The State of Genesis: Collins and Co. Talk Peter Gabriel, Future Projects and the Alamo

Is there any possibility of the three of you doing new music together?
Mike Rutherford: Nothing's planned. Never say never. We discussed the idea and we do enjoy the writing process. It's quite exciting the way Genesis writes, going in without music and just jamming. An album is a road you get on and you can't stop it. Who knows?

Is there a possibility for more shows with the three man lineup?
Mike Rutherford: Never say never. Nothing is planned.

I was interviewing Braan Dailer from the metal band Mastodon. He told me Genesis is his favorite group, that Phil is one of his biggest influences and he's even taken bits of your drumming from The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway for Mastodon songs. Are you familiar with that band?
Phil Collins: No, but I don't get out much. I'll check it out. There are guys in odd sort of groups that you wouldn't associate with having Genesis as an influence. That's what they maybe grew up listening to and their own tastes have evolved into something else, but they still own up to the original influences, which is really nice. I'll check this group out.

Phil, I've read that both Akon and Pharrell Williams want to work with you. Are you open to that idea?
Phil Collins: Yes, I'm aware of that. If I did something I would obviously get them involved to at least see what was going on. I'm actually not doing anything, so I'm loathe to start a ball rolling that there's no one there to catch. I'm flattered that they've expressed the interest publicly, risking their careers (laughs) in doing so. Anything is possible and I certainly would investigate doing that if I did think about doing something.

Can you all tell me your future plans?
Mike Rutherford: I haven't got very much planned at the moment. I always did Mike and the Mechanics stuff during time off. There is nothing planned there at the moment. Tony Banks: Four years ago I did an album, an orchestral piece with the London Philharmonic. I really enjoyed that. I found myself recently writing in that zone again. That's what I want to do again, another orchestral piece perhaps. I learned a lot the last time. Phil, is there a possibility of a new solo disc?
Phil Collins: Not in the foreseeable future, no. I just got sidetracked with model railroads for the boys — or me, really. I'm building a model railroad in my basement. That seems to be an obsession. There really isn't any room for music at the moment. I'm sure when the railroad gets close to being finished and I go into my little studio, if something happens I'll keep going with it. I have one or two things finished and one or two things that are half baked, but nothing that's even close to being called an album yet.

I've read you've gotten into collecting artifacts from The Alamo. What's the coolest thing you've gotten your hands on?
Phil Collins: I have all kinds of things. I've got rifles, cannon balls. I got an ax the other day, and some documents. Now I've moved into digging, not myself physically, but digging for my own self and just acquiring my own stuff. It's a childhood thing of mine that I've managed to actually do in my adult life because I've got the money to do it. It's expensive.