Stryper to continue and do new album but probably without bassist Tim Gaines
Stryper to continue and do new album but probably without bassist Tim Gaines
Stryper frontman Michael Sweet was recently interviewed by Nick from WSOU and spoke about the future of the band.
Back in September 2016, Stryper had announced that they would be taking a hiatus after the completion of their 30th Anniversary Tour to celebrate their To Hell With The Devil album “for a variety of reasons, including some personal matters affecting our bassist, Tim Gaines that have affected the unity of our band.”
Photo by Isaac
Speaking to Nick from WSOU, Sweet stated as follows (as transcribed by Sleaze Roxx) on what is going on for Stryper going forward: “Well, some choices were made you know that affected the band and made us have to step back. [It] kind of forced us to step back and re-evaluate who we are and how we are going to continue you know without going into all the gory details. That being said, we have no plans of stopping. I mean, we had considered and thought may we should but then we realized, well, that’s not fair to us, that’s not fair to the fans. So we are going to continue on for sure. We just don’t know how and when exactly.”
In terms of Sweet, his brother and drummer Robert Sweet, and guitarist Oz Fox continuing without bassist Tim Gaines, Sweet replied: “Well, I mean, it remains to be seen but it’s very possible. I’d go as far as to say even probable. But we don’t really know quite yet. It’s something that very well could happen. Absolutely.”
In terms of the importance of the original four continuing, Sweet stated: “And it is. I still feel that way. It is important but sadly some things happen that keep that from happening.” Sweet added, “People make decisions and choices, and unfortunately it does affect other people many times and you have to re-evaluate things but that is the ideal situation to be the original line-up. But sometimes things get in the way of that and that’s sad. But again, thinking about it more and sleeping on it more, I think about if we were to disband or dissolve or stop, it wouldn’t really be fair to the fans. It wouldn’t really be fair to the other guys. It’s important to keep that in mind as well.”
In terms of the future of the band, Sweet advised: “We’re going to keep going. We’re going to do another album. We just don;t have it on the books yet but we’ve already got a deal in place… That’s going to happen and there will be more touring at some point. I’m just looking at it, because of what’s taking place, it’s a good opportunity for me to go out and so some solo touring. We’re going to do another Sweet & Lynch album and do some Sweet & Lynch touring as well.”
From 2004 to 2010, Stryper had Tracy Ferrie on bass instead of Gaines and the former played on the two Stryper studio albums Reborn (2005) and Murder By Pride (2009).
WSOU interview with Stryper‘s Michael Sweet:
Michael Sweet of Stryper Interview with Nick from WSOU
I had the chance to speak with Stryper vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet about the band’s 30th anniversary tour for To Hell With the Devil, the band’s legacy,…