Outland

Outland: Melodic Rock from Los Angeles

Interview by Ken Morton

Outland is from Los Angeles, the melodic rock/AOR capital of the world - and their latest album Where Do We Go From Here is sure to enrapture fans of classic bands such as Foreigner, Toto, and Whitesnake. Now signed to MR Records of Australia, music fanatics all across the globe may experience the sonic reveries Outland has to offer. Highwire Daze recently interviewed Outland members Jeff Prentice and Rob Nishida to find out more about the making of Where Do We Go From Here, signing to MR Records, working with Pat Torpey of Mr. Big on their Long Way Home endeavor, future plans, and more...

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Outland, and how long the band has been together.

Rob: Jeff and I started Outland in 1999. We started the band when we were offered the opportunity to be featured on a compilation CD for a melodic rock covention that took place in Los Angeles in called Ultrasound 2000. Our songs Valerie and One More Night wound up on that CD and really help launch the band, garnering us interest from a number of labels. I play guitar, bass, keyboards and sing background vocals. Jeff: I Sing Lead, Harmonies, Play Keys and play most of the lead guitar.

Where is the band based out of and what is your local music scene like there?

Rob: We’re based in Los Angeles. The music scene here is actually pretty healthy but not necessarily for a band like Outland. Jeff: We’re basically in the beach area southwest of L.A.

How did you wind up signing with MR Records?

Rob: We’ve always had a great relationship with Andrew McNeice who used to run the melodicrock.com website. He introduced us to the guys at Melodic Rock Records.

Is there any overall story or concept behind the album title Where Do We Go From Here?

Yes, at least for the title track. We started writing for this CD in 2005, and one of the biggest news stories of that year was Hurricane Katrina and the havoc that it caused in the New Or-

leans area. The song Where Do We Go From Here was wtitten from the perspective of somebody who was affected directly by the tragedy.

Select two songs from Where Do We Go From Here and what inspired the lyrics.

Rob: Wrong Side of Town is kind of a modern take on the West Side Story scenario. Good Enough is a song about not settling and giving in. Both songs are romantic in nature, but I think give different perspectives on how people deal with love and relationships.

Who produced Where Do We Go From Here and what was it like working with them?

Jeff: Rob and I pretty much co-produced the record. At the end of the process, I mixed and mastered it in my studio. It was really great working with us!!

When you look back on your first two albums Different Worlds and Long Way Home, what do you think of them now in retrospect?

Rob: I think that there is a natural progression to the music. The production has gotten better overall and I think musically, it has become more interesting with each subsequent album. Not only that, Jeff is singing better than ever! Jeff: Hey Thanks for that Rob! I think the songwriting has been there from the beginning but we definitely got better at the recording process on each subsequent record.

You worked with Pat Torpey of Mr. Big on the Long Way Home album. What was that experience like?

Rob: Pat was not only an exceptional drummer, but a really great guy. I think the thing I remember most was just hanging out with him, eating mexican food and talking about our family and kids and the whole Mr. Big saga. During that time, Mr. Big had been broken up for a few years and Pat was talking with the guys for a possible reunion down the road. Eventually, the reunion would happen in 2009. Musically, the thing that struck me was the first time he set up his kit and started tracking. I’ve played with many drummers, but no one who hit the drums quite so hard! Needless to say, his drumming on Long Way Home was nothing short of astounding. Jeff: It was great to work with Pat. He was a super nice guy and a consummate professional.

If Outland could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?

Rob: For me, it would be the original line-up of Foreigner at their height or the Evolution era Journey. Jeff: The “Live and Dangerous” Era of Thin Lizzy, UFO Circa “Obsession”, or Judas Priest with Les Binks on Drums.

Jeff – when you look back on the Predator album on Metal Blade Records in 1985, what do you think of it now in retrospect?

Jeff: I’m proud of my guitar playing for sure. The songwriting could definitely have been better. Most of the lyrics were an afterthought to take up the space between guitar solos! LOL I do wish I could still scream like that! As many people know, the album cover was voted “worst album cover of all time” in at least one publication, and I think that is hilarious and awesome! I think the final production sounded a bit weak but it fit right in with the independent metal releases of the day. That was such a great time for music and I’m really happy to have been a small part of it.

Rob – give me a little background on your band Weeds and do you still keep in touch with any of the members?

Rob: Weeds was a pop/Americana type of band. This band was formed just before bands like Matchbox 20 and the Wallflowers broke big. We had interest from guys like Bob Clearmountain and worked with a music supervisor with BMG but nothing really panned out. I’ve lost touch with the rest of the band members but I have very fond memories of the band.

Are either or you currently involved with bands or projects outside of Outland?

Rob: I’m in a new band called Black Sage Burn that plays locally. This band is more in the Foo Fighters / Incubus vein. You can find some of our music on any of the streaming services. Jeff: I am currently putting the finishing touches on a new Predator record. Plus I play in several local Wedding/Corporate type bands

What’s up next for Outland?

Rob: Outland 4 of course! Jeff: Certainly!

Any final words of wisdom?

Jeff: I notice Rob left this blank. It’s probably best if I do as well.