MSJ:  I started off playing the drums for awhile, and then I ventured over to guitar about four or five years ago.  I’ve been playing in local bands for the last couple of years.  When I was in Providence, I played in a band called Sounds Like A City, and I was doing that for about two years.  Then I started up Flight Patterns in February of last year.

Stryper.com:  How did you meet the guys in the band?

MSJ:  I actually met Max, the other vocalist in the band, while I was living in Providence.  He was a solo artist, a singer - songwriter, who performed in coffee shops and local venues.  We got together, and had the same taste in music.  We enjoyed jamming together and we ended up writing this one song.  We always talked about starting a band later on down the road, and we finally did.  We kinda pieced the rest of the band together, through friends and what not.

Stryper.com:  What style of music is Flight Patterns?

MSJ:  It’s very very poppy, kinda like pop punk.  Very fun, upbeat music.  We are technically not a Christian band.  There are a couple members in the band that are Christians, but we feel that we could reach a wider range of fans pursing this as a secular band.

Stryper.com:  Are you the only vocalist?

MSJ:  It’s shared vocals.  About half and half, and we both also play guitar.

Stryper.com:  And you have a new CD coming out?

MSJ:  It’s done, and being pressed right now.  It should be released by the first show of the tour.  Hopefully it will catch on with radio and we’ll get signed to a major label at one point.

Stryper.com:  And that will be on Stryper’s Fifty Three Five label?

MSJ:  Yes, it’s a five song EP.

Stryper.com:  What are your musical influences, not counting your dad.  Does he count?  (laughs)

MSJ:  Yeah, he counts. (laughs)  I grew up with it, so I’m sure that’s what greatly influenced me to do music.  I listen to everything.  I’ve been influenced by so many different bands.  In my early teenage years, I was really into the pop punk thing, bands like New Found Glory.  I slowly discovered different styles of music and listened to everything I could.  Everything’s inspired me.  Everything from indie rock, to country and folk music.

Stryper.com:  How often are you rehearsing for the tour?

MSJ:  We rehearse five nights a week, from eight to midnight.

Stryper.com:  How long will your set be?

MSJ:  I believe about 25 minutes.

Stryper.com:  Having the name Mike Sweet, is that an advantage, a disadvantage, or it doesn’t matter?

MSJ:  It’s definitely an advantage.  People know who he is, and they respect him as a musician.  So it definitely helps a lot.

Stryper.com:  Have you heard Stryper’s latest, Murder By Pride?

MSJ:  Yes I have.  I heard it before it was mastered.  It’s great.

Stryper.com:  Does your dad come to you and bounce ideas off of you?

MSJ:  All the time!  He comes over with his acoustic guitar while he’s working on a song and asks my opinion.

Stryper.com:  Do you get any writer credit for that?  (laughs)

MSJ:  Um….  No.  (laughs)

Stryper.com:  What’s one thing about your dad that Stryper fans might not know?

MSJ:  They probably already know this, but he takes like three hours to get ready every morning! (more laughs)

Stryper.com:  Do you have any rituals before you go on stage?

MSJ:  I just keep it cool, relaxed.  I drink a lot of water and do my vocal warm-ups.

Stryper.com:  Has your dad ever given you any vocal tips?

MSJ:  No, not really.  He helped me out with the guitar earlier on, but I’m pretty much self taught.

Stryper.com:  Does your band have a website yet?

MSJ:  We don’t have a website, but we have a MySpace page.  We will be putting up a merch store soon though, and you’ll be able to buy the EP there.

Stryper.com:  When you’re out and about, do you ever get recognized?

MSJ:  It happens at the Stryper shows, people recognize me.  But when I’m out around town, no.

MSJ:  We’re really looking forward to this tour, and we hope the fans enjoy it.  I hope to put on a good show for them, and we’re really excited about it! 

FLIGHT PATTERNS WEB SITE: www.myspace.com/flightpatternsma