One Hundred Questions: Stone Vengeance
(posted June 2007)
For the record, if you will please state your name, the date your started this interview, and the date you finished this interview.
My name is MICHAEL COFFEY, founder of STONE VENGEANCE. This interview was started JULY 4th 2006 and completed MAY 30th 2007. We are currently organizing a tour of EUROPE, JAPAN, BRAZIL, CANADA and CHINA! For booking: contact ROB GROHL at: WWW.RGCONCERTPROMOTIONZ.COM
I believe that those who control the terms of a debate, control the debate. If we put no importance on the language surrounding heavy metal, or the term "heavy metal" itself, I believe that effectively means we put no importance on the meaning or music that "heavy metal" is supposed to represent. So to start with, let's define our terms.
Tell us what the term "heavy metal" means to you.
The phrase "Heavy Metal" to me, makes me think of 1978. When I started the band, back then, the only term used in those days was "hard rock." I don't recall hearing any bands in the States calling themselves "A METAL BAND," from my point of view. I remember going to see IRON MAIDEN in 1982 and BRUCE DICKINSON referred to their music as "HARD ROCK" and called the fans "hard rockin IRON MAIDEN fans" the phrase "heavy metal" was not being used as much in the States yet. Remember, this is just my point of view, from what I saw and heard. I think, it is safe to say that: the term or phrase "heavy metal" was popularized by the coming of the N.W.O.B.H.M. (NEW WAVE OF BRITISH HEAVY METAL) from about 1979. With a heavy dose of DEEP PURPLE, THIN LIZZY and the SCORPIONS also. A lot of bands, fed up and tired of the "rock music" on the radio, that was largely "pop music," wanted to separate themselves desperately and since a piece of METAL is harder than a piece of STONE, or a ROCK, the term "METAL MUSIC" was a perfect term to adopt.
Tell us what makes heavy metal "heavy."
For me, what makes the music "Heavy" is having a heavily overdriven electric guitar tone, Powerful amplification, striking a power chord and having the bass guitar and kick-drum reinforcing the chord at-once!
Tell us what makes heavy metal "metal."
Metal is part attitude, part Biology. ANYBODY can be metal if they want to. The very Hemoglobin of a persons blood is based on IRON! The same Iron in the earth that you turn into STEEL, that is in everyone. All one needs to do is be sincere in their approach to the music. By the way, if some people don't understand the Biology of METAL, I will make it a little more easy to understand, with an example: pick up JUDAS PRIEST British Steel album! That, to me, defines the phrase "heavy metal" and ROB HALFORD gave us the uniform! You metalheads know that's the FUCKIN TRUTH! If you didn't have the full leather and studs outfit, you a least had a studded belt, head, neck or wristband with spikes or studs. The only people I saw wearing that stuff before ROB HALFORD made it fashionable for METAL, were "GAY" men here in SAN FRANCISCO.
What makes classic heavy metal "classic?" Surely it's not just because it's old.
The term "Classic Metal" is actually a good name. Classic means; the original, belonging to the highest rank or class, serving as the established model or standard, having lasting significance, enduring! So, I like the term.
Post-rock. Post-metal. Post-hardcore. Are people trying to tell us that the real thing isn't good enough anymore, and that some new evolution (or perversion, if you like) of the art form is what the hip people really should be listening to?
Post-metal? I remember when I was a lot younger and an advertisement for a new product would be on the television "new and improved" they would claim. Well, I don't follow the nu-metal that has come out, but what I have heard of it, "it may be new, but it sure isn't improved!" There are younger bands that I like, who play with respect to the "classic" style like: KILLINGSWORTH, WATCH THEM DIE, THE LORD WEIRD SLOUGHFEG, LUDICRA, HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE, DRAGONFORCE, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and many others.
Tell us why "extreme metal" is not considered a redundant phrase. Wasn't the term supposed to represent extremity in the first place?
"Extreme metal?" SAN FRANCISCO "thrash metal" used to be called that. I won't say too much about it, I agree with you, the term is supposed to represent extremity!
"Death", "black", "power", "thrash", "doom", and many other words are used to describe specific types of heavy metal. Do you believe that it's all just heavy metal with no fundamental difference between them all? What purpose do all of these insular splinter scenes serve?
I think some bands try to set themselves apart by using these names like: "DEATH," "BLACK," "POWER," and other types of METAL. Let's get some shit straight about "doom metal." BLACK SABBATH are the Gods of that! You just are NOT going to out do LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH, VENOM, and MERCYFUL FATE in the dark, heavy, and ORIGINALITY department! In my opinion, unless you borrow something from one of these groups. I have yet to hear a band that sound totally unlike and more original in this genre, than these four bands. I hear the influence. As far as the other terms go, CRONOS from VENOM is the one man that popularized these phrases: "BLACK METAL" "DEATH METAL" "SPEED METAL" "POWER METAL" when asked in an interview to describe his band's music. From that point on, those phrases became more and more popular. So, any band that uses these phrases to describe their music (my band included) should "lay down their souls to the gods rock n roll" they have VENOM to thank for sure. Any YOUNG band in this genre that says they were not influenced by VENOM, you can bet that whoever influenced them, was probably a VENOM fan. Some journalist make jokes about VENOM these days, but the band had an enormous affect on "thrash metal," they were one of the top five highest selling bands on an independent label in History! I remember when DAVE MUSTAINE was in METALLICA and they came to SAN FRANCISCO, he had this big, upside-down crucifix earring in his ear and a VENOM Welcome to Hell T-shirt. So, when I hear all these bands with the "cookie monster," deep, growling vocals, I just say: "they are trying to out do CRONOS," he is the original! So, if you want to know who created "black metal?" it's simple, pick up the album "black metal!" VENOM are "THE" BLACK METAL GODS!
Is genre drift (remember when Biohazard was metalcore and Mercyful Fate were black metal?) proof of heavy metal's constant creative growth, or proof that the heavy metal community has no clue what it's talking about? Explain.
Genre drift, I think, is just something outside influences, or bands themselves, come up with to hide a lack of originality. Trying to be clever, putting a twist in the name to make it sound like something new. It's all from the same tree of "ROCK n ROLL."
What the bloody hell does core mean? As in hardcore, metalcore, grindcore. What is so musically unique about it that it needs to stick on to other things like a lamprey? Seriously, it's just heavy metal with a different social agenda, right?
Names like "metalcore" mean nothing to me. Like I said before, it's just a clever twist of words.
Underground music, by its very definition, does not appear on the charts, does not appear on national cable or broadcast television, does not get signed or distributed by major record company or their subsidiaries, and does not appear on the shelves of retail chain stores. Or do you have other ideas about what "underground" means?
Underground music, STONE VENGEANCE has been underground for over 28 years now. Your definition of underground fits us perfectly. Underground today is not quite the same as it was 25 years ago. Today, bands can get exposure on their own a lot more easily with the internet. Also, recording is more accessible for musicians these days. Bands have a lot more power over there image and products, if they are independent today.
The term "underground" is just a way for socially inadequate people to not have to call themselves and their interests "unpopular," isn't it?
Yes, underground does mean just that "un-POP-ular."
Discuss the similarities and differences between punk rock and heavy metal.
The similarities between Metal and Punk to me are: speed, aggression, power chords, attitude and they are both visceral. The differences are; Metal can be more difficult to perform most times than Punk with respect to the way the guitar is used. Guitar solos, Dual harmonies on the guitar and stuff like that. Metal leans toward melody more and Punk toward rhythm and fewer chords, but there are always exceptions in both styles.
Discuss the similarities and differences between progressive rock and heavy metal.
Progressive Rock came out of the late 1960s and became huge in the 1970s. When I think of Progressive Rock, I think of bands like; RUSH, EMERSON LAKE and PALMER, GENESIS and PINK FLOYD. The similarities are: that they can both be very sophisticated, created for serious listening, borrow from Classical and Jazz music. The differences are... Metal can be more about feel, attitude straight from the gut, and ANGRY in it's delivery.
Discuss the similarities and differences between rock and roll and heavy metal.
I think the differences between Metal and Rock n Roll are... early Rock n Roll did not have the powerful amplifiers capable of sustaining chords and notes, like the amps in the late 1960s. With the increase in volume and sustain, a guitarist can get more out of a chord (now called "power chords"). Also, Metal uses more Minor notes and chords. The similarities are... they both are rooted in the Blues.
Discuss the similarities and differences between jazz and heavy metal.
The differences between Metal and Jazz are... Jazz uses Horns, (I'm talking about old style Jazz, not Jazz sub-genres, like: Fusion, or acid Jazz) Piano and is rooted in African American Folk Music. Jazz can be very, very, sophisticated, but then again, some Metal is also. They are similar in that, the guitarist playing a solo, can choose to improvise (make it up as it is being performed) that is the way I prefer to solo... I don't like it to sound too rehearsed.
Discuss the similarities and differences between noise and heavy metal.
Some people would say "Metal is Noise." I am not familiar with any Noise bands.
Discuss the similarities and differences between hard music and/or loud music and/or loud rock and/or extreme rock and heavy metal.
There is a very fine line between HARD, LOUD, and EXTREME Rock. Too fine for me to distinguish.
Discuss the similarities and differences between music and heavy metal.
Music and Metal? The difference is the electric guitar amplified with Distortion or High Gain. That, makes Metal! All the other instruments reinforce it. Without the sound of the guitar, it's not Metal.
Which of these albums is best: Caress of Steel, Fighting, In Trance, or Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow? Why?
I won't say which album is best, because, they are all great recordings! If I have to pick one, I pick In trance. I am an ULRICH ROTH fan, so, that's why I pick that record.
Which of these albums is best: Angel Witch, Iron Maiden, On Through the Night, or Wheels of Steel? Why?
For me, Iron Maiden! That band had a huge influence on me. It felt really good, when DENNIS STRATTON... who played guitar on that record, saw us play in Florida and he said how much he liked STONE VENGEANCE. It was funny, because we kept complimenting each other... he was saying how good we were and I was stopping him and saying how great he is! We kept going back and forth with praise. AL ATKINS from JUDAS PRIEST liked us so much, he invited us to ENGLAND to play.
Which of these albums is best: Ample Destruction, Battle Cry, King of the Dead, or Sign of the Hammer? Why?
I pick Sign of the Hammer. I remember when that record came out, no band sounded quite like MANOWAR! I still listen to that record every now and then.
Which of these albums is best: Infernal Overkill, Obsessed by Cruelty, Pleasure to Kill, or To Mega Therion? Why?
I pick Infernal Overkill. Great Metal record! I like the Original sound of that band. Pleasure to Kill is great, but, that record sounds like they were totally overwhelmed by their influences (EXODUS, SLAYER). So, my pick is based on originality.
Which of these albums is best: Darkness Descends, Master of Puppets, Reign in Blood, or Peace Sells But Who's Buying? Why?
This one is close! If I have to pick one, I pick Master of Puppets. It's a great record and CLIFF BURTON really liked our music. So, since he is playing on that record I can't help the sentiment in my choice. Now Reign in Blood is a close second for me, because, everyone expects a band to soften their sound once they are signed to a major label... Not SLAYER! They came out hard as Hell, with this one. I really respect them for this record... no compromise at all! SLAYER are getting meaner as they grow older... kick-ass band!
Which of these albums is best: Cause of Death, Deicide, Eaten Back to Life, or The Ten Commandments? Why?
I am not familiar with those titles.
Which of these albums is best: Into the Depths of Sorrow, The Obsessed, Storm Warning, or Trouble? Why?
I pick Trouble, we played with them and SLAYER in 1984 and that band is one of the heaviest bands live that I have ever seen!
Which of these albums is best: Clandestine, Into the Grave, Like an Everflowing Stream, or Where No Life Dwells? Why?
I am not familiar with those titles.
Which of these albums is best: Always?, As the Flower Withers, The Crestfallen, or Shades of God? Why?
I am not familiar with those titles.
Which of these albums is best: Elements, Focus, Individual Thought Patterns, or Spheres?
I am not familiar with those titles.
Which of these albums is best: Burzum, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, Pure Holocaust, or Under a Funeral Moon? Why?
I am not familiar with those titles.
Which of these albums is best: The Gallery, The Jester Race, Slaughter of the Soul, or Storm of the Light's Bane? Why?
I am not familiar with those titles.
Which of these albums is best: Glory to the Brave, Iron Savior, Legendary Tales, or Somewhere Out in Space? Why?
I am not familiar with those titles.
Which of these albums is best: In This Room, La Masquerade Infernale, The Linear Scaffold, or Omnio? Why?
I am not familiar with those titles.
Which of these albums is best: Gathered Around the Oaken Table, Midnattens Widunder, Sagovindars Boning, or Vintage Whine? Why?
I am not familiar with those titles.
Tell us about your favorite album of all time.
Favorite album of all time? Well, I will answer that this way... for me, the most important album is THE BEATLES Live at the Hollywood Bowl. That record made me want to play rock n roll. The sound of it fascinated me with electronic, amplified music. The power of that record made me want to switch to the Bass guitar, but, my mother talked me out of it. I have listened to that album hundreds of times since 1977.
Tell us about your favorite album of right now.
I have two favorite albums right now... MANOWAR Warriors of the World and MUDDY WATERS Live at Newport 1960.
Who are the ten most important musicians in the musical development of heavy metal?
Ten most important? I think everyone will have an opinion for this one. For me, I will say JIMI HENDRIX, JIMMY PAGE, ERIC CLAPTON, TONY IOMMi, PAUL RODGERS, (as far as vocalist are concerned) RITCHIE BLACKMORE, TED NUGENT, ANGUS YOUNG, EDWARD VAN HALEN, ULRICH ROTH. I know I forgot many more, but these ten did a lot for the music that became Metal.
Don't you hate reading interviews where the person being interviewed obviously doesn't want to be doing it and doesn't put any thought or effort into the answers? Tell us about an interview you really were excited about reading but ended up being let down.
I really can't remember being let down by an interview I have read lately.
Tell us how a regular journalist is different than a music journalist.
A regular journalist gathers information about... current events, trends, people and issues. Music journalism is 30 or 40 years old. It's a specialized branch about entertainment and music.
Should the music journalist be serving, first and foremost, labels, bands, or fans? Do they best do this by promoting the music they are covering, or being critical and suspicious of it? Is the reality different than what they should be doing?
I think that music journalist should serve first, the fans of the music. They should stick to the basics... can the band play or not? Is the band making music? That is what's important, even if the journalist is not really into the band. If the journalist doesn't like it at all, review something they do like. There are plenty of bands to choose from.
What should the minimum qualifications be for a person to write about heavy metal?
I feel that the minimum qualifications to write about Metal is: know the history of the music, who were the bands that helped set it into motion and just be a true fan of the music.
What detail do most music journalists ignore that you want to read about?
In my reading, I tend to get the information I am looking for, the journalist ask the right questions most of the time.
Which results in the best heavy metal: Musicians who are involved in the scene, reading magazines, keeping up on all of the big new releases, engaging in conversation with fans about the topics of the day... or musicians who isolate themselves from all of that?
The best heavy metal? For me, I like to isolate myself a lot, but that's just me. I think everything you mentioned can help the musician make music just as long as they don't get overwhelmed by any of it. Too much of any outside influence can and will influence the way you make your music.
Tell us about your favorite heavy metal album cover.
My favorite Metal album cover is VENOM Black Metal! There was nothing quite like it when it was released. It fit the music perfectly. A close second would be IRON MAIDEN Killers album.
Tell us about the worst song by your favorite heavy metal band.
The worst song by one of my favorite heavy metal bands is "I Hate School Rules" by EXCITER. I just never liked that song coming from them. But, I like a lot of the early stuff for sure. Especially with the original line-up on the first 3 albums.
Tell me about the relationship between heavy metal and long hair. Also discuss why Devin Townsend shows us the one true way of dealing with baldness.
Heavy Metal and long hair Is about rebellion! Rebellion against the "status quo" or existing state or condition.
Tell us about the art of bass playing and how it is generally neglected in heavy metal.
Art of bass playing? For me, The BASS is very important! I love the sound and power of the Bass so much, that I almost switched my guitar with my Bass player ANTHONY STARKS! But, my mother talked me out of it. The Bass reinforces the guitar. Since I decided to stick with the guitar, I made sure my Bass player played the Bass the way I wanted it played. So, I was his first and only teacher! I taught my Bass player to play the Bass the way I played the guitar. That is why ANTHONY is very dynamic as a player. When you listen to our music, he is right with me at the same speed. I got him into every Bass player that I liked. Starting with Bass players like; PAUL McCARTNEY, LARRY GRAHAM, BOOTSY COLLINS, RUSH'S GEDDY LEE, IRON MAIDEN'S STEVE HARRIS, (ANTHONY actually met STEVE HARRIS and DAVE MURRAY on separate occasions) RAVEN'S JOHN GALLAGHER, (who likes our music) and MANOWAR'S JOEY DEMAIO. Those are the main guys I got my Bass player into. Now he is into his own favorite players, like BILL DICKENS. Maybe, some bands don't really understand the role of the Bass so, they neglect it. NOT ME! When you hear us live or on recordings, the Bass is very much upfront! Onstage, a lot of times the Bass is louder than I am! But, ANTHONY is the kind of player that SHOULD BE HEARD! So, I don't mind if he is LOUD! If bands don't understand the role of the BASS, they should listen to RUSH, IRON MAIDEN, VENOM ("BLACK METAL"), RAVEN, BILLY SHEEHAN, BILL DICKENS and MANOWAR! They will be pointed in the right direction for sure.
Tell us why the keyboard is an instrument of heavy metal.
Two words: DEEP PURPLE! Many bands that have keyboards in Metal were influenced by JON LORD! Especially bands from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The keyboard adds a sustaining atmosphere to the music and I think if the player has the right attitude, he can be very good at playing keyboards in Metal. Just check out the keyboard player in DRAGONFORCE, he is great! I love the keyboard in STEPPENWOLF "BORN TO BE WILD".
Tell us about the ways and means of heavy metal drumming.
In Rock or Metal music, a good drummer is everything! The drum is the timing of the whole band. You can have an average band with a great drummer and the band will sound great! On the other hand, you can have some excellent musicians with a weak drummer and that kind of drummer will hold the band back! Just listen to the SLAYER records with DAVE LOMBARDO, his playing has a lot to do with the success of that band. SLAYER does not fuck around when it comes to their drummers! No great band, has a weak drummer! The most important drum on stage is the BASS DRUM! The Kick Drum is the sound that is universal because it sounds to every person that can hear, like the sound of their mothers heartbeat when they were in the womb. So, the faster the Kick drum goes, the faster it seems to make your heart beat and the crowd goes wild!
Tell us how a heavy metal vocalist works best.
For me, a vocalist works best when they compliment the music with lyrics that sound like an interpretation from sound to words. Making the words match the music. ROB HALFORD is good at that, especially on the early JUDAS PRIEST recordings. I think if a vocalist is serious about singing, they should go to the roots of the music. For me, the greatest vocalist from ROCK n ROLL to METAL are: starting with my all time favorite SAM COOKE! When I hear him sing he sounds like an angel to me. He influenced so many singers worldwide that he was one of the first 5 people inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame! He was one of a kind because of his unique phrasing. Other singers I like are; PAUL RODGERS from FREE, and BAD COMPANY. So many Rock vocalist have copied his style and onstage moves. Other great vocalist are ROB HALFORD, PAUL DIANNO, ERIC ADAMS (MANOWAR), ROBERT PLANT, DIO, DAVID COVERDALE, ANN WILSON (HEART), NEIL TURBIN (first ANTHRAX LP), KLAUS MEINE (SCORPIONS), and IAN GILLAN to name a few.
Tell us why the guitar is the central and necessary focus for heavy metal. Discuss your views of guitar solos as well.
To answer that question, we have to go way back in American music history. It starts with the Blues! Black people in the deep South played blues or "songs of lament" because of the terrible conditions they lived under. The blues uses minor chords making it sound sad, dark, melancholy and some called it Devil Music! It is still called that today... that is where Metal music got it from eventually. These blues artist started to go up to CHICAGO, they were usually one man with a guitar, that is why the guitar is the central focus in Rock & Metal today. Big Bands used amplified guitar, but only to back up the horn section with rhythm. In 1943 MUDDY WATERS was in Chicago and he is the one man many music historians say started what became the Rock n Roll combo, by putting the Drums and Bass behind an amplified guitar. In those small clubs, this new music was Loud! The rest is history, we have to thank people like LEO FENDER (fender amps & guitars) AMPEG, GIBSON, JIM MARSHALL (marshall amps) and the many manufactures that made the amplifiers louder and more powerful turning the Blues into a monster called Heavy Metal years later. Without the amplifier you cannot play any guitar music with "that swing" unless you go back to the blues. If some people doubt what I am saying, just take your electric guitar and turn off the amplifier, now you are back to what they had in the 1920's an acoustic guitar! You have to go back to the blues to make it "swing". Any other style will NOT sound like Rock n Roll! You cannot perform Metal music without amplifiers! The reason guitar solos are part of the music, is due to the way Blues guitar players would sing a song, then, the singing stops and the guitar speaks. That is what solos are about the guitar player is speaking or expressing himself thru the guitar. That was handed down to Rock and Metal from the blues. All the great guitar players that influenced Metal, played Blues or "their heroes" played Blues, like; JIMI HENDRIX, ERIC CLAPTON, JIMMY PAGE, JEFF BECK, ULRICH ROTH, TONY IOMMi, EDDIE VAN HALEN, RITCHIE BLACKMORE, TED NUGENT, ANGUS YOUNG and more. Where would Metal be without those guys? Yet, all of them were familiar with the blues. So, you could say solos are passed down as a tradition. Some players get into Classical, but they are only mixing the two styles, the rock n roll "rhythm & blues backbeat" with Classical Guitar. But, if the whole band played Classical, it would change into a whole different thing. When a guitar player solos he's telling you who he is thru the guitar. If some players don't like solos, they should seriously think about getting into a different style of music. I understand that some guys are great rhythm guitarist, but I am talking about these players that think they are doing something new without playing solos... you are not making the music better by taking away part of it! I can't believe that a guitarist would take the time to learn how to play well and not play solos purposely, if he was capable. ZAKK WYLDE said to me when I was talking to him about this in 1996. I asked him why guitar players on MTV were not taking solos and ZAKK said "BECAUSE THEY CAN'T"! I am a rhythm guitarist at heart, but I would never talk against what a musician chooses to play. I have heard about some guitarist talking shit against guitar solos. That kind of person really does not understand the very music he is playing. I mean, WHAT THE FUCK DID HE GET INTO ROCK N ROLL FOR?
People often say "I don't pay attention to lyrics" or some variation thereof. How many instrumental albums do you own? Explain how your answer correlates to the importance you put on lyrics.
I don't own any instrumental records that are ROCK or METAL. I own CLASSICAL guitar recordings by ELLIOT FISK, CHRISTOPHER PARKENING and Orchestral types of music. I don't mind a song or two on a record that is instrumental, but I like to hear lyrics. For me the music gets boring without lyrics if it's Metal or Rock. Lyrics make the music more interesting, the voice is also an instrument and lyrics guide the listener deeper into the song... telling the story. I try to make the listener see a mental picture with the lyrics.
What should the minimum qualifications be for a person to be in a heavy metal band?
If one really loves the music, they will easily fulfill any qualifications that come with playing this music.
Should a band be a sonic concept in itself, with band members conforming to that concept, or should a band's sound change and be significantly influenced by any change in lineup according to the talents and preferences of new members?
New members are going to influence the sound of the band for sure. I think a band should play whatever music they enjoy.
Let's talk songwriting. Let's start with verses and choruses. Chorii? Anyway. What is the point in having a repeating musical structure in the verse? Vocalists are gracious enough to change the words around from verse to verse but it's the same vocal patterns. The chorus is usually just identical no matter how many times it appears in a song. Then a lot of bands repeat the first verse after a guitar solo. Why are people so attached to this pop music lazy method of writing a song? Anybody else out there just skip a song after the guitar solo when they find out all that's left is a re-run of previously heard material?
That is part of the songwriting tradition, we make music based on the way we grow up listening to it. I will repeat a verse if I want the point of the lyrics to really come across and get the listeners attention. Repetition is important to get the listener to sing along or pay attention to what is being said.
In a world where Halford never left Priest and Dickinson never left Maiden, how would the 90s have looked for heavy metal?
I can only guess that Metal would have been a little stronger in the 90s with those to veteran bands intact.
What would have happened in Norway if Øystein Aarseth and Kristian Vikernes had remained on good terms and The Murder never happened?
I am not familiar at all with that case and crime.
Spirit. Inventiveness. Ability. Tell us which one of those you would consider the most important quality for a heavy metal musician to possess, and why you came to that decision.
I would like to say all of those qualities are important, but since I have to choose one, I will say SPIRIT. If any artist has SPIRIT, that, will come across and have a more lasting affect on the listener. Spirit sets an artist apart from others, the other qualities one could be taught or learn from another.
Bruce Dickinson wore spandex and studded bracers, and had bangs. Celtic Frost wore corpsepaint and leather... and spandex. Rob Halford looked like a gay biker in the glory days. Anthrax wore jams shorts as band fashion. Those fucking haircuts Destruction had back in the day... Why does everyone still give Manowar shit for their 1983 wardrobe?
Good question! A few years ago, I was talking to a drummer of a well known Bay area Metal band. I won't mention the bands name but, I was telling him how much I like and respect MANOWAR. This guy says to me: "I don't like MANOWAR" and I'm looking at him and thinking: "What a fucking hypocrite! This guys band broke up and then jumped on the latest trendy music bandwagon, and when that didn't work, his band decided to reform and play Metal again. I think a lot of bands and Haters that don't like MANOWAR are full of shit! What's not to like? If you like true Metal music, can one honestly say: that after listening to all of MANOWAR'S music they heard nothing they like? I have always thought that MANOWAR intimidates some of these people. back in the mid 1980's MANOWAR was called Macho Metal! Some men just Hate to see another man being good at something and looking good too. Stop Hating and have respect, as one warrior to another warrior! MANOWAR is a great fucking band! Great Singer, great Bass player, great Guitar player and great Drummer! Most bands that talk shit about them, cannot match them in ability. And some of these Haters that don't like them need to grow the fuck up! A man is judged by a jury of his peers or equals, in lifestyle and experience. You cannot judge a band like MANOWAR by the bands of today, most of these Haters have not given 25 years to Metal, played the music when it was not trendy, and stuck to their guns like MANOWAR have. You have to look at what Metal was like in 1980 and give them some respect! If these same Haters were talking about an old FENDER or MARSHALL amp, that sounds like it did 25 years ago, looked like it did 25 years ago, they would say: "that is quality, consistency, reliability!" Anything that is built to last, is a testament to it's quality! If you truly like Metal and respect it's roots MANOWAR is a true Metal band! One of the greatest to come from AMERICA! This was Metal before THRASH in AMERICA. The only other Metal I was listening to came from the NWOBHM. If you go back to 1981 MANOWAR was one of the first, new AMERICAN Metal bands recorded, most of the other AMERICAN Bands were copying IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH or JUDAS PRIEST. Thrash Metal had not happened yet.
Heavy metal is timeless, right? Then how is retro-metal even possible?
I have no idea what retro-metal is. I do know: everywhere we have been in the UNITED STATES, from coast to coast, people respond to Classic metal more than anything else.
A little self-affirmation never hurt anybody, but what purpose does it serve for a heavy metal band to sing about heavy metal? Shouldn't they be showing us instead of telling us?
To each his own. If that's what inspires them.
Why on Earth would a band release a special edition album with a bonus DVD of the band performing the album live in the studio... and overdub the performance? Is this really a bonus? A sign that a band has totally gone to shit? Or something different?
I have never heard of a band doing anything like that.
What is the point of live albums? Heavy metal bands usually just play the songs as they are on the album anyway. Does hearing a drum solo or sing-along really justify buying another album? And they are never really live. Shouldn't somebody start a class-action lawsuit on the basis of false advertising against live albums where the vocals, the drums, and the guitars are all fixed up in a studio afterwards?
Yeah, I agree with you. for me, a live album should be just that... LIVE. No overdubs! The band should be captured with the true energy of the performance, mistakes and all. Also, I believe in never performing our music exactly the same live, as performed in the studio. I like to keep the live performance and studio performance unique, for the most part.
What does a listener have a right to expect from a musician?
The listener should expect the musician to perform from the depths of the soul. Pulling ideas from the musicians subconscious mind, then, expressing that feeling thru their instrument of choice.
Tell me how making the protective case for a CD very fancy and deluxe increases the value of music.
It does not! It's simple... you and I both know that you can make a better hamburger at home. Mcdonald's burgers sell because they are WELL advertised! The same is true with some of the music we buy.
Explain to me how an album that takes hundreds of hours for an average of four people to write and record, at a cost of usually thousands of dollars, is too expensive if a copy costs as much as three or four hours of minimum wage pay.
Yeah, a band has to be paid for all that work.
Tell us which of these statements reflects your personal opinion, and why: A- A music listener should feel no pressure to buy music he listens to. B- A music listener should buy music he listens to in order to encourage future recordings by the artist. C- A music listener should buy music he listens to as a reward to the artist for making pleasing music. D- A music listener should buy music he listens to because it is an artist's right to demand payment for his work.
I pick... A. A music listener should feel no pressure to buy music he listens to.
I know someone that has an Exemplar Audio 5910 universal player, Boulder 1010 preamplifier, Classe CA-M400 monoblock amplifiers, Teres Audio 265 turntable, Cerious Technologies Ceramic Reference speakers, and Cerious Technologies cables/interconnects. Go look up how much that stuff costs. Hint: Just the one cable is $1000. Why are MP3s good enough for you?
Well, for me, I don't listen to my favorite music from MP3s. When I am at home, I listen to my music through a tube amp with 1940s or 1950s vacuum tubes or audiophile tubes as some call them. The reason is... the tubes are doing the amplifying! The better the tubes... the better the sound! The same goes for my onstage or studio amps.
Record companies and bands now provide samples of their releases on their websites as an almost universal policy. This is not good enough. People demand the right to have the whole album to "sample" it. Tell me how many times you feel they should get to listen to it before they are simply thieves taking somebody else's work for free.
I think that: if it cost money to make a record, it should cost money to listen to it. Just like any job, people have to be paid for their work in order to continue. On the other hand, if you want more exposure, you have to let people hear samples of your work to get in the door... so to speak.
Is the album the basic unit of measure for judging heavy metal because it makes the most sense, or just because that's always been the most convenient way of packaging songs? What would the heavy metal world be like if bands released individual songs as they were completed and that was the standard way to receive and listen to music?
I guess it would completely over-saturate the market, if bands released one song at a time. Now, if you are talking about bands that are signed to a major label, then, it would be like releasing a single.
What should the minimum requirement be for a person to say they are a fan of a band?
Since the word "FAN" means fanatic, a person should own all of the artist music that has been released, love every song, pay to see them everytime the band comes to town and have every image of the band they can get a hold of.
When you buy a heavy metal album, are you purchasing an entertainment product or are you being a patron of the arts? Explain your answer.
When I buy a recording, I am being a patron of the arts. I want to be inspired and also, learn or hear something new.
Where does the underground end and the mainstream begin? Is there a middle ground?
The underground that we came from no longer exist. Technology has made access to all kinds of music much more accessible. Thanks to the internet. So, today mainstream means "how much money an artist has behind them". Yes, I think there is a middle ground, bands that play large halls and theaters but, are not yet headlining Arenas, I think are in the middle.
Explain to me, in terms that have nothing to do with promotion or marketing, the purpose of a music video.
I'm from the "OLD SCHOOL" so, music video was not a popular format when we started this band. All I can think of in making videos for bands, is to sell an image. It's not about the music as much as "the look", that's why videos work more for some artist than others. Some artist look great in a video, but can't pull the performance off onstage. If a band is great live, then a video will enhance that artist or group. Video is so influential to younger bands, because they grew up on them. Therefore, they don't concentrate on their instruments as much as how they will look in a video. There are exceptions to this also. A music video makes the viewer lazy in some cases, it actually causes them Not to use their imagination or listen closely as a blind person would.
Bruce Hall said "Do what you love, for the love, do what you do for money, for the money, If you sacrifice love for money, you're a whore." How does this relate to today's heavy metal scene?
I think he is describing what one would call a sellout. A lot of musicians have done it. I can't go too far in talking about them, because we have never made a lot of money. So, I have not walked in the wealthy bands shoes. I guess some bands get lazy or comfortable and have to think about paying the bills. One thing about the music business: everybody is trying to make money! It takes money to keep a band going.
Explain the relationship between the popularity of heavy metal and the quality of heavy metal.
"Heavy Metal" is now a popular phrase, bands use it and don't understand this music, it just sounds cool to be Metal! The quality has gone down because it's now about image, how you look in a video.
The availability of recording equipment and the low investment involved in pressing CDs, or the ease in hosting sound files for the futuristically inclined, in theory, allows the bright and talented musician to dodge layers of corporate approval and interference and deliver his vision directly to the masses. In reality, everybody still wants a record deal, the bigger the record company the better. Why?
On one hand, a band knows it will take a much longer time to get large exposure independently. On the other hand, a big record label is just a bank for the band. The band knows the major label has the money to support an artist in every part of the bands development. The band gets money to live and make music, without having to keep their day or night jobs, their music is distributed worldwide and they get tour support. The bad side about a big record deal is: it puts the band in heavy debt! A band can also, become very wealthy! It all comes down to patience! The big record label can get a band out there to the public, at large, faster, but they can over expose a band to the point that people are sick of hearing or seeing them. A band can sell 50,000 records on their own and have much more money in their pockets than selling 250,000 on a major label, because the major label is going to recoup all the money they put out for you and then some more!
Record companies are said to be necessary because artists should not have to be businessmen and marketers, they should just be musicians. Yet they have to market themselves to record companies to get signed, and if they don't behave like businessmen with the record companies then they will get financially raped. What is a band supposed to do?
Well, a lot of that is changing. Bands can control their own music a lot more these days. I always tell younger bands: "have respect for your art"! Don't let anyone make you feel you have nothing to offer in the world of music. There are billions of ears waiting for you all over the globe. If others don't respect your music, you as a musician, should have enough integrity to respect it yourself.
What are the minimum requirements that a band should demand of a record company before signing a contract?
Good question, I have put a couple of record contracts in the fireplace or trash myself! It depends on the band. Some bands need guidance from a record company, so, I can't speak for those types of artists. If a band is making their own music, they should demand that the contract is fair to all parties involved, it's just that simple. A band should also have creative freedom! everything is negotiable in the music business.
What are the minimum requirements that a record company should demand of a band before signing a contract?
I can't speak for a record company, but I will say this: the band should be able to play! I say that, only because a label sometimes is not interested in a band being original or if they can even play well onstage. Record companies sign bands for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes just to be trendy.
Explain to me, without telling me "They are morons" or "They are desperate for a record contract", why a band would give up the rights to their music to anybody, at any time, in perpetuity.
I think, this is the case with younger bands most of the time. They don't yet understand that: "ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD!" They are not looking far enough into the future or these bands don't have much faith in there art. These bands are in a rush to get out there and be famous! That is the reason record companies sign young artist most of the time, because they can take advantage of their ignorance. Some say that "YOUTH IS WASTED ON THE YOUNG!"
Do you believe that major record companies hide their ownership of subsidiary, "independent" labels in order to market "alternative" bands to people suspicious of the major record companies, in order to build a "grassroots" following to build up to their "major label" debut? Tell me how this would work.
YES! Major record companies keep their ears to the ground and listen for the next big thing. They sign bands to these subsidiary labels to protect their reputation sometimes, also, in case the band doesn't work out.
Why do you think it is that all these new metalcore bands are wearing brand new classic metal T-shirts in all of their photos?
I think some of the bands really like these Classic Metal groups. On the other hand some wear the shirt to be trendy.
A reviewer/interviewer might receive three hundred or more promo CDs in a year. He might need to clear out some space every once in a while. Promo CDs aren't supposed to be sold, but is there any real difference to the band or record company if a promo CD is given away for free? Is throwing CDs away really the only ethical option that doesn't involve paying postage for returning 300 CDs to the sender?
I wouldn't throw them away, I say: "TRADE OR SELL THE DAMN THINGS!"
What is more disturbing, real heavy metal bands adopting mainstream sounds to try to be more popular, or mainstream "heavy music" bands adopting heavy metal methods to try to be more cool and credible?
For me, It sounds worse when a mainstream band tries to play Thrash or Metal! It just doesn't sound credible. On the other hand, when a Metal band makes a ballad, well, many Metal bands do that anyway.
Is it more important for a band to impact a young listener like no other band has ever done, or to satisfy a more seasoned and mature listener?
It's great, if you can satisfy both of them! Younger fans will put more energy into supporting a band that they like, on the other hand, a mature listener can let you know if you are still doing it RIGHT or LOSING IT!
Why do bands talk about their fanbase as being "the kids"? Are they really writing music for children? Do you think a band referring to their fans in this manner is a big red warning flag for people seeking quality music? Is heavy metal really for children?
Most of the time, especially when I was younger, that was true. The bands knew that their fans were largely younger people, KIDS. I have really been surprised at the shows we have been playing over the last few years, teenagers 15 years to 18 are really into our music! It really amazes me when I talk to them. They are serious about their METAL!
I think that metalheads writing music that can only possibly appeal to metalheads is kind of small-minded and lame. Yet metalheads writing music specifically to be appreciated by people who are not metalheads seems to be lacking integrity. What are your thoughts on the subject?
I agree. Although, I would rather listen to a Metalhead writing music for metalheads, before listening to a fraud, who is not writing at all for metalheads!
Is heavy metal more of a philosophy, a lifestyle, or a description of music?
It's all of that! Most importantly for me, it's a description of the music.
Is heavy metal more of a reflection of reality, or an escape from reality?
For me, in the early 80s it was an escape from reality. Today, reality has caught up with it.
At what point does a heavy metal band progress so much that it is no longer a heavy metal band?
When their music no longer sounds anything like the bands name. A bands name is it's Epitome or vice versa.
Many people claim that "true" vs "untrue" music is unimportant, and "good" vs "bad" music is the only important distinction to be made. Tell us about three good heavy metal albums that are not "true".
I cannot think of one!
One fifteen year old kid just discovered Trivium and Arch Enemy and System of a Down and has an emo haircut and thinks this heavy metal stuff kicks ass. Hates that old man shit like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest though. Another fifteen year old kid just discovered Venom and Omen and Angel Witch and wears lots of denim and wears poofy white sneakers. Who's the bigger poseur, and why?
Well, the first kid is the one who is most likely the fake, in as much as he likes the new bands, but doesn't like JUDAS PRIEST? That's like, loving the apple and hating the tree! I like the second kid, that has discovered VENOM, I think his dress reflects his love for his new heroes. That is the reason I like Bellbottom pants for the stage, all of my heroes from the 60s, and 70s wore them and I wore them in school in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The average person does not listen to heavy metal. Do you believe that normal, everyday people can understand real heavy metal? If yes, why don't they? If no, is it because there is something wrong with average people, or with heavy metal?
I think, Metal music can be appreciated by people that like music. I don't mean people that on occasion listen to music, but people who like all types of good music can relate to it. I know many Black people who I turned on to IRON MAIDEN and other good bands by guiding them and telling them how to listen, and what to listen for in the songs. Good musicianship can't be beat!
How does someone know that they're a real metalhead and not just some guy who happens to like listening to some heavy metal?
When the persons music collection is 95 percent metal, they are a metalhead!
Tell us how being heavy metal prevents a person from being a good citizen, as the average person would define "good citizen."
A metal person does not fit into the "STATUS QUO" and usually thinks on the fringe of society. Sort of like: a modern day hippie that might kick your ass!
Tell us about the last revelation you had just thinking about (not playing or listening to) heavy metal.
I can't remember a day in over 20 years not thinking about this music. You will hear my revelation on my upcoming album.
Tell us about the first time you were ever possessed by the spirit of heavy metal.
When I heard IRON MAIDEN Killers LP.
Tell us about the moment you realized that heavy metal was a bigger influence in your life than any friend or family member.
When they thought I was going crazy and I didn't care.
Discuss the relationship between the concept of heavy metal and the concept of Satan.
That goes back to the Blues and early Rock n Roll. Those minor notes and chords some would say: actually made them feel evil, when listening to this music. The blues was called "THE DEVILS MUSIC". In Metal, it's a release and a bit of rebellion. It's also, freedom, to just cut lose and say what the music makes you feel. If it makes you feel evil, sing about that! A lot of bands today are just on the bandwagon with the Satan stuff these days though.
Is heavy metal more about taking control and being in control, or being out of control?
I would say: that it's equal parts of both.
On the DVD extra included with Strapping Young Lad's Alien, Gene Hoglan admits that some of his mistakes in the studio are fixed on a computer. We know this isn't an incident unique to Mr. Hoglan, or to drummers. What does this mean when even an acknowledged top drummer can't or won't even once correctly perform what we hear on the final product?
This means that technology is available for the musician to control the source of the recording and manipulate it. I would be afraid to start doing too much of that in my music. Only because, I like to add a slight mistake or so in my recordings, it's makes the music sound more realistic to my ears. I can understand why a musician may want to do this, sometimes it saves time and money in the studio. I would not do it with my music, it would make me feel that I was cheating somehow.
Heavy metal is not feminine, and all of this frilly-dress music is an abomination to what heavy metal is about, right?
I can't really answer that question, because I don't listen to, or follow most of the modern music of any genre these days.
Tell me three truths about heavy metal.
POWERFUL, LOUD and HEAVY!
Tell me three things about heavy metal that most metalheads think to be true, but you know to be false.
1. BLACK PEOPLE don't like, or play METAL! 2. WOMEN CAN'T BE METAL! 3. GAYS CAN'T BE METAL!
"Heavy metal needs closed minds." If you're open to everything, you're really against nothing. How are personal standards possible with such a philosophy? Are closed-mindedness and integrity related concepts? Where is the line drawn between taking a firm stand and being a stupid, small-minded asshole?
I always say: " people who stand for nothing, will fall for anything!"
"The first time you heard growling vocals..." is a common topic of discussion I see on internet message boards. "I hated them at first, but grew to like them the more I listened to them" is a common statement in these discussions. Why are people listening to things they don't like so much? Is it a self-education process or a desire to be cool? Tell us about your experiences listening to music you at first found to be difficult until you found yourself enjoying it.
When I heard HELLHAMMER'S first demo, it was so outrageous! As far as growling vocals, LEMMY from MOTORHEAD, and CRONOS from VENOM are the true GODS of that vocal style!
Beatrice Hall wrote in The Friends of Voltaire: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." The head of a lovely NSBM-oriented record company said: "We would export all the niggers, Jews, and newpaper reporters back to a little town called Tel Aviv where they would be forced to toss Ariel Sharon's salad." How do you feel about those quotes back to back?
Well, since I am not some "scared to death Negro or Uncle Tom" I will tell you how I feel in truth! A person of that mentality, has nothing coming from me, but my full and complete CONTEMPT! The only thing I desire between me and that kind of person is DISTANCE! I want to be as far from him as the EAST is to the WEST! Black people were actually rode down and slayed by White people with the same mentality, for hundreds of years in this country... for the fun of it, worked to death for the fun of it, beaten to death for the fun of it, burned to death for the fun of it! This went on for 310 years! Then, another hundred years asking for civil or human rights. How do I feel? Take that person and his hatred for me and multiply it by 100 and you will get the sum of my feelings for him! I don't give a Damn about him! Black people have paid there dues! Think about it: if you had 500 employees and you did not pay them for an entire year... any wages, that would make you very wealthy. America had millions of slaves, working for 310 years for no pay. That labor built the economy of the South and fueled the industrial revolution in the North! This allowed people, like this Racist, to come from all over the world and find refuge and become strong, strong enough to turn around and call the poor ex-slave a Nigger! What an unjust and wicked person! That mentality will die a natural death. He's talking shit about shipping people off somewhere? Every people in this country came here from somewhere else! The only true owner is the Indian or Native American. President Thomas Jefferson said: "I fear for my country knowing that GOD is just!" This was a wise man, even though he had slaves himself, he knew that GOD was going to punish this behavior practiced by so-called GOOD CHRISTIANS. Who read in the BIBLE: "it is wickedness to rob a man of his labor." It pains me and other Black people, to have to deal with the savage behavior of some of my people, as a direct result of slavery that has been passed down to them. When you rob a whole people of their names, (we wear English names but, we are Not English) rob them of their History, take them 9000 miles from home and keep them so long, that they don't remember who they are, a doctor would say: we suffer from AMNESIA! Black people were actually taught to Hate Themselves! Black is negative in the Western world and this is reinforced in the public schools. When you hate yourself, it's easy to kill yourself or someone who looks like you. This is learned behavior, the Negro was made in AMERICA. There is no Nation of Negroes anywhere else in the world. So, if the Racist doesn't like these crazy Niggers today, tell him to take a look in the mirror and see his own bestiality! Blame the slavemaster and leave us the Fuck alone!
Why are there so few black people playing heavy metal?
I get asked this question a lot. There are a number of reasons. I have found in my 29 years in the music business that: there is no apparatus in place, to develop, promote, distribute or sign Black Rock and Metal musicians. I mean, who the fuck is really looking to sign a Black Rock or Metal band? Not much has changed since JIMI HENDRIX was languishing in poverty in New York back in 1966. If not for Linda Keith and Chas Chandler taking him to England, we might have never been Experienced! Today, I see more Black musicians in Metal bands than I did in 1980, but not many Metal bands with all Black members, they are out there, they just hardly get exposure. With me, I don't really give a FUCK! I am not waiting around to be "Discovered," I am not asking anyone's permission to ROCK! STONE VENGEANCE is a band of true, MAVERICKS, REJECTS, DESPISED and HATED, Fucking OUTLAWS!!! The Rock music media at large, has not helped the situation, because they don't cover Metal Music from other Nations and people that much, only a few like yourself. I have found that the people when they come to see us perform they really enjoy it! That tells me: the people will listen, if they know where to find the music. Today, it's not the people that's the problem, it's those in control of the Music Media. Economics is another reason, in the 1950s Black musicians were playing Rock n Roll, by the 1970s this was not the case. Rock n Roll has made Billions of dollars, Black musicians wanted to make money just as much as White musicians. I am sure Black people did not just walk away from all of that money! They were pushed out of Rock n Roll. Since Black people did not control any major distribution, media, radio and such, it was easy to keep them out of it. Black people were still under segregation in some parts of America at the beginning of Rock n Roll. Racism plays a large part also, a lot of white people in those days would rather listen to PAT BOONE butcher a LITTLE RICHARD song, than to hear LITTLE RICHARD sing his own song! Even today, no record label, Major or Indie is actually looking to sign Black Rock or Metal bands. If ICE-T had not helped BODYCOUNT, they would still be largely unknown. I have found Black people all of my musical career, that love Metal and play it. But, they give up when they have to deal with the rejection. I remember a casting director was looking for a Metal band for a movie being filmed at Treasure Island, here in the Bay Area and a friend of mine called me and gave me the number to call the casting director. I said to my friend: I don't think they want a Black Metal band for the role. He insisted that I contact her. I called her and not to waste time driving over there, I said: we are a Black Heavy Metal group and she said: oh, that would be making another statement! So, that's how it is, a Black metal musician is just going to be perceived differently. On the other hand, I don't think a band like STONE VENGEANCE could have been created anywhere else, but in America! There are not many True Metal Warriors like ROB PRESTON of DOOMED PLANET RECORDS! He didn't care about our color when he approached me to put out our old recordings on Vinyl. He has integrity and cares about the music!
Your girlfriend tells you, "I can't take it any more! All these CDs and old records! It's me or the heavy metal, you can't have both!" How would you dispose of her body?
Don't kill her, just jump in her drawers (panties) right quick, that should calm her down! No, really, if she loves you, she will understand.
Somebody committed suicide after listening to Judas Priest, yet Judas Priest denied any involvement in court. Ozzy Osbourne has denied promoting suicide. Many death and black metal bands try to distance themselves from fans who commit violent crimes. Doesn't music have real power? If music can't change people and make them think and feel things they didn't think and feel before, doesn't that mean it sucks? How great can music be if it can't possess the soul?
You are right! music is like sex, when a man makes love to a woman, he enters her and if he knows what he is doing, she will like it and therefore she likes him. The same with music! The musician must understand the power of sound! It enter your ears, like the man enters the woman, when the music strikes the emotions the person feels like the woman, they have now been touched in a special way and they follow you. If the person doesn't like what they hear it doesn't mean your music is not good, or your sex is not good, you are no better than the listeners last lover, so to speak. They have to understand you are a new lover and they must get in tune with your rhythm or strokes. MUSIC IS LIKE SEX! IT ONLY ENTERS A DIFFERENT ORIFICE! It is also, BISEXUAL. So to speak.
Half of Americans are on prescription medication. Every last discomfort and personal issue is a "syndrome" that needs professional treatment. Children raised on television and sugary foods from birth by absent parents are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder when they don't instantly adapt to a classroom environment and are treated with personality-altering medication as a first step. Tell us the role you think heavy metal will have on diagnosing aberrant, diseased personalities in this Brave New World.
I think, it will do what music does: reflect the problems, but music won't fix anything. AMERICANS are under so much stress we are going insane I'm afraid. Our brains capacity to deal with stress is depleted, so, we use drugs to compensate for this. The young people are so smart and quick thinking, the teachers cannot teach at the speed of the child's thinking sometimes. So, the child is blamed for a slow teacher and put on drugs. I see trouble coming, this country has actually been taken from the people! Once a government is in debt to the international banking institutions and cannot pay this debt, how do you collect money owed to you from a King, President, or Monarch? The country has to give up some of it's sovereignty, or you finance an enemy of that country! If the country that owes you money has no enemy, you create one for them. Well, there you have it America owes trillions of dollars to who? That is the question, the debt started to get out of control in 1917 when America entered World War I. Whoever America owes, is actually running this country and debt, my friend, is Slavery!
How do we fix what's wrong with heavy metal?
It will fix itself! The true bands will keep their integrity and the younger disciples will carry on.
And to wrap this up:
Tell us about a few unsigned bands you recommend.
There are too many! Okay, all of the bands I mention may not be Metal, but this is what I am listening to these days, because good music is good music! This first band is signed but, they are one of my new favorites: WATCH THEM DIE, also, KILLINGSWORTH, THE MARTIN LUTHER EXPERIENCE, (A good friend of mine) BROCAS HELM, CELTIC LEGEND (United Kingdom) THE TOLEDO SHOW, ARNOCORPS, (they might be signed by now) WOLFBRIGADE, (from Sweden) PROUDFLESH, HELLHUNTER, HAMMER, (from ITALY) WARRYOR (from Texas) and many more.
Any final words? Something that perhaps we missed?
I think we covered a lot, we are presently in preproduction for our next Album, to be released late 2007 or early 2008. I will say this in closing: STONE VENGEANCE is simple, we are just fans of the music, trying to give back to the people what we enjoyed when we were listening to our favorite bands like: IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, MANOWAR, RAVEN, RUSH, BLACK SABBATH, VAN HALEN, SCORPIONS, AC/DC, VENOM, THIN LIZZY, and I think one of the greatest Bands that gave some inspiration to many bands was AC/DC, when they wrote the song "For those about to rock, we salute you." That was very gracious, coming from a band that was huge, to encourage the up-and-coming bands with a salute! So, I say to all the musicians, bands, and artists: Don't let the Media discourage you and make you feel you have to compete with your fellow artist. Yes, there may be a Million other bands out there, but there are Billions of people around the world and they need what you have to offer! Someone will listen to you and wants to hear or see what you have to say. There is no competition among artist, because when you are writing your own lyrics and making your own music, your are telling the world who you are with your art, and you are an individual, unique, incomparable, no two fingerprints are the same and so it is with people express yourself! Don't worry about a record deal, if a good one comes along, grab it! If not, well, things are much easier today. Just record your music, get a MYSPACE, put it on the internet and send some CDs to: CDBABY.COM they can get it out there for you. So, don't give up or throw in the cards, men drink some Breast Milk and KEEP ROCKIN HARD! MICHAEL COFFEY