Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Anthrax bassist Frank Bello was the guest on Full Metal Jackie’s radio show this past weekend. He spoke all about the band’s journey and their success with their latest record ‘Worship Music,’ as well as the forthcoming re-release of the album. He also dished about being in the film ‘Greetings From Tim Buckley’ and much more. Read the full interview with Frank Bello below: The last couple of years have been a whirlwind for Anthrax – Joey Belladonna rejoined the band, you had the Big 4 shows, ‘Worship Music’ being released, a year long tour with Testament and Death Angel, how important has all of that been in setting up the future of Anthrax? You just said it – it’s all one. The Big 4 actually gave Anthrax a kick in the ass to really get going, we were working on songs – Scott [Ian], Charlie [Benante] and I and that made us really get back to being a serious band again. We were working and saying “We need to get a record out” and that made us finish the record. I tip my hat to Metallica for doing that for us. They didn’t have to put the Big 4 together and they did and it worked out really nicely and there’s a whole new fan base with that, which it great. Right now, you’re recording a few cover tunes for an expanded re-release of ‘Worship Music’ — like Journey, Boston, Rush – how have those bands influenced a faster, heavier band like Anthrax? Anthrax, we’ve done this stuff forever – those are our influences honestly, whether you want to take Journey and the melodic influences, great band, great musicians. I think it’s like a sponge thing like Boston, great harmonies, great vocals, great guitar. All of these things, these are the things we’ve grown up with and we would probably jam out sound check – we never really play Anthrax songs, music’s supposed to be fun and we play Anthrax for the set but it’s just so much fun to get it together. What we’ve always been known to do is to put these on a b-side and people just really dig it. I dig it – I did the Journey song yesterday, this is what we do and just the fun part about it is to hear the result. Joey [Belladonna] at times can sound like Steve Perry and I haven’t even heard his vocals on it and to hear him sing Boston – it’s going to be fun, I can’t wait to hear the finished product. This is special for the fans – you get the re-release yes but there’s always a little something different on top of it so I think it’s a special thing later on. What did it feel like for you guys to comeback with a new record in this time in terms of music and have it receive such high praise? You know what it is, after eight years first off – it was hard enough to get the record out just because getting management, lawyers out of the way all that garbage that gets in the way of music and personalities. We knew what we wanted Anthrax to be again the real deal so again I’ll go back to Big 4, it really gave us a kick in the ass to get back and really clear everything to go forward – ‘Worship Music’ we knew we had something special, we got Joey in on it and that was the cherry on top of it all. We’re fans of this music so we knew we had something good, thankfully the people, the fan base has taken on this record – this is our biggest selling record in a long time. It’s just done really well, thank God and thank the fans out there, great support- that’s why we’re still on tour. In three weeks we leave for a Motorhead tour – pretty much all sold out in Europe, which is crazy. Think about it, 30 years in, Jackie, who would have thought we’re still around – Anthrax, Motorhead in Europe selling out places, we’re very lucky, we’re humbled. It’s a really nice thing that’s going on and we couldn’t be happier, we’re stoked. I have to tell you a funny old school Anthrax story, I grew up in Jersey and in my backyard was the offices for Megaforce Records and when I was a kid – you know you don’t know what a record label does, you just assume that the bands are hanging out there and working there. I must have been 12 or 13 years old and a buddy of mine and I were like “Hey let’s go over and maybe Anthrax is hanging out” and we went into the Megaforce offices like “Hey what’s up is Anthrax here?” There were times where Scott and I and Charlie did go there. It’s funny because it was way out there too, in Jersey and they would be like “Just come by to the office” and I’m not driving from the Bronx to Jersey. There were times where we would get boxes of our stuff to give out to our families, plus all of the Metallica stuff we’d get that was for free if we went there. In ‘Greetings From Tim Buckley’ you play Richard Hell and you’ve done TV and other films too like ‘One Long Day.’ How does the rush of acting compare to the rush of playing music? It’s weird that you say that and thank you for mentioning it – it’s the same thing for me. It’s really like writing a song and I don’t want to talk acting nonsense but putting little pieces together like a chorus or verse and stuff like that, I like just being somebody else. I think it’s really cool to be somebody else so when you sink yourself into it, it’s just like a song, it’s this little life, you give a song life – it’s the same vibe in my gut that makes me feel good. I have a fire for this music, I’ve always had a fire for acting – who gives a f— about fame, it means nothing, we all know fame is bulls—. The whole thing of being a working actor really turns me on because it’s being somebody else for a little while. Being able to create gets something out of me that I need to get out – I don’t know what it is but it’s a lot of fun and I hope to do more, it was a blast. Compare to ten years ago, twenty years ago, what has been the best thing about being in Anthrax in 2012? Well right now it’s nice to be back and being accepted by not only our audience but there’s a new audience out there: 15-, 16-year-old kids. I got 15-year-old kids coming up to me saying “You’re an influence.” You don’t realize how good that feels – it’s something I’ve done right in my life and I’m very proud of it. It that kid could pick up a bass and feel the way I feel about it and make his day be a little bit better, that’s what it’s all about. It’s like passing the torch a little bit – we’ve been lucky, we’ve had a great time, if I could make somebody feel as good as the bass and music has made me feel that’s what it’s all about at this point. I feel like Anthrax is finally getting the recognition you guys deserve after all of these years, working so hard and putting out music and touring the hell out of your records. I congratulate you guys and I think it’s finally your time. Thank you, well and you know, Jackie people like you and this isn’t a kiss ass – the truth of the matter is we know our friends and people like you have supported the band forever and have been with us along this ride, peaks and valleys. There are no angels in this band, we know you have good times, you have lean times, there have been a lot lean times but it’s good to be back in this kind of way right now. We don’t know where it’s going to go – we hope it goes further but we’re taking it day to day, it’s a good vibe. There’s a metal thing going on right now, there’s a resurgence that we all know is here so we’re very happy to be part of it. We’re humbled that we are still a part of it – 30 years in, come on, we’re having a great time, we’re more relevant than ever, people love this record. For people to say this is our finest work – which we’ve heard in a lot of reviews and thank you for that, God that’s all you could really ask. That means it’s relevant and it made people feel a certain way and that’s what matters. It really got people listening again and we’re ready for it. Full Metal Jackie will welcome Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed on her next show. Full Metal Jackie can be heard on radio stations around the country — for a full list of stations, go to fullmetaljackieradio.com .
Nuclear Blast Crossover thrash phenoms Municipal Waste have carved out a unique career for themselves through drinking beer, eating people’s entrails in space, ripping faces, but most importantly creating some truly sick thrash music. Currently on a co-headlining tour with the legendary Napalm Death , we spoke to Municipal Waste guitarist Ryan Waste about some pressing social and philosophical issues … just kidding, we talked about thrashing and hurricane-induced yeast infections. Municipal Waste described their music perfectly at their Connecticut show on Oct. 28: “There’s a gigantic circular storm coming this way tonight, and it’s called the circle pit to this next song.” In a pre-hurricane interview, Ryan Waste talks about the band’s music videos for ‘The Fatal Feast’ and ‘Repossession,’ his signature ‘MW’ guitars, adding the line “ Municipal Waste is gonna f— you up! ” to the second recording of ‘Born to Party’ and much more. Check out our triple-distilled, uncapped interview with Ryan Waste. Municipal Waste’s Ryan Waste Talks to Loudwire [button href=”http://loudwire.com/municipal-waste-born-to-party-top-21st-century-metal-songs/” title=”Municipal Waste – Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Linkin Park and their Music for Relief organization are hard at work once again following Hurricane Sandy’s destruction in both Haiti and the U.S. last week. Co-vocalist Mike Shinoda is raising awareness for Music for Relief’s efforts, which will provide assistance to those in need in the aftermath of the natural disaster. Shinoda says, “We really started the organization to provide relief in the wake of natural disasters, so when something like this happens, this is really what Music for Relief is designed for … Following Hurricane Sandy, we’re going to work for people not only in the U.S., but also Haiti.” While most are aware of the destruction in the U.S., Hurricane Sandy also claimed the lives of 66 people in the Caribbean last week, and much like in the U.S., there have been major power outages. Shinoda reveals that Music for Relief has partnered with the Save the Children organization in the U.S. and the International Medical Corps in Haiti in their attempts to help out. The vocalist says that he’s been hearing from those affected by Sandy through Twitter. He says, “I was talking to fans the next morning and they were submitting pictures and telling stories and stuff. One thing that’s nice to see is there are people who are a little more upbeat about it and making jokes about it, and they’re not talking about something light, so that sense of perseverance is cool. But definitely people uploaded some pictures that were horrendous — stuff underwater and cars basically demolished, destroyed by the hurricane. It’s really scary stuff, especially when you see it on homeland soil, and I know that a lot of fans are trying to help out so that’s why we’re spreading the word about MusicForRelief.org.” To make a donation, you can go to musicforrelief.org or mail a check payable to “Music for Relief” to: Attn: Music for Relief c/o GSO 15260 Ventura Blvd. Suite 2100 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 You can also help by joining Music for Relief by pledging to match donations from other fans and sharing messages via Twitter and Facebook that mirror the following sample postings: SAMPLE TWEETS Join @musicforrelief to help the millions affected by Hurricane #Sandy. Donate today to assist families as they recover and rebuild http://bit.ly/b32gjc Hurricane #Sandy caused extensive damage and flooding. Donate to @musicforrelief to aid the survivors http://bit.ly/b32gjc Music for Relief is raising funds to support those impacted by Hurricane #Sandy in the U.S. northeast and in Haiti. There were millions affected, and they need your help. http://bit.ly/b32gjc SAMPLE FACEBOOK POSTS Hurricane Sandy left 66 people dead in the Caribbean, and an additional 29 (and counting) here in the US. With billions of dollars in damage, the families affected need your help. Donate to support the recovery effort in the U.S. and Haiti. http://bit.ly/b32gjc Hurricane Sandy destroyed homes, businesses and took lives away. Music for Relief is supporting the relief and recovery effort. Donate today to send aid to families affected by this worst storm recorded in the Northeast region. http://bit.ly/b32gjc Watch Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Discuss Music for Relief’s Efforts [button href=”http://loudwire.com/green-day-shinedown-van-halen-linkin-park-nominated-peoples-choice-awards/” title=”Next: Linkin Park Nominated for People’s Choice Award” align=”center”]
Mark Metcalfe, Getty Images When Soundgarden got back together, they started by touring and playing the old hits and getting back in the habit of performing their music again. But now, a couple of years later, the group is preparing to move forward in their career with their first full original studio album since 1996, and frontman Chris Cornell says that they’re looking forward and evolving with their next record. Cornell tells Spin , “We don’t feel nostalgia trying to remember who played what parts on a song that we recorded in 1988. It doesn’t feel like looking at baby pictures of me. It’s nice that we have fans that were fans in 1988. That’s great, but that’s not enough for us. And I would’ve never expected that to be enough.” Earlier this year, one of Cornell’s contemporaries, Smashing Pumpkins vocalist Billy Corgan , called out the group for cashing in on a reunion, stating, “When Soundgarden came back and they just played their old songs, great. I was a fan of Soundgarden, but call it for what it is. They’re just out there to have one more round at the till.” Corgan would add that it’s important for bands to make music for the present rather than relying on their past, and Soundgarden are definitely of the same mindset by moving forward with their new record. Though not addressing Corgan’s comments specifically, Cornell says, “If we’re writing and recording new and vital music, it’s taking care of itself. I definitely feel like there’s a place for who we are and what we do. We’re doing what we’ve always done as a band and we’re fortunate enough to have a long enough history that someone could actually suggest that we’re a nostalgia act. Good for us.” If anything, Soundgarden may actually be coming from a creative space where many new bands come from, as the group has been away long enough that all of the label entanglements and outside pressures that weighed on them at the height of their fame have fallen by the wayside. The singer adds, “We’re writing and recording an album ourselves. We do everything, from choosing producers to picking packaging, until it’s done. Then we find a label to put it out on [Universal Republic], and communication’s what it used to be. It’s almost like it was in the beginning of the band.” Soundgarden returns with their ‘ King Animal ‘ album Nov. 13. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/soundgarden-unleash-new-king-animal-track-non-state-actor/” title=”Next: Listen to Soundgarden’s Song ‘Non-State Actor'” align=”center”]
Sire Records H.I.M. are in the homestretch of getting together their follow-up to 2010′s ‘Screamworks’ album. Singer Ville Valo, who entered the studio with his band in September to begin working on a disc titled ‘Tears on Tape,’ says they’ve got a feel for the album that’s a blend of “melancholy” and “Motorhead.” Valo tells ARTISTdirect , “‘Tears on Tape’ is going to be really organic, straight-in-your-face, super melancholy bulls— [Laughs]. It’s going to be something nobody’s heard before. I’m really happy about it. It sounds great. Remember the soundtrack for ‘Twin Peaks’ that Angelo Badalamenti did? It’s got that similar forlorn, melancholy quality but mixed up with Motörhead . That’s where we’re at! We’re really happy. It’s got that dreamlike quality. It’s like Roy Orbison meeting Metallica .” As for the ‘Tears on Tape’ album title, Valo explains, “The point behind that is I grew up with music so music has been my safe haven in good and bad situations. Those tears that the artists put on tape are the ones that carry us on. The ‘Tape’ in the title is symbolic. It’s about the fact you actually put your heart out. When you pour your heart into whatever you’re doing, it’s valid. Nobody can take that away. It’s so tough to start writing. When you get the flow, it revitalizes you and gives you the opportunity to feel you do have the reason to exist.” While we wait for the new album, H.I.M. have a hits collection placeholder. ‘ XX: Two Decades of Love Metal ‘ arrives in stores this coming Tuesday (Nov. 6). The vocalist says of being able to put out a hits collection, “It makes us feel really f—ing old. [Laughs] At the end of the day, we’re proud of what we’ve done, and there’s an opportunity to do something like this. I belong to the Black Sabbath school that albums are albums. You have your bad tracks, you have your good tracks, you have your sentimental tracks, you have your heavy metal tracks. You have to have that yin and yang going on.” He goes on to add, “It’s a reminder that we do exist. I think that was the most important thing with the compilation, per se. Nine out of ten bands don’t get this far. I’m not talking about success. I’m talking about the fact [that] bands actually stay together. It’s a long time to be in a band and still appreciate everybody you’re playing the music with.” Look for the ‘XX’ hits collection next week, with the upcoming ‘Tears on Tape’ record tentatively expected sometime in 2013. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/h-i-m-right-here-in-my-arms-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: H.I.M. – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Mary Oullette, SheWillShootYou.com In the wake of Suicide Silence singer Mitch Lucker’s death, his wife reveals he had been drinking before he left on his motorcycle. [ Loudwire ] It’s on! Rob Zombie vs. Ozzy Osbourne ! Vote for your favorite among the final two candidates of the President of Heavy Metal Election. [ Loudwire ] Black Veil Brides are going all out for their next album, even filming a movie based on the disc called ‘Legion of the Black.’ [ Loudwire ] Motley Crue ‘s Nikki Sixx turns to his fans for support while dealing with his grandfather’s cancer battle. [ Loudwire ] Nine Inch Nails ‘ Trent Reznor will see his music turn up on the ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ soundtrack. [ Loudwire ] If you’re looking to add to your Metallica download collection, this week the band offers a 1992 performance from Los Angeles. [ Ultimate Metallica ] All That Remains are streaming their new album, ‘A War You Cannot Win,’ before next week’s release. [ Rock Music Report ] The Who ‘s Pete Townshend walked offstage during the band’s tour opening performance. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] Aerosmith ‘s Steven Tyler ran afoul of censors, dropping the F-bomb during a Today Show broadcast. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] Russia may have jailed members of Pussy Riot , but at least Jesus is in their corner. [ Diffuser.fm ]
EMI After five straight wins, Adelitas Way and their latest single ‘Alive’ have made it into the Loudwire’s Cage Match Hall of Fame. The song, which is the fourth single off of their disc ‘Home School Valedictorian,’ took down some worthy opponents along the way. Adelitas Way defeated their fifth and final competitor, Deftones , after beating heavy hitters Theory of a Dead Man and 3 Doors Down , as well as Pop Evil and Danko Jones . Congrats to Adelitas Way and their fans on this impressive achievement. Their song ‘Alive’ now joins tunes from such bands as Avenged Sevenfold, Down, Fozzy, Anthrax, Korn, Trivium and more in Loudwire’s Cage Match Hall of Fame. Adelitas Way are currently on a U.S. tour with Theory of a Deadman and Charm City Devils. For a full list of dates and cities, go here . Listen to Adelitas Way, ‘Alive’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/adelitas-way-debut-new-video-for-alive/” title=”Check Out the music video for ‘Alive’ by Adelitas Way” align=”center”]