Copyright Kevin J. Julie

Come see the ANT-BEE Website!

For those who do not recognize the name "Ant-Bee" (real name - Billy James) is a multi talented musician, producer and author who has recorded with a number of legendary names that you'll recognize, as well as being an author of a number of rock biographies (done and in the works) - most notably with Michael Bruce - "No More Mr Nice Guy : The Inside Story Of The Alice Cooper Group". Recently Ant-Bee, who hails from North Carolina, has been involved with another local muso named Bruce Cameron. He's enlisted a number of "guest" musicians for the project, most notably to HEEP fans - Ken Hensley (see kenhensley.com for more info). This interview gives a good insight into the career and influences of a very interesting and talented guy that I hope you'll consider checking out on disc or in print!

Q: Date of Birth?
Ant-Bee: 11/11/60

Q: Earliest musical influences and favorites?
A: My first musical influence was the Beatles and the Monkees. Through my friendship with a guy named Peter Radloff (who now records guitar on my albums), he and his brother turned me on to a world of music - Grand Funk, Alice Cooper Group, Cream, Creedence, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Humble Pie, Black Sabbath, Soft Machine, and so on. From there my musical tastes branched out into all directions - Zappa/Mothers, Capt. Beefheart, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Santana, Todd Rundgren, Focus, Hot Tuna - on and on - the progressive rock groups - Yes, Genesis, ELP, Camel, GONG, and the jazz scene - Miles Davis, Weather Report, Return To Forever, Pharoah Sanders, and so on. Also a big influence on me was the German avant-garde groups like Amon Duul, Can, Rodelius and so forth. I have a vast amount of musical influences that all in some way or another surface in my work.

Q: Biggest creative influences in life?
A: GOD, John Lennon, Grand Funk, Frank Zappa, Woody Allen, The Marx Brothers, Dali

Q: Instruments played?
A: Drums, Percussion, Guitar and piano, arranging and scoring.

Q: Your own musical beginnings?
A: I started playing drums when I was 11 and when I was 13 I used to jam and record with some local hippie musicians (in their 20's no less). One such musician who has remained a friend and musical inspiration was Scott Renfroe. He was a very innovative guitarist and studio wiz back in 1973 and in 1993 20 years later we began to record my 3rd album together in his studio. I went to Berklee College of Music in 1979 and graduated in 1982. I moved to LA in April 1983and worked with Steve Vai on his first solo album as well as do chart work for him. I also did several subdivision charts for the late great Frank Zappa in the early 1980's. I recorded several albums throughout the 80's - one notable piece was Bob Harris's first solo album - The Great Nostalgia. In 1989 I got a record deal with Voxx records in LA for my new project ANT-BEE. They paid for and released my first ANT-BEE album "Pure Electric Honey" in 1990. There album receive rave reviews and sold well especially in Europe. In 1991 I filmed my second video and began working on my second LP, along with gigging with my live ensemble. In 1992 I began working and recording with the ex-Mothers Of Invention members, whom I have worked and remained close friends with to this day. We recorded my second ANT-BEE album/CD - "ANT-BEE with my favorite Vegetables and Other Bizarre Muzik". Which was released on Divine Records UK. In l993 I relocated to North Carolina to record my 3rd album in Scott Renfroe's new 24 trk studio. It was around this time I made contact with Father GONG himself Daevid Allen whom contributed some glissando guitarre for my 3rd album. Soon after I received a call from a childhood idol Michael Bruce of the Alice Cooper Group who was interested in working with me on my new album as well. From that point on MB relocated from Phoenix, AZ to NC to record and tour with ANT-BEE. Soon after that in 1995 I began contact with 2 legendary progressive guitarist Peter Banks and Jan Akkerman, both whom are making a guest appearance on my 4th ANT-BEE album. In 1997, the 3rd ANT-BEE 'Lunar Muzik' was released in UK, and featured the ex-Mothers, Daevid Allen, Harvey Bainbridge, and the ex-Alice Cooper group members (first time the original band had been recorded together since their demise in 1975!).Currently recording my 4th album 'Electronic Church Muzik' which features - Michael Bruce, Neal Smith, ex-Mothers, Jan Akkerman, Peter Banks, Zoot Horn Rollo, Gilli Smyth, Daevid Allen, amongst others.

Q: Availability of your CDs?
A: Lunar Muzik is available worldwide through Cargo distribution.

Q: Covers you'd like to do, and usage of Neal Smith's "Platinum God" excerpts?
A: I have a ton of covers I would love to do. I would also like to do my version of the Beach Boys 'Smile' album. In the case of the 'Platinum God' tapes. MB and I were going through his reel-to-reels and found the original tapes to Neal's 'Platinum God' album including the tune. Neal gave me full permission to take some of the music and make it into something else, and that is what I did.

Q: How did you hook up with Bruce Cameron? And info on his forthcoming album?
A: Bruce Cameron is a very gifted guitarist/songwriter who approached me last year with the idea of doing an album. I listen to the demos he sent me and found them quite interesting and different from the muck of material I am sent constantly. When a decision to work together was reached I then set about finding Bruce some of the musical artists that have been big inspirations on him and his music (just like I have done for my albums). I recruited my cohorts Michael Bruce, Neal Smith and Bunk Gardner to the project. But since then the magic seemed to take off by itself and now Jack Bruce, Mitch Mitchell, The Band Of Gypsys, Ken Hensley, Harvey Dalton Arnold and other artists have made stellar appearances on Bruce's new album project. The album will be called 'Midnight Daydream' and released on his own label Brain Cell Records , fall '99.I personally think this album is going to be a hit and make a huge impact on the Rock and Roll market.

Q: Your role on Bruce's album?
A: my role on Bruce Cameron's album is project coordinator and guest artist. I sing 2 lead vocal tracks (both feature Bruce, Neal Smith, & Ken Hensley) and drums on a few tracks (one featuring Jack Bruce)

Q: How did you go about meeting so many 'name' musicians to appear on your albums?
A: After being in the music business almost 20 years I have made a few contacts and with the right info it is easy enough to track down musicians. Also with my reputation in the industry I have found a lot of artists wish to work with me and my projects.

Q: Other musicians you'd like to work with in the future?
A: I myself would like to work with Jon Anderson, Flo and Eddie, Todd Rundgren.

Q: Other current projects your working on?
A: I am currently recording my 4th album. Also I have made a guest appearance on Gilli Smyth's new CD and Peter Banks new album.

Q: Where did the "Ant Bee" name come from?
A: the name came from the Beefheart song ANT-MAN-BEE and a take off from my North Carolina heritage and the Andy Griffith show.

Q: Books are you currently working on?
A: My most recent book is with the legendary Beefheart guitarist Zoot Horn Rollo (Bill Harkleroad) called 'Lunar Notes' on SAF publishing UK. It is doing very well. I am currently completing my book on Grand Funk Railroad - An American Band. Don Brewer has been working closely with me and has agreed to do the forward. It will be released on SAF in the spring '99. Also in the works a book on the Grandmothers, Todd Rundgren and a book on the early history of YES with Peter Banks.

Q: Goals and Hobbies?
A: My main goal in life is spreading God's word through my Muzik. My hobbies outside music is - my 2 year old boy, meditating and subconscious training, art, body surfing and Golf.

Copyright - Kevin J. Julie, 1998.