness. But what a ride! I went from being a poor immigrant bastard to being a rock star! What a rush! But you know in the end .. girls, cars etc they don t mean anything, what matters is the music! Nothing else and that's my legacy, and that's the respect I have got for myself from others.

Respect is EVERYTHING.

Why did XYZ leave Capitol after ‘Hungry'?

Change of regime! Nirvana came in and we were history. I remember my manager telling me ‘Hungry' has only sold 225 thousand copies so Capitol is dropping the band! By today's standards that a lot of CDs!

Capitol was a terrible label, so corporate. They had no clue and did not understand us or for that matter any of the bands they had. We just came out of a gold CD with our first LP and yet we were history. Thinking about it makes me mad.

XYZ broke up after years of touring. What is it about touring that breaks bands up and why do record labels keep putting bands out on tour then in studio then back out on tour year in year out without a break?

My band did not break up because of years of touring; we broke up because Capitol dropped us! But you know, being on the road is no place to start a family and loving a music man... haha. What song is that from! Insert the name of the band here (laughs). Seriously, life on the road is unbelievable. I love it ... the crew the fans the road, but it gets lonely, so I can understand why so many people don't like to tour. I have Gypsy blood so the road is my home, and my friend, my temple, but it gets lonely and sometimes it's good to come home.

How was the last XYZ album ‘Letter to God' received?

Very well, I would say the response was amazing despite few critics caught up in a time wrap, those wearing spandex ... you know who you are (laughs). I would say people loved it. It's a great CD with some great songs full of passion and sadness. I did not try to recreate what I had with the early XYZ CD's, but I did not deny it either. I had no reason to deny my past ... are you crazy? Sex fame and rock and roll - sorry no drugs here (laughs). I have changed, grown up. I guess I am a bit older too, but so terribly sexy (laughs). ‘Letter to God' is the CD I had to write at the time it was written, make sense? This CD is heavy, slow and full of anger and sadness, gosh Nicky I was pissed off. I just lost my dad and my son, and my marriage was shaky ... oh, did I mention I was broke too, so making music is very personal to me so you bet my moods will affect my music.

What are the other original XYZ band members up to now? I heard Marc was heavily into blues?

I see Pat very often. Pat manages a bunch of models! So for him it's like being on the road! Girls around him, he is such a kinky bastard! I love the guy! Paul owns a computer company, and Marc well I don t know if he's got the blues or plays the blues, haha. We have been asked to reunite, and I am all for it. I love those guys and it's not impossible. Who knows!

How about the Cage project with Jeff Northrup, can you tell us more about this?

Jeff and I wanted to record a CD that would be very hard rock, yet modern! Most people did not like it. You can't always win right?

You have another project called Flynn. Can you tell us about the band and have any albums been released?

Flynn was my alter ego, another side of me. The songs are more experimental, more romantic. The songs are more singer/songwriter oriented. It's more suited for an acoustic audience. I used another name to give this project a chance to take off. The press loved it; it's one of these ‘Critically acclaimed CD's' that only sold two copies (laughs). I really love the Flynn project, again can't always win, right? Wait a minute ... I just lost twice in a row (laughs).

With so many versatile styles, do you think all this could snowball to great effect on a new XYZ/solo album? Obviously fans today are more open minded about music so...

Well you just said it, fans these days are more open minded then before and it shows in the reviews I have got so far. I never expected people to like some of these songs, but my fans understand all the facets of my musical personalities and I'm very blessed and thank them for that. So I guess I'll continue to write from hard rock to what ever pleases me, but rest assured it will be heart-felt, and that is why the fans get it, because its real, and the fans are real.

Are you involved with any other projects. I hear you're into martial arts?

I write for film and TV, so that keeps me busy, plus of course I sing jingles and more jingles. I'm still involved in martial arts so that takes a lot of my free time. I have been practising this since I was twelve years old so it's like music, another passion.

What is this ‘Asian Typhoon' XYZ album I have seen floating around?

The singer for the band Loudness decided to call his new band XYZ, what a fucking idiot. We have known each other for years, so he was well aware of my band. Gosh, we were even on the same label.

I am not happy at all with that. Should I forgive him? I think so.

How about a DVD at some point of rare videos and live footage?

Ah ha! Well I'm working on it. I have some great footage of the band so I think it's gonna happen soon.

Any gigs planned to support the new album and will this be including Europe?

I have to tell you something; I really really want tour Europe at this point. I am hoping to get strong support from the media and the fans so we will see, it's long overdue don't you think? Touring Europe will be a big challenge for me and I am ready for it. I am hoping to do some acoustic shows as well.

What's next for you as a solo artist and for XYZ?

I'm working on a Latin CD and maybe a bluesy type of album with some strange Celtic and Cajun influences... that's right Cajun and Celtic influences! I guess lately I have been digging those styles, so I am sure they will show up in my next release. Listen with your heart Grasshopper (laughs).

What keeps you motivated, musically and spiritually? I see on your myspace profile you visited a Buddha temple?

I am very spiritual. I don't believe in religions, that's something men created a long time ago to separate one man from another, and to also control women. But I do believe in a higher power, a spiritual force and I don't need to go to Church or Temple to feel it. Some call it God, others Buddha, E.T ... it does not matter. Just respect that spiritual force that surrounds us. I think being good to others gets you closer to that spiritual force. The only way to get happy is by making others happy first. A few months ago I have adopted a little orphan girl from China and every time she looks at me calls me papa, I'm overjoyed. It's a great feeling. I changed her life, she changed mine too so as I always say, giving is receiving...

Finally what would you like to say to the fans?

Thank you for your support. I'm truly blessed to have fans that share with me this incredible musical journey, please contact me at terry@terryilous.com and visit xyzmusic.com and myspace.com/xyz