Hi, Katy! I was wondering if the band was truly happy with the album "Arena" as a final product. I seem to recall from somewhere that the band was unhappy with it, and that its release was rushed out by Capitol. Also, was mixing out most of the crowd noise a band decision? If so,why? Thanks, Tim

WELL, WELL, WELL ...YOU CERTAINLY PUT AN ARROW IN NICK'S ACHILLE'S HEEL. OF ALL THE ALBUMS NICK HAS RELEASED IN HIS CAREER, THIS IS THE ONE THAT TROUBLES HIM MOST. PROBABLY BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY ALBUM WHERE HE HAS NOT, PERSONALLY, OVERSEEN EVERY MIX. HE ALSO THINKS IT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE TO REMOVE THE AUDIENCE NOISE FROM A LIVE ALBUM (NICK'S NOT QUITE SURE HOW THAT EVER HAPPENED). THE BAND ARE PLANNING TO UPDATE "ARENA" AND RE-MASTER IT, SOMETIME THIS YEAR IN LINE WITH THE FIRST THREE ALBUMS, WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN RE-ISSUED BY EMI/CAPITOL. NICK HOPES THE BAND CAN TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE MIXES BECAUSE HE BELIEVES THAT THE RAW MATERIAL ON THE TAPES IS CONSIDERABLY MORE EXCITING THAN THE RECORD THAT WAS RELEASED.