"Skunkworks politely fell apart, due to musical differences. We all had a beer and said this can't go on, so we shook hands and said lets be friends"

Why hasn't there been a real tour in America since you went solo?

"It has been frustrating. On Balls to Picasso, I was on Mercury Records. Three months after I signed with them I was dumped because they had gone belly up and were only keeping artist with back catalogs. They were also $25 million in the hole. "

What happened to your tour with Jackyl?

"No offense to Jackyl, but the two weeks we supported them was useless."

What happen to Castle?

"I am with Castle in Europe, but in America it was basically the same thing that happened with Mercury. It was a conspiracy of dunces."

What about the infamous 3 date tour?

"I was talking to a guy at some festival we did in Ohio, there was only about 30 people there, it turned out that there was a guy, from New York, and he drove all the way to Ohio to see the show there. He said he did not here about the NY show until that day and by that time, he had missed the show, so he found out where the next show was and drove there.

How did working with Adrian Smith come about?

"I had written a bunch of songs with guitarist Roy Z. Adrian heard them and thought it sounded great and he wanted to be involved. So, we wrote three songs together and he played on various parts of the CD. But Adrian is still committed to his current band Psycho Motel and will release there second CD as soon as the tour is over with."

Who Produced?

"Roy Z."

Who played the keyboards and piano?

"All were done by Roy Z, except for the keyboards on "Man of Sorrows," which was done by Richard Baker."

Who will be the touring band?

"It will be the same as on the album. Roy Z and Adrian on guitars, Eddie Casillias on Bass and Dave Ingraham on drums."

What about the rumors of using Chris Dale (former Skunkworks bass player) on tour?

I talked to him the other day and told him that for right now the band on the CD will tour, but in 6 months the drummer and the bass player may not be available

What was the difference in working with Roy Z now as compared to Balls to Picasso?

"Back then we really just started working together and if we had questions we would ask Shay Baby, the producer, which is what a producer is for. Now we know each other really well and we know what works and what doesn't."

What was the difference in working with Adrian as compared to Seventh Son of a Seventh Son?(Last album Bruce and Adrian wrote together with Maiden)?

"There was no difference. (laughs) We both still write the same way."

Did working with Adrian or with Derek Riggs cause any problems with your management company or maiden, since you both have the same management?

There is a potential for trouble, but my manager manages me, not Maiden, she just happens to work for the same company.

Do you wish that you would not have released Skunkworks and maybe released another metal album?

"I probably overreacted a little bit after Ball to Picasso, but I couldn't have done another metal record. I was burned out. I need some space."

What has been your biggest disappointment in life musically?

"Maiden's failure to change musical direction in 1986."

What have you learned from singer/songwriter since leaving Maiden?

"Relax. Trust your instincts. Don't think things out too much."

I have read a lot about Bruce's voice is not as strong as it used to be, on the Internet. Has your voice weakend a bit?

"No! I am very happy with my voice. I think it sounds better now than it ever has."

I am sure you have heard this quite a bit in your recent interviews, but will there ever be an Iron Maiden reunion?

"I do not think so. No one has contacted me about it."

Would you like to?

"I would have no objections. I think it would be a lot of fun. I only objected to the way we recorded."

What are your expectations for this album?

"To double in sales from the last one, at least."

What happens if this album fails? What next?

"Failure is not an option. It can't fail."

What happens if it is a huge success? What next?

"I will take about a year off. Then work with the same guys for the next album."

When will your tour start in America?

"Probably not until October."

Who will you be with? CMC(International), says that you may open for a bigger act or headline clubs?

"Right now nothing is confirmed. It is hard to say."

What big act would you like to open for?

"I would really love to go on the road with MegaDeth. That would be grear for us."

Well, Bruce thanks for your time and I be looking forward to seeing you in October.

"Thanks, dude."