Here we go again.
I translated (well, I tried to) an interview with John written in the new Rock Hard Magazine Germany. They did the interview in january.
Have fun, guys:
John, your wife got a daughter last year?
Yes, shes incredible!
So your family compensates all the negative things?
To be honest: I dont believe the things that happened last year had been negative.
I had to gain experiences and had to learn from them. If you learn, theres allways a posive effect. Im a man who allways thinks positive. Theres a reason for everything that happens.
So, lets talk about your experiences with Anthrax: When did you hear first that Scott plans the reunion?
Charlie, Scott, our manager an I had a conference call. During that call they told me the idea.
Who had the idea of the reunion? Who had the idea to go on tour with both singers?
We discussed the idea during the conference call. Scott had the idea. My first thought was: No! Years ago, when the idea was mentioned the first time, I agreed. But this time, my heart and my brain said that I shouldnt do it this time. If I would have joined this time, Id go on stage against my own will. 1999, when the greatest hits album Killer As came out, it would made sense. But today? Absolutely not!
Do you understand, why there is a so called reunion?
Yes, I understand it. To be honest: Maybe I was prepared for years. I dont like the reunion, and I cant understand the timing but at least I understand it. In the last 10 years the band and its business had many throwbacks. So you start thinking automatically about a definite problem solving. We had some real fucked up contracts, and some cock blocks clogged us to go forward with Anthrax. The funny thing is, that we allways made great records anyhow.
The bottom line is that mainly financial reasons led to the reunion. But hey: Maybe these guys just wanted to play with Joey and Dan again. Who knows?
Please describe the success of WCFYA and compare it with all the other Anthrax-records you did.
WCFYA was especially in Europe like a living cell therapy. A perfect comeback because of 2 reasons: Nuclear Blast did an incredible promotion and marketing job. They worked enthusiastic. Thanks to them, every metal-fan knew that were still alive. Secondly: This record was the best of my tirm. We got paychecks regularly and if that happens, a band knows that everything is perfect. I love all my Anthrax records. They are all different. But if WCFYA should be my last Anthrax record, I can live with it (very well).
Did you ever try to argue Scott out of the idea of a reunion?
It got into his head to do it, and I had the feeling, that they had to to it. Surely, I wasnt standing on the wayside to shout encouragement to them like they were long-distance runners. On the other hand I didnt want to get in the way of them.
Did Scott or someone else contact you to talk about the next record?
We had some discussions, but its reality that they will do a new record with Joey first.
That means: It would be to early for me to think about a new album. There will nothing happen between me and Anthrax before the end of 2007, so it would be a waste of time to think about it. If the band wants to tell me some ideas, I will listen to them. But many things can happen in 2 years. Who knows what interests Ill have in 2 years?
So its clear like daylight who will NOT sing on the next album.
Yes, Neil Turbin wont be the singer (laughs)
Do you still call Scott and Frank friends? Do you feel like one of their friends?
Sure, I call them friends. Things change. It was never my style to feel bitter.
In an interview Scott said, youre his friend. Whats his definition of the word friend?
Sorry, I cant talk for Scott.
Friendly relationships between the bandmembers or pure business relationship: What prevailed in Anthrax?
Generally the band was and is a 20 year old marriage. One day you have deep feelings for the partner, and the other day you cant even look in his face. All members know eachother since they were teenagers. Speaking for me: I got along with every member. But there were days when they bothered me and I bothered them. When you get older, priorities change: Away from your bandmates towards your family. Thats why a band becomes more and more business. For me: If music would only be business and not fun, Id leave.
Lets make a non serious look in the future. What do you think about this vision:
After the Europe-tour 2006 Anthrax put out a new Anthrax record with Joey. Compared to WCFYA its a flop. Scott puts the band on hold and meets Billy Milano. Both need earnings, so they produce a S.O.D. record. Its a flop, too, because nobody, except Billy and Scott, need a S.O.D. record 2008. After that Scott reanimates Anthrax and asks you if you want to sing ..
That vision is funny, clairvoyant and stupid. Probably its not reality.
During Anthrax are touring with Joey you reanimated Armoured Saint. Whats the situation today?
Reanimated is the wrong word. We will play some festivals this year and maybe therell be some shows in England. There are no more plans so far. Joey Vera has much to do. Hes a father since january. I think our last record Revelation was a real cool one, so the work on a new record would be a challenge. At the moment I dont know if I want to meet this challenge. We will see.
So the rumours about new songs are not true?
There are no new songs.
Which other music plans do you follow at present?
No plans. I did my last show with Anthrax one year ago. I was happy with my work as a father. When the time comes to start something new, Ill do it and Ill let you know.
Maybe its disrespectful: Anthraxs commercial aspect is much bigger than Armoured Saints. Sorry for the question: With what band do you want to earn your money?
At the moment with no band. I earn my money from our business earnings.
When will we see you in Germany?
We will play with A.S. at the Bang Your Head and the Graspop-Festival.
I translated (well, I tried to) an interview with John written in the new Rock Hard Magazine Germany. They did the interview in january.
Have fun, guys:
John, your wife got a daughter last year?
Yes, shes incredible!
So your family compensates all the negative things?
To be honest: I dont believe the things that happened last year had been negative.
I had to gain experiences and had to learn from them. If you learn, theres allways a posive effect. Im a man who allways thinks positive. Theres a reason for everything that happens.
So, lets talk about your experiences with Anthrax: When did you hear first that Scott plans the reunion?
Charlie, Scott, our manager an I had a conference call. During that call they told me the idea.
Who had the idea of the reunion? Who had the idea to go on tour with both singers?
We discussed the idea during the conference call. Scott had the idea. My first thought was: No! Years ago, when the idea was mentioned the first time, I agreed. But this time, my heart and my brain said that I shouldnt do it this time. If I would have joined this time, Id go on stage against my own will. 1999, when the greatest hits album Killer As came out, it would made sense. But today? Absolutely not!
Do you understand, why there is a so called reunion?
Yes, I understand it. To be honest: Maybe I was prepared for years. I dont like the reunion, and I cant understand the timing but at least I understand it. In the last 10 years the band and its business had many throwbacks. So you start thinking automatically about a definite problem solving. We had some real fucked up contracts, and some cock blocks clogged us to go forward with Anthrax. The funny thing is, that we allways made great records anyhow.
The bottom line is that mainly financial reasons led to the reunion. But hey: Maybe these guys just wanted to play with Joey and Dan again. Who knows?
Please describe the success of WCFYA and compare it with all the other Anthrax-records you did.
WCFYA was especially in Europe like a living cell therapy. A perfect comeback because of 2 reasons: Nuclear Blast did an incredible promotion and marketing job. They worked enthusiastic. Thanks to them, every metal-fan knew that were still alive. Secondly: This record was the best of my tirm. We got paychecks regularly and if that happens, a band knows that everything is perfect. I love all my Anthrax records. They are all different. But if WCFYA should be my last Anthrax record, I can live with it (very well).
Did you ever try to argue Scott out of the idea of a reunion?
It got into his head to do it, and I had the feeling, that they had to to it. Surely, I wasnt standing on the wayside to shout encouragement to them like they were long-distance runners. On the other hand I didnt want to get in the way of them.
Did Scott or someone else contact you to talk about the next record?
We had some discussions, but its reality that they will do a new record with Joey first.
That means: It would be to early for me to think about a new album. There will nothing happen between me and Anthrax before the end of 2007, so it would be a waste of time to think about it. If the band wants to tell me some ideas, I will listen to them. But many things can happen in 2 years. Who knows what interests Ill have in 2 years?
So its clear like daylight who will NOT sing on the next album.
Yes, Neil Turbin wont be the singer (laughs)
Do you still call Scott and Frank friends? Do you feel like one of their friends?
Sure, I call them friends. Things change. It was never my style to feel bitter.
In an interview Scott said, youre his friend. Whats his definition of the word friend?
Sorry, I cant talk for Scott.
Friendly relationships between the bandmembers or pure business relationship: What prevailed in Anthrax?
Generally the band was and is a 20 year old marriage. One day you have deep feelings for the partner, and the other day you cant even look in his face. All members know eachother since they were teenagers. Speaking for me: I got along with every member. But there were days when they bothered me and I bothered them. When you get older, priorities change: Away from your bandmates towards your family. Thats why a band becomes more and more business. For me: If music would only be business and not fun, Id leave.
Lets make a non serious look in the future. What do you think about this vision:
After the Europe-tour 2006 Anthrax put out a new Anthrax record with Joey. Compared to WCFYA its a flop. Scott puts the band on hold and meets Billy Milano. Both need earnings, so they produce a S.O.D. record. Its a flop, too, because nobody, except Billy and Scott, need a S.O.D. record 2008. After that Scott reanimates Anthrax and asks you if you want to sing ..
That vision is funny, clairvoyant and stupid. Probably its not reality.
During Anthrax are touring with Joey you reanimated Armoured Saint. Whats the situation today?
Reanimated is the wrong word. We will play some festivals this year and maybe therell be some shows in England. There are no more plans so far. Joey Vera has much to do. Hes a father since january. I think our last record Revelation was a real cool one, so the work on a new record would be a challenge. At the moment I dont know if I want to meet this challenge. We will see.
So the rumours about new songs are not true?
There are no new songs.
Which other music plans do you follow at present?
No plans. I did my last show with Anthrax one year ago. I was happy with my work as a father. When the time comes to start something new, Ill do it and Ill let you know.
Maybe its disrespectful: Anthraxs commercial aspect is much bigger than Armoured Saints. Sorry for the question: With what band do you want to earn your money?
At the moment with no band. I earn my money from our business earnings.
When will we see you in Germany?
We will play with A.S. at the Bang Your Head and the Graspop-Festival.
