Interview: Slayer on ‘Blood,’ booze, Gipsy Kings
“Metal wasn’t the only thing I grew up with,” said Tom Araya. “I grew up listening to folk-type songs and tango-type songs and bossa nova-type stuff.”
Concert Review: KISS is still Hotter than Hell
By Metal Dave It was hotter than hell at the Woodlands Pavilion in Houston last Friday when KISS brought the blood, sweat and 35 years of rock to the sweltering, face-painted masses. For reasons that are painfully obvious, $10 beers did nothing to beat the heat. Playing in front of a Vegas-worthy kaleidoscope of flames,…
Yakking with … New Disaster’s Natchet Taylor
By Metal Dave I first met Natchet Taylor nearly 10 years ago at my favorite Austin dive bar, Headhunters, where his self-named, three-piece punk-n-roll band used to encore with Danzig and Rancid covers. Just as the Natchet Taylor band was gaining momentum on the strength of an electric live show and a hard-earned 2005 debut…
Pictured Life: Udo Dirkschneider
Onboard the bus during our interview, Udo displayed a copious thirst for whiskey (and generous hospitality).
Rewind: Talking to Lemmy “God” Kilmister
Anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of interviewing Motorhead frontman Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister will tell you he is hands-down one of the best interviews on the planet. Why? Because he basically doesn’t give two flips what anyone thinks of him!
Yakking with … Jimmy Duff
By Metal Dave Jimmy Duff is my new hero. Not only does the guy own a self-named, award-winning Brooklyn, NY dive bar plastered with heavy metal memorabilia, he also gets to party with the fiercest names in thrash. When’s the last time you pounded beers with Kerry King and got invited to tag along on…
Rewind: Dave Grohl Talks Nirvana, Foos, Life
By Metal Dave Dave Grohl is one of the greatest rock drummers of all time. Period. He’s also one of the nicest guys in rock. Period. Add the fact that he’s a multi-talented metalhead (Probot, anyone?) and you’d have to be a sack of dirt to deny Grohl his props (which he would politely decline).…
Want VIP?: How Fat’s Your Wallet?
By Metal Dave Remember when you had to sleep in a car to be the first in line to get the best concert tickets? Remember when getting a rock star’s autograph was your reward for persistence, loyalty and obsession? No? Well, I do and I’m sure I’m not alone. Today’s sad reality is the…
Yakking with … Patrick Kennison
By Metal Dave I met Pat Kennison some 20-plus years ago in San Antonio when the “manager” of his band, Boyzen Heat, brought me onboard to serve as the group’s “publicist,” artist and T-shirt designer. Being my first foray into the “business” side of rock-n-roll and considering Boyzen Heat was a fairly popular local band…
Pictured Life: Psycho Mike-O Gets Infectious
By Metal Dave The 1991 photo above was taken behind the Cameo Theater in downtown San Antonio by my lifelong buddy Al Kelly who had just thrown up a few moments earlier. Nice shot, Al! The tough guy in the bandana is Suicidal Tendencies singer Mike Muir. The not-so-tough guy on the left is 2Fast2Die. The…
Rewind: Metallica’s Memories Remain
“I thought everyone was as theatrical as KISS and then I saw Peter Frampton on TV and said, ‘Nope! I was wrong!'”
Review: Chris Gates ‘Welcome to Gatesville’
The simple joys of domestic sobriety fit Chris Gates like a trucker cap. A former punk-rocker and recovering blues-metal hellion (in the Big Boys and Junkyard, respectively), the Austin singer/songwriter/guitarist now resides in Gatesville where family, glory days and backyard barbecues are all the talk of the town. “Welcome to Gatesville,” the second album from the…