NASTY SAVAGE INTERVIEW, 2004 |
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With "Psycho, Psycho" Florida's thrash metal pioneers NASTY SAVAGE has returned after a 15 year break. Is it a calculated comeback attempt, or is it really the music that counts? Found out more in this interview with guitarist David;
Interview by Claus Jensen |
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1) First up, being back also means doing lots of interviews and answering the same questions over and over again, so let's start by hearing which questions you are most tired of being asked, and which ones you'd rather be asked …
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Probably the most tiresome question would have to be why we disbanded in 1990 and I would like more questions about what makes us different than other bands and what the future holds.
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2) Now that you've been talking to a lot of media people I'm sure you have a clear idea of how well (or bad?) the album is being received here in Europe. Does it live up to the expectations you had when you delivered the final master to the record label?
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As far as sales go I cant really say yet because it is a little to early to tell, but as far as reviews go I would say they are about 90% positive out of about the 30 or so that I have read, which is a good thing a lot of people can say they do not read reviews or care what the critics might think but they do because it is human nature. I am extremely happy with the final product all the way down to the artwork I would not change a thing.
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3) Re-unions are one of the many "evils" of today's metal scene. It seems like every band that released one or two somewhat successful albums in the 80's are now getting together to make new discs. I personally feel it's a bit too much - what do you think about that? And what do you feel justifies Nasty Savage's return on the scene?
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To be honest with you this had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that everyone else is doing it so we may as well too, this just happens to be the timing of it, I cant judge anyone else as far as trying to make a comeback, to each his own and more power to anyone who wants to give it another shot, we are certainly not doing it for money because as you probably know only a hand full of bands make real money in business, we thou or I thought of the idea as having a good time getting back in the studio again and doing some live shows and seeing some old friends and showing everyone we have the capability of turning out some good metal.
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4) Listening to "Psycho Psycho" I can't help thinking that this is one of those bands that never out-grew the somewhat "childish" or should I say "innocent/naïve" sound of the 80's. It's something that I personally appreciate and find very charming, but I also think it's going to be a stone in your way to achieve more commercial success … comments?
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I will speak for myself which I think I answered part of this in the last question but I am not looking for commercial success we wanted to go in the studio and do what we do best good old fashion power metal or any other label you might want to put on us, we did what was true to ourselves and were not trying to be something we are not, now that I am 41 years old, looking for commercial success now would be kind of sad I think.
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5) Musically there's not that much difference from where you left off back in 1990, but the entire metal scene have changed a whole lot while you were away. One of the many things that has happened is the explosion of nu-metal. Luckily I can't find any of that in the sound of "Psycho Psycho" - the closest is probably the more groove-oriented sound of the album. You've never "grooved" this much before. What's the reason for that?
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I have to disagree with you there I think there is plenty of groove to go around on everything we have done, I really do not think we tried to go for a particular style of writing at least I didn't anyway, it is really very simple for me I get a rhythm going in my head record it add some harmonies here and there arrange it and that's that and it comes out the way it does.
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6) 14 years just don't pass by without things happening to your musical skills. Do you feel yourself a better or worse musician now than before? And especially for Ronnie - how do you think his voice puts up after being away for 14 years?
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I believe I am twice the guitar player I was in the 80s, more patience, better equipment, less alcohol and more mature, and to me Ronnie sounds much better now than he did back then and Curtis has lost nothing because he has always been playing and stays in great physical condition.
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7) You've always been difficult to label - I guess the closest would be some kind of "technical thrash metal". What is your target-audience today? What differs from the fans you had back in the 80's?
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The target audience is anyone who wants to listen to good metal that's not overproduced and does not sound like every other fucking band out there that is one thing that keeps me from new metal you can pick up one CD and you have picked up a hundred because the market is flooded with new bands daily, fuck there are more labels now than there were bands back in the day.
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8) One of the gimmicks to a Nasty Savage show in the 80's was Ronnie smashing TV-screens on his chest. 14 years older (and wiser), is that going to be the end of the TV smashing era?
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NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have already done a few shows and Ronnie is more brutal on stage than ever you will just have to wait and see.
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9) You're back in the scene now - but let's imagine that you also have the chance to resurrect one of your own long-gone heroes … which other band would you want to bring back from the 80's?
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Venom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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10) What would be the ideal tour-package for Nasty Savage 2004? And will we see you on a real tour over here in Europe? When?
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I would actually like to tour with all the Florida bands that we use to play with and some the guys that use to come and watch us play when they were kids, How does this sound?
Obituary Deicide Morbid Angel Cannibal Corpse Six Feet Under Nasty Savage Iced Earth Yes I know we are not Death Metal but I think we would be well accepted and we would go over really well. |
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11) Any last words?
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To the hardcore fans, thanks for not forgetting us and we hope we did you proud with this new disc and we will see you in Europe in 04.
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