Juliya: Yes. Usually it’s when you have long interviews or interviews that aren’t exciting. It’s a question I already asked, or somebody would have a really long answer and I kind of zoned out. Then I ask it and they give you a look. That happens a lot at metal festivals because I have like 20 interviews in one day. A lot of the bands I don’t know very well yet because they’re new on the scene.
Which genres of metal do you like and dislike?
I don’t like emo, screamo, whatever that crap is. I’m not down. To tell you the truth, I can’t even keep up with all the different genres anymore. I’ve always been into the old school heavy metal and I love industrial as well. Anything that’s within those realms that I can relate to I like.
What first drew you to metal when you were growing up?
When I was about 12 I discovered Guns ‘N Roses. That was the first band that I really got into. I felt very different in school. I was an immigrant and felt out of place and didn’t have a lot of friends. Listening to that gave me a feeling of freedom and was really cool. After getting into that I followed Metallica and Megadeth and Priest. It grew from there. It became part of my life. When I was about 16 and going through a treacherous adolescence those albums seriously got me through a lot of tough things. Now interviewing these bands and doing what I do is great. It’s an amazing feeling to be part of keeping metal around and promoting it as much as possible.
What was the first concert you went to?
Ozzfest 1997. I was 14 and wasn’t allowed to go to shows until then. My dad went with me. My parents didn’t mind at all that I liked metal. It was a really interesting experience having him there. Obviously I couldn’t drink beer or smoke weed or do what I usually did with my friends. My boyfriend at the time and all my friends were sitting about four rows ahead of us. I couldn’t go sit with them. I’m sitting there with my dad. I remember there was a row of bikers sitting in front of us, and when Pantera came on one turned around and had a huge blunt. I looked at my dad and refused. I’ll always remember that show. It was really cool.
Is there a band that’s successful and popular that you just don’t get?
I think Limp Bizkit would be number one. I wouldn’t even call them a metal band. I don’t want to talk crap about System Of A Down just because of my interviews with them, but I totally don’t get his style of singing. The music is great. I get the originality and why people are attracted to it, but I don’t understand why they are a huge band.
What CD would be playing in your version of hell? It doesn’t have to be metal.
It won’t be. There is no metal record that would be that bad. It would probably be some annoying band that’s a mix of a boy band and hip-hop. Cheesy poppish hip-hop would be the worst thing for me.
What would be playing in heaven?
Any Led Zeppelin record. There’s something about that music that I never get sick of. It makes me feel good every time I hear it.
Do you have any favorite metal magazines or websites?
When I was younger I was a big Metal Edge fan because of all the posters. Revolver and Decibel are the magazines I go to now for my information. I’d rather read from a magazine than sit in front of my computer. For immediate stuff I go to sites like Blabbermouth.
What do you hate?
I’m a metalhead, there’s a long list! I hate truck drivers that honk at me when I cross the street in the morning, I hate when people like Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears throw up metal horns, I hate when people don’t know how to mosh, I hate skanky girls, I hate poseur metalheads, I hate having diarrhea in public bathrooms, I hate that there are tons of amazing metal bands that can’t get signed, I hate that the majority of music that people listen to sucks balls, I hate that drugs are illegal, I hate that I don’t have enough shoes, I hate that it’s cold. Dude, I could go on forever.
What are your best and worst personal characteristics?
I think my best is that I’m very honest all the time. I have a very down to earth and chill personality. My worst is that I have a very short fuse and can sometimes be a bitch.
What is your biggest regret?
When I was doing the show and doing radio I could have been more professional and be on time. Starting that show when I was 19 I was so excited, but I was late to so many shoots. I put the crew through so much stress. I regret that. But I’m a lot more professional now.
What CD do you own that people might be surprised about?
I’m a big Madonna fan. People might be surprised to find that out. I also love Sade and Portishead. Those are the most non metal things I have in my collection. I also love classical music.
