Yiannis Dolas at RockPages.gr recently caught up with DEEP PURPLE legend Ian Gillan to discuss the WHOCARES project with the likes of Tony Iommi, Jon Lord, and Nicko McBrain. An excerpt from the interview is available below:

Rockpages.gr: Working with Tony Iommi, and Jon Lord must have brought you some memories. Would you say that there is a chance to work with them again in a musical project?

Ian Gillan: "Well, Tony certainly! Tony and I are old friends! We did this because… well, there was a certain amount of selfishness as well… when we were kids we have to play football with George Best, and people like for charity matches, and we raised lots of money and had lots of fun at the same time, so that was the way of doing it. With Tony, we spent some time writing the song, recording , arranging etc, on the last minute, before they recorded some friends of ours, Jon, Linde (Lindstrom), Jason (Newsted) etc, etc to play on the record, perform on it, and add their personality on the sound. And, we decided to call this WhoCares, ad hoc band which means that it’s just me and Tony, and whoever else is available. But, the last time I saw Tony, we had a few drinks and we decided that it would be fantastic to get together and do some more writing, so maybe there will be an album, maybe there will be me and Tony, maybe we’ll find some other projects, I don’t know. At the moment he is very busy, and I am on the road until next March, so far. So, we shall see when we got a gap, it should be fun! Tony and I don’t take long to write songs, it would be quite a productive session if we got together again… we will see, we will see…"

Click here for the complete interview.

The debut CD single from WhoCares will see its North American release via Eagle Rock Entertainment on June 27th according to Black-Sabbath.com. The CD single was released in Europe via earMUSIC on May 24th. It features two brand new studio tracks called 'Out Of My Mind' and 'Holy Water' which will raise funds for the rebuilding of a music school in Gyumri, Armenia.

The 'Holy Water' track features the following line-up:

Vocals: Ian Gillan

Guitars: Tony Iommi , Steve Morris, Michael Lee Jackson

Drums: Randy Clarke

Bass: Rodney Appleby

Hammond organ: Jesse O'Brien

Duduk solo: Arshak Sahakyan

Underlying duduk intro music and keys: Ara Gevorgyan

The release will be available as digital download and two-track CD single plus video and 30 minute documentary. The Super Deluxe 7" vinyl edition is limited to 1000 units worldwide.

“Some twenty years ago when the call came, I thought, well at least I’ve helped,” said Iommi, “but it was going to Armenia and seeing the actual devastation caused by the earthquake that really made me realize that funds were still needed. Despite all the money that was raised last time, here was a music school doing their best, forgotten, in basic tin sheds. After the warmth and honor bestowed upon us during our visit, we just had to help make a difference and get the school re-built. And what better way than to hook up with some of rock’s greatest players and my old mate Ian, both an honor and a pleasure.”

“The idea came as Tony and I flew back from Yerevan together after being inspired by the enthusiasm of everyone there to get this thing done,” added Gillan in an interview with Rockaaa.com. “It was brilliant working with Tony again after all these years; he makes life easy for a singer. The other guys need no introduction do they."

For more info visit Ear-Music.net. Check out a sneak preview on YouTube below.