Talking about “The greatest wonder”, where do you think you’ve got the best results: as vocalist, as bassplayer of behind the mixer?
DW: Hard to answer, I’m never totally satisfied with anything but I guess I’d have to say as a vocalist.

Did you met somewhere with your bandmates in Khymera and work together for your studio sessions, or was “The greatest wonder” recorded and assembled just through the internet?
DW: I do a lot of jobs parallel to each other. I don’t have the time to meet and rehears unfortunately so Daniele recorded the instruments then sent me the tracks to sing on which I did in my private studio.

Your singing is amazing: why hadn’t you ever covered this role as vocalist before Khymera?
DW: Wow! You flatter me, thanks! Actually, years and years ago I was a singer. I was very keen on having a 3 man band in the style of Rush (I thought 3 man bands were cool for some reason) but I soon learned it was too much work for someone like me with very little discipline. I liked to drink and smoke a lot in the past and I am sure I would have ruined my voice very quickly had I gone on tour as a singer.

Who’s the most talented singer among Andi Deris, David Readman and… Dennis Ward?
DW: All 3 ( ? ) are talented in there own ways. Each is very different from another and the beauty is in the variety so there is no real answer to this. I do like and respect both singers very much!

I know you’re a great fan of Journey: your opinion about their new singer? Can he really stand the comparison with the immense Steve Perry?
DW: A new singer will never have it easy stepping in the shoes of a great man such as Steve Perry. It has nothing to do with talent or ability anymore. Fans will always feel that the soul of the band has had some part amputated in this situation and they surely feel it will never be the same again until a reunion or something similar occurs. I am, in this case, as any fan.

How did an american guy from Dallas, Texas, happen to find himself mostly playing and working with european musicians?
DW: My father was a civilian working for the US army in Germany. I ended up staying here after getting into the music scene very early in my carreer.

I truly use to think and say that you’ve got a Mida’s touch, and every project passing through your hands simply shines like gold. What’s the secret for your successful trademark?
DW: If there is a secret it shouldn’t be. I take all my work seriously and try to do the best I can regardless of the project. It’s really that simple.

Do you operate any kind of selection among the bands who apply to you for your professional services?
DW: Actually no. It just has to be do-able and I haven’t been given many jobs that I could not do for whatever reason. If I were to get working say mixing a very badly recorded album and felt I could not get good results I would just cancel the job to be honest.

Among the artists you’ve happened to work with, who’s been the easiest to deal with, and what’s so far the project you’re mostly proud to have been involved in?
DW: Now that’s really hard! I found Bob Cately to be a charm to work with, as well as Mark Storage of Krokus. The list is quite long actually. I’ve been very lucky. Most proud? Hard to say, I’m still looking for that satisfaction since years! I am proud of everything and I am more proud of the things that the majority of people like. I think the thing I was most proud of was the first song I wrote on my 4 track cassette recorder that my Mother bought me. It sounded like shit but that was that “first time feeling” that will never come back. Like a first kiss….

I see that you’re a much versatile producer. What kind of sound is technically easier to handle among AOR, powermetal and symphonic metal?
DW: uhhmmm…… easier is when I record it myself…. Technically there is no difference, only the quality of the production, which makes things go smoother. I get the biggest kick out of mixing AOR at the moment but I can and am willing to work with anything!

Your sincere opinion about a band that I do personally admire a lot, I mean Human Zoo...
DW: Very nice bunch of guys that really seem to do it for the love of the music, no compromises. It’s great to see the guys work together. You get the feeling that a comfortable symbiosis has developed through friendship and that’s as rare as finding 4 people on the same street that want to play the same music. Something that many many bands have seem to have forgotten or never learned.

The webmaster of your own site is the Eden’s Curse singer Paul Logue. Was that agreement included in your deal for producing their debut album (just kidding…)?
DW: Paul is the bassist, not the singer. He is also the songwriter. I meet him through David Readman and after having contact I found him to be a great guy. He offered to make me a homepage and I was very thankful for his help, I could not have done this myself. Thanks Paul!

Would you like to talk about Sunstorm, another brilliant release you’ve been involved with?
DW: Sure, this was another project where I recorded and produced but Joe recorded near his home alone and sent me the tracks afterwards. Not much to tell here other than I like the material and I’m looking forward to making the next Sunstorm which I will be starting soon.

Is there any recording, among the ones you’ve been releasing with Pink Cream 69 over the years, where you’re not involved in the production process?
DW: One EP called Mixery was mixed by Achim Koehler and of course the first 4 albums were with another producer.

How would you rate the recent “Bassinvaders” project?
DW: I think it’s cool! Not something that you would hear on the radio but I think it’s great that Markus had the balls to make such an album. It’s not often that a musician gets to make an album just for himself!

Who are your main artistic influences as bassplayer?
DW: If there is one then it’s Geddy Lee. I have high regards for many others though.

What about songwriting? You’re credited in almost every PC69 release and, as far as I know, also in another great project, I mean Place Vendome. For the new Khymera record songwriting came from outside the band. Are you satisfied with this choice, or would you have loved to give your own contribution to it?
DW: Sometimes the end results can be more interesting when you share the work and I am happy working with Khymera like this. If I ever should insist on recording my own songs then I’ll make a solo album.

You’ve been recently working with Bob Catley. What of your forthcoming projects would you recommend us to pay major attention to?
DW: Definitely Bob Catelys new album. Everything else is top secret and if I tell you I’ll have to kill you….. ?

Is there in your dreams any band/artist you’d wish to work with?
DW: hmmmm… Rush, Toto, ACDC, Journey to name a few…

A few years ago Mike Tramp refused an elaborate italian dinner in a restaurant here in Bologna, preferring a cheeseburger along the road…In front of an adeguate accomodation, would you come and work with some further promising italian act, besides Khymera?
DW: Well, I don’t eat cheeseburgers and I am grateful for any hospitality so of course I would come. Cheers!