Len Atom

Bugger... I'm not Len - But you all knew that cos Len isn't nearly clever enough to take a funny idea of Dan's and then try and copy it but not quite as well.... You will never know my true identity! Victory is mine!!!!!

Ha Ha Dan - thank god we've not got any embarrassing band photo's with you in them or they'd be up here.... But an embarrassing photo of you before you joined the band? Would I... ? Who's that handsome moustache wearing gent then???

That's what I'd like to do a bit of - scaled down drumming, very few chops and something completely different musically. Have you heard any Yellow Matter Custard or Hammer of the Gods stuff? I'd be interested to hear how Mike works - out on the smaller set - ups.

I was young, from the Nicko McBrain school of drumming and had yet to be kicked up the hoop by Professor Mike Portnoy. Mmmmm.....flat toms.....

It was an accident, I swear! I fell over the leg of my keyboard while I was synth - moshing....

Mouse, is your avatar part of the inside sleeve cover artwork for 2112? If so, nice!

I think he's seen Erskine pissed and thinks that we're harbouring an illegal ALIEN....

It is at this point that I would like to play my "I'm just a drummer" card, which gives me exemption from actually knowing what the fudge is going on around here. Man, I love being a percussionist.....

What do people think of them? Are they worth it? If you look at guys like Mike Portnoy, who was, at one point, in every progressive band going (actually, I believe he was in a band with Dan too..), it seems that very rarely are musical horizons expanded. LTE turned into a Dream Theater instrumental song writing exercise. Transatlantic, however rewarding musically and socially for MP, didn't exactly stray to far from the style he was most comfortable playing. I suppose O.S.I was the most far - out, what with all the soundscaping and vocal effects. John Schaeffer's Wizards and Shoemakers (or something) is another example of sticking with what you know, by why? And why are some bands all for their side projects and then others like Metallica are dead against the idea, when there is very little to lose? Has anyone come across any side projects that they felt produce more enjoyable, challenging, inspiring music than that of the "big" bands that were involved? If you could have a band with other aberdeen musicians, what direction would take? Personally, I'd go down a more singer - songwriter road. No singing behind the drums, mind you.....well, not much! Something like The Band, where everyone took the lead in one way or another. I just thought I'd bring it up as after the summer I was going to be gettng involved in something a bit different. Thank God I'm in Atom and not Metallica, or else I'd have Dave Lombardo and Joey Jordison showing me up when I wasn't around.....

MAYBE Tav has a great question.... MAYBE there was a name change somewhere in the Atom's past..... MAYBE the answer will appear on Atomweb in the near future...... BUT we'll need some more questions! Keeping thinking! Are there any questions that you'd like the answers from specific members of the band? Ie. their influences, playing styles, techniques. If so, now is the time to ask! Incidentally, I have a question for Erskine, our bass player - Why is it that you are a monster bass player in the studio (really, he's up there with 'Arry at times), but when I'm on stage with you, I fear for my life and the credibility of the Atom catalogue? Have you ventured into Mac - esque territory, where you are just too far gone on some acid - jazz trip that key, tonality and rhythm are merely obsolete in your endevour for musical fulfillment? Or is there another reason? I'm just asking, no point being made whatsoever........ .....oh God, he's behind me again, isn't he?...

That's right, Dan. It's all fun and games, ie. Snakes and Ladders, Postmans Knock etc. until someone, ie. YOU, makes a joke about small children, ie. my wee boy, in public houses, ie. Dr. Drakes last Saturday. So don't......ever........please.... SAY IT WITH ME, DAN " I AM P.C!" By the way, Opeth has totally grown on me. Cheers for the DVD!

no Glass Prison though. What's up with that?

What questions do you have for the Atom? This can be member specific ( I don't mean the girth of our love lengths, by the way), or regarding lyrics and musical ideas. Anything at all! These will be part of as new feature of the Atomweb coming soon! You never know what you might learn or wish you'd never found out!

I love you and hate you all at the same time.....

Stop right there, Daniel Atom! It's not clever what you're doing and you know it!

If this were 'Logan's Run', we'd only have to put up with him for another 8 years..... ....he's behind me, isn't he?

What's an Erskine?

It was alot more fun than I thought it would be! I'm pretty chuffed with how the drums came out, considering the tuning problems we had before recording. Obviously, there are things that I wish I had done slightly differently, but I think this will be our most diverse BAND performance. Everyone is playing really well and that should come through on record. Brace yourselves for something different....

Does that qualify them as the fore - fathers of power - metal then?

I heard that the whole of the new Black Atom album was power -metal..... .....well, that's what it sounds like behind my drum - kit.... ....I should probably stop writing power - metal then.. By the way, didn't Maiden cover a song involving vikings? THE NORSE MEN ARE COMING!