Here’s an interview we conducted with Kasim Sulton in 2004. Kasim was visiting Milwaukee to participate in Cascio Interstate Music’s “Star Clinic’s” Music Education Program at the city’s annual Summerfest celebration ...

Kasim Sulton. That's a great rock n' roll name. Is it your real name?
Amazingly enough, this name was given to me at birth. My father, Ahmed “Lance” Sulton, wanted to preserve his middle eastern heritage with the arrival of his first child, me. My mother, Ernestine Theodoropolus, wanted a more traditional Greek name, i.e. Theodore, Andrew or Peter. But, since I was the first, my father won out and got to name me. It was difficult while growing up among Billys, Bobbys, Tonys, Tommys, Jimmys and Johnnys. I didn't much like my own name until I was in my late teens. I realize now how great it was to have a name that no one else had. It made a big difference in helping me stand out in a crowd. Besides, who would ever think up a name like Kasim Sulton?

What do you like to do when you're not on the road?
Oh, I like to putter around the house like most guys. You know, fix things, make dinner every now and then. But I'm most comfortable working. More often than not I can be found in my studio at home making music.

Do you prefer playing in the studio or in a live setting?
Each has it's own pros and cons. In the studio you can labor over one note, one chord, one riff until it's perfect. You get the chance to hear what was just an idea blossom into a full song with all the bells and whistles. That can be very gratifying ... as well as very frustrating. When working in a studio, I wouldn't be surprised if I heard one song 100 times before I'm done recording it.
Performing live, you get one chance to do it. Then, it's gone in a way. You can never get that moment back. Sure, you can make a recording of it, you can fix a wrong note or flat vocal on a live recording, but for all intents and purposes, you will never play that piece of music the same again. That’s the beauty of a live performance. To answer the question; I don't prefer one to the other. As long as I'm playing, I'm happy.

What's the most exotic place you've ever played?
Most exotic? Dubai, UAE (United Arab Emirates). It's amazing seeing a golf course in the middle of the desert ... even more amazing that the guy who owns it ships in 1,000,000 gallons of water a day to keep it green!

... And the least exotic?
Least exotic? Dayton, Ohio (I know I'm gonna get hate mail for that answer).

Fashion seems to be something you enjoy. Do you think it's an important aspect of being in a band?
Do I give that impression? I like dressing well. I like to look good. But I think it comes down to the individual. I mean, clothes don't necessarily make the man but ... it doesn't hurt to wear D&G! I do think I have a certain image that I like to exude. It just so happens, it's not pants with the crotch at my knees and a sports jersey with a number on it (more hate mail comin' my way). Clothes don't seem to come into play as much these days as they did say 15 years ago. And if you’re a girl, it seems to me less is more today.

What do you enjoy most about playing with Todd Rundgren? Meat Loaf?
Apples and oranges. Yes, they're both fruit but they couldn't be more different in terms of content. Todd is the consummate singer/songwriter. Very few people can turn a lyric the way he does. The music with Todd is very heady and relies more on thought than feeling. Feel definitely plays a roll but the overall message is really quite deep.

Meat Loaf is much more visceral. Much more immediately intense. You go to a Meat Loaf concert to be consumed by sight and sound. No one can work an audience like he does. His performances are dance-like. The shows with Meat are really that... SHOWS. Everything is thrown in, done twice, then done again.

Who would you like to work with if you had the chance?
Nik Kershaw, Jonatha Brooks, Butterfly Boucher, Ben Folds, Sting. Also, Liszt, Mozart and John Lennon, but I doubt that will happen.

Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring young musicians?
Finish school. Go to college. Trust yourself and your talent, don't disrespect it. Don't get discouraged, frustrated or sidetracked. Most “overnight” successes have been around for a long time before they got a break.

How did you enjoy your "Star Clinics" experience in Milwaukee?
I can't say enough good things about my experience on stage at Summerfest for "Star Clinics". I had so much fun pulling young people out of the audience to come on stage and play with me. Whether they knew what they were doing or not didn't matter ... the experience for me, and I hope them, was amazing.

Do you have plans for a new solo release?
I'm currently working on my next solo CD, the follow up to 2002’s Quid Pro Quo. (Note: Kasim signed with Sanctuary Records in 2005 and plans are in motion for a re-release of “Quid Pro Quo” with bonus tracks and extras for his fans. A CD of new material is also forthcoming!)

Word Association Test - Kasim, please tell me what comes in to your mind when you see the following names?

UTOPIA: My first real band.

MEAT LOAF: 50,000,000 records with my name on them.

JOAN JETT: Dedication to form.

HALL & OATES: Blue-eyed-soul.

PATTI SMITH: Unassuming charm.

PATTY SMYTH: Amazing singer - truly amazing.

MICK JAGGER: He yelled at me.

CELINE DION: Las Vegas.

RICHIE SAMBORA: Gentleman of the highest order, great musician.

Name five or six albums you've been on that you would single out as favorites.

Utopia - Adventures In Utopia

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell I - Bat Out of Hell II (Back Into Hell)

Johnny Hates Jazz - Tall Stories

Meat Loaf - Storytellers

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - Up Your Alley

Utopia - Oblivion

Patty Smith - Dream Of Life