With the release of "Demons" the bands new album, Metal Chaos caught up with front man, JB to spew forth his views on the new record and all the questions we needed answers to!

I understand the album was mixed, and then remixed some months later. What was the reason behind this?

Sometimes things don't work out exactly like you want them, and we would never put out something we knew could sound better, simple as that. The first mix was great, but not what we wanted this time around.

Were you pleased with the final product? Anything you'd change if you had your time over?

I never look back, ha-ha! No really, it's better to apply whatever you think could be improved to the next album, you know? I'm certainly pleased with the way everything came out. It feels like a natural if you know what I mean?

This album, more so than any other Spiritual Beggars album has a far more 70's groove to it. Did the recording of the album differ from previous records?

"Demons" is the second Spiritual Beggars record to feature you on vocals. The songs seem to be molded around your voice and vocal style far more than "On Fire", was the writing process any different from that of "On Fire"?

Not really, but the songs were obviously written with my voice in mind, but most of the stuff on On Fire was as well. There were no "leftovers from the past" on that record as far as I know. We had to experiment a lot when we did On Fire though, to see what worked and what didn't. This time it was a lot easier.

The band launched the album with a show at London's Camden Underworld. Are there any plans to head back out on the road in support of "Demons"?

Spiritual Beggars have just returned from a support slot with Dio in Japan. How was it to be on the road with a legend like Dio? How were the Japanese fans ??

The Japanese fans are always amazing. It's a privilege to be able to play to them really. As far as touring with Dio goes, well. let me just say that I had to pinch myself pretty hard in order to realise that this was actually real. I mean, Ronnie James Dio has been one of my absolute heroes since I heard the first Rainbow album, so I guess you can understand that it was quite unreal. He and the band were amazing. Ronnie James is the ultimate professional and the perfect gentleman. It was an honour.

"Demons" sees the debut of Arch Enemy bassist Sharlee D'Angelo as a full time Spiritual Beggars member. How did Sharlee come to join the band and has his contribution been more so than Roger Nilsson?

Michael obviously knows Sharlee very well and felt that with him in the band, the logistics and everything like that would be a lot easier. Also, Sharlee is an amazing bass player and great showman plus a really funny guy to be around. He gave us all a kick in the right direction I think. Roger was great as well, no dirt on him.

The deal is with InsideOut. They were really into the band and gave the most professional impression. That's really all there is to it.

"Demons" comes in two formats, there is a limited edition second disc on the digi pack format, of one of the bands live shows in Japan. Why did you decide to release this material as part of this record rather than as a sole live album?

"Sole" live albums are quite boring nowadays to be honest. I think we just wanted to give the fans a bit of an extra treat. It's a good recording and I think it works very well as a bonus. Maybe we'll do a fully fledged live album sometime in the future?

I've heard rumours that you will be toning down his involvement with Spiritual Beggars to concentrate his attention on Grand Magus. Is this indeed the case and what does this mean for the band going forward?

I heard a rumour on the Internet that Santa Claus actually exists, how about that? Anyone can start a rumour these days, you know? They are rumours.. Anyway, this is not true. And that's that.

Given that the all the members of Spiritual Beggars have other commitments with other bands. How do you approach writing Spiritual Beggars material and getting together to rehearse and tour must be a nightmare?

Well, we've done it anyway haven't we, ha-ha! We don't really need that much and we do things in a very straightforward and relaxed manner. It's been working out fine so far.

The Spiritual Beggars sound has no resemblance to any of the bands you all play with. Is Spiritual Beggars therefore a very necessary creative outlet for music that just would not fit within Arch Enemy, Grand Magus or Opeth?

The band are constantly labeled with being solely a side project outfit, does this bother you at all? Do you feel it detracts attention from the bands music to have such a label?

Not something that we're particularly concerned with. When we do Beggars, we do it 100 %. Then we go about our other business 100 %. I think that is the most important thing.

Spiritual Beggars music has on more than one occasion been called / categorized as 'Stoner Rock'. Is this a fair description of the bands music and the influences you bring to the group?