Interview for Heavy-Metal.de, January 2004
a) Who r the guys in the band - different characters?
Jim: I'm Jim, the bass player, and my character is Otto the bus driver from the Simpsons .
Tom: I'm the tyrannical bastard that makes sure things happen and I also right most of the music, answer interviews, make pacts with the devil...that kind of thing. Jim is the comedian who keeps everyone cool after I piss them off and my right hand man for sorting out the musical arrangements. Jason is the whipping boy (Laughing). No really Jason is the one with the head for accounting, and quite a photographer too. Scott is the responsible one that we can always rely upon for putting in a good performance live or in the studio. He's the other half of our guitar team, and occasionally the whipping boy when Jason isn't around (Laughing).
Jason: Scott "LaRoque" as we call him...is the quiet one of the band. He's a Great Guy that is very diverse and he is a machine on the guitar. Jim is the mellow funny one. If he were any more laid back you might not be able to reach him. He is the computer guy that is a true bass-playing workhorse. Tom...is the kind hearted, all over the fucking map guy. A schizoid of sorts, but it keeps things interesting, that much is for sure. Keep your eyes peeled on the web site for a special feature called "While Heaven Slept" ...and you will get to see Tom in all his glory!!!! As for me, I am the modest, serious, level headed guy that tries to keep things on track. I have been known to get a bit crazy but not to often. Most times I am trying to keep Tom out of jail. In a lot of respects we are different, but then at the same time we all share the passion of Metal and music in general, and some how it just all works and the proof is in the music!!!
b) Your favorite bands / musicians
Tom: Bathory, early Manowar, Cirith Ungol, Candlemass, early Fates Warning, early Queensryche, Rush, Black Sabbath, Uli Jon Roth, early Trouble, Klaus Schulze, Kitaro, Journey, and really the list is endless. Lots of German prog and metal for sure though!
Jim: Voivod, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Mercyful Fate, Blue Oyster Cult, Saxon, Riot, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Manowar, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Motorhead, Deceased, Uriah Heep, Holy Terror, Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus and way too many others for me to have to type out (haha). For musicians (in no particular order except for the first 5), Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Steve Harris, The Beatles (well, ok, not Ringo), Jimi Hendrix, Geddy Lee, Glenn Tipton/KK Downing, Dave Murray/Adrian Smith, Stanley Clarke, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Claudio Simonetti, Angus Young, Ronnie James Dio, Piggy, Away, Ian Gillan, Bobby Jarzombek, Pete Perez, Buddy Lackey/Devon Graves, Tony Kanal, Phil Lynott, Lemmy, Flea and alot more.
Jason: I would have to say Mikkey Dee era King Diamond, Slayer, Testament, Death Angel, old Sepultura, Thunderstorm, Immortal, Rush, Iron Maiden, Police, Queesryche, Black Sabbath, Ocean Machine, old Megadeth (So Far, So Good So what and before)...to name a few.
c) What kinda music do u really hate?
Tom: Nu Metal, Rap, happy "Euro Metal," and anything lacking in heart or conviction.
Jim: Most hip-hop (surprise, surprise). I just think the songs that they steal their samples from are usually 10 ten times funkier than the rap remakes (though I have to admit, sometimes it is annoyingly catchy). I do love old funk and soul music though, there's alot of amazing bass lines on that stuff. Lite Jazz, most country music, most 80's hair metal ballads, modern radio rock, nu-metal makes me grind my teeth in pain (like someone sticking a wire in my gums), there's just alot of annoying shit out there in the "mainstream" music world right now, all the major record companies are so confused, they don't know what to push, they just keep throwing different things out there and seeing what happens to get popular. Basically, the same thing everyone is saying about the music industry nowadays haha!
Jason: Anything that doesn't come from the heart...corporate Bullshit...it's amazing how the masses still sleep and eat force-fed music ...a shame really!
d) Which records would u take to a lonely isle here u only have a CD player?
Tom: How many do I get to take? I have about 7,000 as it is! I'll try to come up with a top 10, mostly based on how stimulating they are to listen to, but there are some that will never get old: Devin Townsend - Terria, Arcturus - La Masquerade Infernale, Queensryche - Rage For Order, Gorecki - Symphony No. 3, Cirith Ungol - Frost And Fire/King Of The Dead (2 on 1), Autopsy - Mental Funeral, Slayer - Hell Awaits, Rush - A Farewell To Kings, Anyone's Daughter - Adonis, Judas Priest - Unleashed In The East (Japanese pressing with bonus tracks!), Fates Warning - Awaken The Guardian. Ok, so those just happened to be the ones that came to mind at the moment...are the other guys going to be shipwrecked with me? I'm sure I'd dig whatever Jim would bring, but Jason? Fucking hell...he better not bring some Clutch! (Laughing)
Jim: Queensryche-Rage for Order, The Beatles-White Album, Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moon, Black Sabbath-Mob Rules, Mercyful Fate-Don't Break the Oath, Slayer-Show No Mercy/Haunting the Chapel (2 on 1), Iron Maiden-Number of the Beast and Killers, Voivod-Killing Technology, Richard Pryor-And It's Deep Too! 1968-92, George Carlin-You Are All Diseased!, CJames Brown-Star Time boxset, Van Halen-Van Halen, Queen-Night at the Opera, David Bowie-Ziggy Stardust, Cirith Ungol-King of the Dead, Fates Warning-Awaken the Guardian, and basically the rest of my CD collection!
e) What else would u need?
Tom: A lifetime supply of Duvel and a gyro shop come to mind. Oh yeah, and a fine lady would be jesty as well!
Jim: A huge glass house, endless supplies of food and drink, a guitar and full stack, and a huge stereo surround entertainment system with all my DVDs.
Tom: OK, I think we need to make that a glass mansion then (laughing).
f) Funniest tour experience?
Tom: Probably passing out drunk, STANDING UP, at the party in our room after the Born Too Late Festival, with members of Penance, Pale Divine, Soulpreacher, Revelation, and Orodruin in attendance! But hey...I didn't spill my beer or drop my smokes!
Jim: There have been alot of funny ones, but one I remember laughing almost to the point of tears was when Albert from Reverend Bizarre and I were talking about the SADO video "Gambling Fool". Classic!
g) Worst or most embarrassing situations?
Tom: Probably passing out drunk, STANDING UP, at the party in our room after the Born Too Late Festival, with members of Penance, Pale Divine, Soulpreacher, Revelation, and Orodruin in attendance! But hey...I didn't spill my beer or drop my smokes! (Laughing)
Jim: The worst was probably when I was in Paris on tour with Revelation. The police put a boot on our bus (that was a mile away from the club) so we had to get the opening band to take multiple trips hauling our stuff to the show, the club owner didn't give us any food or drinks at all, the show sucked, then Steve (Revelation) and I almost got in a fight with the club owner, and we then had to haul all our equipment through the streets back to the bus. We weren't able to leave Paris until around 12:00 the next day because the owner of the bus company had to come all the way from Austria to get the police to take the boot off. Then we had a eight hour bus trip up to the next show, showed up about 5 hours late, had to load all the equipment in while the club was already packed with people, and immediately get on stage and play. I drank alot of Jagermeister after that show haha! which lead to a embarrassing situation involving me projectile vomiting all over the bar...
h) Best concert u´ve ever seen?
Tom: Man, this is a tough one too. There have been a few actually: the first Pentagram reunion in 1993, Trouble May 2003, Kitaro in April 1999, Rush almost every time I see them, and Fates Warning at the Limelight in NY when they played "Guardian" just for me and then bass player Gabe Funston.
Jim: Spinal Tap in 1993, believe it or not. Played two and a half hours with an incredible stage show!
Jason: I would have to say King Diamond "Conspiracy" Tour, then Boston (96), then The Crown (Death Race tour), Trouble and Candlemass (BW&BK Six Pack show)
i) Best newcomer band?
Jim: Brave, Skullview, Reverend Bizarre, Orodruin, The Mars Volta, Dead Soul Tribe
Tom: There are lots of great new bands like The Doomsday Cult, Orodruin (especially live), hell even Reverend Bizarre is sort of new compared to us old fuckers...but I'd have to say that my favorite new band of the last year is without a doubt Battle Ram from Italy. That demo totally crushes...full of great songs and tons of conviction...I can't wait for the album!
j) Nicest holiday?
Tom: I just spent December 2003 through New Years in Greece... and it was absolutely killer - great people, beer, food, and a fuckload of metal! Kavlotek!
Jim: Memorial Day, because that's the first official day off from work I get between January and May.
k) Happy about...
Tom: This interview being a lot more fun than most! Also, I'd have to say I'm extremely pleased with the way the "Empires" album turned out...which is a first for me (usually I am always critical of our releases, not that this is any exception, but we really took the time to make it right this time), plus the response from the fans has been great.
Jim: All the cool albums coming out this year, Attacker, Nasty Savage, Wolf, Twisted Tower Dire, October 31, Deceased (hopefully)
Jason: Happy that I have been given the chance to do what I have always wanted to do at a level that I have always wanted to do it...that is play drums and make music from the heart that is worth a shit and be able to get it out to those that appreciate it and feel it as much as we do.
l) Disappointed about...
Tom: That some journalists are still employed when they clearly have no business writing for a metal magazine to begin with! Also, the fact that Duvel is not exactly easy to come by in the States is definitely a bummer.
Jim: The state the world's in nowadays, everybody's freaking out!
Tom: Yeah, that too (laughing)!
m) Where did u grow up?
Tom: I've spent most of my life in northern Virginia, pretty close to Washington DC, but thankfully I've traveled quite a bit and have lived all over the US and abroad.
Jim: I've spent most of my life in the Washington DC area.
Jason: most of my time growing up was in a small Amish town called Hartville. It's in Ohio, right outside of Canton. No more Horse -N- Buggies and Fumes of Cow shit!!!!! I have traded that in for Traffic jams, smog, and dumb-asses!!
n) Favorite food?
Tom: At the moment I'd say gyros and souvlaki, but I like Mexican, Chinese, Italian, and serious American BBQ!
Jim: Chicken
o) Can u cook?
Tom: Sure, but you probably wouldn't want to eat any of my "creations!" (Laughing). Actually, I can cook enough to get by, and of course I can work the grill as any man should be able to.
Jim: Nope.
Jason: Yeah I can cook.... damn good at it too!!! Working on my degree in Culinary Arts...one class to go!!!!!
p) Your idols, influences?
Tom: The 3 "B's": Bach, Beethoven, and Black Sabbath! Really everything I hear influences me in one way or another; if it's something I really feel or identify with, it becomes part of my own writing - if it's something I despise, it encourages me to compose in the exact opposite direction! You can refer back to the favorite bands/musicians from above for more specifics.
Jim: See the favorite musicians question for this answer.
Jason: Influences...as far as being a drummer... I would have to say those that have taught me...Randall Lamb, Todd Roberson, and Marshall Hughey. After that you can throw in Mikkey Dee, Neil Peart, Bill Burg, Dave Lombardo, Igor, Buddy Rich, Terri Lynn Carrington and countless others.
q) How was school?
Tom: Well I was always the metalhead outcast, so during the earlier years I spent a lot of time ditching class to go get stoned and play metal, but still had the highest IQ of my graduating class. As for college, it was almost 100% music for me, so I had straight A's and graduated with high honors.
Jim: School was alright, but I'm definitely glad to be getting on with my life.
r) Still have normal jobs?
Tom: Yeah, since we don't play music that is remotely popular, we pretty much have to maintain regular jobs to make ends meet and even to finance the band. At least this insures that the music we release is out of love/necessity and not for any other reason.
Lately, I've been working with Scott and Tony from Twisted Tower Dire doing some communications work, but over the years I've done just about anything you can imagine. But, I assure you, that battling for metal is indeed a full-time job as well!
Jim: Yes, right now I'm a graphic artist at a giant monolithic corporation.
Jason: Unfortunately!!!!!!!!!!
s) Most important things in life?
Tom: Friends, family, good times, health, and happiness are the essentials. But, let's not forget beer, metal, and sex either! (Laughing)
Jim: Family, friends, music, movies, having a good time all the time.
Jason: Great Friends, Great Music, Great Whiskey (Crown Royal) Challenges, goals, and of course water and air!
t) Would u be a good politician?
Jim: Not really, because I think politicians are full of shit.
Tom: I'm a good salesman, so yeah I probably would be. Would you vote for me? I'd legalize marijuana. (Laughing).
u) Any bad habits?
Tom: Of course not! I'm an angel! (Laughing) I suppose passing out all the time comes to mind...but hey, you try working for 8 hours or more and then drinking heavily for 8 hours or more! (Laughing still).
Jim: Smoking, drinking, talking too much while high, etc, etc
Tom: Oh yeah, he DOES talk a lot while high, but that's not always a bad thing really; sometimes we come up with some of our best ideas at times like those!
Jason: Smoking and drinking!
v) Does your family support your musical success?
Tom: Not really, my family has generally always told me it's a waste of time and they don't care for my music either. I will say they at least helped me get instruments, and lessons years ago, plus they have helped occasionally with some of the recording costs, but for the most part, they do not believe in what I do. Although, by now, they should realize that "it's not a phase!"
Jim: At first I think they thought it was just a "phase" but once I stuck with it, they respected it a lot more.
Jason: Yeah, they have been with me for the ups and downs of it all.
w) Do u believe in god?
Jim: No
Jason: No
Tom: Yes several...Beethoven, Chopin, Wagner, Iommi, Hendrix, etc. Music is my religion...all other gods are false to me.
x) In what else do u believe?
Tom: That slow death metal and stoner rock is NOT doom.
Jim: I believe in common sense, good music and good friends .
y) What´s most important 4 u?
Tom: Being honest, open, and never compromising my integrity. Also, knowing that all the people I care about are safe, healthy, and happy. Hmmm did I mention beer, metal, and sex yet? (Laughing again)
Jim: Trying to be happy, doing things I enjoy and being around people I care about.
z) Last statement?
Jim: Thanks for the interview and support and I can't wait to see all my European friends again soon!
Jason: Be True to yourself, true to your friends, fuck like it's the last piece you will ever get, Thanks to our fans, we'll see you all soon.... and DOOM ONWARD!!!!!!!!!
Tom: Thank you for this great interview Susanne, I hope we actually answered some of your questions with something of value. It was quite entertaining for me anyways! Thanks to all of our fans in Germany... one of the greatest bastions of metal in the world! Kavlotek!