Hi Tony, how are you doing? This is not the first time that we talk, so I give it for granted that you are perfectly aware about my personal appreciation for you. Anyway, I’m forced to ask you some unfair questions concerning your current band, I mean TNT. As far as I could take a little listen to (no support from your label, unfortunately…), Atlantis is not actually a bad release at all, in my personal opinion, despite confirming an evident change of musical direction compared to the classic TNT tunes, and some too much “daring” (I mean unusual) tracks here and there. But after a kinda flop as “The new territory” has been, didn’t TNT feel any urge to release an album restoring their typical trademark, for their own fans’ pleasure?
TNT is a wild horse. It constructs music to its' own satisfaction and not to satisfy any other group or fanbase. It is an internal demonstration of ability and not a contest to pacify the outside world. 'The New Territory' may not have succeeded in your 'territory', but it did in its domestic market in Norway. The live response to the album has been fantastic over the last 18 months; the very fact that half the audience left when we finished our live show with Ozzy at Lerkendal football stadium was a testament to that. I think the sound of the band has definitely changed, but also, I think there is a peculiarity that registers with the Scandinavians and they are used to the constant changes of TNT and their constant search for self satisfaction.

I’ve read some disappointing reviews on sites which have a kind of worldwide leadership for their prestige. In your opinion, how much could this influence the public response about Atlantis, in terms of general acclaim (and sales)?
Of course it will have an effect. But I don't care much for that, and doubtless do the rest of the band. The fanbase for the band has changed, as have the opinions regarding the music. The press do not rule the direction of the band and never will. Although they have an indeterminate effect on the bands sales, they don't necessarily represent public opinion. TNT has a massive fanbase in Scandinavia and website opinions have little bearing on that.

This is your second recording appearance with TNT, and despite some huge controversies about the band’s evident musical change of direction, no blame can be referred directly to you, as criticisms are concerned with the songwriting department and not the performing quality. Furthermore, I personally still see in Realized Fantasies the most huge flop by TNT (taking the “dark ages” of modern rock influences aside).But what’s the atmosphere inside the band? And how annoying do you feel the comparison with Tony Harnell by those who’re starting to regret his departure?
There is a great team spirit in the band and we work a lot together live. The band is full of differing personalities and we feed very much off each other.
I'm sure there are a lot of people that regret Tony leaving the band, but that was his choice and I know he is happy that he made that choice. My skin is pretty thick with regard to comparisons with Tony Harnell; it has no real bearing on my career. We are very good friends and we have talked much over the last 2/3 years. I am not Tony Harnell and he is not Tony Mills. We have different attributes and aspirations and are both satisfied in what we do. So, being annoyed is not the issue really, I have felt the last few years as a challenge and I have done my best to live up to that challenge. And Tony has supported me in that.

Would you now talk about your new partnership with the german Label Metal Heaven? I consider them a really good Label, who’s supporting some excellent newcomers (would mention Human Zoo and Elevener, as an example), and is giving new strength to older bands such as Soul Doctor. Are you satisfied with the support you’ ve got from Metal Heaven so far?
Very much so. The test of any label can be measured in the promotion and marketing of the product and I have been very busy with press campaigns as have the rest of the band. With regular TV performances and relentless press interviews etc., I certainly would be the last to complain with regard to the performance of Metal Heaven Records.

Let’s now talk about some positive argument: your recent “Vital Designs” is a simply wonderful album, with some progressive flavour in Queensryche vein, and maybe it’ s the perfect album that Ryches would have needed right now…Seems like former TNT and SHY members such as Morty Black and Joe Basketts & Bob Richards are more efficient than your actual bandmates…
Well, that is a contentious opinion, to say the least. The material is utterly different and each album has no bearing on the other. Specific musical directions can bring out better attitudes and performances than others and the musical style alone cannot determine or predict any performance. Some people have different experience to others and are much better suited to different styles of music, regardless of their musical acumen or ability; but I'm glad you like the album!

What would you tell us about your other recent project, I mean Andersson-Mills?
This was a breath of fresh air, with no boundaries and no rules. A release of temper and anguish that had been due for a long time. Linkan Andersson probably felt just the way I did and we just let it out. Regardless of consequence. We didn't care, that was the whole point. You can taste the anger on that record.

Would love to know your own opinion about these emerging rockers Crimes of Passion. Which role did you have on their album?
COP come from Sheffield, north of where I live. I performed backing vocals on some of the songs on te album and I know the guys fairly well; well Kevin and Dale anyway. They are an enthusiastic rock band and put on a great live performance; what else can I tell ya ?!!!

Now something more personal. We all know and appreciate Tony Mills as a vocalist and artist. But would you introduce to us Tony Mills as a person, with his tastes, his common habits, his qualities and his weaknesses?
Well, I've never felt like a rock n roll star, I've always felt like a working class rock singer; I've always worked. I'm a family man, with a wife and a young daughter, who I love very much. I live for Indian food and good honest beer ! And I have a passion for Rose wine as well. Habitually, I spend a lot of time talking to the press, recording vocals for bands who are trying to get somewhere in life, I try and work for as many charities as I can, using the music business and its influences to help people that are in need of support. I'm a confident guy, with a short temper, but I have a lot of time for other people, especially older people. I wish I had learnt the Norwegian language earlier, but now I'm having a real crack at it and I'm enjoying it a lot. My passion for rock has never died and I intend to pursue it until I am too old to stand up anymore.

Getting back to the music level, I’m just leaving for the Firefest V, whose bill this year is featured as a sort of “top of the best” in melodic rock. Keeping the bands you’ve been involved in aside, can you mention some artist/groups which should definitely have been on stage there?
Tony Harnell !

I already know that TNT have a huge fan basis in Norway. But the request for your live appearances in the rest of the world has been modifying over the last years?
I would agree totally. TNT have been in domestic demand for so long in Norway, that it may have affected their fanbase externally, but that remains to be seen. The band are on a mission to be exported from Norway after Christmas 2008, to the extent of the rest of the Europe and the U.S.; and whatever other territories we can play live.

I would love to express a wish that I’ m firmly sure about. I mean: may TNT give you as many satisfactions and fame as Shy did. Anyway, what changes might be needed on your albums to come, or just even in their promotional strategies, in your opinion?
I think there is a definite need for more financial support toward video production, which has been sadly lacking; relying on live TV performances being broadcasted and live video footage being posted all over the net. But I wouldn't want to change TNT's attitude to album recording and production; it is wild, unpredictable, and it should remain the same. Critics have given it low and high marks and they cannot agree. If everybody gave TNT albums 5/10, we would have failed. But we haven't; there is a lot of diversity of opinion regarding the band and people are talking about TNT a lot; all press is good press. The only bad press, is none.

Post scriptum: soon before this interview was completed, i had the chance to take a proper listen to Atlantis. My very own and sincere opinion is that we’re in front of an amazing record. Would try to review it with a few words, by saying that there’s no sign of self celebrative egocentrism at all. Quite a few extravaganzas, which partially affect two or maybe three still enjoyable tracks, are concerned with the use of some movie-style music themes. So here and there some tune might remind of a kind of “pink panther” theme, some other songs may shortly sound like tango or seem a suitable soundtrack for an old-fashioned detective movie. I actually consider this as a fair purpose to create some personal and innovative music formula wich makes these new tunes properly fit to musicians who are over forty nowadays, with no denial of their enjoyable early hardrock style. Maybe Atlantis does not feature plenty of loud guitars or catchy refrains, but it’s a good and extremely competent record for sure, and it’s well worth a listen.