Metaloz: Hello Jeff!! How are you ? You must be looking forward to performing in Australia for the first time.

JSS: Are you kidding me? I am amped!!! I have only visited a coupla times in the past 3 years, but have never performed there. I love the feeling of breaking new ground, I just hope people come out in numbers to give me a shot at kicking their asses!

Metaloz: After a long career what prompted you to finally tour Australia?

JSS: There was never any interest from both promoters or bands I have been in through the years. With the friendship that blossomed through Andrew McNeice at melodicrock.com & the quiet storm of fans coming from the woodwork stating I do have a following there, I pushed like hell to make this happen. We have been at this for over a year now, it was only until Andrew took in his own hands that we actually got it underway.

Metaloz: This tour coincides with the release of your new solo album "Lost In The Translation" Tell us about the new album.

JSS: It is a natural progression from the last one, Prism. I never really had any intention on getting much notoriety or interest from Prism so I did an album of melodic, AOR style rock songs. Once the onslaught of interest came pouring along with quite a few high profile gigs & appearances live, the other side of the criticism poured in that the album was too light. I know I have confused so many people as to what kind of artist JSS is supposed to be which is where the title Lost In The Translation derives from. So many who just discovered my music in the last 2 years will be lost when they hear this as it rocks hard, something lacking on Prism & Love Parade. The songs are cool, I had a great time creating them & this time around, Everthing is new, Prism was a collection of songs I had written in the course of 15 years here & there.

Metaloz: You've had a very expansive career, worked with many influential artists from starting your career with Yngwie Malmsteen, being in groups such as Talisman to recently working with Neal Schon (Journey). You've also been involved with side projects such as writing and performing music for the blockbuster movie "Rockstar". What material will you be performing on the tour and what can the Australian public expect from the show?

JSS: All of it! How can I not? The thing is, my live show is more of a retrospect of my entire career, doing just songs from my solo albums would bore me & the audience. I am from the school of giving the people what they want & not just self-indulging on my own solo stuff. Now if I were selling millions, I would be forced to give them the new stuff just the same, but I know they wanna hear all the bands I have worked/recorded with in 1 show, & my band are brought on because they can emulate it all! .

Metaloz: Tell us about the band you'll be bringing downunder?

JSS: Howie Simon, the can play anything on guitar. He is amazing, as both a guitarist & vocalist. It aint easy pulling off everything from Talisman to Yngwie to Queen, he adapts to everything naturally & brings an element of confidence along with him. He is also my music director, helping organise the rest of the guys when it comes to rehearsals. Gary Schutt, my friend of the past 10 years, shares a little musical history with me. He is an incredible guitar player, scary, but actually plays bass for me as again, to find someone who can sing & play some of these chops on bass was a chore to find. I wanted guys who enjoy the adventure as much as the music they are playing. There are many who just do it for the money, the guys in my band really care about what we're doing together. My new drummer, Dave Dzialak reigns from Howie's home town Buffalo, NY, who came on board after we my last drummer left the camp. Dave had a lot to learn in a short time & he pulled it off with flying colours so needless to say, he's been with me for the long haul of the solo band. The guys are all my pals as well as tremendous musicians which makes for me to just focus on doing what I have to do. .

Metaloz: You will also be doing some Queen tribute shows. Obviously Queen must have had a huge impact on you musically, tell us about what Queen means to you and about the tribute show..

JSS: Honestly, the Queen shows kinda happened by chance that I did a 1 off gig for the Queen Convention in England, which came about by jamming with Queen themselves at a party in LA celebrating their star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. I never intended on doing so many of these or becoming a tribute band, but the demand kept coming & it was hard to say no, especially having put so much work into the 1 show in England, might as well get some mileage from it. We are really doing the extra shows as a resource for earning enough to pay for bringing us over for my regular shows, any excuse to perform longer in OZ! .

Metaloz: How did you become involved with the "Rockstar" movie?

JSS: In 1990, I was asked by my buds in Stryper to sing backups on their Against The Law album, which was produced by ace vet Tom Werman. He was so impressed on how fast I worked & my range, he hired me for backups on EVERY album he produced from that point onward until 1995. he retired shortly after the last time we worked together, but was pulled out of retirement for the soundtrack to Rock Star, they wanted someone who could bring out the true essence of the 80s. I was one of his 1st choices for lead vocals as we only ever worked together with me doing backups.

Metaloz: Will you be doing instore appearances and will the Australian public be able to meet you after the shows?

JSS: I plan to do as many appearances outside the shows as possible, I'm sure these things will be posted accordingly. As far as after shows, ABSOLUTELY, I always take time afterwards to meet anyone who is willing to hang out & meet me, especially if they are buying up my stuff, it is the least I can do to thank them for the support & I thoroughly enjoy it.

Metaloz: What have been some of the highlights of your career, greatest achievements and favorite musicians you've worked with etc.

JSS: 2 of the highlights in my life are singing with Queen & now being in a band with another longtime hero, Neal Schon. I look at my career now & have to pinch myself at the company I have kept recently, its pretty overwhelming when I stop to think about it, although you have to keep your cool when meeting/playing with your heroes who are now peers. As far as Im concerned, I am still the 16 year old rock fan unknown to the world & dreaming of someday being a rock star!

Metaloz: You have one of those legendary, powerful and emotional voices up there with vocal legends such as David Coverdale, Robert Plant, Paul Rogers etc and have been described as the singer all bands would love to have. How is the voice these days ? Has it changed, gotten better throughout the years?

JSS: Geez, putting me in such company, come on now! The voice is getting better, 2 years ago I underwent surgery to remove nodules (most singers get them, trained or not!) which definitely affected my range, I don't do them high notes like I used to! But the healing, which I was told would be a slow process, has been improving & it certainly works better than it did when I did Rock Star (which was right after I was diagnosed with them).

Metaloz: Hard Rock/Metal seemed to go through a slump in the 90s and there seems to be a bit of a resurgence of late. How do you see the current music situation?

JSS: Most people know, everything comes around, there always resurgences with all musical genres, but I don't predict the whole thing coming back the way it used to be, just another version of it (The Darkness, The Jets to name a couple). Most of the older bands think this resurgence means they will make their magical comebacks but it really only plays out for the newer, younger guys who were 12 when this stuff was popular. I don't expect to finally become a household name all of a sudden, but I will bust my ass to continue making a name for myself. Maybe there could be discovery of what I do with something contemporary & put me in the limelight, but I don't hold my breath for it, I just enjoy what I have & make the most of it.

Metaloz: Well Jeff great to talk, appreciate your time and look forward to the tour and urge many Australians to get out there and witness one of the worlds greatest rock vocalists.

JSS: I appreciate the compliment, I hope I don't disappoint with such expectations! I very much look forward to tearing it up Down Under.

Metaloz: h I have a request. Some stuff off Yngwie Malmsteens Rising Force Marching out album. I use to watch the 85 live video over and over as a kid and it holds special haha.

JSS: You won't be disappointed!