Band: Meliah Rage
Partner: Anthony Nichols

What happened since the release of Solitary Solitude in 1990 und why you lost the deal with Epic after this record?
Well we've been around on and off since the Epic years recording Death Valley Dream and Unfinished Business (9 demo songs that have been released). As far as Epic goes we were dropped when the Grunge movement came. Outside of the Heavy weights like Megadeth and Metallica most of the major label metal bands got dropped at that time.

You have played sometime in Gang Green. How this happened and what can you tell me about that time?
Well it was 1987 and I was just starting to put together a band which would become Meliah Rage and Gang Green was rehearsing across the hall from us. They were looking for a guitar player and wanted to add some metal into there sound. A lot of the punk bands at that time (Suicidle and D.RI. ect) were doing this so I said yes and played with them for about 9 months while still working on Meliah Rage. After a short tour and some recordings I decided that punk rock was not for me.

Do you have still contact with some of these guys? What are they doing now?
I see them around once and a while. Joe Gittleman now of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones was the bass player when I was in the band and I see him every few months.

How good or bad is the metal scene in your hometown? Are there any good bands?
Godsmack, Candy Striper Death Orgy, Red Right Hand, Meliah Rage, Shadows Fall. You tell me!!!

From where do you get your inner strength to continue again every time with Meliah Rage?
Well we certainly take out time between records so that helps to re-charge the batteries!!!

How important is music for your life and your lifestyle?
Music (Heavy Metal) is a huge part of my life. My life is basically about making metal records, listening to metal, riding Harleys and chasing strippers!!!!!!!

What are you doing privately if you don’t make music? How do you finance your life?
I own a company called Movie King. We are a Video retailer in the Boston area.

How does the song writing process work in your band?
Well I have a home studio where I write and arrange most of the music. Then I bring in the tracks to a studio called "Danger Multitrack" in Providence R.I. where Paul gets a hold of it and starts on the lyrics. Once he has a grip on the music and starts writing lyrics then we start to pick apart things we don't like and try to touch them up.

On your new record are nearly no guitar solos. Also the instrumental song has no solos during 8 minutes. How important are guitar solos for you?
Well 3 out of the first 4 songs don't have solo's so that probably makes it sound more solo-less than it really is. Also the instrumental DOES have a solo (sorry, ok you’re right. In the second half there are two solos but the other parts are normal harmony guitar parts – Jens). As far solo's being important, it's up to the song. We don't do guitar solo's because your supposed too. We do them if we think the song needs it!!!! I think we end up do guitar harmony stuff where other bands throw in guitar solo's. That's just us.

What can you say me about the cover and the title?
Well the title ended up being one of the song's. We just thought it sounded cool..... nothing more to it than that!! The cover was done by the label and it's orange with a big eyeball.... Also nothing more to it than that!!

What are the lyrics about?
Well Paul wrote all the lyrics so your probably better off asking him. I can tell you the instrumental "Rigid" was named after the way I am in the studio. I am very on top of things and don't settle for less!!! More than once some performances in the studio were not accepted and had to be re-written or rehearsed. That includes me having to redue things!!

Why Mike is no more in Meliah Rage and how have you found your new singer?
Mike got married a few years ago and now has 2 children. When we started the demo's for "Barely Human" Mike and I were in touch about doing the new record but after a month or so he decided he did not want to commit. Paul Souza was the first and last person to be called to replace Mike. Paul is as good as any metal singer out there and he's fucking crazy looking. Just the guy too replace Mike.

You are active in the metal scene a very long time. What are the main differences between the scene in 1985 and nowadays?
1985 Hetfield was drunk and Halford was in the closet.
2004 Hetfield is sober and Halford is proud and gay!!

Which bands of the newer generation do you like and why?
System Of The Down...aggressive and I love the singers (Yeller) style!!

What kind of new bands you mostly dislike?
I try not to dislike any bands. If someone is passionate about there music that's all that counts. Are there bands that write music because it's super trendy yes... you know who you are!!!!

Do you have any all-time favourite bands/albums?
Highway to Hell - AC/DC
Master of Puppets - Metallica
First Record - Metal Church
Many More!!!!!!!

If you have the opportunity to record an album with 5 musicians you want (dead or alive). Which musicians you would choose and why? What kind of music you would record?
Well let's do a record with:
Cliff Burton (Bass) My favourite musician of all time!!! He knows music theory,
great stage presence, has chops, attitude, bell bottoms rule!!
Jeff Waters (Guitar) Yes he's known in the metal world but not really beyond that. I hear people talking about Rhoads, Blackmore, Van Halen ect. Forget em......I'll take Jeff Waters on lead guitar anyday!!! Rich Spillberg from Wargasm is another under-rated metal Guitarist.
I suppose it would be fun to do a speed metal song with Dave Lombardo!!!
Maybe I could do a song on stage with M & M.....I could punch him in the head!!

What was the best gig und what was the worst gig of your life and why?
We played the last Metal show at the Ritz in New York about 10 years ago and that was great. David Bowie and Metallica were in the house that night and it was sold out.....Cool Shit!!!!
We did a festival in Baltimore a few months ago for 5 people...that sucked and was by far the worst show EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is there any American or European tour planned?
In the works as we speak.

How important is for you the European especially the German metal scene?
Big I guess. The U.S. market is more "what's hot at the moment" and the European market seems to be more independent in there listening tastes.

I think its very good for the fans that the new record also has the complete 1992 demo as an Bonus-CD. Is also the re-release of your 1996 album planned or from where a fan can get the record especially here in Germany?
Yes. Screaming Ferret/ Escapi (our label) is working on releasing "Death Valley Dream" in the very near future.

What are your future plans?
Well a lot of things are still in the works but I will say a Tour, Live DVD and a new release for 2005 are all on the plate!!

Are there any last words?
Purchase a copy of "Barely Human" and you will have 101 virgins when you die!!!

Interview: Jens
Photos: Label