What are you currently up to?
I have been recently been working on songs for what will be the next Takara CD.
I am very pleased with these news songs. We have a killer lineup, I would say it is the best Takara has had yet. Aside from this I contributed a track to the Uli Jon Roth Tribute CD, a song called "Pictured Life". Also, Takara contributed the Journey song "Any way you want it" This song should be released this month by Frontline records Brazil.

Perception Of Reality seems to have given a boost to Takara's career, over a year on from its release what has this album done for the band?
Well amongst other things the CD POR has given Takara its own identity from the days of having Jeff Soto singing on our CD's. Next, we have gained what we believe are additional people that follow Takara just from the POR CD.

My general impression is that it has got people away from thinking its a Jeff Scott Soto band, although this never was the case did it often feel like that to you?
Many times! No will will ever know how many times I have had to set the record straight and reveal it was actually my band. Believe it or not it never has bothered me and still does not, after all if someone like Jeff we believed to have guided your band would you be pleased too?

Michael Flatters voice seems to work tremendously well on P.O.R. What did he bring to the band and will he have a bigger role in the creation of new music for the next album?
Michael brought a breath of fresh air to Takara. He gave us enthusiasm and passion that we had been missing. I truly believe he helped to make POR the CD it turned out to be. Certainly the other members on that CD didn't perform with passion or spirit of any kind. Michael will play a much bigger role for the next CD.

Can you tell us a little about each album, highlights, things you might change now etc?

Eternal Faith : Our first CD! 6 years of my best songs! What a thrill when it came out! All the songs on that CD really make me feel proud.

Taste Of Heaven : Our most successful CD to date in terms of sales. A very proud moment for all involved. December, Days of dawn, When darkness falls,etc great stuff! Also Jeff at his best!

Blind In Paradise : Another great CD! Very melodic. We worked hard on this one. Take u down, great song!

Perception Of Reality : Our defining moment first CD without Jeff. Our most critically acclaimed CD to date. Many great songs, very inspirational for me to work on.

I believe the band has undergone quite a few lineup changes since P.O.R, what is the current line-up and why all the changes?
Well many people have had other agendas when it comes to Takara, and it has left me in the position in one way or another of having to find new people. This is a hard biz. I am not a big fan of lineup changes but it just seems that this is the way it works out. Be when it is all done we are much better off now than we were before. Takara currently features Bjorn Engellen on Bass, Derrick Pontier drums, Eric Ragno keys and of course Michael Flatters on vocals. his is a powerhouse lineup , best yet for us you'll see!

Lets talk abut guitar, what made you pick up the guitar and who are your influences?
I started playing guitar because I really just loved music from a very young age. My main influences are classical music and guitarists like Michael Schenker, Uli Roth, Randy Rhoads, Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, Ritchie Blackmore. I think that really represents me as a musician and writer.

From numerous pictures you are normally photographed with a Strat, is this your main guitar or have you used other things?
I have 2 white strats that are almost identical and have been used on all Takara CD's. These are my special guitars. I also have a Red custom strat that we are giving away on the WWW.Takararocks.com site to people who sign up and preorder the next upcoming Takara CD.

What do you use for amplification and how do you run effects?
I use vintage Marshall 50 and 100 watt heads from 1967/68/69 as well as cabinets from 1968/69 with original pre-rola 25/30 watt speakers. I really love these old amps.By the way all of these amp are stock and use only mullard tubes too. I use DiMarzio HS3 pickups and well as duncan distortion humbuckers. Also, I use old Gibson PAF pickups too. For effects I use a Boss super overdrive and boss digital reverb.

Songwriting, how do you like to write?
I write mostly by myself and record the good ideas to my recorder. Most of my songs come together very quickly, some take some time when I am looking for something specific to happen in the song.

What the basis do you use for composition?
I start with music, such as a riff or chord change and build from there.

How do you like to record tracks?
We record our tracks usually overdubbed from scratch tracks.

I see on your website that you are doing a poll to see what tracks fan want on a live album. I think this is a great idea to get fans input into such things, when will this album be released?
We hope to do our live CD sometime late 2003 or early 2004.

Where does the name Takara originate from and what does it mean?
The name Takara originates from Japanese and means Treasure or precious thing.

How did you come up with it?
I was looking through a book and saw this name and really just became very fond of it.

Finally, anything else you would like to say to the readers of virtuosityone.com?
I would like to say that I am very flattered that you choose me to interview for your site.
I would like to say to the readers thank you for your interest in reading this interview and I encourage you to stop by the Takara site sometime and take a listen to our sound clips.
Take care all ! and rock on!

So that wraps it up. Thanks to Neal for finding time for this interview and great answers.

Interview by Andy Craven