Hells Jim, I
must say it is an honor to finally be interviewing a member of quite possibly
the greatest thrash band ever. So first off, why no reunions as of late and why
did the first one fall through? You guys must get offered ridiculous sums of
money to play shows or record new material, especially with the recent thrash
revival. I also notice you guys don’t even really have any merchandise
available, why is that?
Um….well I’m not interested in a reunion as of late unless Gene and I got together and wrote…the old people I’d want in it are no longer involved in music. We tried, but for various reasons it fell apart…which is ok. .it was not meant to be at that time. Well as far as merch goes…lots of bootlegs out there haha…We’ll see what can be done.
For me, when I was growing up and was first exposed to Dark Angel I thought you guys were the Darkest thrash out there. There seemed to be a seriousness that most other bands lacked and your image was so intimidating and tough. Was this purposely cultivated or were you guys just hard and tough? What about your music helped Dark Angel to achieve a level of darkness that most other thrash bands were unable to accomplish?
Well we came from a tough area around LA…DON was a lunatic…none of us were rich or had good gear…haha we were angry I suppose. We were known as a band that would come to a gig of a band we didn’t like and cause trouble hehe. Our roadies and us we’re like a biker gang without the bikes LOL. Gene had a lot of dark lyrics that matched the mood of the riffs…he and I were bound to make this a VERY serious statement.
Dark Angel is going to be featured in the reprint of the Glorious Times book. How did you get involved with this project and did you see the first run of the book? What can we expect from Dark Angel’s section and how does it feel to be included in a book that hails the glory days of the underground late thrash and early death metal scenes?
I had not seen the book but I’m always honored to be remembered…I only made a few quotes about some of our crazy times which were plenty. I’m not one to do much press. So I hope everyone enjoys the book and our section.
Dark Angel was one of the few bands to successfully survive the transition to a new vocalist. Why do you think Dark Angel was able to make this change without losing fan loyalty? What do you see were the differences between Don Doty and Ron Rinehart and did each one enhance Dark Angel?
It’s like Ozzy and Dio…. Don was talented and crazy and made his legacy…Ron had a Powerful voice and presence and just fit right in. They Both were VERY important to the band. We were lucky to find Ron.
On a more
personal note, why did you leave Dark Angel? Do you think it is hard to be in a
band for a long time with other people? I mean, does it wear on a person after
awhile? What do you think of the material they did after you left?
Ya know…not because of any person in the band. I was married and not making the money I needed to make to survive at home…and the road life began to wear on me…I really don’t know where my head was at the time…but it was what I needed to do. And it all worked out for the best. I am still friends with Gene and Ron, Robbie and Don….I don’t really hear from anyone else. I knew what the material on Time Does not Heal was gonna sound like because had begun to give me tapes of the tunes he was working on…So I really loved it…I still listen to it from time to time…
Dark Angel was present for the scene’s transition from thrash to death metal. Why do you think that thrash died for a period? And have you been following its revival at all?
Well I think when a scene gets to a point it gets over flooded...It goes for the more extreme…or a change…then that will run it’s course and what was old is new again…the scene will get flooded with endless bands again…and then…ease off…then reboot again. Yes I’ve seen plenty of the new thrash bands…it’s great.
If you could pick any single moment that stands out from your Dark Angel days, what do you think it would be? And what song that you wrote are you the most proud of and why? Do you ever get into a nostalgic mood for those days?
Opening for Motorhead at the Ritz in New York it was my first time on the east coast. Right as Darkness was about to be released. Perish In Flames…is my fave…I think it was a statement Riff wise of what we were capable of.
Oh yeah I miss it sometimes…we were young and everything was new and exciting!
So what’s new with Dreams of Damnation? Are you guys still active? It’s been quite awhile since your debut album, Epic Tales of Vengeance. What motivated you to keep writing thrash despite it being some pretty lean years for thrash early on in D.O.D.’s early period? And whatever happened to Necropolis records? They just seemed to vanish overnight.
Well I’ve been doing DOD in various forms since 92. an EP, Then Let The Violence Begin, and then Epic Tales. Thrash is what I do. I don’t jump on trends.. so I felt if people liked it great…if not, oh well I’m gonna do it anyway. I hated most all the music in the 90’s haha Necropolis folded for whatever reason back in say 2001? Not sure why.
As I understand it, you did some guitar solos on the debut album from fellow Californian thrashers Army of Darkness. How did you get involved with that project and what exactly did you contribute? What is the hold-up with the album?
I am friends with the Drummer Darin …he’s a Dark Angel fan who has supported me for years…he asked me to do it…and I went over to the studio laid down solos for almost every song. and that’s it. That’s my only involvement. Just waiting to see what they do with it.
So you follow UFC if I remember correctly. Who are your favorite fighters and are you still a practitioner of martial arts? What discipline are you a student of? And if you could make any change to UFC’s current format or presentation, what do you think it would be?
I have sooo many different things going on…I train with friends when I can. RARELY though these days. I Hold belts in Judo, Karate…and BJJ…I also enjoy Muay Thai… I Loved Tank Abbott he was the greatest in my book...You never knew what was gonna happen. I Miss those days...there is sooo much talent these days it hard to pick just one fighter...I enjoy it now for the true sport aspect…but the old days were fun as well.
And speaking of
violence, I never managed to see Dark Angel live, but I have always heard that
some of the most violent pits ever erupted frequently at Dark Angel concerts.
Do you feel this is true? Do you look at Dark Angel’s music as violent and do
you think your music inspired this outbreak of violence in the pit or was it
just that the tougher, more violent people came to your shows?
The scene was new...and kids were now learning how to let loose…it was not just for punks anymore…it was CRAZY…we never knew what would come flying at us haha shoes, bottles...they’d go into a frenzy! It was the fans.
(Question from Fenriz of Darkthrone) The album (Darkness Descends) is PERFECT, I wonder if you know, was Détente’s album was recorded with almost the same equipment? same studio? before or after Darkness Descends?
Thank You….you know I have NO idea where Détente did their album. Not the same studio as far I as I know.
Do you ever feel trapped by the legacy of Dark Angel? I mean you will always be held to that standard and set of expectations because of your work with such a legendary band. Or is it an experience you would never sacrifice a second of?
I’m very proud of the music Gene and I made and if that’s what I’m remembered for then I’ve done my job! I have never felt trapped. I would not trade a minute of it! I have made many GREAT and lasting friendships because of that band…I am rewarded everyday!