Metal-Rules.com has issued an interview with Michael Schenker (MSG, ex-UFO, SCORPIONS), conducted by Marko Syrjala. The following is an excerpt:

Q: 2010 will be very special year for you because it's the 30th Anniversary of MSG. Doesn't it feel any strange that it's really been thirty years since you formed this band?

A: "It feels like yesterday."

Q: When you first started this band, what kind of goals you had in your mind with this band?

A: "I must say that basically MSG was designed for my freedom. It was originally designed for my freedom of expression, my freedom of everything."

Q: In January you're going to a series of Anniversary shows in Japan with special lineup including Gary Barden, Neil Murray and Simon Philips. Do you have any plans to do more shows with this special lineup?

A: "Well, if I can afford to then yes. I mean.. I will be doing... Ah umm umm (etc) the next year is going to be the 30th anniversary period, no matter who is playing with me it’s going to be 30 years... no matter what I do. Even if I play in a sandbox, it has been 30 years. But who is going to be playing with me? That is another question. I don’t have the answer for that. But for now, definitely this is the lineup for Japan."

Q: Did you also ask Don Airey to join this Japan tour?

A: "Yes I asked him but he wasn't available. He was busy with Deep Purple then."

Q: So Wayne (Findley) will be doing those shows?

A: "Yes. It was going to be both Wayne and Don Airey but don wasn't available this time. Maybe Don will be available some time later, who knows? You win some and lose some. Maybe not Simon Philips but Don Airey (laughs)."

Read the full interview at this location.