Interview with Joe of Whiplash 2009

By Bradley Smith

It seems that Whiplash is back and as powerful as ever.  Was it easy to get the old thrash attitude and chemistry back?  Is that same youthful aggression still there or has it been tempered somewhat by age and wisdom?  What were the members up to in the intervening years? 

It’s in our blood!!!!  We started doing Whiplash exactly one year ago this June, I felt it was the right time.  We talked a couple of times and then we got serious..I called him and we made a pact that we would follow a strict no bullshit schedule.  We were committed to the project.  I got my childhood friend and bass player Rich Day (Deathcorps/Primal scream) on board and we started to realize that this was going to be something special!!  The chemistry is excellent and the musicianship is on a high level.  Me and Tony went into it with a fresh blank slate, no rehashing old songs and we just wrote the songs like we knew them.  The whole process was really natural and we just let the music fall into place and really write itself in a manner of speaking.  it was like magic...I think we had a higher power on our side ...whatever it was, things were happening and there were signs everywhere...The creativity was on a very high and focused level, due to the fact that time was not on our side...but we didn’t rush the process, only worked with focus and intensity.  It's great to be back in Whiplash again...I put a lot of time and effort in this band and being back here is a dream come true.  The speed and aggression are on a higher level than ever.  come see the band live..or take a peak at some live videos http://www.youtube.com/user/animalosi

Your new album Unborn Again is about to hit the streets.  What is your feeling regarding your new material and what can fans expect when they hear it?  How do you feel it fits into the overall pantheon of Whiplash albums? 

We are proud of it and we are ready to go out there and blow peoples minds.  We believe 100% in what we are doing, so you can count on Whiplash staying around for years to come.  This is only the beginning for us.

I managed to catch you guys in Oslo on your recent tour with Agent Steel.  l  You put on an amazing and energetic show.  How has the tour been going and what have your been some of your favourite experiences this time around?  How do you feel your tour this time around compare to the early performances?  How are the audiences different?

We played in Finland and in Mexico ...big festivals.  Then we come back home and play some local shows..smaller crowds..but insane!!!..It has been incredible. The audiences are always  great ...many people..some are more energetic than others ...but we haven't been disappointed.  Because they all have been exceptional!!! ,,,.By the way the Norway gig was so much fun!!  I have some clips of it on my youtube channel...Agent  Steel kicked ass and they are great guys too!!!  We are hoping to do more shows with them.  I must mention Proxy and Anna from Old School booking in Norway for helping us !!!  Thanx guys!!

There are some lesser known albums from Whiplash in the 90s such as Thrashback, Cult of One and Sit Stand Kneel Prey.  Are there any plans to reissue those albums?  And can you tell me about how the Messages in Blood CD came to be?

I don’t think any of them will be reissued..It’s time to move forward ...As for the "Messages in Blood" cd Tony told me Scaglione was approached and gave them some old tapes and they released them.

Thrash has been making a huge resurgence as of late and along with yourselves a lot of your old peers have reunited.  How do you feel about some of your old contemporaries getting back together?  Are there any acts you are especially happy to see back together and are there any you’d like to see take up their axes once again?

I'm happy for the new resurgence in the metal community ..seems that some bands are bittered by it ...I just hope that the bands that do come back are really doing it for the music and the scene...not a quick cash opportunity.. I'm happy for any band who is ready to bring metal back to the masses!!!

On a similar topic, why do you think that thrash has been able to make such a high profile comeback?  What has given it such staying power?  And why do you think there are so many new fans that are really into the old school sound and aesthetics?

The power, energy and pure excitement of old school thrash is what people need love and live on.  I think that the new kids realize this because it has been enough time for the music to seep into their minds and only old school thrashers can deliver that special brand of metal...I will include certain new bands too....but for the most part it can't be done any better than the originators of the music from that special time.

I read somewhere that you think that some bands are too serious and that it is good to have a nice sense of humor.  How do you feel that humor fits into the image of Whiplash and what sorts of things make you laugh?  What are some of the funniest movies of all time to you?

Man we are always laughing ..That is the secret to living.  It will make you live long.  We love having fun and think that most bands take themselves far too serious..When we are on stage our music is dead serious but we are fun loving people and always have a great time.  Harold and Kumar movies are great.  You name it, we love it!

Whiplash has teamed up with Mild to Wild Hot sauces in order to release what has to be the first ever Thrash metal hot sauce.  How did this idea come about?  Are you big fans of spicy food?  What is your favourite spicy dish and what is your favourite of the Whiplash line of sauces?

The guy from the Hot sauce company approached us and we loved the idea.  I used to cook Mexican food in Germany before I joined Kreator in the 90's so that stuff is close to me ...love cooking and of course eating too!!!
 We are totally into the idea of having our own hotsauce..it will be a limited edition.


The lyrics to your song Burning of Atlanta touches on the whole madness of Pyromania.  However I think we as humans all find FIRE to be fascinating even without being possessed by the insanity of Pyromania.  Why do you think that fire is so enthralling and what sorts of feelings does fire invoke in you? 

Fire evokes many things ..it can represent fury, or calm.  I think we are fascinated with fire because it's one of the special magical elements that captures us.  We can not hold it ..only try and contain it.

One more lyrical question, what happens when we don’t respect the dead?  Why would the dead take offence to any disrespect?  They are dead?  Heh heh.

Or are they really ??

What are you doing to promote the new album and what other plans do you have for Whiplash in the near future?

We are playing as many gigs, festivals and spreading the word that we are back and ready for action!!!  Hopefully with the full cooperation of our record company Pulverised, we can bring this to the next level!!

I’ll leave any Final Words to you before you Walk the Plank!

Thanx for this interview and thanx to all our supporters .....Whiplash isn’t going anywhere!!!  see you soon!!!

http://www.myspace.com/whiplashus

Joe Cangelosi