Out to the east coast to release the record. Back to Europe for the Earthshaker festival with Motorhead, Sepultura, Gamma Ray and more. Looks like South Korea, of all places, in early August. More in New York City with Clutch and some other dates. Aiming for the west coast before the year is up.
Any pre concert rituals?
Stretching. A ton of stretching. We're like a yoga class. We always make sure we shake each others hands on stage just as our intro is running to wish each other much rock.
What's the strangest item in your tour rider?
Beer battered beer.
What are the largest and smallest crowds you've played in front of?
The largest may be Summerfest in Milwaukee last year. The rock stage was hopping! It was great to have such a response at home. For a club gig, the largest may have been London. As far as the smallest, we did a record store anniversary party and it just stormed buckets outside. Crazy wind, tornado warnings, wicked witches, the whole bit. We all poured ourselves inside a tiny store and stuffed in 15 people that stuck it out without getting taken away by the wind. That was actually pretty fun!
What was the first concert you attended as a fan?
Kiss and Judas Priest at the Milwaukee Arena, 1979, I believe. My cousin almost blew it for me as he was to be my chaperone. He failed to do the dishes the night before and nearly got grounded. I would have been devastated! But if you really want to go way back, my mom took me to see Sha-Na-Na at the Wisconsin State Fair when I was like 7. And, yes, I did dress like Bowser!
Any tour horror stories?
Well, we did a show in Amsterdam at a great place called the Melkweg. We know Eric who owns the restaurant in the building as he used to be in Die Kreuzen, a classic Milwaukee-based rock band. The production staff just "fixed" the fog machines but instead of fog, they spit out the oil. Krk, our former lead player, did a header right into Kliff's headstock on his bass and split his lip wide open only 4 songs into the set. Good ol' Krk played the rest of the show, rushed off to a hospital, shaved his moustache, and has a jamming scar to this day.
How did you get started in music?
My grandma Ethel. She was a great dancer (not that I am by any means) and she started to teach me piano at age 4 or 5. I started singing in church choir about age 6. I've always wanted to play rock music and started writing my first lyrics in high school. Ouch, were those awful.But I saved them all and it's hilarious reading material! I didn't get started on guitar seriously until my early 20s after living with roomies who all played. I learned from watching them.
Was there a song or album that inspired you to want to perform music?
My first rock album was the Ace Frehley solo album, purchased by grandma Ethel. My first real guitar, which I still have, is a 1975 cherry sunburst Les Paul Custom. I wanted to be Ace! I sold all my books during my sophomore year of college to get that guitar and it was worth every penny.
Who are some current artists you admire?
As far as songwriting, it's pretty hard to beat Lyle Lovett and his diversity. He's so smooth and well-rounded. Plus his humor is a great plus. Ben Harper is another killer one. It's been really cool to see him grow as a writer. For metal, I'm really into Blind Guardian, Katatonia, and the everlasting Mercyful Fate.
Are you in another projects besides Beatallica?
If you can believe it, I play in an Irish rock band called Reilly. I play bass, bouzouki, harmonica, and sing. There's another band called Tinker Boys who do acoustic Irish/American/traditional sorts of tunes. I've written music for weddings, retirements, nuns (really), and all sorts of stuff. Why pigeonhole yourself, you know? Metal is crazy fun, but music, overall, is most fun.
Anything else you’d like to mention?
The Milwaukee Brewers are in first place and kicking ass. I love baseball. Besides that, come visit us at beatallica.org. We actually write folks back. Mostly, a huge thanks to those folks out there who have been patient with us through all the legal stuff, have been in our corner, or who have just discovered us and want to become a Beatallibanger. We are thrilled to have you with us! Now, who's buying?
