Interview: Billy Sheehan Talks About 1985, Talas’ High-Energy Album

Billy Sheehan (Instagram @billysheehanonbass)

JAKARTA - Every rock music fan knows Billy Sheehan, right? The virtuoso bassist, genius songwriter, and world-class great musician, who is known as the band leader of Mr. big. But, beyond that, this man whose real name is William Sheehan has a myriad of musical projects that are just as classy. One of them, Talas.

Talas was Billy Sheehan's first full-time band. formed in 1974, this power trio's first formation was complemented by Dave Constantino on guitar and Paul Varga on drums. They are a unique blend of 1980s hard rock infused with modern headbanging metal.

The band attained popularity in Buffalo for over a decade by achieving cult status that spread throughout the northeastern United States and Canada. In 1979, Billy Sheehan et al released their self-titled debut album which yielded the hit single See Saw.

Talas became more widely known since 1980, when they opened thirty shows for Van Halen. However, success was elusive, and even as their image that would become known as 'glam metal' gained popularity over the next few years, Talas remained an unsigned band, partly due to poor management. In this era, in 1982 to be precise, they released their second album Sink Your Teeth Into That.

Billy Sheehan (Instagram @billysheehanonbass)

Not wanting to just be successful regionally, Billy Sheehan reformed Talas with new drummer Mark Miller, guitarist Mitch Perry, and dedicated vocalist, Phil Naro. However, even with this formation, Talas only released one album, Live Speed ​​on Ice (1984).

After Mitch Perry left and was replaced by Johnny Angel, there was actually a fourth Talas album with the tentative title Lights, Camera, Action, which was planned to be published via Gold Mountain/A&M. However, it never got past the demo stage as Billy Sheehan left to join David Lee Roth's solo band.

Decades later, Talas released the song Inner Mounting Flame in March 2022. The song features the voice of late vocalist Phil Naro, who died in May 2021. Inner Mounting Flame also marks Talas' first new music since Live Speed ​​On Ice (1984).

Billy Sheehan stated, Inner Mounting Flame was a bombastic, high-speed adrenaline chaos that they often used as the opening theme to the Talas show in 1985.

"We're staying close to the original arrangement," emphasized Billy Sheehan.

"It was an absolute blast to record, and Phil sings the song. The title track comes from the very famous fusion band's album title (The Mahavishnu Orchestra – Inner Mounting Flame)."

Billy Sheehan (Instagram @billysheehanonbass)

Produced by Billy Sheehan, Russ Mackay, Scott Bush and Talas, Inner Mounting Flame is a rock anthem reminiscent of the band's long history, which dates back to the 1970s.

The presence of Inner Mounting Flame is the opening gate for the release of their new album, 1985, in September 2022 via Metal Blade Records.

With all but one song - Black And Blue - written in 1985, this would have been Talas' fourth full-length album had the band not broken up.

Check out VOI.ID's interview with Billy Sheehan about Talas' latest album, 1985.

You released a new album with Talas, 1985, in September last year. For music lovers who may have never heard of it, what can you tell me about this album?

New Talas album 1985! Very excited about it. It’s been extremely successful so far—we are very happy about it. It’s most of the songs we had back in 1985, all done in a studio with the same attitude and spirit of the music scene in that year.

Compared to the previous three albums; Talas (1979), Sink Your Teeth Into That (1982), and Live Speed ​​On Ice (1984), what are the differences between these albums and 1985?

High energy exciting music from one of the greatest times for rock and metal in history.

What about the song 'Black And Blue'?

Written by Phil Naro, our singer, and it features his son James in harmony vocal. A wonderful song. Sadly, Phil passed away soon after the completion of this record. The record is a tribute to his legacy as a songwriter, exciting performer, supreme vocalist, and a wonderful human being.

In terms of playing bass, can you tell me the main difference between Mr. Big and Talas?

I don’t really change what I do in different bands. It depends on the song.

You have so many music projects, such as; The Winery Dogs, Niacin, Sons of Apollo, and more. Are you working on a new album with them?

The Winery Dogs and Sons Of Apollo. And possible Mr. Big shows. That’s three bands. People always characterize it as “so many projects”, but it simply is not. New Winery Dogs album coming with second single release, Mad World, on January 6.

Talk about Mr. Big. Eric Martin says he has found a new drummer and plans to play a few more shows starting next summer. Can you give us the details?

Not at this time, sorry.

Billy Sheehan (Instagram @billysheehanonbass)

*This interview was done a few days before The Winery Dogs released Mad World and Billy Sheehan only responded on the day the single was released.