Chad Bowar: How has the band’s sound evolved from Hazardous Mutation to The Art Of Partying?
Tony “Guardrail” Foresta: I think this album is a bit faster. Its More of a mix between Waste Em All and Hazardous Mutation.
How did you decide on the album title?
Our friend James from Athen told us we should name it that. He's a funny guy
so we went for it.
How did you decide on him to produce the album, and how was Zeuss to work
with?
We met Zeuss on the Gwar tour. He is way into thrash and really loved what
we were doing. We knew just by hanging out with him that he would really be
passionate about doing a good job on the album and I feel he did just that.
What is your recording process like?
We come to the studio fully prepared. We didn’t really have a lot of time to
record beween tours so there was no (messing) around.
After your last album was so successful, what are your expectations for
this one?
I don’t really give a (crap), I just want to play on Conan O’Brien.
How come the album was released in Europe first, then the US 6 weeks later?
Ask Earache. I don’t really know how that stuff works.
What has the early overseas response been?
It's been really really good. I think a lot of people are stoked.
You are playing some European festivals this summer. Is there any one in
particular you’re especially looking forward to playing?
I'm looking forward to Wacken and this hardcore fest in Sweden. I really
love Sweden and hardcore so that should be fun. Plus we get to play with The
Haunted again and I really like those guys.
Do you have any pre concert rituals?
We have this weird chanting thing that we do but I can’t really talk about
it. It does involve a bit of witchcraft though.
What's the strangest item in your tour rider?
A live panda. But they always get us a stuffed one, like ha ha that’s cute and
I'm like, “Where is our live panda?”
What was the first concert you attended as a fan?
The Beastie Boys.
What band did you have the best time touring with?
We love touring with Caustic Christ and Annihilation Time. It's like this
weird family we have. Gwar, Baroness and The Haunted were a lot of fun as
well.
What were you like as a kid?
I was a surfer and a smoked a lot of weed.
How did you get started in music?
My childhood friend Mike Lopez started a band in my neighborhood and it
really blew my mind I thought it was the funnest thing in the world. I was
like "man I gotta get me one of those!".
Was there a song or album that inspired you to want to perform music?
I used to dance around in my room and scream to Weird Al songs when I was a
little kid so yeah pretty much anything by Weird Al in the ‘80s inspired me
to perform.
Who are some current artists you admire?
I've been listening to the Rager demo constanly this week.
What CD is playing in your version of hell? How about heaven?
Hell: Anything by Akon
Heaven: Weird Al
What was the worst job you ever had?
I pumped gas at a gas station for a week. Then my friends started coming up
there to mess with me while I was working, so I quit.
Have you ever been arrested/jailed?
Yeah, Me and my friend got drunk and stole a picnic table and they busted
us. I went to jail for a day. I also got arrested a few times when I was a
kid but those files are sealed!
What are your best and worst personal characteristics?
I'm Italian so I get pissed real fast usually for no reason. I also forget
things a lot. For example I forgot what my best characteristic is!
If you could witness any moment in history in person, what would it have
been?
I would have loved to have been at a taping of the last Cheers
episode.
What are the best and worst things about being in a band?
Touring all the time and touring all the time
What CD do you own that people might be surprised about?
I love Regina Spector.
What's the best advice someone gave you?
"You should get down from there". That was the best one so far.
