Live-Metal.Net - Interviews 2008

TALES FROM A ROCKET QUEEN: ADRIANA SMITH
One late night in a New York City recording studio, Adriana Smith's orgasmic moans would be captured for the final mix on the GUNS 'N ROSES classic track, "Rocket Queen" off of Appetite For Destruction. Her identity as the voice on this track would remain largely unknown for years, until she recently broke her silence and came forward to claim her title as "The Rocket Queen."

THE SOUND OF SURVIVAL: BORN FROM PAIN
Dutch hardcore band BORN FROM PAIN is not going to change the world. But with their new album, Survival, the band hopes to spread awareness of many world issues while playing a few hardcore metal shows along the way. Not long after the release of the album, Live-Metal.net's Jeff Maki chatted with guitarist Karl Fieldhouse about all things BORN FROM PAIN.

DISPATCH FROM PLANET SHRED: METAL MIKE CHLASCIAK
"Metal Mike" is an accomplished solo artist, sharing bills with the likes of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN,RONNIE MONTROSE and SAVATAGE. He has released three solo instrumental records, two instructional books, and even helped Rob Halford reclaim his heavy metal throne. Live-Metal.Net recently sat down with "Metal" Mike to discuss his roots, his past work with Rob Halford and Sebastian Bach, as well as the other projects he will be unleashing on the masses.

LITA FORD: THE NEXT CHAPTER IN HER ROCKIN' HISTORY
Today, three decades after setting out on her musical journey, LITA FORD stands ready to return to the limelight and once again take the industry by storm. Jason Price of Live-Metal.Net recently had the opportunity to ask Lita about her past, her upcoming album and what we can expect from her highly anticipated return to the realm of rock n' roll.

BIGELF: ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL
Years ago, when BIGELF first came to be, retro-rock wasn't exactly hip. Bands were going for modern sounds with new technology, yet vocalist/keyboardist Damon Fox had a different path set out for BIGELF. Huge fans of THE BEATLES, the '70s psychedelic era of rock n' roll and the '80s guitar era, BIGELF became a hybrid of all these things. Now, in 2008, retro is in and so is BIGELF in a big way. Following the success of the long-delayed album, Hex, in 2007, the band is back with Cheat the Gallows, an album even more daring and psychedelic than its predecessor, if possible.

ALL GUNS, NO ROSES: ON THE ROAD WITH FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
More than a year after the release of their debut album, The Way of the Fist, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH remains one of metal’s hottest new acts. At one of the last stops of the inaugural Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival tour, the band’s founder, guitarist Zoltan Bathory, and Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki pulled up a couple chairs in the back of a trailer and discussed all things 5FDP.

MICHALE GRAVES: THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH
Singer/Songwriter Michale Graves has lead quite a storied life. Whether it’s replacing Glenn Danzig as MISFITS' frontman or his involvement with the West Memphis Three, he has continued to show the punk rock elite and any naysayers who he is and what he stands for. In 2007, Graves released Illusions, which showcases his evolution from aggressive punk rock to haunting, stripped-down acoustic guitar. Jason Price of Live-Metal.Net recently sat down with Michale Graves, discussing his past, songwriting, the possibilities of Misfit's reunion and much more.

FASHION BOMB: A BRAND NEW ERA
Jason Price of Live-Metal.Net recently caught up with FASHION BOMB as they prepare to launch a global, no holds barred assault on the music scene. Val (vocals, programming) and Acid (guitar, backing vocals, programming, drums) were eager to discuss FASHION BOMB's history, their recent signing to Full Effect Records, working with FEAR FACTORY's Raymond Herrera and more.

MAD SEASON: SHINEDOWN'S BARRY KERCH
With their new album, The Sound of Madness and with three new members on board, SHINEDOWN is as strong as ever. And they plan to spend the next two and a half years on the road supporting their superb new record. Drummer Barry Kerch checked in with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki to discuss the state of the band, The Sound of Madness and more.

RECKONING DAY: EX-MEGADETH/F5 BASSIST DAVE ELLEFSON
When you think of the short list of the most famous heavy metal bassists of all time, former MEGADETH four-stringer Dave Ellefson immediately comes to mind. In an interview with Live-Metal.net's Jeff Maki, Ellefson talks in-depth about the formation of his new band F5, their new album and his legendary career and eventual split with MEGADETH. Dave reflects on the past and let's fans in on many things you probably didn't know about him, MEGADETH and his career. This is a must read for fans of Ellefson's work, MEGADETH and metal.

LAUREN HARRIS: A STORM IS BREWING
When you’re the daughter of IRON MAIDEN founder Steve Harris, music is in your blood. It’s no surprise, then, that Lauren Harris has taken up the family business. She’s earned her stripes on the road, performing at some of Europe’s biggest festivals and touring the world supporting her father’s legendary band. Harris recently called in from her home in England to talk to Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki about her break into the music industry, her new album and more.

EQUILIBRIUM: THE SAGA BEGINS
Hailing from Bavaria, Germany, EQUILIBRIUM was put together to play only one show in 2001 , but after a great response and a grassroots campaign led by their fans, the band marched on and has released their second album and first for Nuclear Blast, Sagas. In an interview with Live-Metal.net's Jeff Maki, lead vocalist Helge Stang gives us in-depth background on the new album, the formation of the band, and why EQUILIBRIUM is about to party down Bavarian style.

GILBY CLARKE: THE ORIGINAL GUITAR HERO
Gilby Clarke has played guitar alongside such musical legends as MC5, HEART and even a little band called GUNS N' ROSES. Jason Price of Live-Metal.Net recently got a chance to sit down with ex-GN'R guitarist to discuss musical roots, his upcoming musical endeavors, his new role as a "Rock N' Roll Fantasy Camp Counselor" and even a little Chinese Democracy.

THE GODFATHER OF SLEAZE ROCK: FASTER PUSSYCAT'S TAIME DOWNE
Founded and fronted by the multi-faceted Taime Downe, FASTER PUSSYCAT quickly rose to power and were crowned the undisputed "Kings of Sleaze Rock." Jason Price and Steve Johnson of Live-Metal.Net spoke to the man behind this rock n' roll juggernaut about his beginnings, his current undertakings, and what exactly might lie in store for FASTER PUSSYCAT.

THE BRIGHT LIGHT OF POSSIBILITY: L.A. GUNS VOCALIST MARTY CASEY
With new L.A. GUNS vocalist Marty Casey in place, the band is now set to launch the next chapter of their saga and take the world by storm. Jason Price of Live-Metal.Net recently spoke to Casey about his past, his new role as the band's frontman and what we can expect from this new era of L.A. GUNS.

FILTER'S RICHARD PATRICK: BACK ON TRACK
For nearly six years, FILTER fans patiently waited while Richard Patrick, the band’s mastermind, checked himself into rehab and got sober, then joined his buddies Robert and Dean DeLeo in a new outfit, ARMY OF ANYONE. As good as that band’s one and only album was, FILTER is where Patrick belongs. He recently took time out from reacquainting himself with his fans on the road to talk to Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki about all things FILTER.

BREAKING BACKS WITH THE SHOWDOWN
THE SHOWDOWN's new album, Back Breaker, scheduled for an August release on an undisclosed label, sees a stylistic shift, this time to all-out thrash. So on a recent tour with SHADOWS FALL these four lads from Tennessee fit in just fine alongside fellow openers KATAKLYSM, ARSIS and DROID. At the tour’s last stop, vocalist David Bunton sat down to discuss the new album and the current state of the band with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki.

TAKE YOUR BALLS OUT OF YOUR MOM'S PURSE AND LISTEN TO DROID
Years of hard work finally is paying off for DROID. In 2007, the band’s self-titled debut album was the first release on KORN guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer’s Emotional Syphon Recordings. They spent last summer on the Family Values tour and opened for KORN in the fall also. But it was on the last night of the two-week East Coast tour with SHADOWS FALL that vocalist James Buddy Eason sat down with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki.

FLYLEAF BASSIST PAT SEALS
More than 30 months after the release of their self-titled debut, FLYLEAF continues to travel the country, bringing its spirited hard rock to fans who have pushed the record past the milestone of one million sales. But FLYLEAF is about more than music, as seen by their charitable work with World Vision and a trip to Rwanda earlier this year. Bassist Pat Seals recently called in from the road for a quick chat with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki.

A NEW BEGINNING FOR TANTRIC
TANTRIC frontman Hugo Ferreira survived it all—the collapse of Maverick Records, the departure of the other three original band members—and has brought his band back with a new lineup and an innovative new album, The End Begins. TANTRIC is on tour now and Ferreira called in from the road to discuss the band’s new life, the new album and more with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki.

IN SEARCH OF ... BUMBLEFOOT: RON "BUMBLEFOOT" THAL
BUMBLEFOOT is none other than Ron Thal, an accomplished guitarist, solo artist, writer, producer, engineer, hot sauce connoisseur and guitarist for a little band called GUNS N' ROSES. With a resume like this, one might wonder, "Is there anything this man can't do?" Jason Price and Steve Johnson of Live-Metal.Net struck out on a mission to meet up with this man of mystery.

CRUSH IT, BREAK IT, SMASH IT OR KILL IT: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
With “The Bleeding” tearing up the airwaves, successful runs on the 2007 Family Values Tour, an arena tour with KORN, the opening slot on DISTURBED’s spring tour and a spot on the first-ever Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is one of the hottest bands in metal. Guitarist Darrell Roberts recently sat down with Live-Metal.net while out on tour.

ROCK N' ROLL GOES AIRBOURNE
Rock will never die as long as bands like Australia’s AIRBOURNE are here to breathe new life into it. The band’s debut album, Runnin’ Wild is an instant classic, a disc that rocks with a bravado and enthusiasm not seen since Bon Scott’s heyday. Vocalist Joel O' Keeffe checked in with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki to discuss his band’s sound and influences, the new album and more.

KIND WORDS WITH DEVILDRIVER'S JEFF KENDRICK
On stage, DEVILDRIVER is nothing short of ferocious, consistently stealing the show as a support act and giving fans a full dose on its second U.S. headlining tour. When their tour stopped at Jaxx in Springfield, Va., guitarist Jeff Kendrick sat down with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki for a pre-show interview.

SHADOWS FALL: THE POWER OF SOUND
More than a year has passed since the release of Threads of Life, SHADOWS FALL’s first release after making the controversial jump to a major label. And here they are, still standing, having toured the world. As the band finished up an East Coast tour and prepared to head home and start writing for the next album, guitarist Matt Bachand sat down with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki.

GETTING DIRTY WITH EVERY TIME I DIE
Whether it’s Cadbury Eggs, fights with security guards or dreaming about shooting mutated animals in Russia, life is always interesting in the world of EVERY TIME I DIE. When the band stopped at Baltimore’s Rams Head Live, guitarist Jordan Buckley sat down with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki to discuss all things ETID. He wants you to know he was high on PCP.1

SEVENDUST STARTS A NEW CHAPTER
Reveling in the freedom and creativity coming from the formation of their own record label, SEVENDUST's Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow is an album that ranges from pummeling to experimental. Vocalist Lajon Witherspoon called in to talk with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki about the new album, their spring tour with SALIVA and more. and more.

INVITRO: THE PLANETS SPEAK
Guitarist for SNOT, SOULFLY and now INVITRO; producer; Gridiron Records co-founder, Mikey Doling has built an impressive resume during his decade and a half in the music business.. A few days after their tour with DEVILDRIVER and NAPALM DEATH rolled through Jaxx in Springfield, Va., Doling checked in with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki.

ALL THAT REMAINS: POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH PHIL LABONTE
Since the release of The Fall of Ideals, ALL THAT REMAINS has established itself as a force in the metal world. Live-Metal.net caught up with frontman Phil Labonte at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., on the second-to-last night of a tour with CHIMAIRA, BLACK TIDE and LIGHT THIS CITY. In a free-wheeling discussion, Phil touched on politics, touring, the music industry, the follow-up to his band’s breakthrough record and more.

BLEEDING IT OUT WITH FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
Frontman Ivan Moody’s throat problems forced FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH off the road for a couple months in early 2008, but not even that could stop the band’s momentum. Their debut album, The Way of the Fist, is selling better than ever, re-entering the Billboard Top 200. Drummer Jeremy Spencer recently checked in from Los Angeles with Live-Metal.net’s Greg Maki to discuss how the band has spent its break from the road, its soon-to-resume touring schedule and more.

ROUND AND ROUND WITH THE DONNAS' ALLISON ROBERTSON
For more than 15 years, THE DONNAS have brought their unique brand of balls-out rock n' roll to the masses. Jason Price of Live-Metal.Net caught up with guitarist Allison Robertson when the band made a stop in New York City. She tells us all about how the band has managed to remain such a tight unit for so long, what it is like to perform alongside one of there biggest idols (Stephen Pearcy of RATT) and clues us in on the future of the band.

WARBRINGER: THRASH 'TIL DEATH
Ventura, California's WARBRINGER leads a pack of bands carrying the torch for thrash metal. A new revolution is well underway and WARBRINGER's album, War Without End is out now on Century Media Records. Live-Metal.net recently talked with guitarist John Laux about getting signed to a label, their new release and what they bring to thrash metal in 2008.

MARTRIDEN: WELCOME TO THEIR NIGHTMARE
If extreme metal fans are wondering what the newest band to look out for is, the answer is Montana's MARTRIDEN. Their debut full-length album, The Unsettling Dark, is a near masterpiece. In a recent chat with Live-Metal.net, the band talks about making their debut album and their long list of influences. Enter the nightmarish sound that is MARTRIDEN and discover a new heir to the extreme metal throne.

TAINT: THE POWER OF THE RIFF COMPELS THEM
After one listen to TAINT's new album, Secret and Lies, there's no doubt that the power of the riff is what compels this band. The trio is from South Wales, U.K., and has toured with bands like CLUTCH, THE SWORD and, more recently, KYLESA, impressing many fans along the way. Vocalist/guitarist Jimbob answers a few questions from Live-Metal.net's Jeff Maki and gives us an excellent introduction to this up-and-coming band.