dark_harvest__ Asks: What’s your favourite memory from this tour?
Jeff Answers: Hi – I have so many great memories from this tour. People and bands I have met, places I have been. Everything is a memory, but being back on stage in Berlin was very special, looking out over the sheer enormity of Pol and Rock was great and I loved seeing Maiden at Graspop and seeing that show with my lad Will.
jeremy_thoreau Asks: Hi Jeff, are you the drummer on the upcoming album ‘Ascension’? By the way, happy to see you back!
Jeff Answers: Hi Jeremy – Unfortunately I did not play on the new album. The drums were already recorded when I made the transition. The drums for the new record are really interesting and a good challenge for me to learn. Thanks for your kind words.
Frozenswole Asks: What led to you returning to Paradise Lost?
Jeff Answers: Hi Frozenswole – Me returning to PL was all about timing as there were always so many factors to consider from my side. Family, my business and there have been options before where the idea was floated but we couldn’t make it work. It was really clear when the option arose this time that the planets had aligned, the family and my work partners were behind me and we could actually make this work, and it is working.
Emperium666 Asks: How did you feel when you were invited to rejoin Paradist Lost again?
Jeff Answers: Hi Emperium666 – I talked about this in my diaries. It is a dream come true as I am a fan and have thought about the band pretty much every day since I had to leave in 2008. I never take things for granted and appreciate that the band and management have such faith in me. When I was asked it was like the penny dropped and I realised this was actually going to happen but I had to work hard to earn the place rightfully and still try to work hard at every show.
marcelo_villanandez Asks: which is the most difficult song to play live??? Cheers for Chile 🤟🔥🍺❤
Jeff Answers: Hi Marcelo – Good question. I am used to a good amount of songs from when I last played in the band. They just needed polishing off. I am used to the click tracks and these needed little rehearsal. However, songs played by Walt are in such a complex contrasting style. I am a big fan of his but I am a different drummer so learning my versions of his songs were challenging. When I saw him he said I did a good job, so I am happy. We didn’t play the songs but I also learnt Devil Embraced and Darker Thoughts but we haven’t played them on this tour. Darker Thoughts may be my favourite ever PL song. Because we have been touring I haven’t had time to play songs off the new album. Some people can learn just by listening but I have to physically play for a track to embed in my brain, so I am keen to get playing the new tracks and prove I can ‘do it’!
felipe_tessa_bassa Asks: Favorite old Paradise Lost song to play?
Jeff Answers: Hi Felipe – What do you class as old? The band have such a long career that songs you think are recent are 20 years old! I could just list a load of songs but what I will say is the tour setlist for winter is changing a lot and I am very excited to get the opportunity to bring back some unreal songs to our loyal fan base. Each song we are bringing in brings a big smile to my face as a fan.
philip_john87 Asks: What’s your pre-gig rituals?
Jeff Answers: Hi – I try and conserve energy during the day as days are long. I try and eat at the correct times. No booze, hydrate well and stretch before the show, especially my calves and shoulders.
believeinnothing666 Asks: Fav food to eat while on tour?
Jeff Answers: Hi – I try and eat healthily on tour but as we are moving all of the time this can be a challenge. If we are headlining, I will try and eat some pasta 3 hours before the show. If time is a problem I will try and eat light before the gig and have something more substantial after.
tippinpointofficial Asks: How does it feel playing with Paradise Lost again, and is there a reason why you’re not in the press photos?
Jeff Answers: Thanks for the question. As I said in my recent diaries it feels amazing to be back in Paradise Lost, I am a huge fan so what could be better? When I was invited to rejoin, all of the photoshoots had been completed and the album was finished so in essence I am joining from a point where the album process was done. When I played on the self titled album in 2004 and carried on for the subsequent tours it was very similar. I had played on the recordings but wasn’t on any promo pictures. I am in effect a session drummer which has to work for the band, the management and the fans and it is working.
feike_wiegersma Asks: Would you think that you are the last drummer Paradise Lost is going need after Guido?
Jeff Answers: Hi Feike – Who knows what life throws at us. In an ideal world I hope so. It has to work for the band and me and we definitely fit musically and as friends which is so important as we travel and spend so much time together.
danifarrus Asks: What was the problem in Bergen? shorter gig…
Jeff Answers: Hi Danifarrus – I wish life was perfect but it isn’t. At Bergen we were ready but as we were set to go on stage there was a problem with Greg’s guitar pedal. If it was a broken drum skin or a broken string you can deal with it but the pedal issue meant we simply couldn’t start. What we did do was push as much as we could in to the time we had left and still gave the best show we could. We don’t just have amplifiers, guitars and drums, there are many bits of equipment we bring with us to give the best show possible night after night. Sadly Bergen had complications. If we were headlining and had a soundcheck problems would be clear earlier but if we just have a festival change over time and options are shortened. I hope you enjoyed what we were able to do.
throughshadowintolight Asks: What tips do you have for musicians going their first international tour?
Jeff Answers: Hi – This is a great question. I did this the hard way so I do know what I am talking about. I would say as a band be well rehearsed, things will throw you on tour. Time constraints, different stages, things breaking, loss of sleep. All these things and more will be factors so being well rehearsed as a band will help you all. Stick together as a band. You are all in this together, making memories and stories that will last you a life time. Take everything in, visit places, take time for fans. Finally pack well. Tour prep is important. Don’t lose anything and always keep your valuables safe as you are going to be visiting strange environments. But overall…enjoy it! Good luck!
aprilstark1280 Asks: Who is your favorite non-metal artist?
Jeff Answers: Hi – As I said in my diaries it depends what you class as non-metal. I can ‘admire’ a pop song but I wouldn’t buy it and growing up in the 80s when pop music was everywhere you can view a song as being part of your life’s soundtrack but you would never play it on Spotify. However, I came across Duke by Genesis a couple of years ago from 1980 and it blew me away and I still listen to it loads. Great drumming, son writing and energy. I love it!