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Interview
by Kaizer Soze
24-12-2004
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| Our mysterious Mr Rock'N'Roll... |
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A furtively frank foray
A dozen Qs: some strange, some seasonal
As another year neared its historic status we decided to do the most in-depth interview we could think of but it turned out, after submitting questions to few choice names, to be so probing no artist would open up that much. Finally, we’ve found a musician who is not afraid to speak his mind up… But, it turned out that not even he was prepared to do it with his identity spread all over our site and even insisted on wearing a mask during the questioning.
All we can say is that the interviewee is 5’8’’ tall, generously maned, a guitarist in an HM band who speaks with a slight American accent.
1. It is the time of the Dickensian tale of three Christmases; do you believe in ghosts?
“Yes, of late, ever since we stayed in a ‘Haunted Mansion’. It’s not a story, it is the fact… We are not sure exactly whether [escapologist Harry] Houdini owned the mansion… There are a lot of stories about the house and that makes you suspicious about the whole thing. But, certain doors would open at certain times, then bang, lights would go on and off, there would be an air, a feel of presence… Weird stuff like that. It all must have rubbed on music making although nobody claimed to have been inspired by a demon or a poltergeist overnight!”
2. Have you ever written a clever/dumb song on purpose?
“All the time… But, that is the lyricist’s department… People usually think it is hard to come to a decision with so many of us but, actually, it is fairly easy because we all have a pretty much the same goal in mind and know what works and what doesn’t… Like every family, we have our disagreements and argue but the cool thing is that, with huge numbers of members there is a wide range of ideas at all times and we can pick and choose.”
3. What keeps your attention focused away from the banality at Chrimbo time?
“Mainly rest, sleep… Then, some regular sex with the same partner - for a while. It would also be great if the world could sort out its problems and we have a peaceful, joyous and fun years to come and not worry about terrorist, reprisals and wars.”
Buffy, the groupie leader
4. If playing live is a such a turn on, how do you keep your hormones in check?
“We don’t and free them during every show, we get them spent with every performance. There is no holding back with our band and we give it all we’ve got every night! There are no half measures, we believe!”
5. How many times have you given in to groupies?
“Not as many as I would have liked to because our singer gets them all. Y’know, he once called me in the middle of the night to come and take two girls away - he had five of them in his bed!? And, obviously, couldn’t handle them all!”
6. Have ignorant taken over running the world?
“Judging by the Presidental Election in the USA, it looks like it is true, lead by mean and violent ambition… The culture is not better - movies are really dumb, music is getting softer in all departments, be it Rap or Heavy Metal… Pop and R’n’B are especially bad! There is no more integrity, everyone is running after money and fame, nobody cares about the artistic side of it, at all.”
7. What [else] annoys you?
“Daft questions some interviewers ask. But no, not you.”
[Who’s writing this? - Ed Propaganda]
8. Have you ever acted smart in an interview?
“Once, really; I then realised that nobody but a dumb person can pretend to know answers to all the questions. So, I try to be true to myself, however ignorant I may appear at any time.”
Merry in wonderland
9. Highlight of your year?
“OzzFest or [joint tour with] Slayer… Each was brilliant in its own way. But, no big band we ever toured with is as huge a legend as Ozzy [Osbourne], so it was one of the highlights of our year, again. It is a great [travelling] festival with Ozzy topping the bill. He is a great guy but he keeps to himself pretty much. It is not up to him to act like we do, walk about and hang out…”
“Ozzy is a God of HM and he can’t go out walking about even backstage at his own festival - he’d be mobbed!? And, mostly by other musicians because he is a hero and not a lot of people have actually met him… I know him, personally, and I did hang out with Ozzy during the Festival. He is a great man, and very, very funny.”
10. In view of tragedy that befell ‘Dimebag’ Darrell*, due to a fan being more than fanatical, have you become concerned about playing live?
“None of us could believe what happened to ‘Dimebag’, what a senseless and useless loss! We were friends and he was a generous, caring, a gentle man and why would someone shoot him is beyond comprehension!? Danger during a show has always existed as you don‘t really know who is in the audience. But, that shouldn’t affect live performing and you can only hope that nothing like that ever happens; and, even if it did occur - you have good security who can spot the trouble before it becomes a tragic event…”
11. If Kiss, Spinal Tap and Slipknot were all nominated for induction in the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, who would get your vote?
“That’s a toughie… But why the three of them? Are you suggesting they all are comedy acts? Well, it has to be Kiss because they are the originals and the other two… one is too new and the other didn’t really exist… apart the movie.”
12. What comes after music in your book: alcohol, sex or drugs?
“All three at the same time, preferably. This is Rock’n’Roll, man!”
~~~
* ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott - guitarist with Damageplan who, alongside with drumming brother Vinnie Paul, had been a member of Pantera [check Rock Commentary/News for more info] - was allegedly shot by a fan blaming brothers for the split of their former band.
Kaizer Soze
24-12-2004
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