Answers by: Anthony Nichols (guitars)
Photo: Bruce Bettis
Pure Metal: Hi Anthony, this is Tomek from Pure Metal Magazine
from Poland.
Was it hard to break through as a metal band in a city like Boston?
Was it hard to break through as a metal band in a city like Boston?
Anthony: I suppose it should have been back in 1988, but I guess our
timing was good. We were signed to Epic within a year of forming.
Needless to say, the sounds of Metallica and Megadeth at that time
were taking off, so I don't think it mattered where a band was from.
PM: Why Meliah Rage? Why the "Indian on the warpath"? Is
it because metal is rebellion, battle, sometimes even war?
Anthony: Well, it all started with Jim Koury being in a band called
Meliah Kraze. When he joined our start up band we needed a name so we
took the Meliah part and then added the word Rage... I guess being
young aggressive metalheads the word Rage fit well! We then put
together the story of an Indian tribe called the The Meliah Indians
who went on a Meliah Rage during war. Of course rebellion and the
battle cry to take on the world is part of any young aggressive
metal, band I guess.
PM: Metallica, Exodus, Megadeth, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Riot...
these are your inspirations. In your own style you aptly fused the
heavy metal tradition with thrash riffing. It was your vision of the
band. Was it hard to convince the other guys to it?
Anthony: Well, I put the band together and have been pretty much the
sole music writer, so no doubt influences will shine. Before thrash I
was into AC/DC, Riot, the Krokus "Harware" album and stuff
like that. Then when Metallica hit the radar, I instantly fell in
love with the massive chugging rhythm guitar. In the mid '80s I
suppose the 2 influences merged somehow. I think our first couple of
records display some traditional metal with thrash. I guess today we
would be called power thrash. I think our stuff tends to be more
song oriented and less over the top crazy riffing all over the place.
PM: Before you started with Meliah Rage for good, you had a short
but important stint with Gang Green. You played on their album. Can
you tell me something more about that period?
Anthony: I was working at a rehearsal studio in Boston and was
putting together a band which would eventually become Meliah Rage.
Well, Gang Green rehearsed down the hall and I got friendly with
them. At that time a lot of the hardcore punk bands including Gang
Green were trying get a bit more metal sounding, so they asked if I'd
join the band, thinking I'd help with their transition. I did an east
coast US tour with them and played some lead on some records but I
wasn't destined to stay long. When they were writing material for a
new record the lack of musicianship really started to show and I lost
interest... quickly. Love and respect them to this day but hardcore
punk bands shouldn't really be good musicians... it's all about going
against the grain!! We separated on good terms and Meliah Rage even
toured with them in Europe in 1990.
PM: Two big labels took an interest in you: Atlantic and Epic.
Was Epic's offer better, or were there other factors that contributed
to the decision of signing with them?
Anthony: Epic's offer was quicker! When you're young and dream of
making it in the biz and a major label offers a deal, you don't wait
around!!! 20 plus years later I'm still pumped that we got to release
3 records on a major playing non radio music!
PM: Epic Records signed you in 1988, a year after the group's
formation. In the same year you recorded your debut, an awesome one
at that, "Kill to Survive". The clip for "Beginning of
the End" was aired on MTV. Quite a pace for the novices you were
back then, don't you agree? Wasn't that like a beautiful dream? They
come true, but yours came true very quickly.
Anthony: I think that was answered on the last question!
PM: You were thrown into the industry at the deep end, but
apparently you managed very well, because your debut had a great
reception. You started with your message in times that were very good
for metal music!
Anthony: No doubt the 80's were a golden time for metal and we were
glad to be a part of it. Think of all the classic records by Maiden,
Metallica, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Slayer etc. etc. that were
released in the '80s.
PM: They tried to advertise you as the next Metallica, but on the
first two albums you actually sounded closer to Metal Church. Were
you happy with such a comparison?
Anthony: I think it was probably because our original vocalist Mike
Munro had more of a Hetfield voice and less of the higher pitch of
Metal Church vocals. Of course we'd be happy with being compared to
either band.
PM: And it's Kurt Vanderhoof & co. with whom you had your
first big tour. How do you remember it?
Anthony: Oh, I remember it very well! Metal Church were at their peak
and we had a major label behind us, so things were good. The band
started out on a bus when most young bands start out touring in a
van! Of course there are all the stories of young guys on the road.
The crazy thing is Kurt Vanderhoof wasn't in the band then. In 1989
their tour line up was Craig Wells, John Marshall, Mike Howe, Kirk
Arrington and Duke Erickson. When we toured with them in 2007 there
wasn't one of those guys from the first tour! It was Kurt
Vanderhoof, Jay Reynolds, Ronny Munroe, Jeff Plate and Steve Unger.
PM: What were the relations between you and the musicians of Metal
Church? The press started labeling you as their competition, but
there wasn't any rivalry between you, was there?
Anthony: Don't know anything about them being competition? Of course
we became friendly with them as we've toured with them twice. I know
we've been called the east coast Metal Church... but of course we've
never achieved their success!
PM: What kind of atmosphere surrounded you during the recording of
"Solitary Solitude"? It's a bit on the calmer side, you
slowed down a tad and audibly gave the songs more complexity... Was
it due to your evolution as songwriters? Was it natural, or were you
made to do it that way because that was what the label pressed upon
you?
Anthony: No pressure from the label at all. They said do what you do
best! Our debut "Kill to Survive" certainly had more of a
live energized feel but I don't think we went out of our way to sound
different on "Solitary...". I know personally when I write
music I go in fazes of what gets me going. I think every record has
its own feel.
PM: Which album do you value more and why? The fast, loud and rude
debut or the more refined and matured "Solitary Solitude"?
Anthony: Well, I think in my old age I like "Solitary..."
better, but I certainly can appreciate why people still love "Kill
to Survive". I think it comes with the territory of a debut.
"Kill'Em All" and Metal Church's debut have that live in
your face feel and then their follow ups are more produced.
PM: Anthony - you're the main songwriter in the band. What
creative input on the first two albums did the other members have?
Anthony: The first 2 records had the most input from the other guys.
In those days we rehearsed and ideas were thrown around... Jim
actually wrote all the music on two songs on "Solitary...".
In the '90s I started writing on a home demo studio and have written
everything musically since then. Jim is far more interested in
playing leads than writing and our current bassist Darren Lourie just
isn't a writer.
PM: With the beginning of the 90s came the era of grunge. Epic
gives you the boot. What did you feel back then?
Anthony: I felt I had to get a job! I/we, like a lot of the '80s
bands, were amazed at how quickly it all disappeared!
PM: To sign a new deal, you recorded an awesome demo in 1992
(which later got the title "Unfinished Business"). You were
looking for something with the smaller labels, but ended up not
signing because you had doubts about the sales. Wasn't the decision a
bit too quick?
Anthony: I don't actually remember much about that. I do remember we
had a high priced lawyer shopping us after being dropped by Epic and
I presume he didn't want us on an indie after releasing three on a
major.
PM: Looking back after 20 years, do you still think you made a
good decision? Don't you regret the fact that the 1992 demo wasn't
released back then as an album, even if in the end you would have to
release it by yourselves?
Anthony: Looking back I don't regret it at all. Our brand of metal
was dying and those songs were just rough demos... to this day I've
never been a fan of those demos. They got interest after Sully Erna
made it big with Godsmack. Sully was the drummer for the band on
those tapes.
PM: "Unfinished Business" is my favourite release from
Meliah Rage, your musical business card almost, if you will, a record
that had the best elements of the first two albums. Didn't you feel
that something was irreversibly escaping you? Do you agree that back
then you were in your creative prime?
Anthony: Oh boy... couldn't agree less!!! To me the songs are sloppy
and unsure of themselves... Of course it's always different being in
the band as opposed to being a fan!
PM: Which songs from the first two albums and "Unfinished
Business" do you still play live?
Anthony: "Bates Motel", "Enter the Darkness",
"Beginning of the End", "Solitary Solitude",
"Retaliation" from the first two. Nothing from "Unfinished
Business".
PM: How was the cooperation with Jim Koury in the early stages?
There was chemistry for sure... much like the Tipton-Downing duo. You
still play together actually...
Anthony: Yep, we're lifers, I suppose! Like any long term guitar duo,
you need to have chemistry and get along. I'm more of the
writer/arranger, trained harmony note guy and Jim's more the street
lead guitar guy. I'm always sending him new stuff and asking what he
thinks!
PM: Your vocalist, Mike Munro, was a living proof that the most
important thing in metal is one's charisma and ability to fit their
singing into the song's mood. Mike did it brilliantly, and I think he
didn't reach that high in terms of the vocal range?
Anthony: No doubt that Mike was the image of the band in the early
days. Long before it was cool have a burley, tattooed tough guy as a
frontman Mike was a force. Of course his rough yet melodic voice fit
the music perfectly. Mike was a raw talent early on and probably
could have used more production. I think Rich Spillberg really found
something with Mike on "Masquerade"... really it's his best
vocal performance!
PM: In 1993 you went on a hiatus and started a new project with
Jim - Cacuts Land. You signed with Aureus Records, recorded an album
and a clip for the label... only to shelve the release. Why? Why did
you put in so much effort only to give up in the end? Will the fans
ever be able to hear this material?
Anthony: Aureus Records was started by a former A&R guy from Epic
and signed us. Cactus Land was a mellower version of Meliah Rage. As
far as I know, that label never got the distribution it was looking
for so they shelved our record. They put a lot of money into the
project so I'm still a little baffled about it almost 20 years later.
I called about ten years ago to see if they still had the tapes but
they lost them. There is a video from that project that is on
YouTube.
PM: I haven't heard all of the material, I only saw the clip.
Musically it wasn't that far from Meliah Rage? Can you describe the
material in a few words? Did it have a title? What happened to it?
Did you use any of the ideas or songs later?
Anthony: Never got as far as a title. There are some riffs from that
project that have been used on more recent Meliah records.
PM: In 1995 you revived Meliah Rage for a short time, which
resulted in "Death Valley Dream", more straightforward,
consistent, containing shorter and simpler songs. Why the
determination to release a metal record amidst the reign of
industrial metal and alternative rock? Why the pressure to release
the album in 1996?
Anthony: We had been away for a few years at that point and then
Backstreet records called and asked us to do a record. At that point
we knew the major label days were gone and our batteries had been
recharged. Not sure why, but I was in a mood to write short simple
songs. We really weren't thinking about the timing of the release...
but soon after it was released, we realized traditional metal was
still at a low point!
PM: On "Death Valley Dream" you gave up the dark,
sometimes epic mood that was abundant in your first two albums and
the 1992 demo. Why the change? Did you start liking simplicity
better?
Anthony: For some reason I was in that mood... I write what I feel!!
If asked to write like that now it wouldn't happen!
PM: "Death Valley Dream" is still a very good album on
which one can hear more references to Metallica. Apart from that,
"War Journal" is a more modern and mechanical song, with
some industrial metal influences. Did the times affect your tastes
too?
Anthony: No, I was still listening to my '80s metal records so the
times didn't affect my tastes!
PM: Two 1992 demo songs found their way to the album: "Possessing
Judgement" and "Blacksmith". Why just those two? The
album is rather short after all...
Anthony: Again, at that point those songs were from an unreleased
demo and they fit the sound that we were going for on that record. No
doubt the shortness of the record was done on purpose... maybe we
were trying to make some kind of statement!
PM: Your fans had to wait until 2003 before you finally returned.
That's kinda long. What were you guys doing in 1996-2003?
Anthony: When "Death Valley Dream" didn't get much play, we
all went our separate ways. I wasn't even really playing music at
that time. Jim and I started spending lots of time riding Harleys and
put music behind us. Mike became a born again Christian and started a
family. We figured Meliah Rage was never going to happen again!
PM: "Unfinished Business" was finally released in 2002
with Screaming Ferret Wreckords. Was it the label's initiative, or
did it come from you?
Anthony: They came to us... Sully Erna was the drummer on that record
and they wanted to see if they could sell some units with his name on
it!
PM: Your return came about the same time as the metal renaissance
in the USA. What did you hope for when you were preparing to record
"Barely Human"?
Anthony: Screaming Ferret kept telling us that metal was coming back
and we should do a new record. After doing little research I noticed
that some of our peers had new records coming out so we said... sure!
PM: You came back with a strong line-up, but Mike Munro quickly
resigned. Why did this happen, was there no way to keep him in the
band?
Anthony: Mike at that point was busy with a young family and didn't
want to commit to a record so Paul was the first choice since we had
worked with him in the past.
PM: Your singer was replaced by Paul Souza, your good friend from
Cactus Land. Paul's singing is cleaner and less in-your-face than
Mike's. Was that a factor in making "Barely Human" less
aggressive than your previous releases?
Anthony: The music was all written before he came on board so it
wasn't written for him. Paul is just naturally more melodic than
Mike. They're two different singers!
PM: The songs from "Barely Human" lack the proverbial
kick and power, they're pretty average in themselves... What
contributed to the lowering of their quality, what did you miss?
Anthony: Of course it's all opinion. "Barely Human" made a
bunch of top ten lists and is a favorite amongst some fans and press
(number 2 record of the year on a very well known metal website!)
...but sure the older hardcore fans of the first two records thought
it was too soft!
PM: In 2006 thanks to Screaming Ferret Wreckords you released
another album titled "The Deep and Dreamless Sleep". It was
almost completely ignored, the songs lack the proverbial fire, the
punch you had back in the day, they seem rather polite and dull. Do
you agree? In my humble opinion, you have lost your way.
Anthony: Agreed that record was dull and I'll take the blame! It was
definitely an attempt to make a mid tempo record with hooks.
PM: Even your logo was simplified and the cover looks rather
gloomy. Was that your idea again, or was it label's pressure?
Anthony: My idea! Just wanted a change!
PM: Are you happy with "Barely Human" and "The Deep
and Dreamless Sleep"? Would you be able to convince the listener
to reach out for them?
Anthony: "Barely Human" has been remixed and will be
released on vinyl at some point in the future. I'm not alone in
thinking that record has some really good stuff on it. It's not "Kill
to Survive" and wasn't meant to be KTS. I'm never 100% happy
with anything, which keep the juices flowing!
PM: In 2007 you played with Metal Church again. What kind of
atmosphere surrounded you on the tour?
Anthony: Like I mentioned before, it was a bit weird because no one
from Metal Church was in the band when we toured with them in 1989.
That being said, we got along great and the musical styles are
similar! We did a few shows with Overkill as well on that tour, so it
was cool to share the stage with those guys after so many years!
PM: In 2008 Mike Munro returned to the band. How did you convince
him to do this?
Anthony: Well, Paul and the band were not seeing eye to eye on
everything so we decided to take a break... I remember calling Mike
out of the blue and asking if he wanted to go see a mutual friends'
Judas Priest tribute band. We went together and saw a lot of old
faces and EVERYONE was asking Mike... Why don't you do another Meliah
record... I think that really spawned him and we went from there!
PM: It was a good move, because "Masquerade" from 2009
is your best since... "Unfinished Business". It's heavier,
the mood and the magic of the old, good Meliah Rage returned. What
worked for you this time that made the songs, particularly: "Lost
or Found", "Masquerade", "Last Rites" or
"Whatever it Takes", brilliant once again?
Anthony: It's our best record in my opinion hands down... Munro's
aggression, with some of our best riffing and excellent production!
PM: The album "Masquerade" seems to carry some of Mike's
most personal (Christian) lyrics. How were they received by the fans?
Anthony: Mike is a changed man from his badboy days and that's good
for him. I write the music and hand it over to the singer and let him
do his thing... That being said I have nothing to do with his
lyrics....i'm not religeous! Certainly some fans and critics were
turned off by the lyrics...But if that"s what Mike wanted to
write about that"s his ballgame..
PM: Ronny Munroe of Metal Church sang on the track "Last
Rites". Very nice of you to have invited him to do it. Did you
do it during the tour already?
Anthony: Ronny and I became friendly while on tour, so I asked if he
wanted to make a guest appearance on the record and he said yes...
Flew him out from the west coast and he had it done in about 4
hours.. then we drank!
PM: But then again Mike Munro departed to concentrate on church
affairs. How did you react to his decision? Did you understand or
were you mad at him for leaving the band again?
Anthony: Mike told us from the beginning when we started recording
"Masquerade" that he wasn't sure he'd do another record
after that so it wasn't a surprise when he declined to do another. We
were happy to have the big guy back for just the one!
PM: Once again his seemingly ever-substitute, Paul Souza,
returned. You recorded your first cover: "Halo of Flies"
from 1971, a song from Alice Cooper, with him. Why this one and whose
idea was it?
Anthony: My idea and it's one of my all time favorite songs. "Killer"
and "Love it to Death" from the early "Alice Cooper
Band" are two of my all time favorite records had a huge
influence on me... After 20 years of never doing a cover, we wanted
to do something that wasn't your typical Sabbath or Metallica cover.
PM: Paul Souza's singing is calmer than that of Mike's. Does that
cause you to write less aggressive songs?
Anthony: Nope... I'd pretty much written all the music before I even
knew who was going to sing. Paul is just more melodic in his
approach.
PM: "Masquerade" was the last album for Screaming
Ferret. Was it you who didn't want to sign again, or did the bosses
of Screaming not wish to do it themselves?
Anthony: Screaming Ferret basically stopped putting out any records.
PM: You signed with Metal on Metal very quickly. How many albums
does the deal encompass and how is the cooperation?
Anthony: Metal on Metal contacted us when they saw that Screaming
Ferret wasn't really doing anything. We signed a one record deal and
they have been great! The best indie label we've ever worked with by
far! Jowita and Simone at the label know this genre better than
anyone!
PM: "Dead to the World" is the first fruit of your
cooperation with Metal on Metal. I don't believe it's classic US
Power. To me it's a strong rock/metal record, and a good one at that.
You still can punch the listener in the face, but you do it rather
sporadically. This time, you put your faith in melody. Where did the
idea come from and why the change when compared to, say, the strong
"Masquerade"?
Anthony: Again, I just write what I feel... I definitely got into
writing some complex chording and harmonies on "Dead to the
World". Of course different singers and production will make a
record different. Also, like I said before, it's all opinion... "Dead
to the World" made bravewords.com top ten records of the year
and was chosen the actual album of the year by their president, Tim
Henderson. We were very happy about that!
PM: You're mature both as musicians and as people. Perhaps just
this fact causes you not to gallop with your songs like you did back
when you were young. While listening to "Dead to the World",
I can only think of one word: maturity. The instrumental parts are
more economic and balanced, but tasteful at the same time. Is this
the direction Meliah Rage is going to take?
Anthony: The instrumental parts are what keep me going these days. I
like writing them on my demo studio... I almost write songs based
around the instrumental parts.
PM: Paul Souza delivered some of the darkest lyrics in group's
history. What subjects do they tackle?
Anthony: I know Paul was going thru some dark times while making the
record, so it shows. Depression is a subject that was touched!
PM: How should I understand the album's title?
Anthony: “Dead to the World”... Post traumatic stress,
depression, thoughts of suicide... Yep, it's dark!
PM: Two songs from "Dead to the World" stand out for me:
"Up in Flames" and "Never from Me". The first one
will probably end up as a live staple, a strong, Metallica-esque
song... what songs off the album do you play live?
Anthony: We actually haven't played live since its release but "Up
in Flames" would be on the list ...though the older I get the
harder that sucker is going to be!
PM: The dark and moody "Never from Me" contains one of
the best solos I've heard in the past decade, I'm talking about that
first, very catchy one. How do you conceive such beautiful, melodic
solos? I'm envious!
Anthony: WOW... Thanks! Jim and I each solo on that and I do the
first one... To me the rhythm underneath has a lot to do with the
solo and I take great pride in the musical arrangements.
PM: Is it just my impression, or is Paul Souza really in his
prime? He recorded some of his best vocal parts... he gave it his
all... the diversity is simply amazing.
Anthony: I will say there was some stress during the making of "Dead
to the World" so maybe that helped... gave him some needed edge?
Like I said before, Paul is a very talented guy and far more melodic
than Mike. He writes and arranges all his vocal harmonies himself.
Mike is more of a raw talent that needs a producer. Of course the
fans of the harder stuff will always like Mike better!
PM: Where do you have a bigger fanbase, in Europe or in the
States?
Anthony: Not sure really... it's been a long time since we've been
overseas!
PM: You probably don't play for a living. So what do you do
normally?
Anthony: I own a small delivery company in Boston... not sexy but it
pays the bills much better than metal!
PM: Are you planning a new album yet? Are you writing new songs as
Meliah Rage?
Anthony: I always have a new record ready!!! But there's of course
the old Meliah question of "who's going to sing on it".
PM: Anthony, tell me please - are you honestly happy with Meliah
Rage? Was there anything you could have done differently, do you
regret anything?
Anthony: Funny you ask. I was at dinner with a guy who was a roadie
for us back in the day and now he is the tour manager for Josh Groban
and Tim McGraw. We were talking about when we were on our first tour.
Epic was hoping we'd be the next Metallica. We did over 3 months
straight on the road and when we got home, we were offered 2 more
tours right away and we turned them down. I think we thought we'd
take a break and wait for the next offer. Well, that former roadie
and now big time tour manager said if we had taken those offered
tours and kept at it, we would have probably have made a much bigger
dent in the game... shoulda coulda woulda.
I've always said though that releasing 3 records with Epic can't be
taken away.... I will always be grateful, I can say that!
PM: Finish the sentence please: to me, music is...
Anthony: ...what keeps me alive... Me personally, I think about it
when I'm driving, walking, working out or whatever. I always want to
make more and better music that I like... I write for no one else!
PM: I'm really impressed by your creative sense and guitar skills.
I wish you to record many more great albums. Good luck!
Anthony: Well, thanks for those kind words. I know that most fans
will always cherish the first records, but for me, I'm really proud
of the guitar work on "Dead to the World"!
PM: Thanks again!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment