NAPALM DEATH
"The word legendary is often applied in exaggerated terms to bandswho
really don't deserve the accolade. It is a word which can only be used in
conjunction with something groundbreaking, something that changes the rules,
something that influences others leaving an indelible mark. Naplam Deathare
true legends of the extreme music scene - few can claim to have achievedso
much and yet remained cutting edge with each release." - (extract from
N.D.'s Bio)
Morbid Mike caught up with NAPALM DEATH bassist, Shane Embury on the eveof
their New Zealand tour.
Currently touring the States with AT THE GATES, NAPALM DEATH are feelingthe
heat. Shane tells me it's too hot in Phoenix, Arizona, buzzing around 1100F
and he sounds miserable. An hour's worth of interviews to do, two weeksinto
a five week 'Whirlwind Holocaust' blitz across the States and NAPALM DEATH
come on down to NZ, Australia and maybe Japan. The reason for all of thisis
'Diatribes', their new album (their sixth to date).
"The album is doing really well in Europe, the States and everywhereelse,"
offers Shane. "Which is good and we're happy about that. The albumcame out
in January and we did a tour of Europe with AT THE GATES and it seemed
logical to tour the States with them. They're good guys and shit. I've known
Thomas (A.T.G. vocals) for quite a while. It's good to tour with peopleyou
know. It just makes everything go easier. We played with ANTHRAX and the
MISFITS about five days ago."
'Yeah, what were the MISFITS like?' I ask.
"Same as they used to be." grumbles Shane. "Their singerneeds to do some
weights or something. Here's this little skinny guy surrounded by all these
huge people and it looks kinda funny - I didn't particularly get into them-
never have, so what can I say?"
One thing that has always hung over NAPALM DEATH's head is the 'sellout'.
Shane: "We've always been accused of selling out. Ever since the firstalbum
came out and look at CRASS, U.K. Punk shite now all available on CD andthey
accused us of selling out because we had albums out on CD. Fuck! I've been
doing this for close on 10 years so I don't think I need to justify myself.
After these tours, I'll be back home and give it two weeks and I won't be
able to go out too often because I'll be broke again. Nuff said."
NAPALM have a wealth of talent and the number of bands that have included
N.D. members is amazing. TERRORIZER (Jesse & Pete Sandoval (MORBID ANGEL),
RIGHTEOUS PIGS (Mitch Harris), DEFECATION (Mitch & Mick Harris ex NAPALM
drummer), SCORN, CARCASS, CATHEDRAL (Lee Dorrian ex vocals), UNSEEN TERROR
(Shane's old band and co-producer of 'Scum'.), BLOOD FOR THE SOUL, MEATHOOK
SEED, the list is endless.
Asked about the current scene in the U.K., Shane quickly says, "It'sdead!
Not many bands are coming out. The big thing is the Brit Pop stuff whichis
crap. It's funny, you have all these people into it, like kids in SLAYER
shirts and shit dancing away to the latest band like BLUR or OASIS. It'sall
crap. Just a trend."
A recent story in a leading U.K. music magazine, asked 'Where are NAPALM
DEATH now?' inferring the band had lived past it's use by date.
"It's like you have all these magazines claiming this is great andthat is
great and we just don't care. I've been doing this now in N.D. for 8 or9
years and you see all these trends come and go and it's all bollocks!""We
have a house in Birmingham that four of us live in - Danny Herrera (drums),
Mitch Harris (guitar), Jesse Pintado (guitar) and me. [Barney (vocals) lives
somewhere else]. It saves on rents and all that bollocks. Sure there's been
a few black eyes and blood noses living and working together but all inall,
it's ok."
'So who cooks and cleans?' I question
"I do. Danny helps out if he can be bothered and Mitch is always seeinghis
girlfriend, they've got a little kid who's about one and a half years old."
While I had the chance, I asked Shane about a few bands and his opinionson
them including those that had played NZ recently. We spoke of FEAR FACTORY
and SICK OF IT ALL. I told him Burton (vocals) FEAR FACTORY had voice
problems on the Australian leg of their tour with subsequent riots by angry
fans.
"I heard a few things about that but if you've got people and no bandthen
of course people are going to be abit annoyed."
Note the NAPALM DEATH/OBITUARY tour a few years ago. John Tardy lost his
voice for a few shows. OBITUARY still played vocal-less. Barney would doa
couple of songs and Donald Tardy (drums) would add his bit here and there
ala AUTOPSY (R.I.P.)
"SICK OF IT ALL, I've been a fan of theirs for a long time" (ascan be seen
by the inclusion of 'It's My Life' on 'Unseen Terrors - Peel Session E.P.
from `89 that includes Mad Mick 'Human Tornado' Harris on vocal duties (then
the NAPALM drummer) "They're apparently in the process of putting anew
album together so that should be good."
So roll on 19th July when NAPALM DEATH demolish Auckland. With that, I will
leave you all to wallow in a pit filled with the stench of morbidity. NAPALM
DEATH - pure face re
