Page 51 - Issue12
P. 51
I was reading Wikipedia, which seems to be the source of everything; it
says that you all are all regarded as one of the leaders of the new wave
of British heavy metal. Do you feel that this is an accurate statement?
Yeah. I think between us and Iron Maiden, we were the first bands of
that movement; we are talking around 1979-1980. We came together
in those days. We used to do a lot of shows together and we used to see
each other a lot traveling around.
Do you consider yourself a classic metal band?
Yeah, we do. We are a classic metal band, with heavy overtones; dark
overtones. We are a classic heavy band, but we do get a bit dark and
hardcore at the same time sometimes. We mix it up a bit basically.
You’ve also influenced many bands, like Metallica and Megadeth
and Motley Crue. Do you feel as a mentor towards them, or as a
contemporary?
I think at the time (in the 1980s) we were a cutting-edge band. We had
both a punk energy and a melodic classic style. I think a lot of those
bands, like Crue and Metallica and Pantera, were growing up in America
in that era. I suppose that we influenced them, because we were like the
cult band. They found us somehow and thought, “this is the new thing
that’s happening,” Lars Ulrich came to see to see us in Brighton on one
of our very first tours and took back the information to San Francisco,
obviously.
Now, do you feel that they are influencing you?
Metallica, obviously has influenced the thrash movement. Yeah, I think
they have influenced us. I think the Black album, and the album before
that were great albums. They taught us a few things. We taught them a
few things, and they taught us a few things back, but that is how it goes
in music, especially rock ‘n roll. What goes around comes around.
Absolutely. The Metallica of today is very different from the Black
album.
That’s right. They’ve moved on. They’ve changed their styles slightly,
and have gone back to an earlier style, which is what we do all the time.
We never want to be predictable. I think that’s one of things that you
have to be careful of when you are in a band that has been around a
while. Fans don’t want to buy the same album they bought 30 years ago.
They want it to be the same sort of band. You can’t recreate the 1980s.
It’s impossible.
True. Who would want to!? I’m bringing the 80s back. I’ve got this blue
hair.
I can see that. Were you drunk when you did it?
(laughs) No. It was very purposeful. Not drunk. You are getting
ready to kick off this year with a couple of classic collections, and
says that you all are all regarded as one of the leaders of the new wave
of British heavy metal. Do you feel that this is an accurate statement?
Yeah. I think between us and Iron Maiden, we were the first bands of
that movement; we are talking around 1979-1980. We came together
in those days. We used to do a lot of shows together and we used to see
each other a lot traveling around.
Do you consider yourself a classic metal band?
Yeah, we do. We are a classic metal band, with heavy overtones; dark
overtones. We are a classic heavy band, but we do get a bit dark and
hardcore at the same time sometimes. We mix it up a bit basically.
You’ve also influenced many bands, like Metallica and Megadeth
and Motley Crue. Do you feel as a mentor towards them, or as a
contemporary?
I think at the time (in the 1980s) we were a cutting-edge band. We had
both a punk energy and a melodic classic style. I think a lot of those
bands, like Crue and Metallica and Pantera, were growing up in America
in that era. I suppose that we influenced them, because we were like the
cult band. They found us somehow and thought, “this is the new thing
that’s happening,” Lars Ulrich came to see to see us in Brighton on one
of our very first tours and took back the information to San Francisco,
obviously.
Now, do you feel that they are influencing you?
Metallica, obviously has influenced the thrash movement. Yeah, I think
they have influenced us. I think the Black album, and the album before
that were great albums. They taught us a few things. We taught them a
few things, and they taught us a few things back, but that is how it goes
in music, especially rock ‘n roll. What goes around comes around.
Absolutely. The Metallica of today is very different from the Black
album.
That’s right. They’ve moved on. They’ve changed their styles slightly,
and have gone back to an earlier style, which is what we do all the time.
We never want to be predictable. I think that’s one of things that you
have to be careful of when you are in a band that has been around a
while. Fans don’t want to buy the same album they bought 30 years ago.
They want it to be the same sort of band. You can’t recreate the 1980s.
It’s impossible.
True. Who would want to!? I’m bringing the 80s back. I’ve got this blue
hair.
I can see that. Were you drunk when you did it?
(laughs) No. It was very purposeful. Not drunk. You are getting
ready to kick off this year with a couple of classic collections, and
