For me Serpentine have been a hot topic of conversation for a while now, whether it be me simply gushing about how great they are, or more complex matters how the hell can they expect to fill the hole that Tony Mills has left? 

Well to answer that latter question first the guys now have Matt Black out front and they've certainly found a kindred spirit in Matt.  He's someone who recently blew audiences nationwide away on the band's debut tour.  Not only that - his vocals also grace the Japanese bonus track on the band's 'Uber Approved' sophomore release 'Living And Dying In High Definition', which has recently set the AOR world alight outside of Prince Towers in Pontypridd

So hot on the heels of their appearance at this year AOR 'Mecca', FireFest 2011, the band (well more specifically keyboardist Gareth Noon) took some time out recently to answer some probing questions from your own wimpy loving AOR master!

Hi Gareth, and firstly many thanks for taking the time to answer my nerdy, yet lovingly, geeky questions...

Gareth: Pleasure as always Dave! Fire away!

After the response to the debut album - which, for me, was one of the best debut albums, and possibly one of the best albums of 2010 into the bargain - how was it to finally release this second one - 'The Art Of Living And Dying In High Definition' - and then earlier this year actually finally get out on the road and tour?

It was a monkey off our backs to be perfectly honest especially with the touring aspect, but in a way it probably worked in our favour. We toured the 'A Touch Of Heaven' album a whole year after it's release, and it gave the album a whole new lease of life. What with Matt joining and us getting out on the road, the magazines were talking about us as if we were a brand new band, not one who'd released an album over a year ago, so the longevity of that album was definitely prolonged. We'd been wanting to play those songs live since we first released the album, but a million factors seemed to collide to keep preventing us from doing it. Our whole launch pad for live work was going to be what became the ill-fated Rockfest in late 2009; then Tony's heart attack happened and playing live was becoming a more and more distant thing; until Matt came in that is.

So was it solely Tony's health scare that prompted his departure (although I note that he is still a part of the band in a more mentor/song-writing partnership)? And was this the reason you went and found a live singer in Matt Black? And finally did Tony help find his marvellous replacement?

Well, Matt is a fully-fledged member now and has settled in well. People really seem to be enjoying the new line-up. Tony's heart attack was definitely what did it, yes. It's a funny thing, but I guess if you looked at the age gap, if Serpentine was going to be a going concern for a long time, it was inevitable that we'd lose him at some point? I guess, in the end, it just happened a bit quicker than anyone anticipated? His relocation to Norway following the heart attack basically meant that we'd have to simply be a project if we'd have carried on with him, because touring or playing a show would have cost infinitely more money. Tony will always be a mentor to this band though and we remain great friends. He was trying to help us find his replacement, but then one of our managers Sue Ashcroft suggested Matt as a possible option and things slotted into place reasonably quickly.

What were your personal highlights from your recent tour with Crashdiet, Houston & Miss Behaviour? And were there any potential "Gigs from Hell?"

London and Nottingham in particular were brilliant. They were both packed out and we got a great response, which is always nice. Bristol, the gig you were at funnily enough, was our gig from hell, yeah. We'd had some technical problems the night before with mic's feeding back etc, but I had some real technical bullshit with my keyboards in Bristol! We got through the set just about.

Not only was the tour a success, but you've also now gone and released what is a definite contender for my top 3 albums of the year! Was the process in recording this album any different; easier than your first?

I suppose the real difference was knowing exactly what and who we were writing for this time around and that counts for a lot. We had already written half the first album by the time Tony came in on the last one, so there was probably more adapting for him to do back then? This time, we knew what the goal was and had a voice in mind, so it was easier from that perspective. The harder part is knowing that there will be some degree of expectation which isn't there the first time around, but we had a definite idea of what we wanted this album to sound like and for that reason Chris and I co-produced it with the amazing Sheena Sear so we were able to get our ideas across better. I think it worked out very well and we'll probably do the same thing again next time.

I can only imagine what the moment was like when you guys were told of your appearance at Firefest this year. Was it a spectacular announcement (I'm thinking along the lines of Darth Vader revealing Luke's true heritage) or more of a passing comment; 'Oh by the way - you're playing Firefest, wanna cup of tea?'

Somewhere in between? (laughing loudly) We were very lucky; at our first show (at The Borderline Club in London back in March), Kieran Dargan, the organiser of Firefest, was there and was nice enough to come back to the dressing room after the show to offer us the chance to open Firefest. It did at least FEEL spectacular to be given the chance to play it, especially having only ever played one show.

So, with Firefest over (along with appearances in Europe), what's next from you guys? Will there be any surprise appearance from a certain someone? And whilst we're on the subject of Firefest were there any acts on the this year's fectival that you were particularly looking forward to?

The whole event is just amazing, which is why we go every year! I really didn't expect the reaction that we got though. We were just totally humbled and thrilled that so many people were singing along and cheering us on. Mr 'Certain Someone' Mills will probably always be around in the background supporting us or helping us out with his wisdom, so you never know.

Serpentine actually played at Chris Nelson's (Phoenix Radio) wedding a couple of months ago, and with Tony being best man, he just jumped up to sing along with Matt, which was good fun. We are also going to be playing alongside TNT in Norway at some point next year, so don't be surprised if you see something on YouTube, but Matt is the singer now and that's the way we want to present ourselves.

As for acts at Firefest, Jimi Jamison was absolutely amazing and was kind enough to ask Serpentine onstage to sing backing vocals for 'Eye Of The Tiger' with him. He also incited one of the funniest moments of our weekend by coming up to us in his stage gear about 15 minutes before he went on and saying "Do I look like a fag in this?" Hilarious! He's 'JJ' for fuck's sake! How could the man look like anything but a Rock God?

Having spoken to most of you guys before, what grips me, as a fan of yours, is your obvious enthusiasm for music in general, which for me is refreshing as I tend to find some bands and their fans can be very narrow-minded.  Are there any artists you like, that most people would class as "Guilty Pleasures"?

Well, Chris especially likes anything from Anterior to Children of Bodom, and from Celine Dion to country and western. He is probably the true musical eclectic in the band? "Guilty Pleasures"? Is it wrong to like the 'Soul Provider' years of Michael Bolton?? I'll let everyone murder me for that!"

As with most genres of music, AOR is no different than the rest. In respect of the trials and tribulation of the unsung hero - for this part I'd like to know how you would describe Serpentine's unsung hero - Mr Lyndon Noon! Who I believe to be one of the nicest and honest men in the business!

There truly aren't words which can do him justice. I am lucky to have him as a father and personal hero, but the work he does for the band is just unbelievable. He is relentless. Our manager is more than just the sixth member of the band. The band doesn't work without him and we owe any success we've had to him. Thanks for asking by the way.

No problem - let's go back to that night now when Serpentine played with the legend that is Chris Nelson, as part of his wedding band, along with Tony Mills. How was the night and was it the end of the 2^nd chapter in the great book of the Serps?

Actually, it was a VERY fun night and we got to play with Tony Martin (ex-Black Sabbath) as well, which was a cool surprise. I'm not sure I would say it was the end of the chapter, because as I said, I'm sure we'll see Tony onstage in a cameo role with us somewhere, sometime again. Matt is certainly cool with it and that's important, because if he wasn't we wouldn't do it. Tony is a great mate and a good laugh and an important part of Serpentine's short history. Journey always say Steve Perry is welcome to get up onstage with them anytime, and nobody takes that seriously. With Tony, we mean it!!"

And now for something to get you thinking.

Ozzy or Dio?  - Ozzy solo, Dio in Sabbath.

Steve Vai or Eddie Van Halen?  - Eddie...!

Richard Marx or Rick Price? - Richard Marx.... there's that guilty pleasure thing again!!

Def Leppard or Whitesnake? - Def Leppard.

Anakin Skywalker or Luke Skywalker? - Luke! Does anyone seriously answer that with Anakin?!?"

Jon Bon Jovi or Richie Sambora? - Richie. His first solo album is one of my top ten all-time faves!

Stewie Griffin or Chris Griffin? - Stewie.

Doctor Who or Torchwood? Neither (laughing)

And now for the triple threat

Download, Sonisphere or High Voltage? - Oh High Voltage; but if Download wanna have us on, I will easily bend my allegiances!

Thanks guys for your time and talking with Uber Rock - all the best!!

Always a pleasure Dave - Always a pleasure.

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