PHIL MOGG What's Your Sign?
July 31, 2002, 22 years ago
In a recent interview to discuss the new U.F.O. album, Sharks, singer Phil Mogg revealed that he has a side project called Sign Of Four on the way, due to be released in October through SPV. Originally meant to be his solo album, Sign Of Four features Cosmosquad members Jeff Kollman (guitars) and Shane Gaalaas (drums).
"It's a totally different style compared to U.F.O., so it's not what anyone would expect," says Mogg. "It's more laid-back and bluesy, I would say, but some of it is a bit like the heavier Cosmosquad stuff with a singer on it. And, some of it is like the last Mogg/Way album (Chocolate Box). It's quite variable. The style of playing is quite different, so it took me a while to get into the right frame of mind and take it where I wanted to go. But, it works, and yes, it absolutely keeps the U.F.O. stuff fresh for me."Whether or not Sign Of Four will be a one-off or an ongoing thing remains to be seen, according to Mogg, although he would certainly like to keep it going.
"It all depends on how well the album is received, and the real telltale sign with a band is when they play live. We've never done a gig together. We've played together but not in front of an audience, so there's that whole thing about whether or not the band can get across to an audience. If that works, then it becomes a different kettle of fish."In any case, Sign Of Four is likely to be as far as Mogg gets from U.F.O., as he has no plans or desire to record a solo album or another Mogg/Way opus.
"This is pretty much it," he says. "Sign Of Four has been my biggest stretch from U.F.O., so I thought 'No, that's quite enough, thank you...'I mean, it's going to be a busy year, albeit in a relaxed way if I can help it (laughs)."
