Michael Paige, the slap you in the face with the bass cool cookie from Crown Of Thorns talks exclusively to the Baileys from his home in the USA. Mick and Dez shine the spotlight on a man groovin' in the shadows of the electrifying frontman Jean Beauvoir. What's it really like being in a band with such a dominant rock icon? And is he content with just being a solider or would he like to one day be General? All will be revealed but first some background information. Michael was born in Austin, Texas where Stevie Ray Vaughn had his big stronghold. He grew up in Louisiana as a kid and then later moved back to Texas as a college student, We wondered what music he was into then and who his influences were? "I listened to soul funk and later on in High School I got into the hard shit!! AC/DC, Rush, Yes, Aerosmith, and of course Zeppelin. But still one of my biggest influences has been Prince!"

How did you get involved in the music scene?

"As a kid I played violin, also saxaphone, and bassoon!! Yep, I had my first concerto at age 11! Later on after college I started playing guitar and bass and joined a couple of metal, pop and funk bands. One of which, Bad Mutha Goose got an independant record deal, but I wasn't happy. So I packed up and moved to LA in 91 and you know the rest..."

What was your first ever live performance?

"11 years old lead violin in a school concert!!!"

When you were growing up which rock star did you look up to?

"I looked up to Prince, Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, and oh yes, Bon Scott!!"

How did you first meet Jean? "I bought the Mohawk Jean's Drums Along and was diggin on him way back. I had first seen him with the Plasmatics in Austin and said holy FUCK, who is this "brother" playing rock like this???!! "

Did he have a vision that you thought would be ideal for you to fulfil your potential as a musician?

"When I joined COT, I really dug where they wanted to go. I really enjoyed the music, and also really liked the fact that black guys like myself were playing real rock and roll. I've always been partial to doing things "differently", than people would expect... but we still had that "edge" over most every other rock band around. We had the groove that could only be found by having played "black" music in our previous careers"

Jean seems to enjoy being in control of the direction and production of the songs do the other members have any say in the song writing and arrangements of the songs?

"We pretty much add our touch by our playing. That's how we add our say to Jean's ideas and arrangements."

Do any other band members get an opportunity to put song ideas forward?

"Not really. I can only speak for myself, but I'm pretty happy being a good soldier in this situation".

Do you write songs ? would you like to record a solo album in the future?

"Funny you should ask!!! I've been a songwriter for quite a while also. I'm doing shows here in LA at places like the Hard Rock Cafe and the world famous Coconut Teezers!!. It's a mixture and might be a little different from what you might expect. But it kinda represents where I come from... A finished solo disc should be coming by next spring!!!"

Crown Of thorns have played with the likes of Bon Jovi and Van Halen etc what would be your most memorable live gig?

"The biggest one...Wembely Stadium!! Hollleeeee Shit is all I could say!! Jamming onstage with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora was also pretty unbelievable..."

When you are not on the road with C O T what do you do regarding playing ? Do you do session work? Do you play with other musicians or bands? if so who? "Oh yes. In addition to my solo gigs, I do session work, and play bass for other local musicians here in LA. The Sass Jordan single was finally certified gold in Canada for me, so that's my first!!! It's called Pissin' Down on her Rats cd"

Jean must be one of the coolest black rock stars on the planet but he also is a very shrewd business man. What is he like to work with?

"He's pretty fair... He does mostly all of the work and we get to enjoy all of the benefits!!!"

Which songs are your favourites and why?

"I of course dig all of our stuff, but I'm very partial to the earlier stuff. The first cd and Breakthrough. I like them because they're harder and rawer, which is what I LOVE to play on bass!!! HARD and RAW"

What ambitions do you have left as a musician?

"World domination, lots of money and women, the usual stuff..".

If you were not a musician what day job would you be doing?

"probably a lawyer!!!"

What do you think to all these boy/girl bands?

"Hey I like pop too (but I've never bought any!!!) I'm a big fan of any music as long as it's good... Bad anything sucks....."

What English rock bands do you admire?

What American rock bands do you admire? "I know they're from the past, but ZEPPELIN.... Am I going to have to tell you again!! Believe it or not, Jamiroqui. Those guys are some great players. I'm afraid that I'm actually not to familiar with too many other groups form the UK."

If you could have the ultimate live jam session who would you like on stage with you?

Oh that's an easy one, Tony Thompson on drums, me (duuuh) on bass, Joe Perry on guitar, Bon Scott on vocals, trading off with Prince!!!!!

When did you get to know Jean was shaving his head?

"When he did promo shots for the latest album!!!"

Did it come as a shock?

"Nah... I was expecting it!!!"

What do you think to his new look?

"Change is good!!!"

You guys always look the part on stage is there a deliberate image and standard expected from Jean or is it an individual choice?

"It's actually a pretty individual thing..." .

The band are spread out all over the place, how do you continue to rehearse and work together?

"When we get the call, we come together to ROCK!!" What tips and advice would you give to any young musician wanting to play your instrument? "STICK WITH THE GROOVE!!! Listen to the classics, Jaco, Stanley, John Paul Jones, and my personal favorites Verdine White (Earth Wind and Fire) and most of all the late great Bernard Edwards (Chic, Powerstation, Robert Palmer)"

Have you been rewarded financially or is it always a constant battle to fill the wallet?

"Financial gain is a constant battle!!! But the music life is it's reward itself. I'll have the big house, etc someday but I don't trip , too much!!! Money is like a rollercoaster sometimes you're up and sometimes your down!!!"

Do you ever listen to the likes of DR DRE?

"Yes I do. there has been a great melding of Rap and hardcore rock here in the US. Groups lile Hed(pe), LimpBizkit, Ice Cube, Korn, Cypress Hill, and others are all using the best of both worlds..."

You would expect a black musician to be in to soul or rap etc, a stereo typed image but how come you chose rock as your destiny?

"As I've said, I've always been "different" and as much as I dig the "groove" of soul or rap, I dig the energy of rock..."

How would you describe the other band members both on and off stage?

"As my "bestest" party boys!!! I work with Hawk all of the time here in LA and speak with Tommy all of the time. I hang out with Tony Thompson (the original drummer) all of the time and we've been actually looking to put a band together! If and when it happens I'll let you know..."

Obviously you guys work well together, what's the secret formula in keeping a band together?

"Don't take yourself and this whole "rock star" thing serious. Well that's how I try and stay happy. Concentrate on what makes the band great. Songs and playing together. That's when all else falls by the wayside."

So there you have it Michael is very much his own man but more than happy to ride the rock wave that Jean Beauvoir so admirably sails as captain of his own destiny.

We hope to bring you another exclusive when we review some of Michael's own material. Until then the cool brother from the USA remains very much a team player and it was fun reaching the bass line together one more time. Time out!

THE BAILEY BROTHERS