Yakking with … 2Fast2Die Founder ‘Metal Dave’ As He Celebrates 100th Post

To mark the milestone of 2Fast2Die’s 100^th post today (cue deafening applause), I decided to fulfill a long-standing reader request to interview site founder, Metal Dave. As a veteran music journalist and trivia-starved rock-n-roll geek, Metal Dave is usually the one asking all the incessant questions so, perhaps not surprisingly, he was a bit anxious to have the tables turned.

CALLING DR. LOVE: On the phone with Gene Simmons in 2009.

Reminding him that turnabout is fair play, 2Fast2Die offered MD a beer and quickly learned what everyone else has known for decades: When it comes to rock-n-roll, this dude will not shut up!

Hit it, Metal D!

Plug your latest project
At the moment, I’m working on this beer you just gave me. Besides that, I’m constantly busy with 2Fast2Die. My wife talked me into starting this blog last Fourth of July and less than a year later we’re celebrating our 100^th post. I’m pretty proud of that. I wish it was a paying gig, but then again, money was never the motivation. This actually started as a baby step toward writing my autobiography, but it’s turned into a sleepless monster. The idea of writing a book from start to finish seems so daunting, whereas 2Fast2Die allows me to tackle random life episodes without the pressure of maintaining a storyline. For now, the book is on indefinite hold.

Album that changed your life
KISS “Destroyer” was the first album I bought with my own money when I was maybe 11 or 12. A childhood friend turned me onto it and I’ve been ruined ever since. KISS ruled my world as a kid and still has a place in my home and my heart. The album that is most enduring, however, is Iron Maiden’s “The Number of the Beast.” To me, that record is a masterpiece. The playing is superb, the singing is amazing, the lyrics are intelligent and the artwork is killer. My Nana actually bought it for me as a Christmas present when I was a teen. I find it ironic that my loving grandmother bought me an album called “The Number of the Beast” for Christmas. Anything for her grandson!

First concert
KISS and the Plasmatics in 1983. I was a late bloomer when it came to concerts, because my parents wouldn’t allow me to go. Today, I understand and thank them for caring enough to be protective. Anyway, back to the KISS gig, it was the “Creatures of the Night” tour and I remember being so pissed off that the Plasmatics replaced Riot as the opening act. At the time, I wanted nothing to do with punk rock. Look at me now!

How’d you get started in music journalism?
My first foray into journalism was actually working as a cartoonist for the campus newspaper at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State U.). My cartoons got my foot in the door where I met reporters and editors. When a writing position became available, I started doing album reviews and interviews with bands like the Ramones, White Zombie, L7, Dee Snider and Faster Pussycat. Landing those kinds of interviews while still in college took a lot of perseverance and pestering on my part, but I was pretty determined. After college, I worked in newspapers for many years and freelanced music features on the side for a number of publications including the San Antonio Express-News, Metal Edge magazine, Texas Music magazine, Classic Rock mag, Austin Monthly, Houston Press and some others. I also once wrote a profile on Austin music and nightlife for SPIN magazine as part of their SXSW coverage. That was a pretty big deal for me.

ADIOS AMIGO: With Joey Ramone (RIP) in Austin, 1992

Most memorable interview
Wow. There are so many. I’ve been doing this for nearly 20 years. Obviously, interviewing Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss was an honor because the original KISS changed my life. I’m also pretty proud of having interviewed the Ramones, David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Perry, David Bowie, Motley Crue, Lars Ulrich, Ronnie James Dio, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Malcolm Young of AC/DC, Lemmy, Ozzy. I could go on all day. These people and many others have touched my life through their music, so talking to them is always an honor and a thrill.

Who are some interviews that have escaped you up to this point?
Steven Tyler is my favorite singer and obviously a true rock-n-roll character who would certainly be a great interview. Hasn’t happened yet. Ditto Keith Richards, Iggy Pop and Ace Frehley. I met Iggy once behind a club in Houston and got a few autographs, but I’ve never properly interviewed him. I’ll never forget he was wearing sunglasses at 3 a.m.

Any interview horror stories?
Glenn Danzig was a bummer. I love his early music and was stoked to be on the phone with him, but he sounded completely bored. I pride myself on asking interesting questions, but he just couldn’t be bothered. Another time I had to wait four freakin’ hours for Lemmy to finally call, but of course, he made it totally worth the wait. That guy is a fabulous interview. One of the best! Another time I was completely embarrassed when I took the phone too close to my recorder and sent a piercing squall of feedback into the ear of poor Ronnie James Dio. Of course, in his usual gracious manner, he made a joke of it and moved on. A true sweetheart, that Ronnie.

Do you ever meet these people in person?
Sure. Not all of them, but some. My interviews usually serve as advance coverage to promote an upcoming concert in my area, which means the bands call me while en route to a tour stop near my location. Glenn Tipton from Judas Priest once called me from Romania. Vivian Campbell from Def Leppard called from his home in Ireland. As far as meeting people, I haven’t met KISS or Ozzy in person, for example, but I’ve had plenty of backstage fun with the Ramones, Poison, Buckcherry, Motorhead, Dio, Joan Jett, Down, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Zakk Wylde … I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy my share of hospitality. I actually got to sing onstage with Poison and Buckcherry. Those were crazy, memorable moments for sure. Another good one was Ginger from the Wildhearts who is now in Michael Monroe’s band. A few years ago, he invited me to Willie Nelson’s recording studio where I ended up voicing an outro to a song on one of his solo albums. I stayed at the studio with him for nearly two days. You could say we lost track of time.

Do you have a favorite music journalist?
I’d have to say David Fricke from Rolling Stone. I’ll read anything that carries his byline, because he does such a great job of balancing information with “color,” meaning he’s credible, yet still entertaining to read. Some of his descriptive phrases are pure genius. A lot of times, a writer can go overboard trying to be clever, which often leaves his or her credibility in question; or they can go to other extreme and be so matter-of-fact, that they come off as being “dry” or rigid and not fun to read. Fricke is the best of both worlds, in my opinion. With Fricke, you learn a lot about the subject and you’re onboard until the very last word, because he entertains you with his wordplay. I think the best writers inject some of their personality into the story without hijacking it or being intrusive. It’s a very, very fine line and it’s very tough to do, but in my opinion, Fricke nails it more often than most.

Are you still writing for newspapers and magazines?
The world of print media has changed radically in the past five years. Unfortunately, most of the print outlets I’ve worked for in the past no longer have freelance budgets to pay guys like me. Interviewing rock stars and getting published may seem glamorous and fun, but at the end of the day, it’s a lot of self-inflicted work when you consider I have a full-time job, a 3-year-old son, a wife and a house to take care of. Hell, I barely have time to buy groceries, let alone be inspired and creative at the end of a busy day. Plus, I’m a total stickler and will agonize for hours over a single sentence or paragraph. Just ask my poor wife! Freelancing never paid well to begin with, but these days the return-on-investment is completely upside-down — especially if you’re a good writer with a talent for producing quality stories that editors appreciate and readers actually enjoy. In a lot of ways, it’s a thankless art as far as money’s concerned. But again, you write for yourself and your readers, not for the paycheck.

Hence, the creation of 2Fast2Die?
Exactly. I still have a need to write and I still have a love for music, so if I’m not going to get paid for my efforts elsewhere, then I’m at least going to pursue my passion on my own terms. I guess you could say I’m semi-retired from freelancing, but always open to offers. Otherwise, I’m full-time with 2Fast2Die and enjoying the flexible deadlines.

Where did the name 2Fast2Die come from?
It’s a combination of album titles from two of my favorite bands, the Ramones and Motley Crue. It’s Motley’s “Too Fast for Love” slammed together with the Ramones’ “Too Tough to Die.” Plus, I thought it had a nice rock-n-roll ring to it.

Any last words?
Yeah. If you like the site, you can also follow 2Fast2Die on Facebook where the blog content is duplicated and loads of extra daily info is regularly posted. Please “like” and “share” with your friends. Other than that, thanks for reading. Oh, and one last thing … you got another beer?
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2Fast2Die and Metal Dave would like to thank Chris Gates, Natchet Taylor and Becky Ozuna for their technical expertise and advice. Thanks also to Kim for inspiration and allowing me all the time it takes to be to be a word geek. Thanks also to Daschel for letting me “work on my bwag.”