After thirteen years, TRIXTER featuring all original members Pete Loran (singer), Steve Brown (guitar), P.J. Farley (bass), and Mark "Gus" Scott (drums) have reunited and will perform at Rock Fest at Cadott, Wisconsin, on July 17th and Rocklahoma on July 12th. Trixter is also planning to release a live album entitled Live In Japan this summer on Mojo Vegas Records.

Boston-based scribe Deb Rao recently caught up with Trixter frontman Pete Loran, as he discussed how the reunion of Trixter came about, their upcoming live appearances and more.

Rao: Tell me how did the reunion of the band come into fruition? Who made the first move?

Loran: "That would be Steve "never stop" Brown who made the first move. Steve and I were at the NAMM show a year ago and we noticed a lot of people recognizing us and having good things to say. It got the wheels turning and we all talked about it and agreed the timing was perfect."

Rao: How long has it been since you have seen the members of Trixter talk to one another? Did you keep in contact with anyone after the band went on their separate ways?

Loran: "I always kept in contact with everyone. Steve and Mark didn't though. They hadn't talked for probably 12 years. That in my mind was the biggest hurdle in getting back together."

Rao: How does it feel to be working together as a band again? This summer so many good '80's bands are reuniting it seems.

Loran: "It's exciting...can't wait to get on stage!"

Rao: What made you want to reunite again? Do you feel the timing is right for Trixter to make a place in music history once again?

Loran: "Exactly, the timing is perfect!"

Rao: Now Trixter will be performing at one of the biggest 80's Festivals this summer Rocklahoma on July 12th. Also on the bill are CINDERELLA and WARRANT. How important is it for Trixter to reunite and make history at Rocklahoma, after not playing together since 1994?

Loran: "Well its important to the band #1 to do this thing right. All original. Members and I hope it’s important to the fans."

Rao: Actually, you toured with Warrant back in the day. This is kind of deja vu for you all over again?

Loran: "I couldn't ask for a better band to share the bill with. Love those guys!"

Rao: What can the fans expect to see at your performance at Rocklahoma and also at Rock fest in Cadott, Wisconsin? Any surprises on tap? Will the band be performing any new material?

Loran: "We have a couple of new songs that have been recorded for some time but never made it to any records. We may do one or both of them, or a cover or two, we will see."

Rao: How are rehearsals going? How does it feel to be playing together as a band reunited once again?

Loran: "We have not all been in the same room as of yet...yikes! (Laughter)...soon.... no worries".

Rao: I understand that Trixter will be releasing a new CD, entitled Live in Japan. Is their any release date?

Loran: "No date as of yet. But ideally it will be out before summer".

Rao: Tell me about the writing for his album? Did you want to stay in the successful rock vein of pop rock that launched the band on the charts back in the day?

Loran: "The two new songs were written in the early '90's. I did some of the vocals about three years ago though."

Rao: As a singer and performer, how do you feel you have evolved as a performer?

Loran: "I know I have evolved as a singer big time...as a performer? I may be a little slower on stage." (Laughter)

Rao: In 1994 when the band went their separate ways, did you stay involved in the music industry? I know PJ was playing bass in RA, and Mark has a restaurant in Florida. Is that correct?

Loran: "I went away for a while musically, at least from the eye of the public. I spent time just recording things that made me feel good. Mark will be pissed if you try to go to his place in Florida. (The state) its actually in NY (state)...free booze if you mention my name by the way." (Laughter)

Rao: Do you feel that the grunge scene in 1994 ruined the metal scene and forced Trixter to go their separate ways? The band had such a successful ride back in the late 80's, early 90's.

Loran: "All pop music is in and then out. It was our time to get the hell out. Trixter came out in 1990. We would have been out earlier but we were just kids."

Rao: In 1994, after the grunge scene moved in, Trixter was dropped from MCA Records. You recorded a covers album, Undercovers for an Indie Label Backstreet Records. It seems like a lot of the 80's bands are making cover albums these days. POISON and QUEENSRŸCHE, have revisited their past, and released cover CDs for their fans. What prompted Trixter to release a covers album, back in the day?

Loran: "Steve just put a studio in his house. He had all this nice new gear. So we needed an excuse to try it out. It just happened to turn into a CD and an excuse to tour."

Rao: How has the music industry changed since the '80's? Do you feel that it his harder for a band to get signed and develop a following these days? There seems to be so many one hit wonders, but nothing like the bands from the '80's who continue to tour year after year, even after 20 years.

Loran:" I think its all about 'if you don’t have a hit go away' type of thing. Bands back then would get developed if not ready. Today, if you don't have it all ready to go, you're done. It has to be hard as hell. Don't get me wrong, it was hard then too...very hard."

Rao: Looking back do you have any regrets? Would you have done anything differently?

Loran: "If we could have only come out in the mid '80's!"