SEAN MALONE Speaks Out On Much-Anticipated Supergroup

GORDIAN KNOT/ex-CYNIC bassist Sean Malone has posted another comment via his official web site at www.seanmalone.net about the as-yet-unnamed project featuring Malone, DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, FATES WARNING guitarist Jim Matheos, CHROMA KEY/ex-DREAM THEATER keyboardist Kevin Moore, and PAIN OF SALVATION vocalist Daniel Gildenlöw. According to Sean, "Jim sent the demos to me about a week ago and it's some really cool stuff. My role in the group? Essentially to come up with my own parts (though Jim indicated there will be some parts already worked out) and to add anything that I think might be appropriate. I've wanted to work with Mike for a long time and with the exception of [YES/KING CRIMSON drummer] Bill [Bruford], I've worked with [former CYNIC drummer] Sean [Reinert] almost exclusively now for years and years.

"What I like so much about progressive rock is the idea that there is a kind of machinery, or network, or motor, or matrix behind it all. That the music in some way is a manifestation of the machinery's inner-workings at any given moment, and that stasis is impossible. Things are constantly moving, self-referential, and perpetual. Once the machinery gets moving and the network established, the music emerges and it's up to us at that point to harness, mold, direct, and sculpt it into some form. Working with new musicians is always the best chance to grow, and this project will be challenging in many ways.

"The vast majority of the work I've done is as a sideman, so my main goal is to get an idea what Jim is looking for, and then carve out my own niche. Stylistically, I like to cross barlines and connect elements from underneath - I think there is a subtlety and restraint possible that gives a piece of music a certain kind of continuity that is missed when it's not there, but not always noticeable - even if you're looking for it. So Jim is the main composer for this project, but like everything else, everyone's contributions add up to the final take.

"Another interesting thing has been how literally everyone has taken my comment that 'I'm looking forward to just being the bass player'. The main idea here is that so often with my own music, bass parts are usually overlooked - I think because I feel at ease with the instrument more than the others, so when I'm playing guitar or piano on a track, a lot more overt consideration is involved. And by the time I'm ready to do bass tracks, I've left myself with very little room to do anything. Getting back to being 1/5 of the group now is always a welcomed thing after a solo CD as it gives me more of a chance to learn and grow - especially with the talent assembled with the other players on the disc. Like I said before, I'm just glad to be doing it, and hope I can add something worthwhile..."