Joseph, you started Midnight Reign back in 1995 when you were only 15 years old. Is this the first band of yours or have you already played in other bands at an even younger age?  

Joseph: No, i had a few starter bands...but i started right before i turned 15 so nothing serious, or long lasting.  We had a few weird things we were doing, like a guitar instrumental project originally called Pick This! as a joke, and a band called Aseylum with Dan Szatko...great guitarist. He's got a band in upstate NY still...

You taught yourself how to play guitar, keyboard, etc. Can you still remember when and why you first decided to pick up an instrument and become a musician? 

Joseph: Yup, I had been listening to G&R's Appetite, and Queen, and AC/DC a lot...and just singing along, nothing serious, then the November Rain video came out and man if ever there was a video that made a guitar player look like god that's it, i made up my mind to learn everything there is to know about guitar and rock & roll..

At the age of 19 you moved from New York City to Hollywood. Why did you make that step? What could Hollywood offer you that you couldn’t find in New York City?

Joseph: Warm weather for one!  I just couldn't find people on the same page with me musically.  I would be working with drummers and telling them that every piece of their drum part was integral to the arrangement. It's no different than in an orchestra..and they would be like it doesn't matter if i play this part a little different no one will notice...but i found it to be a universal flaw!

Midnight Reign’s music is quite unique and unconventional. I really can’t think of any band that sounds like MR!! What do you think is the special something that makes the music of Midnight Reign so different from that of other rock and metal bands?

Joseph: It's music that is composed that doesn't sound forced...It seems in the rock/metal world you either get guys that are really technical and great musicians but the arrangements are just super dry, with no irony at all, or the other extreme where it's just guys jamming.

With Starla Baker and Alma Cielo you also have two girls in your band who play cello and violin. Those instruments aren’t exactly common for a heavy metal outfit. Why have you decided to integrate them into your music and what do they add to your sound?

Joseph: I really didn't decide. It's like i said before...The "songwriters" and "composers" of the day seem to be just  guitar players and just singers....or whatever instrument they play...so they are limited...i tend to write without and instrument first.....Just  pen and Paper...sometimes stav paper sometimes not.  Nothing in true composition is planned it is plucked from the subconscious. It's not like i had written the song and in the studio said " oh let's sweeten this up", people always assume this..and it's a shame.

The songs on Midnight Reign’s debut CD “Never Look Back” are very diverse and cover a lot of different styles from harsh industrial metal (“666 Is My Area Code”) to fragile ballads (“The Mourning After...”) and almost everything in between... which songs on the album are your personal favorites? Why?

Joseph: They really are one body of work so it is hard to pick.  If i had to choose it would be Breathe on me, or The Mourning After, which were both written after the SNAPPLE BOTTLE INCIDENT.

In your lyrics you tackle a lot of “taboo” topics like suicide, sex or drugs... are songs like “The Hollywood Rx”, “The Mourning After...” or also the kinky “XXX (Playground)” based on personal experiences of yours?

Joseph: Everything on the album is true in the context in which it was written... 

I could imagine that there might also be some people who might not be too fond of Midnight Reign’s appearance in general and lyrics in particular. Do you get a lot of complains from people who tell you that you can’t talk that openly about “controversial” topics such as sex or drugs? If so, what answer do you give these people?

Joseph: Yeah, well we were banned from playing a Sam Kinison Benefit Show because our flyers had girls 15 and under get in free with fake I.D.!  The really funny thing is it's the songs with the least serious subtext that get people all riled up.

Would you agree with me if I say that, apart from the music and lyrics, the visual presentation seems to be a pretty important part of Midnight Reign as well?

Joseph: Of course, but what that is exactly i couldn't tell you.

In Midnight Reign you do almost everything yourself, from songwriting to booking to promotion... what advantages does it have to work like this? And could you imagine to change this habit someday and have, for example, a label release one of your upcoming records?

Joseph: There is no advantage really i do it for one reason and that is so we don't get raped by the industry in the early stages. We have had many offers and i have laughed at every one...It may take a few more years to make Midnight Reign what it should be without a label but at least i won't be fattening the wallets of the industry with the fruits of my blood, sweat , and tears...

And as we’ve just mentioned the term “upcoming records”, I wonder if you’ve already written any songs for the followup to “Never Look Back”. If so, what are some of the song titles and what do these new tunes sound like?

Joseph: I have enough songs to never write another one again and still put out three records a year for 30 years...you do the math.

What does a typical MR concert look like? What kinda people attend your shows and what do they get to see when you guys and girls hit the stage?

Joseph: I don't really know  what's gonna happen...just watch out if you see me with a black and red squirt gun!

Have you ever played outside the US so far? And if not, do you have plans for concerts in overseas, too?

Joseph: Not yet....yes we are talking to some promoters in Europe and Asia.

What does the future have in store for you? What aims are you still heading for as a musician?

Joseph: I'm just gonna keep releasing records, that's all that matters to me.

What’s the best place for fans to buy your CD and other merchandise and to stay up-to-date about any news from the Midnight Reign front?  

Joseph: Midnightreign.com or I-Tunes,we've even got it so that you can pick the exact part of the songs to have as cell ringtone...one of our fans has the song Kiss The Flames on their phone and they have it set to the part where it says acappella "I'm Gonna Fuck Your Virgin Whore!" Sweet! 

Thanks for the interview, Joseph! Any final words?