Tommy Bolin Fan Page Presents:

INTERVIEW WITH MOXY'S EARL JOHNSON

7/24/00

TBFP: Tommy Bolin Fan Page (Scott McIntosh)
EJ: Earl Johnson, co-Founder, lead guitar: MOXY

TBFP:
Thanks for agreeing to this e-interview! There's quite a "Buzz" around about your latest CD, "MOXY V", what's been the response so far from fans and supporters?

EJ:
We haven't seen much reaction yet in Canada as promo packages are just now reaching the radio stations and newspapers/magazines. We've had strong but small response in Texas. We are getting positive response from those fans who have picked it up though and I think something will break in the next month, prior to our return to San Antonio.

TBFP:
Brian Maxim is the new MOXY vocalist, but he was around "back in the day" wasn't he? He even sang a little back then?

EJ:
Brian used to mix monitors and sing harmonies with Buzz from what I know. This was after I left the band. Brian went on to a band called STUMBLIN BLIND and did some recording work with Buddy in a band called VOODOO.

TBFP:
"Candy Delight" is a downloadable song from Pacemaker's website -- would you say that's one of the strongest songs of the 12 new songs? Which one is your favorite?

EJ:
The two tunes mentioned the most so far seem to be YUCATAN MAN and WORKING MAN. We pegged CANDY DELIGHT as a straight ahead worker with commercial airplay potential from the start, that may still be the case. WALKING ON THE WILD SIDE and CANDY are my favorites because they represent failed work done in an effort to revitalize my career 7-8 years ago, which have come to fruition. I also lean to NITRO LOVE and WORKING MAN.

TBFP:
Have you always been aware for the past 25 years or so, that your first album has been sought EXTENSIVELY by Tommy Bolin collectors, and that pretty much EVERY Tommy Bolin fan raves about MOXY and turns them on to your songs? (Including MOXY II, and RIDIN' HIGH, etc.) One measure of how "devoted" a Bolin fan is, is whether or not he or she owns a vinyl copy of the first MOXY!

EJ:
I was very surprised to see the two of the songs on the TOMMY BOLIN 2 CD set, which I have a copy of. I wrote the two tunes mentioned and it's always nice to get a complement, when people think enough of your songs to include them on such a disc.

TBFP:
The liner notes for "Self Destruction" say: "Moxy's self-titled debut album was recorded in only two weeks and received some unexpected help from guitar wizard Tommy Bolin, who was recording an album in the studio next door." How did you meet Tommy, and what album was he recording?

EJ:
You know I hate to disappoint but I never did meet Tommy. We were recording the first album with a producer named Mark Smith. I had a falling out with Mark while recording some solos and would rather leave it at that. Our manager Roland Paquin knew Tommy from his work in James Gang. Rollie was their road manager. He basically asked Tommy to come in and complete the remaining solos as a favor.

TBFP:
There is considerable debate over which solos, background riffs, fills, and even song structures were Tommy's. Could you set the record straight about which songs he contributed to (and maybe which solos people incorrectly attribute to him, that were actually yours)?

TBFP:
Tom Stephenson, Tommy's long time keyboardist, was at a Tommy Bolin Archives "Tribute Concert" about 3 years ago in Denver -- and he was asked about his participation in that first album (he's listed in the liner notes, just before Tommy's name). He couldn't remember! What was his contribution?

EJ:
Tom Stephenson played some piano in FANTASY, some pretty airy stuff which really suited the song.

TBFP:
We fans are very excited about your reunion, and "MOXY V"! Aside from two possible gigs in St. Louis and San Antonio, will you be playing in Toronto?

EJ:
We will definitely be playing Toronto once we see the reaction from the disc and then decide on a venue. If we can get some radio support it would be nice to play the Warehouse prior to going back to Texas.

TBFP:
What else are you guys up to these days?

EJ:
I'm hoping to get a project off the ground with an anti-violence theme working with other Canadian rock bands from our era called "ROCK AGAINST CRIME" It's regarding the Young Offenders Act here in Canada and hopefully we can get some co-operation for a video. We have a real guns and knives street crime thing growing her in Toronto and having young kids I think we need to take a stand or at least try to change things for the better.

TBFP:
I have to ask this: Is it at all annoying when people confuse you with MOXY FRUVOUS? (It's annoying to US in record stores when hunting for MOXY stuff!)

TBFP:
What else could you add that I didn't ask about?

EJ:
We would love feedback from fans on the new CD and welcome them to contact us via email at moxyv@yahoo.com. There are going to be comparisons to Buzz and his legacy, but Brian Maxim the vocalist is an excellent singer in his own write and I have received numerous compliments on his performance. The disc is true to the MOXY spirit and really has a 80's sound with a 90's recording sound quality.

TBFP:
On behalf of all the MOXY fans who will read this, thank you VERY MUCH for this e-interview, and we wish you the best of luck with MOXY V!!!!