In Prog circles, the name Derek Sherinian is instantly recognized. After three worldwide releases with progressive metal kings Dream Theater, and several tribute album appearances, Derek has gone on to a successful solo career. Since his unceremonious ousting, Derek has recorded two CD?s with Platypus, When Pus Comes To Shove and Ice Cycles, (which also feature former DT-mate John Myung), a solo CD entitled Planet X, and lifting that title for his band name Planet X released Universe last year. Now he unleashes his sophomore solo effort Inertia, easily his most accomplished work to date. I spoke with Derek, via email, about his new album, his past, and a few of his favorite things.

Inertia is an amazing album, probably your most complete and cohesive to date! How was the writing process different from past records?
Thank you for your kind words! Simon Phillips co wrote 5 songs with me, working with him everyday was just amazing, and extremely humbling for me.

When you got to hear the finished product, how did you feel about Inertia? Would you do anything differently?
There are always level discrepancies that you hear but I am very satisfied with the song selection, and the performances from everyone involved.

Did you/do you record the musician?s parts separately? Or do you all get in a big room and jam?
Simon lives about 10 minutes away from me, and has an identical ProTools mixplus system as I do. His room is totally dialed in to get the awesome drums sounds. We would write at his place, get a drum and bass track in the can, then I would take my hot swap hard drive to my studio the Leopard Room, and record keyboard and guitar overdubs. We recorded Zakk Wylde at the Leopard room and Lukather at Simon's room.

How much of Inertia was pre-written? How much was written in ?jam? mode?
Inertia was 100% pre written compositionally, but all the solos from everyone were done on the fly (as always.)

You definitely have a unique sound. How do you create your chord progressions?
I stay away from stock chord voicings like 1,3,5 triads. I experiment with clusters a lot by doing suspended 9th, and 4th chords over unexpected bass notes, and mutating the progression by substituting different inversions in the right hand, and altering the bass notes.

What?s your main keyboard these days? Why? What did you use on Inertia? (this one?s for the gear-heads)
I used the Trinity for the solos, and I used authentic vintage electric pianos, B3, and an 8-ft. Yamaha Grand piano. I used my Nord Rack 2 all over Inertia. My main keyboard will be the KORG Triton this year.

Any touring plans for Inertia? If so, who would be in the band?
Live dates are being talked about for Japan, LA, Chicago and NYC. If all goes through, the line up will be Steve Lukather on guitar, Simon Phillips on drums, Jerry Goodman on electric violin, and whoever Simon wants on bass.

Between Planet X, Platypus, solo work and tribute albums you seem to be incredibly busy? How do you keep from burning out?
It is what I have to do if I want to maintain complete creative control in my music and career. As long as I have great people around me, I could never burn out.

As far as your music, where does it all come from? Looking at all you?ve done in the past two years, you seem to have an endless well of creativity.
I definitely do not come up with it all myself. Again, when you have people that are so talented and creative working with you, it makes it easy.

What happened with Platypus? Why are you no longer involved?
The band had run its course. The new project with Ty tabor and the Bissonette's will very cool, so stay tuned for that.

I know Inertia is still very new, but what else can we expect from you in the future? What else are you currently working on?
I am writing for the next Planet X CD, which will be out this fall.

How did you hook up with the following musicians, and how was the experience working with them? Tell us something weird about each one:
Steve Lukather - Luke is amazing, he makes it sing like Jeff Beck can. He is always cracking jokes, and is very fast in the studio.

Zakk Wylde - Zakk plays with so much balls and attitude when he plays, I love it! I would love to write with him for my next CD. He was up at the Leopard Room for 2 days doing his guitars. I had never drank so much beer! It was great being drunk off my ass producing Zakk Wylde in my studio!

Tony Franklin - I love Tony's playing, and will continue to use him on my CDs in the future. Very nice guy.

Simon Phillips - Like Lukather, Simon is such a veteran and legend, I had to constantly pinch myself to remind myself in the studio that it was Simon Phillips and Steve Lukather in the control room playing on MY CD...unreal!

Ty Tabor - Ty is great. He is pleasure to work with, and a great guitarist/songwriter and engineer.

Tony McAlpine - He is so talented, it makes me sick.

Virgil Donati - see above answer

What do you think (if anything) about the following keyboardists?
Kevin Moore - I learned some things covering his parts in Dream Theater. I think that he sounded great on those records, and it puzzles me why he left in the first place. His playing is soulful.

Jordan Rudess - Jordan's technique is amazing. Very nice guy.

Keith Emerson - He will always be the king of rock keyboards period. On a showmanship level, no one was cooler than Emerson in his early days.

Rick Wakeman - He was also very cool. Not as cool as Emerson (IMHO) but Wakeman was an influence on me when I was younger, but I haven?t heard any new music in awhile from him.

Tony Banks - Nice textures

Jonathan Cain - More of a songwriter, but writes good pop keyboard parts.

Jens Johanssen - Jens is the only keyboardist that strikes fear or envy in me. I was a fan of Jens when I was younger. You can hear the fire in his playing. Jens is great.

Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) - (?)
Alex Staropoli (Rhapsody) - (?)
Michael Pinella (Symphony X) - (?)

You?re apparently very happy in all your recent work but, if you were invited back to DT, would you go? Any hard feelings?
I think that we all have been fired from a job in our life, or dumped by someone before, It is just a little more difficult when the WHOLE FUCKING WORLD is watching you get canned! :) I recently received a very friendly phone message from Mike Portnoy where he gave me my props for my post DT career moves. In retrospect DT helped me out to become a global keyboard name (god, that sounds pompous!), and I helped them out in a 4 year transition between Kevin Moore and Jordan. They are happier playing with Jordan, and I am happier playing with Steve Lukather and Simon Phillips, so everyone wins! If I would go back to DT is a pointless question because it is so hypothetical. If they were ever in any sort of bind, I would help them out if I could. I am too busy making records to have hard feelings.

Looking back on your career, what do you consider to be your favorite moment? What are your highlights?
Two moments, when I got hired for Alice Cooper in 1989, and when Planet X went to Europe, and I was signing copies of Universe after the show. There were only 50 people but it was a great moment for me.

If it hasn?t happened already, what would be your ?dream gig?? Besides working on your own?
I am doing it!

Ok, these are some goofy questions from a few fans.
Why do you have so many vowels in your name?
Makes me feel important.

What?s your shoe size?
10

What is your favorite brand of shades?
Gucci

Lava Lamps or Christmas Lights?
Lava

Italian or Chinese?
Italian

Leopard print or Cheetah print?
Leopard

What?s your most embarrassing moment on stage?
Nothing too bad has happened.

In the studio or on tour? Which do you prefer?
Both are very enjoyable to me.