SINNER vocalist/bassist Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR) has signed an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars. The following is an interview with Mat conducted by Gibson to coincide with the deal:

Gibson: What was your first musical experience?

Mat: "I remember listening to DEEP PURPLE’s 'Burn' on my brother's stereo and trying to play his guitar. This was a kind of turning point in my life. Some years later, I got the support slot on the first WHITESNAKE tour in Germany and I was still a schoolboy. At this point it was clear: I want to be a rock ’n’ roll musician!"

Gibson: When did you first begin to play guitar?

Mat: "My first band was formed with friends from school, which quickly became SHIVA. Now--more than 25 years later!--we will release our first album, GODDESS SHIVA, to make the story complete."

Gibson: How did you learn to play? Did you take lessons?

Mat: "Yes, I took lessons, but the guy was a strange hippie, and I wanted to be loud. I started to play bass guitar very early and learned the basics. The rest was hard work and learning by doing!"

Gibson: What was your first big break?

Mat: "We were still school kids when the opening band for Whitesnake didn’t show up. Our manager was the local promoter, so he booked us on this show. We were invited by David Coverdale to play eight more shows--and we did!"

Gibson: What Gibsons are you playing?

Mat: "I play two sunburst Gibson Thunderbirds. I love the sound and the looks. A lot of my tunes are composed in F-major and the Thunderbird has the best bass sound to push that groove!"

Gibson: Do you have a favorite?

Mat: "Both are nearly the same. One was built in 1978 and the other is brand new. Both have the same superb quality!

They sound outstanding. I used the Thunderbird on all Primal Fear recordings I did so far--and we are talking six albums. The tuning is perfect, and even if I push hard, I have no problems to stay in tune."

Gibson: What projects do you have coming up that we can look forward to?

Mat: "I’ve just released the new Sinner album Mask Of Sanity and will tour with the band in March and May. As I mentioned before, Goddess Shiva will release their album February 23rd with a nice mix of hard blues, rock, and metal. In between, I will record the seventh album with Primal Fear, with a worldwide release planned for August 31st and a world tour. Another project coming up now will be a cooperation with guitarist/producer Roy Z., and there are even some more options on my table!"

Gibson: Where do you see yourself in one year?

Mat: "Everywhere--for the first time in my life, I can totally focus this year on my musical career, productions, and my songwriting! I hope this will give me and my projects another push and still be a lot of fun!"

Gibson: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Mat: "Still rocking, still a part of the music scene. What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger."