From the hard-rock heyday of the 1980s up into the glam glory-days on the Sunset Strip, on past the grunge era, all through emo and screamo and who-knows-what-o, Terry Ilous has been supplying prime lead vocals for a number of years in a variety of rock-’n’-roll outfits. Known best for his work with XYZ, Terry has just released a new CD, called “Here and Gone – Rare Tracks from the XYZ and Solo Years,” which covers the diverse spectrum of his career. Terry teamed with a bodacious banquet of bandmates on the album’s 18 tracks.
AAM: Rob – Terry, you’re getting attention with your new CD out, entitled “Here and Gone.” There are so many various rock musicians on this disk that we’re wondering whether it was difficult in coordinating all their efforts.
Terry: No, actually the production was a pleasure, covering such a spectrum of time and experience with so many fellow veterans of the rock scene.
AAM: This album contains a lot of covers and remakes. Are there any all-out new songs on this CD?
Terry: Yes, of course! There’s the one called “The Road,” which is a very personal song for me, representing much of what we all go through on this road called life.
AAM: The new version of “Inside Out” is kind of “unplugged,” and very melodic. Was this your own idea, to go the acoustic route, and why a third version of “Inside Out”?
Terry: Well, yeah, that song always got a good response, and when we set out to update it, me and Sean McNabb and JK Northrup, it turned into a kind of “jam session,” where we enjoyed the more acoustic direction we took, while still retaining the upbeat energy of the original song.
AAM: Terry, tell us about where and how you grew up, because you had kind of an unusual upbringing, isn’t that true?
Terry: You can say that again! You see, my Mom was French, and my Dad was Spanish, so I grew up in France and Spain.
AAM: And so you speak both of those languages, and maybe any others?
Terry: Yes, that’s true, French and Spanish, besides English, but no other languages, really.
AAM: Your father was a guitar player, right?
Terry: Correct, classical and flamenco guitar, and he gave me a love of all music that has only grown stronger over time.
AAM: Are you currently touring?
Terry: Well, I’ve been involved for a while with a project called “Monsters of Classic Rock,” featuring some fellow veteran players you’ve heard from over the years. There’s Chris Slade on drums, who played with AC/DC, The Firm, and Asia. We have Greg Douglass playing guitar, from Steve Miller Band and Greg Kihn Band. Then there’s Carmine Rojas on bass, who worked with David Bowie and Rod Stewart, plus Sam McCaslin on keyboards, and myself singing vocals. Each player brings his own classic flavor to the mix, and we have had a good time on the road as “Monsters of Classic Rock.” And I want to mention that from early Nov. to mid-Dec. I will be touring as “XYZ’s Terry Ilous.”
AAM: You do martial arts. Which discipline?
Terry: Well, I took up jujitsu as a youngster, and more recently, after a long time off, I have again been studying and practicing. I find that the effort is well worth the time, helping one to find focus, clarity and balance in a number of ways, going way beyond the idea of conflict and combat. Actually, you know you are getting someplace when you’re able to avoid and resolve conflict peacefully, which I very much believe.
AAM: You’re very much involved with children’s issues and helping young people in a number of ways. Can you tell us about some of the causes that are near and dear to your heart.
Terry: One of the things that touched me most deeply, after my visit to China, is how there’s such a need for care and nurturing on behalf of the many orphaned children there. I am so glad to have taken the step I did, when I adopted my own precious daughter from China, Lily Melody. She has been such a blessing in my life, and I only wish that there were more people to reach out on behalf of children like her, because my heart really goes out to them.
AAM: Can we possibly expect you to be involved with AAM and their Toys for Tots benefit this year?
Terry: Oh, I think there’s a good possibility of that!
AAM: What would you say are your own primary musical influences and inspirations?
Terry: There are so many great artists from the realm of classic rock as well as current music, but let’s not forget the basics of the blues, plus the foundation in classical music that I got from my father.
AAM: How is the lyric-writing process for you? Do your ideas flow fully and completely on their own, or do you find it helpful to get outside input?
Terry: Oh, lyrics don’t come very easily to me at all! I just about always come up with the melody first, and then I generally get some help from someone else to put the words together.
AAM: We understand that you’ll be making a special guest appearance as a presenter at the All Access Magazine Awards Show. Any chance we might get to hear a song or two?
Terry: Yes, I think that might be arranged, ha-ha!
AAM: Can you tell us more? For instance, can you give us an idea of the lineup we can expect to see?
Terry: Well, I think that we might be seeing Chris Slade on the drums, and for now, we’ll just have to wait and see who else we might be able to round up.
AAM: Terry, the pleasure’s been all ours, here at AAM, and we certainly look forward to seeing you at the AAM Awards Show on Nov. 3rd. Is there anything you’d like to say to our readers and your fans? And finally, what is the best way for our readers to keep up with your latest ventures?
Terry: The best way to keep up with me is my website at www.terryilous.com. Anyway, in closing, be sure to expand your boundaries and follow your dreams, and wherever they lead you, I hope to see you all out there on the road!
