hunters

Rip It Up, Issue 192, 1 July 1993, Page 17

hunters

I remark to John, who has just finished a day of phone interviews, that this new record has the sound of a totally new band. "Sometimes I feel that way and other times I just think it is a continuation of where the band was going. It is a difficult thing for me to judge because I am new and obviously my ideas and my sound will change it a little bit. Change is good but I would hope it wasn't so drastic that people would not be able to relate." A common criticism in this part of the world was that Anthrax often sounded like a high-speed version of Journey. With the more aggressive, throaty delivery style of Bush compared to the more classical style of former vocalist Joey Belladonna, does Bush believe he has come closer to capturing the true sound of Anthrax? "I think the band wanted me to sing for them because of the fact that my sound would probably suit their new direction a little better and so the vocals and music would embellish each other. I think I have certainly done my job in terms of getting what everyone in the band wanted. The record is not the easiest one in the world to get into, but it is deep and I think you'll find you will like it over a longer period of time than some of the other records." Leading us nicely into a discussion of the new record, John talked about working with mega-producer Dave Jerden and some of the new ideas he opened Anthrax up to. What was the attraction for Anthrax towards using Dave? "Everybody liked what Dave had done in the past. He likes to mix up things a little bit. Instead of having one drum sound or one guitar sound for the whole record he likes individual songs to have their own identity. Dave is very in touch with what gives a band a 90s sound. Alice In Chains have a very 90s sound and Dave's work with them had impressed us. Dave took Anthrax from the 80s into the 90s which was not an easy thing to do." Indeed, some of the vocal melodies on SOWN reminded me of the latest Alice In Chains record. John found this very amusing. "I think Lane [Staley] is a great singer and years ago — when he used to sing in covers bands in Seattle they used to do Armored Saint covers. People have said to me 'You sound like Lane' but it's like 'No, he sounds like me! Maybe it is a little cocky but this is one of those rare occasions where I am quite happy to say that I am a little bit older." (laughs). Bush spent nigh on a decade with Californian metal stalwarts Armored Saint. Leaving that group was obviously very difficult, especially with the death of guitarist Dave Pritchard prior to the recording of their last record, Symbol of Salvation. Does John ever feel that he wasted time or opportunities with Armored Saint?

"No, I never felt that I had wasted opportunities. The last record had a great deal of Dave Pritchard in it and we had to record it whether it sold one copy or one million. Unfortunately it sold closer to one (laughs). Prior to me joining Anthrax, we were very hesitant about writing any more material because after ten years of reaching the same results with every record you say to yourself 'hey man, there's more to life than this.' There was sadness when I left but it was time to move on and it kind of liberated everyone." I asked John whether he had noticed any major differences in organisation between Anthrax and his former band. "Different people and different personalities have been the major differences. The cool thing about Anthrax is that they have already had a good deal of success in the past and when that happens you have less people trying to give you their two cents worth. Success shouldn't really be measured in financial terms but unfortunately it is, and Anthrax have had some of that

success so it gives me a freedom to do what I want that I have not had in the past. I feel very lucky to be in the position I am in." Metal music as a genre has always occupied itself with dark and often negative concepts. I asked John whether he thoughtthe genre helped to shape the attitudes of its listeners at all or whether he thought this preoccupation was merely their perception of reality? "I think it is probably the latter. When I hear a song like 'lnvisible' off the new record it would be hard for me to put 'I love you baby' positive lyrics. The heavy music of the band pushes you towards certain lyrical topics. I think Anthrax is a positive group, we just say that this is the negative side of events when they are not dealt with. Like the incident we have had in the States with David Koresh and his brand of organised religion. This is what the song 'Sodium Pentathol' is about. [Sodium Pentathol is a truth serum administered to criminals]. You know, confess up, maybe your organised religion is not as beautiful as it seems. Events like those in Waco lead me to draw negative conclusions. Reality is not pleasant." Indeed. The new record deals with abortion, pseudo suburban gang warfare and the pain of divorce and inter-relationship jelousy. This is not a record to take to the next new age group therapy meeting. Coming to the end of the interview with this articulate and thoughtful vocalist, we discussed our common interest in classic English rock bands and the differences between east and west coast American metal bands (which Bush thought was a figment of my imagination). Finally, I asked him if Anthrax would be returning to Auckland after the spitting and firework throwing that ruined their last show here." "I don't understand why people do that. It completely boggles my mind. Why would anyone spit on a performer they had paid to see? It seems to be a bizarre tradition — I guess Sid Viscious liked it but I could never see it as anything other than total ignorance. Scott (lan, guitarist) hasn't actually said anything about that with regards to New Zealand. Only the fact that he never wants to play in Ireland again because of the spitting. The band has talked about coming down to New Zealand in September so hopefully it won't happen again." And so crossing my fingers I said goodbye to Mr Bush and let him get some well deserved rest. Check out Sound of White Noise. It has to be one of the most powerful albums to come out for a long time. It looks like the future of this often stagnant genre could now be in safe hands with the Frax at the helm.

"Why would anyone spit on a performer they had paid to see?"

LUKE CASEY