1. How did the band get started? How did you meet
and how long have you been together?
Cronos: Mantas
started Venom in 1979, see the venomslegions website for a complete
history. I met Mantas first in 1979, I went to a new girlfriends house
and Jeff Mantas was there with his girlfriend, the 2 girls were friends,
Mantas and I started talking and quickly realised that we had similar
interests, Mantas said he was looking for a rhythm Guitarist for his
band, I told him that I played Guitar, I went for the audition that
weekend, and got the job straight away.
2. How would you
describe your music?
Cronos: Black Fucking Metal!
3. What are your biggest influences?
Cronos:
70's Punk and 60's/70's Rock / Heavy Metal. We try to combine the
elements of the bands like Sabbath, Priest, and Kiss etc with the
aggression of bands like the Pistols, Damned, Clash etc.
4. What influence do you think your bands has in music and metal
today?
Cronos: Black Metal is everywhere, - 20
years ago there weren't many real hardcore Metal bands, now Venom
have spawned several generations of Black, Death, Thrash, Speed, Power
Metal bands, Hell Yeah.
5. What made you want to be in
the band? And if you weren’t in the band what would you be doing
now?
Cronos: I have been involved in entertainment
for as long as I can remember, although I do think going to gigs in
my teens probably sparked the first thoughts of being in a band. But
if I wasn't playing music today, I reckon I'd still be doing the other
things I do with my life, like working out in the Gym etc.
6. Are any band members in side projects? If so what are they,
and explain a little about them.
Cronos: All are
concentrating on Venom for now, there is no immediate plans for any
solo releases at present, the Resurrection prevails.
7.
How would you feel if a band took their sound from yours and became
very well known?
Cronos: Like numerous bands we
can mention you mean, well, isn't mimicry the highest form of flattery
! - the more Metal the better, I'd rather influence people into playing
Metal than any other type of Music, if a Metal band gains mega success,
then all Metal in general will benefit, and more bands will play Metal
instead of crappy pop music or whatever.
8. What current
bands do you like or respect?
Cronos: Too many
to mention, anything Metal, Hell Yeah!
9. How many demos/albums
do you have? Tell me about them!!
Cronos: Our
first album was actually demos, we had 3 days studio time to record
as many songs as we could, when the record company heard the tracks,
they said they would release it as it was. All the other albums have
been recorded specifically for professional album release.
10. What demo/album do you like the best?
Cronos:
The only one we've got! - the first one!
11. What is the
meaning behind the songs?
Cronos: Every song has
its own meaning, you'd have to be more specific and mention a title,
although you should make up your own mind as to the interpretation
of a song, and what it means for you. A lot of my lyrics can be taken
in various ways and it's interesting to hear other people's versions
of what they think my words mean.
12. What are the bands
favorite songs?
Cronos: My current favourites
are the new tracks from 'Resurrection', but as Mantas and I have already
started writing for the next album, it won't be long before we've
got new favorites.
13. What does the future hold for the
band?
Cronos: Shit, my crystal ball isn't working
today, can I get back to you.
14. If you could play with
any band who would it be and why?
Cronos: Venom,
because we're the heaviest mutherfuckers ever
15. Who
writes the majority of the music?
Cronos: Mantas
and Cronos (I) always write all of the Venom songs.
16.
Who has been the favorite band you’ve played with and why?
Cronos: I'll choose Pantera for now, I got onstage a couple
of weeks ago in Glasgow and performed 'Walk' with the guys, Hell Yeah,
they are seriously heavy live and good mates of mine.
17.
Where did you get the band name from?
Cronos:
Apparently, Mantas and a band roady came up with the name 'Venom',
before that they were called 'Guillotine'.
18. Describe
what the band is like live?
Cronos: Words cannot
describe a Venom show, OK I'll try :
"Ladies & Gentlemen,
from the very depths of Hell, "VENOM" - BANG ! - dugadugaduga Roarrrrrrrrrrrrr
Aaarrghhhhhhhhhhh bashbashbash dugaduga BOOM ! Aaarrghhhhh rumblerumble
BANG ! Neeaoooow erghhhhhhhhh dugaduga BANG ! - we will return" !
19. If you are gonna do any kind of video what would
be in it?
Cronos: Dead 2 headed babies in pickling
jars.
20. Are there any touring plans made; if so tell
me about them?
Cronos: We will hopefully be playing
this year's Wacken Festival in Germany this August, we are just waiting
for the final confirmations to come through, then we're working on
a Euro Tour in the Autumn, USA 2001.
21. Where do you
think the band will be 20 years from now?
Cronos:
Probably banished to another planet ! - Hopefully still pounding out
extreme Metal and doing what we do best, creating a roar and powerful
musical style that's up there with the best of them. |
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