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Binnenkort raast Anthrax in haar meest succesvolle bezetting tot nog toe, bestaande uit Joe Belladonna (vocalen), Dan Spitz en Scott Ian (gitaar), Frankie Bello (bas) en Charlie Benante (drums) over de aarde. Scott Ian praatte met mij over deze opmerkelijke reunie, de regering Bush, bermuda’s, Les Binks en nog veel meer. Are you ready to be caught in a mosh again?
(Met speciale dank aan collega Richard Verbrugge voor het bedenken van wat leuke vragen.)
Text: Koen
 Hi Scott, my collegue Ralph interviewed you about five months ago about the ‘Greater Of Two Evils’ album. You told him the band was starting to work on new material in January 2005, but now we’re on the phone talking about a reunion tour. Hand over some details please!
Well, it’s funny how things change. The idea kept hanging around for months and in December 2004, everybody was happy with it and we decided to do it.
After re-recording all the classics with John Bush and considering the poor sales, hooking up with Joe Belladonna could be interpreted by fans as a last desperate act by a dying band. How would you respond?
I’m glad the fans are so supportive! All songs on the ‘Greater Of Two Evils’ cd were picked by the fans and the album didn’t cost shit to make and sales weren’t poor at all. People may think whatever they want and I’m glad we’re not listening to everyone.
Speaking of selling-out: Anthrax is not considering doing a classical or cover album of anything of that type I hope?
A classical album? I don’t understand the metal bands to do that. Just leave it alone. If they want to give us a huuuuuuge amount of money to make a shitty album, we would consider it! About a cover album? We did the ‘Penikufesin’ EP back in 1989, which contained cover songs. We also did some covers on b-sides of singles. The hardcore Anthrax fans have ‘em all. Only when we have some new cover tunes we would consider the thing.
During the press conference in New York on April first, it is said that Rob Caggiano and John Bush are still members of the family. How did they react on the reunion?
John was the first to call. There were rumors on the internet that we were doing the Dynamo Open Air show with John and Joe. The D.O.A. people posted that on their site, but it’s not my job to clear up rumors. John didn’t want to do it, because he wasn’t there in the eighties.
John, is he back doing the things he used to do with Armored Saint?
No, I don’t believe he is.
And what about Rob?
He’s busy producing records. It made sense to him we’re doing this.
Joey Vera was never a permanent member of the band?
No, but he was very happy about the reunion thing.
Ever considered asking Neil Turbin or Danny Lilker (Anthrax’ original singer and bass player on the ‘Fistful Of Metal’ album) for the reunion shows?
No, because it is not the Anthrax variety tour, but a reunion tour.
What set list can we expect for the reunion tour? I suppose there are only songs pre-‘Sound Of White Noise’?
Yes there will be songs from ‘Fistful Of Metal’ through ‘Persistence Of Time’. No details yet, but there will be songs that even Joe didn’t perform live yet.
There will be a dvd in the works from the reunion tour. Is a studio cd to be expected from this line-up?
There’s no studio album planned now, but never say never.
I suppose a good live recording from the classic line-up is a must, because ‘Live The Island Years’ sucks big time.
You’re right, the mix is terrible and I hate it. We’ve been trying to buy the tapes from Island Records and give it a proper sound, but you know, it’s like fighting a brick wall.
By the way: any plans of re-releasing the infamous Metal Hammer Roadshow video (featuring Anthrax, Over Kill and Agent Steel on their first European trip) on dvd?
I have the video somewhere but goodness knows where. There are no plans of re-releasing it.
If Anthrax album sales would drop dramatically, forcing you to turn to other sources of income, what would you do or which job would you like to have?
I really have no idea!
How long before this will happen, considering the number of downloads on the internet?
Most people still buy records, but people that are downloading our music don’t understand that this costs us money. It’s the same if I would walk into their homes and took the cd’s I wanted to have. That’s also stealing.
Scott, suppose I would hire you as a McKinsey band consultant to advise bands and artists. Your advice will help them on the right path to success and better artistic results. What would be your advise to:
- Gene $immon$: Stop touring! After the first reunion tour, Kiss had to quit touring;
- Eddy van Halen: Get David Lee Roth back in the band and do a good tour;
- James Hetfield: Please put ‘Trapped Under Ice’ back on the set list;
- Dave Mustaine: I just want to say hello to Dave and say that all the rumors about a Megadeth/Anthrax tour this summer are not true.
- Rob Zombie: I hope to see him this weekend to have lunch. I reallt liked his movie ‘House Of Thousand Corpses’, and there will be a sequel very soon.
- Axl Rose: Put out the new album. Why wait so many years?;
- Nikki Six: I would ask him advise on our reunion tour, because he just came back from his;
- Ozzy Osbourne: We’ll be playing with Black Sabbath very soon and I think it’s very exciting. I just want to say “Thank you for the music” to him;
- Billy Milano: We don’t talk anymore because of his fault.
Since president Bush’s victory, the embassies of New Zealand and Australia have been fledded with Americans who want to emigrate. You are anti-Bush as well. What changes in American society frighten you the most?
Slowly but surely, this government is taking away our freedoms and is shoving religion in everybody’s throat. In my opinion, our leader is supposed to be separated from the church. Bush says God is talking to him in stead he is talking to God. I don’t care if people worship a pile of dogshit or a God or whatever. This government is strong because they’re in league with the multinational corporations but the media won’t cover this and it’s an underground thing. Another Bush government would be the end of America. But there’s enough optimism. With a new government in 2008, hopefully a lot of freedoms will return.
What would have to happen to make you consider emigration as well?
If I had enough money, I would buy a house in France or Italy, but I don’t.
Back to the music then: heavy metal has had quite some reunions so far, to name a few: Twisted Sister, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Quiet Riot as well as Accept. Did you like those bands being reunited and what did you think when you heard the news?
Bruce Dickinson returning to Iron Maiden fucking ruled. The Kiss-reunion in 1996 was the best ever. Even better when I saw them in the seventies. I thought I was thirteen years old again. But as I said before, Kiss had to quit touring after the first reunion tour. I saw Judas Priest perform at the Graspop festival last year and it was fucking great. I was standing behind the stage and it was fucking amazing. But they have to put Les Binks back in the band, because he was the ultimate drummer for Priest, unfortunately I don’t know what he’s doing right now.
What would be your ultimate reunion wish come true?
David Lee Roth to be reunited with Van Halen, a Faith No More reunion and (if possible): Bon Scott back with AC/DC.
Final question: can we expect the bermuda’s and skateboards back on stage?
No. I do skateboard now and then but I stopped wearing bermuda’s on and off stage since the ‘State Of Euphoria’ album. People have these images I would wear them all day long!
http://www.anthraxtheband.com
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