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By definition, Sons Of Apollo is an all-star band. Drummer Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian were part of Dream Theater, guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal" played for years in Guns N' Roses, Billy Sheehan is in both Mr. Big and The Winery Dogs, and vocalist Jeff Scott Soto has sung for Journey and Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. Despite that "all-star band" tag, Sons Of Apollo is a song-oriented rock band -- with influence from Van Halen, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin alike -- and its debut album, Psychotic Symphony, debuted at #1 on Billboard's "Heatseekers Albums" chart.
In advance of its upcoming United States tour -- which includes May 16th at Philadelphia's Theatre Of The Living Arts and May 18th at New York's Playstation Theater -- I had the pleasure of doing a Q&A with Soto, who is more of a sports fan than most people realize. More on Soto and the Sons Of Apollo can be found online at www.sonsofapollo.com.
Sons Of Apollo recently released a new EP. What else is going on for the band?
Jeff Scott Soto: The EP was a last minute decision during the release of the current single "Alive." We first had the thought of offering a radio edit that might entice programmers who felt it might be too long for their formats to have a version that would fit right in. From that, because of my Spanish heritage AND the fact that we were starting a South American tour simultaneous to the release, we mixed a Spanish version of the song.
Then an acoustic version got thrown in for good measure, so we packaged it all together for fans to enjoy. We’re currently on tour in South America, and will then head to Canada and North America.
Do you personally have any other musical projects in the works?
Jeff Scott Soto: At the moment, no. The focus, commitment and loyalty is all about Sons Of Apollo.
I've read that you were born in New York. How did you become a Lakers fan?
Jeff Scott Soto: My family moved to L.A. when I was eight. I was into baseball until I was about 11, never losing my love for the Mets. As most know about New Yorkers, you chose Mets or Yankees, rarely do you find a fan of both!
But I was also discovering my love for the Dodgers. When I realized how horrible a baseball player I was becoming, AND I shot up to 5’11” by 12, then 6’ 3” by 14, basketball was my calling. Having Magic Johnson and Kareem [Abdul Jabbar] as the ‘it’ guys made it very easy to wear the proud "purple and gold!"
Do you have a favorite player on the Lakers?
Jeff Scott Soto: I would normally go old school for my Lakers and give you one of the many greats that graced that court, but I must give props to OUR Michael Jordan, OUR Julius Erving: KOBE [Bryant]! As an athlete and personality, Kobe will not only be the greatest Laker, but one of the greatest of all time!
For you, is it more enjoyable to watch a Lakers game on television or go to the Staples Center?
Jeff Scott Soto: I guess it depends on the seats. (laughs) As I get older, I can’t tolerate the elements involved in going to a game, from traffic to parking to terrible seats. At home, you have every angle, replays and a commentator helping with what you may have missed if there was a distraction during those two hours. But that answer changes if a limo picks you up, you’re escorted into the locker room, the seats are near or on the court. Thanks to my buddy Dennis Rodman, I got to experience this when the Bulls -- with Jordan -- played in L.A.!
Does your fandom of the Lakers come close to how you feel about any other sports team?
Jeff Scott Soto: Probably not, I am a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, but my love for the Lakers and the NBA rivals other sports and teams.
When not busy with music or the Lakers, how do you like to spend your free time?
Jeff Scott Soto: When not doing my own music, I am constantly doing other albums and music-oriented items. Between late October and early June, I’m glued to the NBA in between my endeavours.
Finally, Jeff, any last words for the kids?
Jeff Scott Soto: Dream big, persist even bigger. Life isn't fair or easy, but if you have the will, you will get the prize!
