I see you guys are
Reuniting for a one off concert for the first time in something like 16 years.
What can the audience look forward to? What will your set list be? Why did you
guys decide that now is the right time for this reunion show?By Bradley Smith
I see you guys are
Reuniting for a one off concert for the first time in something like 16 years.
What can the audience look forward to? What will your set list be? Why did you
guys decide that now is the right time for this reunion show?
Well, I am not part of the reunion. I have been in some contact with Kurt over the last few years. He and Joe are the only two original HT members that are part of the reunion. They are the only two that live in Seattle. Floyd has rehearsed with them, but I don’t think he will be a part of the reunion either. Keith is missing in action. The 1st HT reunion show was actually on March 11th. I emailed Kurt regarding the show and he said it went well. He has some pictures, but I don’t think he has any audio.
I have always thought that HT ended too early. I am not sure what prompted Kurt to start a reunion, but now is as good of time as any.
It seems to me that there is a renewed interest in Holy Terror. I keep seeing HT merchandise popping up on Ebay and CD releases are more common and so on. Have you noticed this? Why do you think that is?
We actually had a pretty decent following. Until the wheels fell off the train, we were headed in the right direction. As for me, I have very similar musical tastes now that I had back then. I listen to a wide range of music, but heavy metal is always in the rotation on my iPod. I think the people that liked HT back then still enjoy listening to it now. I am sure there are some new metal heads being recruited as well and you always wanted to show up your friends by coming up with a band that no one has heard of before. Can you imagine being 16 years old and into Lamb of God, Children of Bodom, Shadow’s Fall, and other new metal stuff and then showing up to school one day in an HT shirt?
I have been listening to both Mind Wars and Terror and Submission lately. I think that they recall a magic era in the past for metal music but also they seem to have aged really well. How do you view your two albums?
I absolutely love Mind Wars! To me it is one of the best speed metal albums of all time. Of course I am biased, but there isn’t another band out there with a similar sound. It was an interesting time back in the mid-80s. Besides Metallica and Slayer, there weren’t too many other bands at their level and a lot of the other bands were trying to play like them. HT was a bit different. We were a very different group. All of us loved Zeppelin and Sabbath. Kurt and I were huge early Maiden fans, Kurt also loved Uli Roth, Keith loved The Who, and Floyd was a big Chris Squire and John Entwhistle fan. I was also really into the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. We had a very eclectic musical influence then most speed or thrash bands. T&S has some great songs. Unfortunately the studio didn’t capture our true sound on that record.
You guys had a pretty unique sound if you ask me. It combined really harsh thrash woven together with some equally melodic riffs. Plus Keith’s vocals were unmistakable. He had a really raw edge but managed to also “sing” balls-to-the-wall, a perfect example being the title track from Terror and Submission.
As I mentioned in the previous question, we all came from different musical backgrounds, but still had some common ground. Back then a lot of bands thought they should model themselves after Metallica or Slayer. We weren’t influenced by speed or thrash bands. We were listening to them, but our influences were Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Sabbath, The Who, early Scorpions, early Maiden, Priest, UFO, Frank Zappa, Yes, Motorhead, Angel Witch, Tygers of Pan Tang, Trust, AC/DC, Raven, etc. We also had some interest in the punk movement of the late 70s and early 80s. I listened to bands like Conflict, Crass, Subhumans, etc. The sound of the vocalist was also very important to us. Anyone can “growl.” But, how many metal singers have the range as Keith Deen?
Do you guys feel like you got the recognition you deserved. Why do you think that thrash seemed to die when it did?
Deserve? That’s an interesting perspective. Do I think we could have gotten bigger? Sure! If you read the reviews we got on MW, everyone thought it was good. In the music business perseverance, is just as important as talent. Unfortunately, various circumstances caused the demise of HT way too early.
You guys had a pretty interesting metal scene up there in Seattle. Correct me if I am wrong but there was you guys, Metal Church, and Accused to name a few. Who else came out of there?
Actually, Kurt is the only one from Seattle. Kurt made his way to Los Angeles, in the early 80s and joined Agent Steel. I am from L.A., Keith is originally from Michigan, Floyd Reno, Nevada, and Joe North Carolina. Back then, I was a huge NWOBHM fan. I used to hang out at a local record store called OZ Records. Brian Slagel (Metal Blade) was working there and he was just starting to put out the Metal Massacre compilations. I had a bunch of friends who were into bands like Thatcher on Acid, Crass, G.B.H., Subhumans, Conflict, Minor Threat, Black Flag, the list goes on and on. I loved the aggression of punk, but I also loved the melodies of metal. At the time there were bands like Cirith Ungol, Bitch, and Pandemonium that were playing locally in L.A. Motley Crue was just starting to play around. The scene in L.A. was really trying to find itself. One of the best shows I saw was in 1983 with Metallica and Raven. It was the Kill ‘em All for One Tour!
I have been interviewing some lesser known thrash legends lately and to me it seems like there is a rebirth in thrash as a musical genre as well as the metal scene in general has been interested in discovering the thrash roots that birthed black and death metal. Why do you think that the time is right for this?
Well, music is a cyclical thing and the longevity of bands like Metallica and Slayer have definitely helped maintain the interest in metal. Look at Priest and Maiden. They understand that their early material was brilliant and they also realize that there is a whole new generation of fans. So why not go back to your roots. Iron Maiden The Early Days is incredible! With the Internet as powerful as it is, other bands and fans alike are realizing how easy it is to get information. Fans have started creating websites to honour their favourite bands. Kids still need ways to release their aggressions. What better way than thrashing about at a metal show!
During touring for HT you got to see some different audiences. How was Europe different from America in that regard? Which did you prefer and why?
It was tough to play a show in L.A. As the metal scene was growing, the “Glam Rock” scene was taking the lead in L.A. There was a metal movement; it just was beginning to be overshadowed by Motley Crue, Poison, and bands like that. We had our regulars that would show up to see us, but when we started touring, the crowds were great. In Europe the following was much bigger than in the states, basically because T&S was initially released in Europe. It wasn’t until a year later that T&S and then right after MW were released in the states. When we toured in the US, the crowds were just as receptive. It makes a big difference when you are touring and the fans have a copy of you record. I remember when we were touring the states and every night Keith telling the audience that MW was coming out soon. It seemed like it kept getting delayed. The second European Tour with Nuclear Assault and Exodus was really gaining steam before all hell broke loose. It was the beginning of the end for HT.
How have the fans been over the years? I noticed you guys have taken up personal webpage (http://www.holyterrorspeedmetal.com/) as well as a Myspace page: (http://www.myspace.com/holyterrorspeedmetal) How has the response been to it?
It’s really cool to hear that our music had a lasting effect on people. The site that Scott L. put together (www.holyterrorspeedmetal.com) is amazing. I am so grateful that he has put so much time and effort in maintaining the legacy of HT. The myspace site is Kurt’s. I think he has had a lot of positive feedback. I get emails from various people that I had met way back when. Music should be an experience and I think HT was and is to many.
In this day and age I think that the undercurrents of the band name, Holy Terror are extremely appropriate. Wouldn’t you agree? What do you think of the world climate that we find ourselves in these days?
I couldn’t agree more. When the band first formed, I didn’t put much credence into the name. Kurt really was the brainchild behind the band. He had the name and most of the songs which ended up being T&S. I was just in the right place at the right time to be a part of the band. I liked the religious overtones of the name and the conflict/struggle between good and evil. At the time though I was more into political and environmental issues, than religious. World climate? Well, I could go on and on about my feelings of global warming, but I don’t think that is what you meant. I was sickened by 9/11 and I was behind our attack on Afghanistan. However, I was completely against the invasion of Iraq. As a result of our current Administrations diversion into Iraq we have allowed the Taliban to stay a viable force in Afghanistan, the actual persons responsible for the 9/11 attacks are still spewing hatred, world opinion of the US is in the toilet, Iraq is a quagmire, and the Jihad movement is stronger than it was right after 9/11. I don’t know if anyone remembers, but Syria actually condemned the 9/11 attacks. But since our current Administration went into Iraq, Syria is back to supporting groups like Hezbollah. I am sickened by our current government. Now do you want to hear my thoughts on global warming? Ha!
Since we are on the topic of Holy Terror as a name, what are your current views on religion and how have they developed since you guys first decided to go with Holy Terror?
I was raised Catholic and still consider myself a Catholic. Do I agree with the church 100%? Of course not, but a lot of the respect I have for other people and the earth I feel are a product of my upbringing. There are lunatics in every facet of life, but how do you criticize someone like Mother Theresa and Mahatma Gandhi? They were true modern day spiritual leaders. Warring over religion is completely hypocritical. Yes, it’s gone on for centuries, but to what end? I tend to respect and follow those that are respectful of the environment and other people.
What sort of musical efforts have you been involved with these days? What other bands and projects are the other members of HT involved with. Some pretty big names from what I have read. Heh heh.
After HT I played with a band called Nature Core and then put together a couple projects of my own. One of which was with Steve Hansgen who used to play with Minor Threat. That was all back in the early 90s. Nothing serious materialized because I decided to go back to college and gave up music for about 5 years. Recently, I have been doing some writing on my own, but I haven’t been playing with anyone. I have a G5 Mac and a Line6 TonePort that I use to record my stuff. I think what you are referring to in your question is what Kurt and Joe are up to in Seattle.
Any plans for the future of Holy Terror? Maybe some more music headed the fans way?
From what I understand, the HT Box Set (I think it is titled “Still Born”) was supposed to be out this summer. Kurt is the one working on this project. I put together a DVD with a bunch of old live footage. I’m not sure if it will make it in the box set. When the box set does come out, I believe that Kurt intends to tour with the new members. If they play L.A., who knows maybe I’ll jump on stage for Judas Reward or something.
I will leave any Final sermons for you. Raise Hell little Hellions!!!!!!
Speed Kills!