In late 2001 Onward completed our second album "Reawaken". We all worked hard on the album and were pleased with the final product, as were Century Media Records. Unfortunately, it started happening; cracks in the foundation of Onward. If I could do it all over again, Onward would be a tight unit and a protected, impenetrable bubble of band members only. You see, outsiders posing as friends, girlfriends, failed musicians, etc. were beginning to pull us apart. Before 'Reawaken' was even released, I wanted out. Michael and I were becoming more business/ bandmates as the friendship seemed to disintegrate.
My favorite times in Vegas were when Mike Varney hung out with us and we talked music. Varney, Brett Hansen (the album's co producer) and Onward gathered at our house to premiere "Reawaken". Varney really liked it, well, the guitar work anyway. He took out his cell phone and all I heard was "get over here, you have to meet this great guitarist". Michael Grant looked at me confused and worried. Michael Schenker's vocalist, Chris Logan, soon arrived to our pad. Logan sat with Varney as they listened to the guitar work on 'Reawaken' and spoke enthusiastically amongst themselves, occasionally nodding in my direction.
Grant took me to another room, "Toby, what the fuck is going on???". I kinda knew, but didn't say anything. Long story short, the chance to return to Shrapnel Records and work with vocalist Chris Logan was within my grasp. It's what I wanted. I was under contract to Century Media with tour dates lining up and I had to see it through. I owed it to the guys and was legally stuck anyway.
I did get to reconnect with drum deity, Ray Luzier (he played on my first album) Ray put us on the guest list for a David Lee Roth show he was playing. Soon after, Michael Grant and I attended the Century Media 10th anniversary bash held somewhere in Los Angeles. Drum legend, Gene Hoglan, dispatched Michael and I to get him a pack of smokes. You couldn't look anywhere and not see a major figure in Heavy Metal. I was getting nice and buzzed and hanging out with Shadows Fall backstage and soon I was huddled in a circle talking with Steve Vai, Jeff Loomis, a Halford guitarist and someone else. How the hell did a Wyoming boy end up in this situation!? The next day I hung out at then Anthrax vocalist/Armored Saint vocalist, John Bush's house. Century Media publicist, Loana Valencia, took me over to Ray Alder's home where he was recording some music with Agent Steel guitarist, Bernie Versailles. Incredible.
I got on the plane to head back to Vegas and a nice stewardess handed me about ten mini bottles of Jack Daniel's Whiskey. No one else was aboard the plane. No one was flying because of the 9/11 tragedy. The stewardess sat down next to me and said "Hi Toby!"....."huh? Who are you?" I thought. It was Ray Luzier's girlfriend and she recognized me. It's a small fucking world. I felt like I was on this strange preordained journey. The synchronicity was intense.
Next up, the touring begins.
