Lynx: First introduce yourself and tell us a little about the Amiga groups you were involved in and your handles.
Flame: Richard Heasman, now aged 30. I did some graphics and music for Digital, who were called Magnetic Fields before that. My handle was Flame, can't remember where that came from ! I didn't want a 'handle' and wanted to just use my initials or something but eventually I had to think of something. I wanted a short name that hadn't been used yet, and couldn't think of anything else.

Lynx: When did you get your (First) Amiga?
Flame: Can't remember exactly, 1989 I think... I remember a demo of New Zealand Story was on the cover of a magazine that month (!)

Lynx: What prompted you to start demo / scene work?
Flame: I just enjoyed using DPaint and did some logos for people from groups who I was swapping stuff with.

Lynx: With which groups were your part of?
Flame: I did some stuff for a small group called New Age before joining Magnetic Fields.

Lynx: What are your fondest memories of the scene?
Flame: I remember enjoying creating the graphics, but it was writing tunes that I have most memories of. I was aware of being able to draw from an early age but, like most musicians on the scene I suspect, discovering that *anybody* could write music was amazingly exciting. Of course, listening to my stuff now, most of it is rubbish ! But I thank whoever wrote the original tracker for showing me that people aren't born with or without the ability to write music - you can learn to do it if you just keep trying.

Lynx: Do you have any particular favourite Demos and groups?
Flame: The Red Sector Megademo was the big demo when I first got my amiga, and I remember some stuff by Wild Copper impressing me. After that, Phenomena were the obvious no.1 group for quite a while and I really loved their Enigma demo. Also, Mental Hangover by Scoopex was amazing at the time. I always looked forward to a new tune by Uncle Tom.

Lynx: Is there anything you miss about the scene?
Flame: I was going to say I missed the packages in the post every morning, and seeing what new stuff was going on out there. But I guess the internet has replaced that feeling pretty effectively ! I miss being 15 years old and being able to spend 90% of my time doing my own stuff. You have no idea how valuable time is when you're that age.

Lynx: What would you say is your finest achievment in the scene?
Flame: I suppose the Punisher demo I did with Spook for Digital was the proudest moment for me, as it was my first big demo where I'd contributed the graphics and the music.

Lynx: Do you still keep in touch with people you met whilst in the scene?
Flame: I still keep in touch with Spook who now lives in LA. I was a groomsman at his wedding a couple of years back and he's flying over in September to return the favour :)

Lynx: Do you still own an Amiga now?
Flame: I did have three amigas (none actually working) which had gathered dust with me until recently when I moved house and they were finally laid to rest.

Lynx: Do you have any funny or even slightly amusing :) stories from your amiga days?
Flame: Absolutely none!

Lynx: And Finally tell is a little about what are your upto now?
Flame: I've been working as an artist in the games industry for the past 12 years. I have worked for Bullfrog, Team 17, Ocean, Psygnosis/Sony and was at Warthog until very recently. Things are looking a bit shaky there at the moment so I took voluntary redundacy and I'm currently looking for something else. I'm in no rush at the minute though, I'm quite happy working on my own stuff for 90% of the time, it's like being 15 again !

Thanks Rich all the best for the future mate.