Ty Tabor -- The first member of the highly respected band King's X to step out on his own to do a solo album for Metal Blade Records. Read about what has sparked this guitar hero to create his own record, and what sparked HM Magazine to put him on the cover.

One of the biggest-selling rock acts of the 70's was adored by its fans, but not respected much by its musical peers at the time. At the apex of their career, the members of Kiss each did solo albums. Clutched up like they were worthy of the group effort, fans were able to see the individual parts of the band at work. While King's X is close to Kiss in the record bins due to the spelling of its name, the status of the group is almost strangely opposite. Unknown by the masses, King's X is highly respected by its peers. The guitarist for the band that musicians love to love has recorded a solo album for the band's new label -- Metal Blade, and one is in the works for bassist Doug Pinnick. While negotiations have not started for drummer Jerry Gaskill, Pinnick tells us that he has songs and a desire to do one.

The first member to speak on his own is guitarist Ty Tabor. While the release of his indie solo album -- Naomi's Solar Pumpkin -- had a short life span, it got him a record deal almost immediately upon its release. Now that he has a solo release that will be available worldwide (Moonflower Lane), we thought it was time for an interview.

Tell me about the new album.

"Well . . . It's basically a solo effort that I've been wanting to do for some time now. King's X has been together for over seventeen years and it was about time to try something on my own. Being in a band has been a compromise that I have been happy with for the most part, as the music generally turns out to be something that we didn't expect because we're all pitching in different ideas based on differing views and influences. However, over the years certain songs, that you really had a vision for, get ‘turned over' to the band and they end up a mixture of three guys' visions which no longer resemble your own. That's why I wanted to do this record."

Where did you record and master?

"I recorded the drum tracks and first few overdubs at the Galactic Cowboys' studio. I did all of the remaining guitars, vocals, percussion, mixing and mastering at my studio -- Alien Beans. Alan Doss of the Galactic Cowboys co-engineered with me and we basically flew through it all with no major hitches."

What is the impetus behind choosing strange names for album titles, like Gretchen Goes To Nebraska and Naomi's Solar Pumpkin? Or, worded another way, "What inspires Ty Tabor to use bizarre album titles?"

"I'm not sure. I don't think it's the title as much as the personal meaning (usually a joke of some sort) behind it. It's my way of not taking "work" too seriously, while at the same time it is very serious to me. I don't care for titles that sound too serious, and sometimes a name that makes people scratch their head takes the pressure off of me. I'd rather a title be confusing than pompous. (The new album is called) Moonflower Lane. No bizarre name this time. It's probably really pompous!"

What new songs (not on Naomi's Solar Pumpkin) will be on this album?

"There are four new songs on Moonflower Lane. Titles don't really tell you much. I'll just say that the album has more of a continuity than Naomi's Solar Pumpkin. And the songs we re-recorded from Naomi... hopefully rock a little harder with real drums."

What kinds of sounds will we hear on this?

"There are a few experimental moments concerning sounds. For the most part it's pretty straight ahead with a lot of guitar/Leslie cabinet sounds. (Sort of like Badfinger)"

How did it feel to self-produce your own album?

"Great. It was a lifelong dream. I used to get Todd Rungren records and be amazed that he was playing all of the instruments and producing himself. I thought, "How does somebody get to do that?" What a gift and an honor. My record company is great."

Tell me more about difference between Moonflower and Naomi.

"It's very similar. It just has some new songs added and it's all a little more heavy and melodic and groovy at the same time. I like it better because, as I said before, the album has better continuity now."

Who are your musical heroes, guitar-wise?

"I love the Beatles. I still think they got some of the greatest guitar sounds ever recorded. I was influenced by so many guitarists... Dick Wagner, Steve Hunter, Brian May, Ace Frehley, Robin Trower, Alan Holdsworth, Johnny Winter, Phil Keaggy... should I continue?"

What was your take on playing at Woodstock II?

"Wow! That describes it best. Mammoth."

How do you feel about the Best Of King's X?

"Truthfully I haven't thought much about it. It was released and we had all forgotten about its release. People called us saying ‘We have the new album!' and we were like, ‘Oh yeah, we have one of those don't we!?' I guess because our other albums were events in our lives, having spent months together working hard on them, that this one, (which is mainly a compilation of older material), didn't feel like a real album. But I'm glad it's out in case someone ever wants to hear past and present what the band has released up to now. And it was fun remastering the older songs. They sound better, at least to me."

I noticed that the album starts off with "King," which used to begin all of your shows. What sort of special meaning does that song have, if any?

"The truth is we used to start the show with it because it seemed like the obvious song to start a show with. It's upbeat and is easy to play. For me personally it always had a little deeper meaning. It was something that allowed me to feel like, ‘Here is the proclamation of what I believe right up front.' I don't think Doug had that in mind when he wrote it, but that's what it meant to me. I loved starting the show with it."

What is your feeling on "swearing," "cussing," etc.?

"Well first let me remove the plank from my eye... ok... well, I don't really like to hear it. I would rather we all find a different way to speak. It's weird, but when I hear someone speaking profanity, it sounds like death to me."

For a couple of years, it seems, there was some sort of decision not to release the song "Quality Control," which had the "f-word" in every chorus. Now the public will hear Doug swear on the live version of "Over My Head." How do you feel about having that go out with your name on it?