PAST INTERVIEWS
Ron Poulsen
In October I did interviews with some of the members of PANGÆA. I hope this gives some personal insight into these great musicians and some of the workings behind the scenes.
My first interview is with bassist, Ron Poulsen.
- ✍️ Christian Hargadein, HMG & Pangæa representative.
📷 Photo: Dave Lepori © 2022
C.H.: What was the first song you heard today?
R. P.: "New Religion" by Pangaea because I am listening to our CD in my car to/from work.
C.H.: If you could have been in any other band, what band would it be and what would you play?
R. P.: Well KISS if you would have asked me in high school, today it would be Porcupine Tree, The Pineapple Thief, or Dream Theater.
C.H.: What’s your one vice?
R. P: Mt. Dew
C.H.: What’s the best concert you ever attended?
R. P.: Genesis the Mama Tour 1984
C.H.: If you could play any other instrument, what would it be?
R. P.: Chapman Stick
C.H.: What’s the first album you ever bought?
R. P.: Men at Work, Business as Usual, Journey – Journey, Def Leppard Pyromania.
C.H.: What’s the first rock song you ever learned to play?
R. P.: “Bang your Head" by Quiet Riot or "Rock You like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions.
C.H.: What was the first band you were in?
R. P.: Artica that became Pangaea
C.H.: If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
R. P.: Pro Soccer Referee, Police Officer, Artist.
C.H.: Who or what inspired you to become a musician?
R. P.: My uncle Rich, Ace Frehley.
C.H.: What would your 'desert island' albums or artists be?
R. P.: Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, The Pineapple Thief.
C.H.: Who are some of your (instrument) idols?
R. P.: So many early days would be Gene Simmons, Billy Sheehan, Steve Harris, Now days Nate Navarro, Nick Beggs, John Myung.
C.H.: What’s your favorite Pangaea song?
R. P.: “The Fall of Rome”
C.H.: What's the most memorable concert you every played?
R. P.: Yucatan Liquor Stand Tulsa, OK.
C.H.: How would you describe Pangaea to someone?
R. P.: The best Prog band you have never heard of, Think Pink Floyd, Asia, Yes, ELP.
Andi Schenck
My second interview is with drummer, Andi Schenck.
- ✍️ Christian Hargadein, HMG & Pangæa representative.
📷 Photo: Dave Lepori © 2022
C.H.: What was the first song you heard today?
A. S.: Actually, it was "Show Me the Way" by Pangaea. I'm a guy that learns by repetition so, I listen to our music a lot, especially when its new to me or has recently had some changes.
C.H.: If you could have been in any other band, what band would it be and what would you play?
A. S.: Man, I would've loved to have played in Double Trouble with Stevie Ray Vaughn.
C.H.: What’s your one vice?
A. S.: I don't know. My life might just be too boring for a vice. Maybe I buy too many drums that I don't need. Well, maybe one of the other guys could tell you.
C.H.: What’s the best concert you ever attended?
A. S.: Wow. That's a tough one. I've seen some good shows. Asia, ELP, Yes, Faith No More, Sade, Alfonse Mouzon.... Man, even Restless Heart in Tulsa at a street festival. I remember a thunderstorm coming in and adding to the light show at that one. It was so cool. I wish I had seen Phil Collins or Genesis but, I didn't get the opportunity.
C.H.: If you could play any other instrument, what would it be?
A. S.: I would like to be a decent pianist. Just to be able to sit down and play a song.
C.H.: What’s the first album you ever bought?
A. S.: I don't recall, probably something country, George Strait, or Don Williams. Wait, it could have been Van Halen's 5150. I believe my first LP was the "Peer Gynt" Suite by Grieg.
C.H.: What’s the first rock song you ever learned to play?
A. S.: "I Can't Hold Back" by Survivor.
C.H.: What was the first band you were in?
A. S.: Horizon. My older brother, Corey, was rehearsing in our garage with his band for the high school talent show. Their drummer had to leave early to go to work at Steak and Ale (restaurant). They asked me if I could sit in just to keep a beat. One of the guys wound up calling their drummer that night to tell him, "Corey's kid brother is going to play drums for us..." and the rest is, as they say, history.
A. S.: If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
A. S.: I'd be living out in the central Texas countryside with a couple of horses.
C.H.: Who or what inspired you to become a musician?
A. S.: My brother, Corey, playing with his high school band and taking guitar lessons. Before I started playing drums, I remember going to look at basses. Then I discovered "I Don't Care Anymore" by Phil Collins.
C.H.: What would your 'desert island' albums or artists be?
A. S.: Phil Collins, Hello I Must Be Going
Pink Floyd, Pulse
Sade, Stronger Than Pride
Asia, Asia
Dream Theater, Images and Words
C.H.: Who are some of your (instrument) idols?
A. S.: Phil Collins, Terry Bozzio, Carl Palmer
C.H.: What’s your favorite Pangaea song?
A. S.: Man, there's a few I really like. Right now, I'm thinking "Necromancer".
C.H.: What's the most memorable concert you every played?
A. S.: Hard Rock Cafe, Houston. Excellent crowd reception! I could feel the energy and hear them over the bashing of drums and cymbals.
C.H.: How would you describe Pangaea to someone?
A. S.: We are the good melodic and songwriting side of Prog Rock, in the vein of Asia, Genesis, and Pink Floyd.
Corey Schenck
My third interview is with keyboardist & guitarist, Corey Schenck.
- ✍️ Christian Hargadein, HMG & Pangæa representative.
C.H.: What was the first song you heard today?
C.S.: The anthem to the Premier League.
C.H.: If you could have been in any other band, what band would it be and what would you play?
C.S.: Guitar in the Beatles.
C.H.: What’s the one song, that you wish you’d wrote/recorded?
C.S.: The Long and Winding Road or All Along the Watchtower
C.H.: What’s the best concert you ever attended?
C.S.: Asia 2008 in Dallas. The original four members. They were the band that led me down the path of progressive rock. Seeing them live was a great experience; they sounded phenomenal.
C.H.: If you could play any other instrument, what would it be?
C.S.: The cello.
C.H.: What’s the first album you ever bought?
C.S.: It was either Kraftwerk “The Man Machine” or the soundtrack to Star Wars.
C.H.: How old were you when you began playing your instrument?
C.S.: I was a late bloomer. I was 17.
C.H.: What’s the first rock song you ever learned to play?
C.S.: “It's actually four songs that my guitar teacher was teaching me to learn progressions and strumming or picking techniques. "Country Roads", "Brandy", "The City of New Orleans", and "Dust in the Wind".
C.H.: What was the first band you were in?
C.S.: Horizon, with Andi and three friends in high school. We played songs by Night Ranger and Huey Lewis at a school talent show. They were all pretty good. I sucked!
C.H.: Who’s your favorite new band or artist?
C.S.: The Devah Quartet from Toronto. You should check them out!
C.H.: If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
C.S.: A soccer coach. I trained high school club teams for years and have a national license.
C.H.: Who or what inspired you to become a musician?
C.S.: Hearing Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”. The work still amazes me today.
C.H.: What would your 'desert island' albums or artists be?
C.S.: Not in order, but…
1. Asia - Asia
2. Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery
3. Stravinsky: Le Sacre Du Printemps conducted by Leonard Bernstein
4. Emerson String Quartet: Ravel's "String Quartet"
5. Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced?
6. The Beatles - Abbey Road
7. The Beatles - Rubber Soul
8. Yes - Close to the Edge
9. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
10. Artis Quartet: Webern “Complete Works for String Quartet & Trio”
11. Yuja Wang: Rachmaninov
12. The Eagles - Greatest Hits 1971-1975
C.H.: Who are some of your (instrument) idols?
C.S.: For guitar, Steve Howe, Frankie Sullivan, Chris Hayes, David Gilmour. On keyboards, Keith Emerson, Geoff Downes, Rick Wakeman.
C.H.: What’s your favorite Pangaea song?
C.S.: Maybe, “The Journey” from A Time and A Place. We all five took part in writing it. It showcases everything Pangaea is about for me.
C.H.: What's the most memorable concert you every played?
C.S.: I think that concert is coming up …
C.H.: How would you describe Pangaea to someone?
C.S.: We’re five friends, brothers. Musically, we are individually good musicians. As a band we’re damn good - strong - we make a good noise!