ProgRock.com's interviews
Saga Interview
Date: 2003-01-27 17:56:44
1. What is the actual name of the story in the chapters?
MICHAEL SADLER: Thats a question thats been on my mind for quite some time! Lets ask Jim, shall we?

JIM CRICHTON: It has never been given a title.

2. Was the entire story actually written 25 odd years ago?
MICHAEL SADLER: As far as I know, Jim had rough outline of the entire story from the very beginning.

JIM CRICHTON: The Chapters so far have been written in 2 stages. With chapters 1-8 the storyline for all eight were created on the first album. The same process was used on Full Circle for chapters 9-16.

3. Was the story a band effort or a single persons original vision?
MICHAEL SADLER: The story was Jims original vision, with my input from time to time regarding some of the lyrics and timeline.

JIM CRICHTON: I came up with the idea on the first album as a way of insuring that the band would at least be able to make 4 albums before our careers were over.

4. There were some albums that chapters were left off of, was there any particular rhyme or reason to that?
MICHAEL SADLER: It was the "Jigsaw puzzle factor!

JIM CRICHTON: The original plan was to only do 8 chapters.

5. Now that it's all done, would you be interested in re-recording some of the older chapters and putting it all together on a comprehensive CD or double CD with a story booklet?
MICHAEL SADLER: Let me know when & where. Ill be there!

JIM CRICHTON: That is being discussed as a project for this year.

JIM GILMOUR: Sure, I like the idea.

STEVE NEGUS: Sure!

6. You guys are in pretty physically diverse areas, how do you go about getting together to do an album now? How much of it is really group collaboration?
MICHAEL SADLER: The preliminary stages of writing are generally done privately. When we have a pool of song ideas, we get together and share our ideas with each other. Thats when the real fun begins!

JIM CRICHTON: The album begins with everyone emailing in song ideas when we have enough we get together for a couple of months to do the arrangements and the head to the studio.

JIM GILMOUR: Its all group collaboration. As with most modern recording a lot of it is done separately. For example I never go in studio when Ian is doing a solo or Mike a lead vocal for instance.

STEVE NEGUS: We converse over the internet and by phone regularly.

7. Will Michael ever grow that really huge moustache again?
MICHAEL SADLER: Sorry! I donated that "growth" to the Smithsonian many years ago! (We all have a past!)

8. You guys have been pretty creative with promotion and been at the cutting edge of technology in a number of ways. Is there anything brewing or you have your sights set on that you want to do?
MICHAEL SADLER: Acting is one of the things I would like to try in the future. At least thats what people have been telling me I should do!

JIM CRICHTON: Turn the chapters into a video game.

JIM GILMOUR: We would like to beam to gigs!! (like they do in Star Trek!)

STEVE NEGUS: I want to retire on a beach some where and drink pina coladas and watch the sun go down. That's what I have my sites set on... but, I live in Canada, so, I'll go to the shores of Lake Ontario and feel the cold breeze off the lake, and call my travel agent to book a flight to Barbados, or somewhere like that!

9. Do you have any plans for doing another concept album such as Gen 13?
MICHAEL SADLER: One thing at a time, although I wouldnt rule that possibility out!

JIM CRICHTON: Not a the moment.

JIM GILMOUR: Not at the moment but not a bad idea!

STEVE NEGUS: We don't plan that far ahead, we're finishing Marathon, then going on tour, that's the only plans we have at the moment.

10. Do you ever think you will break out of the 3 to 5 minute song range and experiment with some longer songs like Dream Theater and Spock's Beard have done with MUCH success?
MICHAEL SADLER: My memory isnt 100% but it seems to me there are some rather lengthy tracks on various Saga albums.

JIM CRICHTON: I believe Worlds Apart on the new album just did that.

IAN CRICHTON: On the new CD there are some longer tunes. Lets not forget what we did with Generation 13 and that extremely long music. Basically its ONE song the whole thing!

JIM GILMOUR: Anything is possible if its not too pretentious!

STEVE NEGUS: Well, we don't want to copy Dream Theatre or Spock's Beard, so, if they do something... we probably wouldn't.

11. Are there any solo productions on the way for anyone in the band? If so, who and what are they about?
MICHAEL SADLER: Im still working on and off on my first "official" solo album for a possible release later in 2003.

JIM CRICHTON: I have plans to do a big band project this year involving about 25 musicians. It is something that has never been done before to my knowledge. I can let you know more when it is underway.

IAN CRICHTON: Yeah, Im starting to play... right now. Im looking into a project with Daryl (Jim Gilmour) as well as another solo album.

JIM GILMOUR: Ive got some songs I'm working on and maybe a solo piano album.

STEVE NEGUS: I have some things in mind, but don't have much to add at the moment. I will have more info when the timing is more relevant. At the moment, just finishing up Marathon, the re-masters and getting healthy so I can tour.

12. I know you have been asked this 100 times, but I would like to be 101, do you have any plans on touring the US soon? We are dying over here not being able to see you live.
MICHAEL SADLER: I would love to play in the U.S.! Tell me when & where, my bags are packed!

JIM CRICHTON: We talk about it every year. But with no record company support it has always been a difficult decision. This year with the re-release of the back catalog it might be doable.

JIM GILMOUR: If it was economically feasible we would LOVE to do it but I really dont think too many people know us there.

STEVE NEGUS: As far as I know, there are no immediate plans to tour the U.S., but that could change at any time.

13. What is each of yours biggest music influences?
MICHAEL SADLER: Gentle Giant, Genesis, Queen, Police, Camel, 10CC, the Beatles.

JIM CRICHTON: Gentle Giant

IAN CRICHTON: Jeff Beck, Gentle Giant, John McLaughlin & Mahavishnu Orchestra, Robert Fripp, Jimi Hendrix and so on..

JIM GILMOUR: Well classical music of all sorts since thats what I studied in University and now a lot of Jazz.

STEVE NEGUS: Dave Brubeck, Dave Garibaldi (Tower of Power), John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) and Seeing the Beatles in Toronto in 1964.

14. You have made it 25+ years as a band; do you plan on doing another 25, kind of like the Rolling Stones of Progressive Rock? :)
MICHAEL SADLER: Ah, the roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd! Let the show begin!

JIM CRICHTON: We've begun training our children to eventually take over for us.

IAN CRICHTON: If Daryl's there and there's lots of beer, I'll be there!

JIM GILMOUR: If theres beer I'll be here! (laughs)

STEVE NEGUS: Who knows what the future will bring! One day at a time!!

15. Does the record label you are with pretty much control what music you put out or do they just leave that up to you and have lots of faith?
JIM CRICHTON: On every album we have ever made it has been our decision as to what went on it. It really is our fault.

JIM GILMOUR: They have no artistic control whatsoever.

16. If you are at liberty to say, about what kind of sales volume do you see with your latest releases? We ask because there are more and more progressive bands coming along and they'd like to know if 1,000 or 50,000 is a reasonable expectation.
STEVE NEGUS: I expect to sell a million copies of each CD, but then again, I'm the eternal optimist!! We'll just have to wait and see.