Q. What inspired each of you to learn the drums, saxophone and bass? What were your first attempts at playing these instruments?

A. Jeff Reilly: I started out on trombone in 7th grade, however that didn't last to long. I had some friends who played drums in band and they where having way more fun than me. From that point on it was drums for me.

A. Neil Fountain: My dad had a Pete Fountain record and they were playing so blindingly fast that I couldn't even think. We didn't have a bass guitar but a regular guitar with four strings on it. I tuned it to try make it fit with the music and play along. Experimentation by necessity I guess.

A. Bryan Lopes: My brother started playing guitar, and it inspired me to want to play an instrument.

Q. Did each of you take lessons or are you self-taught?

A. Jeff Reilly: I took some lessons almost immediately after getting interested in the drums.

A. Neil Fountain: Totally self taught.

A. Bryan Lopes: I took private lessons as a kid, later dropped out of music school.

Q. Who inspired each of you to learn your instrument?

A. Jeff Reilly: I just felt the need to play and was probably inspired more by that, than any particular event or person.

A. Neil Fountain: My dad played guitar and had a band. I really wanted to be part of that, so that was my first inspiration. Then after that I guess all the greats. Hendrix, Miles, Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Jaco etc.

A. Bryan Lopes: My Music teachers! My family was also very supportive.

Q. So tell us how Megaphone Man was formed?

A. Jeff Reilly: Neal and Bryan were working with Jeff Sipe at the time when I met them. Jeff Sipe got busy with other things and I kind of stepped in. The chemistry was immediate.

A. Neil Fountain: Ditto.

A. Bryan Lopes: Started as a trio with Jeff Sipe. He went on the road with several projects. Neal had a friend (JR) he thought would fit. It all clicked and the rest is history.

Q. As a group, how would you define your style of playing?

A. Jeff Reilly: To me it feels like anyone can be the leader at anytime. There are no rules. Exploratory Jazz perhaps.

A. Neil Fountain: It really depends on how we feel at that moment.

A. Bryan Lopes: Noisy.

Q. What can we expect from your live debut CD release, "Live From the Tabernacle"?

A. Jeff Reilly: "Live from the Tabernacle" was a really fun gig. We opened for Maceo Parker and we didn't plan anything. This debut CD release is kind of a snapshot of us on that particular night. We tend to change gears a lot, so enjoy the ride.

A. Neil Fountain: A time capsule for that particular show.

A. Bryan Lopes: More noise.

Q. What do each of you remember about your live recording date that you'll always cherish or that you'll never forget?

A. Jeff Reilly: I remember it just being a good night, where we could really hear each other well on stage. The soundmen really took the time to listen to our mixes and I think that made a big difference.

A. Neil Fountain: Seeing my friend Lyn Tate show up to the show. Lyn has some physical disabilities, so him driving three hours to see us meant a lot.

A. Bryan Lopes: Maceo Parker and his band were really cool. Great venue and lots of people should up for the concert/recording.

Q. Lets talk about your creative process. How do you approach writing an original song collectively?

A. Jeff Reilly: Almost everything is improvised. Sometimes I'll just start an idea and everyone else falls in afterwards. On other occasions, one of the other guys does the same thing and I will follow. There is no formula for Megaphone Man.

A. Neil Fountain: 85% trust and 15% Ability.

A. Bryan Lopes: Almost always built on a simple motif and then we expanded the original idea.

Q. Megaphone Man is a diverse group capable of playing many styles within your set. What challenges do you face when switching from different styles of music?

A. Jeff Reilly: Sometimes I'm thinking if I'm playing this groove authentic enough. But usually thats not a concern because we are not trying to sound like anything or anyone else.

A. Neil Fountain: For me, its trying to navigate my technique without obstructing the flow.

A. Bryan Lopes: Keep it fresh.

Q. Q. What other types of music or artists do each of you derive inspiration from?

A. Jeff Reilly: Jack Dejohnette, Bill Frissell, Led Zeppelin. Miles, Coltrane etc. etc.

A. Neil Fountain: Performance artists, sculptors and painters.

A. Bryan Lopes: I try to listen to everything, as long as its sincere.

Q. Q. What's the most important bit of advice each of you were given by another musician?

A. Jeff Reilly: Show up on time!

A. Neil Fountain: Don't always speak your mind.

A. Bryan Lopes: Persevere.

Q. What's been your proudest playing moment together?

A. Jeff Reilly: Playing the 2006 Berlin Jazz Festival. The crowd wasn't familiar with us, but they where very good listeners and showed great respect.

A. Neil Fountain: Dido.

A. Bryan Lopes: Haven't experienced it yet.

Q. What's the biggest disaster Megaphone Man has ever had on stage, and how did each of you cope with it?

A. Jeff Reilly: I'll let Neal answer that on:)

A. Neil Fountain: We we're playing a regular gig at the Dark Horse Tavern in Atlanta, GA and we we're recording our show for either our own purpose or to be release at a later date. The sound man started talking to us through the monitors during a tender moment of our performance, telling us we had only five minutes left. It kind of blew the vibe for the night. I wound up launching my bass out to the audience and it made its way to the bar. I'm not sure how well we coped.

A. Bryan Lopes: Drunken mayhem....

Q. Do each of you warm up before a concert and if so how?

A. Jeff Reilly: Not really, however maybe some stretching before performances.

A. Neil Fountain: I usually run some hot water over my hands, as well as drink a cup of coffee.

A. Bryan Lopes: I warm up a seat at the bar:)

Q. What's the most important bit of advice you could give to new musicians who are wanting to start an instrumental band?

A. Jeff Reilly: Listen and don't feel like you always have to play something.

A. Neil Fountain: Try not to spread yourself so thin doing other stuff to make a living.

A. Bryan Lopes: Have rich parents or a sugarmama.

Q. Thanks for your time and consideration for this article and interview. Any last thoughts for our readers?

A. Jeff Reilly: Thanks for checking us out and we look forward to bigger and better things in the future.

A. Neil Fountain: We are excited about being with Blue Canoe Records. Stay Tuned!

A. Bryan Lopes: Perfection is not music.