Music Street Journal:Blue Oyster Cult always used to have a pretty strong progressive rock tilt to the music. Did that influence come from all the musicians or was it more the contribution of one or two members over the others?

Albert Bouchard:We all dug King Crimson, Pink Floyd, and the Dead but Joe, Buck and I were into more hard bop, Coltrane etc. Allen was into blues and Eric was more into hard rock.

Music Street Journal:There have always been some connections between BOC to Hawkwind (the collaborations with Michael Moorcock, etc.), and that has carried through to Brain Surgeons. Were you friends with that band, fans? How did that connection come about?

Albert Bouchard:We played a few gigs with HW but they were typical reserved Englishmen except for Lemmy. We played a lot more gigs with Motorhead. tBS came to do the HW songs at the request of our fans who were fans of both groups.

Music Street Journal:Is working with Dave Brock or any of the other Hawkwind members something you would like to do in the future?

Albert Bouchard:The biggest problem with even considering that would be logistics. Great music often needs time to stew. It's hard to collaborate with musicians who live in NYC much less merry Old E'.

Music Street Journal:What was the whole story behind Imaginos? I remember reading somewhere that the disc was originally slated to be a solo album by you or Joe?

Albert Bouchard:It was originally sold to the record company as a solo project with me and my famous friends. The whole story is a book yet to be written.

Music Street Journal:In a lot of the old BOC songs there is a Susie mentioned. Who was Susie?

Albert Bouchard:Sandy Pearlman's old girlfriend.

Music Street Journal:How have the BOC fans reacted to Brain Surgeons?

Albert Bouchard:95% of the 10% who've checked us out are a great supportive audience. We have yet to reach most BOC fans.

Music Street Journal:What would you see as the similarities between BOC and Brain Surgeons?

Albert Bouchard:Same drummer and a lot of the same songs. What do you think?

Music Street Journal:What would you see as the differences?

Albert Bouchard:Most of our stuff is funkier. We have more female vocals. I think tBS take more chances.

Music Street Journal:How does it feel to have the band functioning as a three piece these days?

Albert Bouchard:We've worked as a trio from the beginning when we were just a recording band. Practicing is easier; I'll let you know about playing live after the 14th.

Music Street Journal:What can we expect when Brain Surgeons come out on tour again shortly?

Albert Bouchard:It will sound different. Before we were a wall of sound, now the sounds are much more articulated.

Music Street Journal:What`s been your biggest Spinal Tap moment?

Albert Bouchard:Probably the time my drumstick got caught in my hair.

Music Street Journal:What are you listening to these days?

Albert Bouchard:Doris Troy, Johnny Staats, Bella Fleck, Adrian Legg, Cream, old Santana, old Al Green, Dead, Floyd, BOC, Beach Boys, Sadé, Beatles, Helen Wheels, Tribe Called Quest, Beasties, Mobb Deep. I like what I like but my favorites change over time.