An Interview

with

Neil Anderson

aka

"The Antipypr"

for

The 7N Fan's Forum

by

Tom Fitzgerald

As most of you know, Full Circle played the St. Patrick's Day show at McGeary's Pub in Albany, NY. Prior to the show I asked Neil Anderson if I could interview him for the 7N Fan's Forum. Neil said, "Great idea, let's do it."

The following are some highlights from a long, rambling, conversation.

Tom: "Neil, when you left 7N why did you choose the Fan's Forum to announce it publicly?"

Neil: "I wanted to reach out and explain what was happening and why to the people who would be most concerned. I figured that the best way to reach them would be through the Forum."

Tom: "Why did you leave 7N?"

Neil: "I want to make this clear, I left solely because of me. I just wanted to go in a different direction. It had nothing to do with the other guys and we separated on the best of terms. Kirk is and always will be one of my oldest and best friends. He helped out on the CD."

Tom: "I know he played keyboards on some of the cuts. Speaking of friends, I note that the CD is "Neil Anderson & Friends". How did you hook up with Stuart Cameron?"

Neil: "Well he is a friend. We met at a "games" in Canada. By the way, Stuart's dad is one of the best musicians I've ever seen."

Tom: "How long did it take to make the CD?"

Neil: "We wrote and recorded it in one week!"

Tom: "Why is Funky Bag so short? It seems like you guys were just starting to cook and it fades away."

Neil: "We were, but we actually ran out of tape."

Tom: "Where did Hotel California come from in Ride On?"

Neil: "I was looking for a way to end it and one day, just fooling around, it popped out. It was a joke...but the more we heard it the more we liked it...so it stuck."

Tom: "How is the CD doing?"

Neil: "Great. We passed the ten thousand dollar mark in sales the first month. And that is without touring to support the CD. We have also just signed a distribution deal so it should start showing up in places like Tower Records and other music stores."

Tom: "I hope you got a good deal and someone else doesn't get a big percentage of the sales up front. You paid for the recording yourself didn't you?"

Neil: "Yes we paid for the CD and studio time. We got a good distribution deal."

Tom: "Speaking of the studio, how did you wind up in Vermont?"

Neil: "Well that is where Eric and Sam recorded with Whisky Before Breakfast so it seemed like a good place to hang around, do some hiking and rapelling and recording."

Tom: "The fellow that owns Eclipse Studios where you recorded the CD is named Joe Egan. Is he the Joe Egan from Scotland who wrote and sang the hit "Stuck In The Middle With You" with Steelers Wheel?"

Neil: "No but lots and lots of people ask that."

Tom: "What are your plans?"

Neil: "We will be doing some touring in support of the CD but not as much as I used to do with 7N. We are talking with some Jazz festivals both here and in Europe but nothing is confirmed yet so I don't wan't to get too far ahead and mention their names. We are also starting to work on a new CD which we hope to have ready by December."

Tom: "Sounds like a full plate."

Neil: "It is but we have received a lot of help and support. Please let everyone on the Forum know how much we appreciate the kindness and good wishes we received. It is overwhelming. The most amazing part is not only the volume but that they are from all over the country and Canada. We are very greatful. Our page has gotten over 10,000 hits already!"

Tom: "Neil, you said you wanted to go in a different direction. Have you gotten there yet?"

Neil: "No. We are still on the journey."

Interview © Tom Fitzgerald and The 7N Fan's Forum.
All Rights Reserved.

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Thanks to

for the background art