In 1996 the super group The Trans-Siberian Orchestra under the guide of composer, producer and musician Paul O’Neill first topped the music charts with their groundbreaking release “Christmas Eve & Other Stories.” What made this release and the band’s subsequent Cd’s “The Lost Christmas Eve,” and “The Christmas Attic,” so different among the landscape of other Seasonal releases was O’Neill’s rock roots and the 60+ member touring troupe. They weren’t performing the usual Christmas fare. Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa were no where in sight. Instead the gift we received all wrapped up with a red bow was an imaginative sleigh ride into an inspired concept and thoughtful holiday themed music. Split into two separate bands (the East and West Coast) TSO brought rock theater back to the forefront of the concert stage with their mind blowing three hour plus stage show. The notion that they were playing Christmas music was the band’s music box and niche. Pyrotechnics, laser lights, swirling volcanic sound; TSO live was and is a feast for the senses. It is a 100% rock-and-roll extravaganza. Tommy Farese was at the front of the pack as one of the band’s main vocalists in the West Coast group. When the spotlight came his way he shone as bright as the highest star. His solo’s were heartfelt and among the most memorable moments of the evening. This year he departed TSO and with a handful of former members he is back as vocalist of ‘The Kings of Christmas.’ The line-up features singers and musicians who are all well-known to TSO fans. Performers include: singer and story teller Tony Gaynor, lead vocalists Tommy Farese, Maxx Mann, and Guy LeMonier, David Silva (guitar, bass), Tommy Wynder (drums), and Paul Morris (keyboards).
I caught up with Tommy recently as he and the band were putting final touches on the group’s first release and tour. For as long as I’ve known Tommy he’s always had time to answer an e-mail, interview request; you name it, he’s been there. I would like to thank him personally for all the years of enjoyment he gave me as I sat in the concert hall watching TSO and listening to the CD’s. His solos were my favorite part of the show and meeting him time and again was an added gift in my Christmas stocking. I, along with his fans am eagerly awaiting the arrival of his new endeavor, The Kings Of Christmas.
TM: Obviously the first question is why did you part company with TSO after 20 something years?
TF: That is a question you would have to ask TSO management. As far as I know the
reason was, I had given a Christmas song that I had written to my ex-TSO band mates so they
could start they’re new venture “The Kings of Christmas”. When management found out that I had contributed to their cause they used that as “the reason” for letting me go!! What the real reason was who knows?? I do know they let Tony, Kristin, Erin, and all the other TSO West singers go over the years under the guise they are doing something else. So when they let me go I decided to join my ex-TSO band mates.
TM: Does it feel like a ‘coming home’ to be playing with so many former members of TSO?
TF: Of course! We have a lot of history together, not mention the magic and chemistry we have together. There is something to be said for putting the right people in the right place at the right time. When we were all together on the same stage my belief is, that was the selling point years of TSO West, not the lights, lasers and pyros. Then again that’s just my opinion. The perfect line up in my mind was when we had, Myself, Tony Gaynor, Michael Lanning, Guy Lemonier, Jill Gioa, Maxx Mann, Kristin Gorman, and Sanya Metais. Those were magical times for TSO West.
TM: Will “The Kings” be performing any TSO favorites and will I finally get to hear you sing “The Snow Came Down” live?
TF: Yes! In the second half of our show we will be performing some TSO favorites that each one of us sang. As far as “The Snow Came Down” hmmm, interesting. Let me roll that around for awhile. (laughing)
TM: What about my other favorite Tommy solo “Find Our Way Back Home”?
TF: How bout I consider switching it up every show. (laughing)
TM: I’ll take that.
TM: Do you and the band feel like your starting over with a fresh start and new sound?
TF: Absolutely, The difference between us and other bands is we are writing all new original Christmas songs with a story. The show will be called “The Twelve Ornaments of Christmas.” Each ornament will represent an emotion, and each song will describe that person’s emotion through the lyrics and the melody. We all know that some people during the Christmas season have many different takes on how they view Christmas. All through the years with TSO I have heard countless stories from fans, some joyous, some tragic, etc. So we decided to take these stories and bring them to life through our music. This record is dedicated to the fans that inspired this story.
TM: What can the audience expect seeing “The Kings” live in concert?
TF: They can expect to see what they saw in the early day’s of TSO when we had very little lights, no lasers, no pyro, just a bunch of guy’s dedicated to what they do and believing in the message we have spread over the years.
TM: Why did you and the band stay with the Christmas theme rather than going forward as a new Rock band on the scene?
TF: Good question, to tell you the truth I for one never wanted to tour over the Christmas season. I missed out on crucial years spending time with my family especially my daughter who was nine years old at the time. However, I was rudely awakened by how much impact we had on people’s lives this time of year, changing people’s views from actually hating the holiday to giving them a reason to embrace it all over again. One particular story stands out in my mind. About seven years ago, I received an email from a mother and father who had an autistic child who never spoke a word, never showed an emotion. They spent many years bringing this child to numerous doctors to try to breakthrough to him, to no avail. Long story short, they woke up Christmas morning to music playing, and low and behold they walked into their living room to find their child sitting in front of the stereo singing my song “ORNAMENT”. Those were the first words they had ever heard him speak. Their thank you letter brought me to tears and now I know the Lord works in mysterious ways. Needless to say, it changed my view on touring during the Christmas season and what my lot in life was.
TM: Are you involved in the writing process of the songs for the new CD?
TF: Yes, I am involved in all the writing, story, music and lyrics.
TM: How is the new Christmas CD different than those releases already out on the market?
TF: (laughing) See question four. On top of that you get to hear 4 different voices. I know people will say TSO already does that. Hopefully the difference being, we geared our songs to be more radio friendly. Now that’s not to say TSO isn’t on the radio, many of their instrumentals are but you rarely hear their vocal songs on. If we are lucky enough to have our songs played on the radio, they will be all vocal songs.
TM: On your web site there is a list of scheduled appearances. Will you be scheduling more shows as the season goes along? How long will the tour last?
TF: We don’t know about tour dates yet. It was all very last minute and some dates have been canceled due to reasons I can’t get into right now. But yes, hopefully more tour dates will be added, and if not this year, then there is always next year!
TM: What are you looking forward to the most going back on the road?
TF: Two things, first being on stage with all these great talents and second seeing the fans who so inspired the music and story.
TM: Is there one show or one incident that stands out in your mind as a favorite moment in time?
TF: A while back, I think it was 2005, in Texas; we kept knocking out the power grid in this venue,
every 15 minutes we would have to stop playing, and wait for the power to come back on.
After the third time, I decided to go out and do about ten minutes of stand up comedy. Always wanted to try it,
but never thought I could. It was one of the best memories I have of TSO West.
TM: How did the comedy go over? Are you the next Seinfeld?
TF: (laughing) They laughed a lot and no I wouldn’t want a career doing it. But we had fun.
TM: Do you have a message for all your fans waiting to hear the new music and see you live?
TF: Thank you for all your support and inspiration over the years!!! I don’t like to use the word fan. It always sounded to me so disconnected so anyone who follows us will now be called “FAMS” (short for family). Hope some of you can make it out to see us this year.
TM: To coin a phrase “What are you doing New Year’s Eve?”
TF: Hopefully, celebrating a successful start to this new adventure. I know at first it will be small, the way it was back in ’99 but “hey you gotta start somewhere.” (laughing) On a personal note we “The Kings Of Christmas” would like to thank all the members of Trans-Siberian orchestra, East and West, past and present, crew and management, for giving us the opportunity to play with some of the greatest musicians on the planet, in venues that only some musicians can dream about. To my old friend Paul O’Neil, thank you for taking a chance on this old saloon singer and putting me in “The ghost Of Christmas Eve”, instead of going with the actor. (laughing). Hopefully we’ll have your blessing and maybe get to work together again someday. Until then, “Thanks for the memories”.
For more information on the Kings Of Christmas and Tommy Farese visit:
www.thekingsofchristmas.com
http://www.tommyfarese.com/HomePage.htm
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/thekingsofchristmas
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1126999442