| w/BOBBY "BLITZ" |
| Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Being that this is Overkill’s 20th year, when writing the musical portion of the album, was the idea behind Relix to have it summarize the history of the band because musically each track almost seems as if you’re taking the listener through the different era’s of Overkill from past to present. Bobby “Blitz”: Absolute coincidence. There’s never really a pre-conceived notion except possibly lyrically, when it comes to a record. Musically, the records kind of form themselves as they go along. However, I do agree with you with regard to the result, it seems as if such. But quite honestly, it just happened this way. There was a couple of let’s say, “older school” type cuts. There was a couple of contemporary cuts. There was a couple of mid-Overkill historical cuts and it just so happened to be this feeling that it almost comes out as a “best of” with regard to characteristic or a style. But it wasn’t a pre-conceived notion. It just absolutely happened this way through coincidence. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Lyrically with the last release, you used the concept of the seven deadly sins and had each track act as a representation of such. Did you approach the lyrical writing for Relix in the same context with a pre-conceived notion and theme in mind and if so besides Old School, which is self-explanatory, how does each individual track convey these thoughts? Bobby “Blitz”: It wasn’t specific and it wasn’t that there was a concept prior to a context and the context was adjusted as I went along. I think that it ended up with regard to the principles that we had. It’s been a long time doing this and really having it whispered in my ear over the last couple of years, 20 years, this coming 20 years. I started jotting some stuff down and the next thing I know I was writing about those principles and the standards that we’ve had over those years. I don’t think their groundbreaking. I think their very simple. But, they were necessary to kind of get us here. A Pound of Flesh for instance, is about not selling one self. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: That’s one of my favorite tunes off the album actually. Bobby “Blitz”: Yeah, that one rips kind of from the old days, that thing’s cut from like ’88. Bats in the Belfry, which precedes it and is more of a contemporary Overkill tune, is more about the insanity that surrounds the career and how do you survive in an industry that eats its product or eats its bands and I suppose you have to be a step up or a step more insane. (Laughs) I think it was really about principle and about circumstance and about our standards. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Speaking of the track Old School, how did the guest appearance of George Parente from L’amour come about and tell me what the atmosphere was like in the studio making such a fun tune and working with such familiar faces? Bobby “Blitz”: George is an old friend and managed us for a 10-year period. We were a main stay at L’amour even before we were a signed band. We were the house band there. Whenever they had a cancellation, we were called even at last minute to do some things. George and I were still in touch. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: That’s why I asked. I didn’t know you guy’s remained in touch or that he was even still involved with L’amour after all of the openings and closings that the club has had in past years. Bobby “Blitz”: Yeah, he was still involved, we played there a few times and occasionally we'd get in touch with each other with regard to what’s going on, how are you doing, catching up, and he was happy to do it. DD had penned the chorus, did the music, and sent it to me laughing when he did and it turned into something that was another side of us, a little historical journey and having George in there really gives credibility to the local people who grew up maybe the way I did in this. Also having Ed Trunk on there gave it the same kind of validity in its presentation. It’s really a song, sure for fun but the other side of it is, is that it was suppose to be identifiable to those we knew well then and now. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: What was the atmosphere like in the studio making that song? Bobby “Blitz”: (Laughs) There was a lot of pizza and coffee! We had a good time! Whenever we see those guy’s it’s really like old times. There’s a lot of hand slapping and sitting around saying, ah jeez, remember that time in LA when I got you to eat that joint because I told you the cop was behind us? (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: All this fun and I wasn’t asked to participate, especially with how long that you’ve known me. I was very disappointed. (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz" (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Didn’t you and DD think that I would have liked to have contributed maybe lets say, a good “hey” in the chorus... (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: …there’s no visuals on the record though, sorry about that (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: …or I could have shouted, “Rock n Roll Heaven forever” or “I was pain in Bobby’s ass then”. (Laughs) With Old School being a great closing track, do you foresee it maybe replacing the infamous Fuck You at the close of a live set? Bobby “Blitz”: I don’t think so. I think Fuck You is what it is. That is a staple of what it’s all about. Old School is just let say, our version of it. Fuck You is a great song and it’s not even a song we wrote. We’ve always said that. There has always been a love of that kind of a “punk” presentation in our tunes. Maybe we’ve covered punk tunes through the years but we’ve always kind of kept that attitude and energy to the band. It’s an honest staple of the band, that energy. So, for a song like Old School to come out of us, I think is natural but the other side of it is, to replace something that’s a staple, it’s not. But, I’m sure it will be fun to play live. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Are you going to include it in the set while on tour? Bobby “Blitz”: Oh, it has to be I think. That’s one of those beer stein songs where you have the whole bar singing. (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: You have to Doe See Doe though. Remember? (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: Doe See Doe… (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Yeah, if I’m there, you've got to do it! (Laughs) With your last release being so well received, was there any pressure felt in the studio to surpass Killbox and why did the band choose to self-produce this time rather than bringing back Colin or another outside source? Bobby “Blitz”: Well, it just mixes it up. We’ve done this for so long that we have to stay interested in it. There’s not like some grand plan we have. “oh, we’ve done so well with this record, it was accepted well, therefore we should use the same formula”, this has never been our approach to anything. Quite honestly, we’re selfish bastards that do this for ourselves and we like to please ourselves with it. Twenty years of satisfaction comes from putting a smile on your own face. I know we don’t do it alone. I know we do it with support of people who listen to the band and I think that’s always quite evident and our appreciation of it is. But I think that the self-produced record is not a bad thing. It’s just more so, hey, let’s steer the ship this time, let’s take on the responsibility, let’s go for it. It’s really twice the work and it’s twice the time but the results are really what we’re looking for and what we’re looking for again, that let’s say “badge of satisfaction” when we’re done. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Was there pressure felt to surpass Killbox because it was so well received? Bobby “Blitz”: No, I don’t think so. You talk to a guy that’s been in this business for five years and he’s going to give you different answers from me. When I say, “I don’t give a fuck”, it’s real. (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: But that’s why we love you! (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: The beauty of being around for a twenty-year period is freedom and even freedom from yourself with regard to what you think is going to be accepted or not accepted. If I start pleasing myself with this and I come out of there kind of with that side ways cocked smile, I know that eventually this is contagious to people who like it because we like the same things. As selfish as it seems, it’s really taken from the perspective of a guy who likes the music. It’s not like hey, it’s all about me and fuck the rest of you, it’s more like hey, if I come out of here with a good feeling about this, as well as DD, Dave, Tim and Derek, that the idea is that, that will be a very contagious attitude to the people who’ve always received this music well. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I know you recorded digitally, but the record has that underground “analog” type feel to it. Was that the effect you were trying to obtain and do you feel the finished project was what you had envisioned upon conception? Bobby “Blitz”: Good question. It’s really about doing what we know. It was really taking a step back. I suppose its got that “old school’ mentalities to it. We did do it digitally. We were most certainly looking for performance with regard to this as opposed to segments leaned less on the technology and more on the performance and I suppose that’s what you’re hearing. I don’t want to say “back in the old days when we were doing it right”, because technology’s a good thing. It’s just that if we were going to do it, let’s lean on what we know best and that’s performance. Nobody’s a wiz with regard to the pro-tools and with regard to the technology that’s available in the studio. We did use it but we used it to much less of a degree and concentrated much more on performance and that’s where you get that vibe. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I have a question with regard to Mega Force re-releasing the first two albums Feel the Fire and Fuck You. Though Overkill signed over the rights, aren’t you still entitled to some kind of a royalty for sales of the CD’s and can I ask you what the reasoning was behind this decision to sign over the rights because it doesn’t seem like a very lucrative decision for a band to make? Bobby “Blitz”: Most bands, especially back then signed what’s called “in perpetuity”, meaning that they own forever the rights for this record. Of course, your entitled to the royalties of that record but they make the decisions with regard to the master tapes, so we’re left out of that decision. With regard to royalty, you’re always entitled. It’s our songs, it’s their tape. So the idea is that they have the right to do such. We weren’t even approached on it. I actually found it out while doing a European interview three weeks ago. I said “ah, jeez I didn’t even have any idea” and I have yet to be contacted by them. So I sent something out asking what’s going on. My feeling about re-releases is they don’t excite me, there’s nothing about them. They’re right up there with the “reunion” as far I’m concerned. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Megaforce is pretty small now anyway. I think they only have like five bands on their label. Bobby “Blitz”: But they have how many master tapes in their attic. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: True, I didn’t think of that. They’re doing ok. Bobby “Blitz”: Regardless, it’s really about the value of those tapes and Overkill falls into that category. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: After 20 years, is there anything that the band hasn’t accomplished yet that you’d still like to see happen or do you feel as if your goals have been met? Bobby “Blitz”: Well, Australia. So that’s something that we haven’t done with regard to touring. We’re doing Sweden Rock this year which is the first time at this festival and that’s the crème de la crème of the European festivals. I’d love to play the Madison Square Garden but I think any kid who grew up in NY would, you know. (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: True, even I. (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: So I suppose that’s more of a localized answer because whenever I walk through those doors and somebody tore my ticket, I was like “ah, this is the best!” and I still get that feeling if I go down there to a ballgame or something. I suppose that’s something I’d would like to accomplish. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Well, being that it’s your anniversary, what better way to celebrate than to recap the years. I will name an album and you tell me your favorite track off the album and the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of that particular era. Bobby “Blitz”: Go! Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Feel the Fire… Bobby “Blitz”: Raise the Dead because that’s how it starts. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Taking Over… Bobby “Blitz”: Wrecking Crew because of the impact he had on me and I think the people who listened to it. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Under the Influence… Bobby “Blitz”: Head First. (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: (Laughs) Years of Decay… Bobby “Blitz”: Head First. (Laughs) Probably Skullkrusher because it was a departure for us and still a quintessential slow Overkill approach to things. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Horrorscope… Bobby “Blitz”: Probably Nice Day for a Funeral because I think it was a very unusual way for us to present a tune. . Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I Hear Black… Bobby “Blitz”: I Hear Black, oh Christ! Oh boy, we’re going to get fourteen songs out of me aren’t we? Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Yup, so start thinking. (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: I saw somebody do this to Lemmy (Motorhead) and he kept going “is that on that record”? (Laughs) He was naming the wrong songs, which is awesome! Wrong record, wrong songs. I Hear Black, it would probably be the title track. It really reminded of an old Sabbath kind of a tune and I think it showed where that record was going. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: W.F.O… Bobby “Blitz”: Where it Hurts. It was quintessential aggressive violence and it seemed to sum the whole thing up on that record. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: The Killing Kind… Bobby “Blitz”: The Cleansing, because of the very slight orchestration in the front end of that song. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: From the Underground and Below… Bobby “Blitz”: Genocya. It’s just a song that’s absolutely a different approach for us and love the little bass riffs throughout the tune. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Necroshine… Bobby “Blitz”: Title track because I think that’s one of the best openers we’ve ever done. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Bloodletting… Bobby “Blitz”: Death Comes Out to Play because of the unusual start of it and it’s really a two prong attack. It’s really aggressive and at the same time the chorus breaks into a half time. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Killbox 13… Bobby “Blitz”: Killbox, ah shit! (Laughs) You’re hurting me here. I should have an answer right off the top of my head. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Now come on, you know when you interview with me you’ve got to be prepared! (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: Right, ok here we go… (pauses) Damned because I like the way the tune bounces through the whole thing. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: ReliXIV… Bobby “Blitz”: I’d probably lean towards Bats in the Belfry as one of my favorite tunes on this record. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Is there anything that comes to mind when thinking of those particular era’s? Bobby “Blitz”: Oh, I have a wealth of information with regard to that. There’s good times, there’s bad times, there’s the ups and there’s the downs. I’m a firm believer in the fact that even the mistakes are necessary to come to today. I don’t regret anything with regard to it. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Other than the confirmed tour dates already posted, are there any plans in the works to add more dates like perhaps in the west coast? Bobby “Blitz”: Yeah, there actually is. There’s shows on hold as we speak. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: In the west coast? Bobby “Blitz”: Yes, which is a little unusual for us. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: That’s good though, you’ve been wanting to do that. Bobby “Blitz”: Yeah it’ll be done after the European festivals. That was all booked before the record was even written. It’s going to be a good year for us, probably 125-150 shows. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Hey, you guy’s deserve it. Bobby “Blitz”: Man, I’m going to need oxygen at the end of this one, right? (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: (Laughs) No, I’m going easy on you. Oh, you mean after the tour? I thought you meant after our interview! (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: (Laughs) No, I can handle this. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: The band is also scheduled to do an in-store appearance at Vintage Vinyl on April 23rd. Will this record signing include a live performance from the band as well? Bobby “Blitz”: At the in-store? No, not a chance. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: No, well sometimes they do combine both. Bobby “Blitz”: No, were doing a show at the Starland that night. So the idea is we’re just going to show up, grab the free sandwiches, shake a few hands and get the hell out of there. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Ok, well at least you’re honest. (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: (Laughs) I don’t mean to sound rude but the people can reach us in the parking lot too. We’re not the unreachable band. So we’ll be there for an hour and a half. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: And it starts at 3:00PM? Bobby “Blitz”: To my knowledge, yes. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I have a question that’s similar to something that I’ve asked you in the past. When interviewing with certain sites or mags that you thought were “metal” orientated because they bill themselves as such, how do you maintain your composure so well when you come to find that not only is the interviewer oblivious to who Overkill is and the status you hold within the industry but are oblivious to the metal genre in general. I mean you know you’re in trouble when an interviewer asks “who’s in the band”, or perceives Poison to be an icon for metal or that asks unintelligent questions not pertaining to the music! (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: (Laughs) I find myself sometimes with a dual role and that role is let’s say, the one who promotes the band and sings in it and also, a teacher. (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Right! (Laughs) You handle yourself well. I don’t know how you do it without hanging up sometimes. Bobby “Blitz”: You know, it’s really not about that for me. It never has been. I’ve never thought of myself in terms of “you should know me because I have a name”. I relish my anonymity sometimes. (Laughs) I understand where you’re coming from but it never gets to me because it’s just the way it is. I can’t change the facts. I can only adjust them and help to fill them in. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: To coincide with what we just discussed in the last question… Bobby “Blitz”: I’m having a Senseo by the way. I just made it! (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Oh, are you? Cool. I’m drinking Sprite now. I had to come down. I was too juiced! (Laughs) Again, to coincide with what we just discussed in the last question with regard to clueless interviewers, I’ve seen in interviews where you’ve been asked who’s in your band, the spelling of your website and where one referred to Overkill not ever being the “flavor of the day”. I’ve seen so many other interviews with bands that unfortunately mimic the same. It baffles me how someone can interview a band and not know or research who their interviewing. With that said, I’d like to close the interview with a couple of mock questions that pertain to “such” questions that we both can have some fun with. Bobby “Blitz”: I think my answer to them was something like, what the fuck, do you live under a rock? (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: (Laughs) Ok, here’s my first question. Being that some see Overkill as “not the flavor of the day”, if you had a choice to pick a flavor of the day that you’d like Overkill to be, what flavor would that be and why? Bobby “Blitz”: Jesus Christ, Dawn we called the record Relix, we know what we are! (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: (Laughs) I’m making a joke Bobby and you’re supposed to be going a long with it! I thought we had the same mentality. It’s either A. Vanilla B. Chocolate… Bobby “Blitz”: Well, it would have to be chocolate. Yeah, I mean because that’s definitely one of my weaknesses and it’s… (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: (Laughs) Ok. Is there any particular reason? Bobby “Blitz”: Ah, I don’t know… sweet, dark and deadly. (Laughs) I really don’t know. (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: The spelling of your band logo is somewhat tricky. There seems to be a space in the middle of it due to the two sides of the word leaning away from each other. So my question is, when pronouncing the band name should I pause in the middle of saying it? In addition, for the people that are listening who don’t know who the band is, could you please spell it? Bobby “Blitz”: (Laughs hysterically) M-e-t-a-l-l-i-c-a, Overkill and it is one word just as you would see it in the dictionary. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Ok so in other words when I pronounce it, don’t pause. Don’t go “over” pause “kill”? Ok. Got it! (Laughs) Lastly Mr. Ellsworth, are Burt & Ernie still in the band and by the way, how long have you been playing the drums? Bobby “Blitz”: Burt and Ernie! (Laughs hysterically) I assume your referring to Tim and DD being that there’s likeness there. (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: No, I just meant Burt and Ernie. (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: Their still in the band. They play behind Tim. (Laughs) I’ve been playing drums for 15 minutes. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Bobby always a pleasure and look forward to seeing you and the guys soon. With that said, do you have any final words for The Metal Web! besides how you can’t live without The Metal Web and all of our glory? (Laughs) Bobby “Blitz”: You got any new pictures up there? Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Yeah, from a couple weeks ago. Bobby “Blitz”: Ok, I’m going to have to go check ‘em out. Quite honestly, I look some times and some times I occasionally surf the web and every time I do a Google search you come up under like this, porno site you know and I just wanted to tell you that so you were aware. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: What! Bobby “Blitz”: (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I don’t think so baby. (Laughs) You got me! OFFICIAL SITE: “OVERKILL”: http://www.wreckingcrew.com HOME |
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