Anger As Art Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Sure.  Anger As Art is just a few days from releasing our 4th album ' Hubris, Inc.'  As we do this interview, we are securing tour dates in Europe and the United States for 2013, and hopefully Japan in early 2014.  So, a lot of anticipation... and details.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?

I don't know that it differs too much from the previous 3.  I mean, obviously we have evolved somewhat... but 4 albums in, I think if people are familiar with Anger As Art, then this album will be familiar to them.  To my ears, it sounds like a band that really knows how to work together.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores?

A lot of the lyrical content is very personal.  Meaning that I can take a situation that happens in every day life, and channel it into anger - then write lyrics from a 'pissed-off' point of view.  I don't know that we are too different from anyone else, and the issues they deal with - and that is the connection that people identify with.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

The meaning is simple - convert anger into a form of art.  The inspiration?  It was a song title on our first release, which was actually a demo that I did myself back in 2004.  We received so much demand to perform live, that we had to call the band something.  So that song became our name.   And anger has been a constant theme since our inception.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

That is hard to answer - we have played so many places around the world.  I can recall shows where we supported some of our favorites... perhaps the most rewarding was supporting Saxon back in 2011.  We were all so hugely influenced by Saxon, and to play with them, to have Biff introduce himself to you and say 'thanks for playing, great band'... but also, when we go where we have never been.  Recently played in Puerto Rico, and the crowd knew all of our words.   Live performance? I am not going to tell you that 'we put on an outrageous show', because I hate it when bands do that, and then they are boring.   We are pretty intense, but one thing we do is try to include the audience in the show.  By that I mean, we don't really stick to 'pomp and circumstance' - we keep it loose.  I love it when the audience starts talking to us, and we talk back.  I mean, we are sharing this event together, let's do it together.  Be a part of it.

6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?

We covered this in the first question, but we are planning our 3rd European tour as we speak - which should happen in June 2013.  Also, it looks like we will finally be able to do some extended runs of shows through the US this year too.

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the new album by fans of thrash and power metal?

"Hubris, Inc." is being received really well... in fact, all of the records have been well received.  So, immediately I worry that it will breed complacency.  This is good - it happens every time we put a record out.  It keeps us sharp and hungry.  I don't know how the power metal fans will respond, because it really isn't power metal.  There are plenty of power metal bands, so we leave it to them to perform that style, and just do what we do from the heart.

8. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?

The only other 'project' (if you can call it that) is playing with Bitch.  We have some songs we are working up, and my hope is to record some new Bitch material in late summer... but there are a few steps to take before we get there.   All other projects have been dead for years.  I have no desire to return to them.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

That's a two-fold answer.  On one hand, new music ideas are a bit more violent and frantic.  Very much riff-rhythm guitar dominant.  So, I think it will step up there.  On the other hand, we approach every album like it is our last - because it very well could be.  There is no guarantee that we will ever put out another record...  That is not to sound so final.  But I think when you KNOW that you will put another record out, you have a tendency to coast... and I don't want that.  I want everything to have the sense of 'this is it - we are playing for our lives'.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Anything from the classic metal bands like Priest, Maiden, Motorhead, through the thrash era, up to newer era bands like Dew-Scented and Blood Tsunami.  What I listen to to get through the day?  LOL...  anything except for hip-hip and pop music.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

For the last couple of years, I have really come to enjoy peace and quiet at home with the wife, and the dog.  I work on the house (all of it - the plumbing, electrical, HVAC... the yard...) and enjoy it.  Still a huge sports fan, mostly Basketball and American Football.  I can get in the truck and drive into the mountains, the desert... but otherwise, naahh. Just a typical life when away from music.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

No, other than thank you for taking the time and interest in Anger As Art.   Come find us online-ANY search engine will find us.