DeathRiders (feat. Neil Turbin) – The Metal Beast Is Alive in Los Angeles

DeathRiders (feat. Neil Turbin) The Original Metal Thrashing Madman and first Screamer to emerge from The Big 4

Neil Turbin – Vocals, Mike Guerrero – Guitar, Jake Dreyer – Guitar, Giovanny Torres – Bass, Peter Vazquez – Drums

DeathRiders the fast and furious metal band from Los Angeles featuring
Original Anthrax Powerhouse Vocalist Neil Turbin unveils it’s brand
new lineup at House of Blues – Sunset Strip, Los Angeles on Tuesday,
August, 23, 2011.  Neil T is quoted as saying “This is the best group
of guys I ever had the opportunity to work with!”  ”Right from the
first time we played together there was a real chemistry and powerful
musical connection” “The boys definitely have their shit together and
have done their homework.  The musicianship is top-notch and the
energy level is fierce!.”  ”Everyone is hungry, driven, committed and
a team player.”  ”We are excited about the future and to keep pushing
forward!”  ”DeathRiders are renewed, improved and ready to thrash
stronger than ever!!!!”  Thank you to the bands former members for all
their efforts and best wishes for continued future success!
DeathRiders new line-up is: Mike Guerrero – Guitar (Hellion), Jake
Dreyer – Guitar (Jag Panzer), Giovanny Torres – Bass (Ice Storm),
Peter Vazquez – Drums (Ice Storm), Neil Turbin.  We look forward to
unleashing the metal thrashing fury along with our metal brothers in
Evil Dead, Hirax and Witchaven at House of Blues – Los Angeles for Rob
Sherriff and Hollywood Sherriff Productions.

Bio
DeathRiders, the fast and furious California metallers featuring Neil
Turbin, the first powerhouse vocalist of Thrash (Thrash Metal Big Four
- Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, Megadeth) original voice and lead singer
of east coast thrash pioneers Anthrax (from September 1982 to August
1984). Neil was the first permanent vocalist of Anthrax and helped
pioneer Thrash Metal on their groundbreaking debut album Fistful of
Metal and US Attack Tour ’84 with (NWOBHM band) Raven and Metallica.
Turbin a key songwriter and major contributor wrote all the lyrics and
provided the main concepts to such well known metal anthems such as:
as “Metal Thrashing Mad”, “Armed and Dangerous”, “Deathrider” and
“Gung Ho”, which were on Anthrax’s first three releases and many
subsequent live and greatest hits albums. Anthrax rose to # 8 on the
British charts with the release of Fistful of Metal. Neil Turbin
vocals and song “Metal Thrashing Mad” is featured in the “Brutal
Legend” soundtrack and “The Big 4″ dvd/cd.

DeathRiders Stay Screamin’ 2011 European Tour returns to Europe,
Mexico and the US with a vengeance for dates in Neu Wulmstorf, Germany
at Metal Bash, Leeuwarden, Netherlands at Highway to Dokkem Open Air
at Poppodium Romein and Vienna, Austria, Berlin, Germany, Tijuana,
Mexico at Expo Rock Tijuana 2011, House of Blues Sunset Strip, Los
Angeles, The Black Castle. DeathRiders performed 26 shows on
DeathRiders California Screamin’ 2010 Tour including 8 shows at the
world famous Whisky a Go-Go. DeathRiders celebrated 25 years of
“Fistful Of Metal” on their extremely successful back to back Double
Vengeance 2009 European Tour (spring & summer : Rocktower Festival -
Headbanger’s Open Air and Nightmare Over St. Pauli Festival), and
Japan/Southwest US (including Rocklahoma) in 2008. DEATHRIDERS have
played festivals such as Body Art Expo 2009 Pomona Fairplex, Sweden
Rock Festival 2006, Monterrey Metal Fest 2005, Thrash Against Cancer
2005, LA Gates Of Metal 2004 and many others.

The band DEATHRIDERS are named after one of Turbin’s songs and were
formed in 2003 in support of his solo album “Threatcon Delta”.
DEATHRIDERS have been touring in support of their forthcoming debut
album “Back With A Vengeance” which is slated for release in late
2012. The album is currently being recorded in Los Angeles, Sweden and
mixed in Phoenix. DEATHRIDERS is currently on it’s STAY SCREAMIN’ 2011
TOUR.

“Thrash is a style of heavy metal music that does stay true to certain
fundamentals like guitar chugging and rhythmic percussive double bass
drumming. It has also been perceived as an “all out play as fast as
you can” style of metal. I believe it is more Thrash to have a singer
who can belt it out with the best of them and combine that with
driving, intense powerful music. There is no rule that says Thrash
vocals have to be one-dimensional. I for one have my own metal
thrashing mad style!!!!”

- Neil Turbin -

DeathRiders Press Kit http://www.deathriders.org

DeathRiders Website http://www.deathriders.net

DeathRiders Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/DEATHRIDERS/64852152168

DeathRiders Facebook Group Page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48353896196

DeathRiders Youtube

Headbangers Open Air Germany http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TQjHJj-hLw

Fussa City, Tokyo, Japan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kzEyTZfnWo

Headbangers Open Air Germany http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAqROU-RNUc

Rocktower Festival Germany http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phFF59dKJkM

Whisky a Go-Go, Los Angeles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnZiaPeC9Ag

Black Castle Los Angeles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc5FYk530Zk

Expo Rock 2010 Mexico http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIs3SKTDu2E

Wee Mans Birthday Party http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A27RrOoSWEc

Heavy Metal Screams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GyVo-wmE0U

Some Metal Screams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6kU3ruQ72s

DeathRiders Metal Bash 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKzVCO2OC-c

DeathRiders Metal Bash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbuXHVV7OXk

DeathRiders Photoshow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tyal0_dgOo

DeathRiders Myspace http://www.myspace.com/deathriders

DeathRiders Reverbnation http://www.reverbnation.com/deathriders

DeathRiders Eventful
http://eventful.com/performers/deathriders-/P0-001-000047492-1

DeathRiders Interviews

Superestacion Metal Neil Turbin Mayo 11 2011
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14634605

All Hail Hair – Anthrax/Death Riders Vocalist Neil Turbin – The late
great Bob “Scooter” Carroll Recorded on June 3, 2011, just weeks
before he was murdered.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fightinwordsradio/2011/06/04/all-hail-hair–anthraxdeath-riders-vocalist-neil-turbin-1

#235 MT Show – Neil Turbin http://podcast.maximumthreshold.net/podcast/?p=252

Society Syndicate Interview with Neil Turbin
http://www.societysyndicate.com/Deathriders

Metal Assault 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcmV5T91LiQ

NAMM Show 2010 Blairing Out with Eric Blair Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So1kcPaI9v0

Eternal Terror Norway
http://www.eternal-terror.com/articles/index.php?id=648&type=E

Rockinform Magazine Hungary
http://deathridersblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/deathriders-feature-interview-in-rockinform-magazine-hungary-march-2010-issue-on-newsstands-now/

RockPages Greece
http://www.rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=2513&type=1&lang=EN&sub=

All Access Magazine United States
http://www.allaccessmagazine.com/vol6/issue16/neil_turbin.html

Maximum Metal United States
http://www.maximummetal.com/interviews/intresults.asp?ID=neilturbin&idBand=610

Metal-Rules United States
http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=779

DeathRiders Ultimate Metal Forum
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/deathriders-129/

Official DeathRiders Blog http://deathridersblog.wordpress.com/

Exclusive Interview with Mike Guerrero of DeathRiders, “el salto de
Anthrax,” al thrash Metal de Neil Turbin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx1XyLd31XU

Mike Guerrero Tapping Ninja: Solo From Hell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMpY03ueLzc

Mike Guerrero Tapping Ninja: Son of Solo From Hell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZlEqKfussc

Tapping Ninja – Attack of the Tapping Ninja
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EslmrxIeDU

Interview with Mike Guerrero The Tapping Ninja
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_fd1JfdK2I

Mike Guerrero Live with Michael Angelo Batio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ3npEcgsBY

Exclusive interview with Jake Dreyer of DeathRiders – Blowin’ Wind w/
Guitar Shredder Jake Dreyer: “When I was 14 and I heard Yngwie
Malmsteen I knew I wanted to do
this.”http://thegreatsouthernbrainfart.com/?p=7597

Jake Dreyer Solo Reign-Licks “The Drawing of the Three”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIUai82bMm0

Signature Jake Dreyer – Signature Lick (Lick 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPnQAxGFlME

Jake Dreyer – Beyond The Tranquil Descent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W96_XhRnBnQ

Jake Dreyer: Confessions of a Shreddie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKfoD0OctQU

DeathRiders Fistful Of Metal Alive en Mexico Expo Rock Tijuana 2011

DeathRiders Fistful Of Metal Alive en Mexico Expo Rock Tijuana 2011
Vivo en Tijuana MX 7/3/2011 Avenida Revolucion Calle 8
Welcome to the Wrecking Ball

DeathRiders announce Stay Screamin’ 2011 European Tour

DeathRiders announce Stay Screamin’ 2011 European Tour
(feat. Neil Turbin Original Voice of Anthrax)
Fistful Of Metal Alive Europe

6/5/2011 Highway to DOKK’EM Open Air Popodium Romein – Leeuwarden, NL
7/5/2011 Metal Bash Open Air Schiesssport Anlage – Neu Wulmstorf, DE
9/5/2011 Little Devil Rawk ‘N’ Roll Cafe Stationsstraat 27 – Tilburg, NL
10/5/2011 Bastard Club Buersche Str.8 49074 Osnabrück- Osnabrück, DE
12/5/2011 Escape Metal Corner Neustiftgasse 116-118 A-1070 – Wien, AT
14/5/2011 The Ace Rock & Metal Club Hochstraße 46 – Berlin, DE
More Dates TBA

NEIL TURBIN (Deathriders) – Sing it like you mean it

Av Rune

(Metal Revelation)

(…this interview is in English…)

Neil Turbin, mannen som var vokalist i Anthrax før Joey Belladonna tok over. Han var i realiteten bandets tredje vokalist, men da det var Neil Turbin som gjorde vokalen på debutskiva “Fistful of Metal”, blir han regnet av de fleste som bandets første faste vokalist. Turbin stod også bak vokalen på de 2 siste låtene på CD utgaven av EP-en “Armed and Dangerous” som kom ut i 1985, faktisk etter at han hadde forlatt Anthrax. Neil Turbin har flere sterke meninger om både det ene og det andre. Han anbefaler for eksempel nye vokalister å heller kopiere enklere låter med “enklere” vokalister enn å begynne å prøve å kopiere Dio eller Halford. Her erThe Deepthroat Series med ex-Anthrax vokalist Neil Turbin, nå vokalist iDeathriders

. 

When did you start doing extreme vocals (What year and at what age)?

Right when I came out of the womb, the doctor slapped my ass! And I was screaming ever since!!!!

What made you start to do extreme vocals?

I was always inspired by great vocalists that pushed the limits.

Can you describe the technique or the techniques you are using?

I’m using the “sing it like you mean it” technique!

Has your technique changed during your career?

No, I always sing hard power vocals and I never hold back! I give it 1000 % the entire time.  My vocal skills have expanded due to my passion for singing different genres of music.

Have you ever hurt yourself by using a “wrong technique”?

No, but it is possible to hurt yourself in a number of ways. For example if you are not warmed up and you’re going to be using and abusing your muscles, which would include vocal cords.  You need to warm them up, get the blood going, and get the upper and lower registers connected by singing through the notes, scales and vocalizing the vowels that are usually held out in belting it out and in screams. Would you go to the Superbowl without warming up before the big game?

Is there something you do on a regular basis to keep your voice in shape? Any routines?

Some people think that practice makes perfect. If you are repeating the same thing incorrectly over and over again, you’ll be very good at doing it all wrong. I believe Perfect Practice makes perfect. If you want to become really good at something, you have to do it for at least 10,000 hours. You need to understand the voice and exactly how it works. Getting rest is very important for the voice. It is the only way we heal.

Do you think it can be dangerous to do extreme vocals?

People who sing incorrectly can damage their voice in many types of music that are demanding on the voice, not just extreme vocals.

What is most important for you – to make cool sounds and interesting rhythms, or to have a clear diction/pronunciation?

I don’t give a fuck about either of those. I just want to kick ass!!!! And hit you hard in the chest!!!! When I sing it is very physical!!!!

Do you think that extreme vocals can be made into a science, like “this is how it works for everyone, to make this sound you have to do this etc”? Or is it more intuitive and individual how to do it?

No, but you need to do your homework if you are serious about it. You need to understand how your instrument works and how to best leverage your voice. Everyone has a unique voice, but not everyone has developed it to the fullest potential. It is not a science project or cookie cutter. What it is is an art and that’s how it should be approached. It takes great discipline, talent and perseverance in art to be outstanding!

Some folks interpretation of Extreme Vocals may differ from mine. I consider Extreme Vocals to be using the voice like the Extreme Instrument that it is. Not growling and clean voice which is like using only two strings on a guitar. You only have growl and non-growl. That’s only two modes. I consider the use of the entire super modal dynamic range of notes, octaves and scales with vocal power!!!! To be Extreme Metal Thrashing Mad!!!! Vocals.

Do you have any advice to people who wants to start doing extreme vocals?

Yes, start singing along to vocalists that you admire, but are somewhat attainable. In other words trying to sing like the best singers on the planet is not going to be easy, so better to start with songs that are not that demanding at first. You can’t expect to sing like a Halford, Dio, Dickinson, right out of the gate. If you want to be a cookie monster, watch Sesame Street daily! And say Hi to Big Bird for me!

Mention three extreme vocalists whose style you admire, and explain your choice. What specifically do you like about the styles of those three?

Rob Halford, The Metal God!!!! I‘ve heard his raw vocal tracks against Bruce Dickinson raw vocal tracks. Halford sings very hard while Dickinson has a more rounded approach.  Halfords vocal tracks are extremely devastatingly heavy. Listen to “The One You Love to Hate”.

Ronnie James Dio is dynamic and a remarkable iconic voice. In his years with Elf, Rainbow and Black Sabbath he was a supreme vocalist above and beyond mere mortals, not to mention his great career as a solo artist with the band Dio. So extreme of a heavy metal singer that he was fashioned by Doo Wop of the late 1950′s and had records out before The Beatles.  Freaking amazing where he came from and where he went. I attended his memorial service at Forest Lawn in May 2010. Dio was a crooner like Frank Sinatra and was to heavy metal, what Elvis was to Rock and Roll. Ronnie James Dio is the King of Heavy Metal!

Who else can hang with these big dogs?  Well my vote goes to:

Bon Scott who has pure conviction and style as a vocalist who sang hard and truly invented the nasally raspy tearing vocal style that influenced so many.  Bon Scott’s vocal delivery is fierce and precise with a wicked sense of humor.

Also mention three vocalists (not necessarily extreme vocalists) which you have been influence by, and explain in which way you have been influenced by each of them.

Paul Rodgers, the master of soulful rock singers. He is the blueprint of what vocal integrity is. Kind of like a Dio of Hard Rock.

Glenn Hughes is master of soulful funk, blues and rock with first tenor soprano screams
with great finesse. I was actually close friends with Glenn back in the 1997 to 1999 years. Glenn is like the Halford of Hard Rock and Funk.

Stevie Wonder is a super extreme vocalist and has influenced so many. The thing that is really amazing is he innovated it right from the beginning when he was only a child.

Honorable mention: Enrico Caruso. His powerful voice would fill and reverberate a huge Opera House before there was amplification. His incredible finesse and dynamic delivery is unmatched even today. He brought people to tears in his Italian Operas through expressions of sadness and beauty through his vocals. He was a vocal monster of his time

Who do you want to challenge in this series? (Who should be the next extreme vocalist to answer these questions?) Give a brief explanation for your choice.

Jonny Lindqvist of Nocturnal Rites. He strikes the perfect dynamic balance between super range melodic and powerful vocals.

Check out DEATHRIDERS.net and Stay Screamin’ in 2011 \m/><\m/

Best Thrashings!!!! and Cheers!!!! /Neil T

http://www.deathriders.net

 

DEATHRIDERS Fistful Of Metal Live! Whisky a Go Go 8/29/2010 Entire Album Live Start to Finish! first time since Aug 3, 1984

DEATHRIDERS Fistful Of Metal Live! Whisky a Go Go 8/29/2010 Entire Album Live Start to Finish!

For the first time since Aug 3, 1984

Whisky a Go Go 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 ALL AGES! Sunday, 8/29/2010 @9:00pm

FREE 21+ Guestlist for DEATHRIDERS: Please write your First and Last name to DEATHRIDERS Fistful Of Metal Live! Facebook Event Page Wall and your name will be placed.   FREE Guestlist Cut-off date and time is 8/27/2010 at 12:00pm Noon

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104954626230044&ref=mf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRt3YNa3HZk

http://vimeo.com/7880169

Thank you for supporting DEATHRIDERS California Screamin’ 2010 Tour and True Old School Metal!

Stay Screamin!!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                           /Neil T

DEATHRIDERS replace headliners CAGE at Expo ROCK Tijuana 2010, MX – Saturday, 6/19/2010 at 11:00pm

DEATHRIDERS California Screamin’ 2010 Tour en Revolucion, Tijuana, MX
DEATHRIDERS is replacing headliners CAGE at Expo ROCK Tijuana 2010, MX – Saturday, 6/19/2010 at 11:00pm

la av Revolucion Calle 8 Tijuana, MX Get Ready To Thrash en Mexico!!!!
DEATHRIDERS are Back With A Vengeance en Mexico!!!!

My Hero and Inspiration, Ronnie James Dio: The Mightiest Voice in Heavy Metal

As a teenager,  I got to witness the Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult Concert live! at the Nassau Colosseum (actual concert they recorded the Black and Blue Film) in 1980.  I was knocked back in my seat by the power of Ronnie James Dio’s vocals and the the sound of Black Sabbath combined with the visual of giant crosses and flames lighting up the arena and explosive pyrotechnics echoing throughout!    I did see the amazing KISS Alive II tour at Madison Square Garden in 1978, but  I had never witnessed anything as powerful and heavy as Ronnie Dio singing Heaven and Hell in 1980.  I even got to see Blizzard of Ozz and meet Ozzy and the incredible Randy Rhoads in Def Leppard ‘s dressing room when they were introducing themselves, but my first and most distinctive concert memory was the power and the fury that was emanating from Ronnie and Black Sabbath.  I had always perked up when I heard Rainbow with Ronnie James Dio singing on the radio or at a friends house.  Ronnie James Dio’s mighty soaring vocals stood out above any other vocalist period.  As they say good things come in small packages.  In Ronnie’s case, he had such a consistent super powerful voice with great tone, poise, stage persona, charisma and ultimate confidence.  Ronnie James Dio: The King of Heavy Metal.

Through my association of working with Dio keyboardist Claude Schnell from 1996 to 1999 on his solo material/project, I had the opportunity to meet Ronnie James Dio for the first time at Vinny Appice’s birthday party at a Mexican restaurant in Northridge, CA.  It was a dream come true and a great honor for me, that Ronnie was so personable and down to earth, but even went out of his way to buy me a drink when Claude told Ronnie that I was singing for him at the time.  I later went with Claude to see Dio perform at the Galaxy Theater with Tracy G.  I told Claude that nothing could top the Dio The Last in Line Tour concert I saw in Paris in 1984, except that Black and Blue concert in 1980.   I also told this to Vinny when we went to his house later that night after his birthday party.

In 2004 I met RJD and Craig Goldy backstage at Scorpions/Whitesnake at Universal Ampitheater and Ronnie remembered me.  Unlike the NAMM shows where Ronnie is always mobbed signing autographs and I never really had the chance to speak with him there.  This time was different.  I told Ronnie that I saw many of his great performances including a show at the Greek Theatre when Anthrax was opening as I was walking in from the parking lot.  I couldn’t believe that the place was more than half empty for Anthrax and less than 3/4 full for a Dio concert, but that didn’t matter, Dio still roared and commanded the stage.  I told Ronnie that I was amazed by his stage presence and persona, not just his great voice.  Then I asked Ronnie: What exactly are you thinking about when you are on that stage?  Ronnie looked at me straight in the eyes with pure tenacity and said to me “That’s MY Stage!!!!”  I’ll never forget that look that Ronnie gave me when he told me this and the honest talent and confidence that he possessed.  Ronnie wasn’t about ego, he was real people, with no BS.  I will always remember Ronnie not only for his soaring voice and his medievel lyrics and great visual imagery, but for his great spirit and honest persona.  Ronnie was not afraid to tell it like it is, but he was a true gentleman and had great class.  I was blessed with the opportunity to know Ronnie James Dio personally and he was a wonderful person, who was willing to be completely honest with me and share his knowledge and experience.  For that I have a deep respect for him for the way he treated me.  Ronnie James Dio was a true four star General of Rock Royalty. Ronnie James Dio was to Heavy Metal what Elvis was to Rock ‘n’ Roll!!!!  Ronnie James Dio is The King Of Heavy Metal!!!!

My sincere condolences and support to Wendy Dio, Rock Feinstein and to Ronnie’s family and friends for your great loss.  Ronnie, Thank you for rocking hard til the end!  You are the true Hero of Heavy Metal! and an inspiration to us all for generations!!!!

Farewell DIO Great King Of Heavy Metal,

/Neil T

RIP Ronnie James Dio 1942-2010

DEATHRIDERS Special “Fistful Of Metal” Show at the Whisky a Go Go – Hollywood, CA – Cuatro de Mayo – 5/4/2010

DEATHRIDERS Special “Fistful Of Metal” Show at the Whisky a Go Go – Hollywood, CA – Cuatro de Mayo – 5/4/2010 ****FREE Guest List 21+ deathriders@myspace.com****hosted by Metal Sanaz  Whisky a Go Go – 8609 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90069Thank you for supporting the old school and DEATHRIDERS on the CALIFORNIA SCREAMIN’ 2010 Tour.  More dates are being added and a couple being changed so check on the correct and latest updates at http://www.reverbnation.com/deathriders

DEATHRIDERS Lead Guitarist MIKE GUERRERO Guitar Clinic Saturday 4/17/2010

DEATHRIDERS feature interview in RockinforM Magazine, Hungary March 2010 issue on Newsstands Now!

RockinforM Magazine Hungary March 2010 Issue – 2 Page Feature DEATH RIDERS Interview                               

DEATHRIDERS – THE NEWEST THRASH ATTACK! Interview by BANFALVI AKOS   Photography by JUSTICE HOWARD

- Neil, thank you for agreeing to do this interview! Can you give readers a little background on yourself? Has music always been so important for you?

One day when I was thirteen, ice hockey suddenly became less important and music took its place. I started playing in my first band The NEWRACE, performing at venues such as CBGB’s, Max’s Kansas City and Great Gildersleeve’s at fifteen. Then after The NEWRACE broke-up, I joined a band called AMRA in 1982, which was a progressive metal/hard rock band. I had 5 years of writing songs and playing clubs in NYC before I eventually joined Anthrax in the Summer of 1982.

- Who do you think your biggest influences are musically?

Growing up in NYC, I was a big fan of Accept, Riot, Saxon, Motörhead, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, KISS, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and of course great metal vocalists like Dio, Halford, DiAnno and Dickinson. They really inspired me in the early eighties.  Nowadays I also listen to bands such as Hibria, Nocturnal Rites, Kreator, Destruction and too many other great bands to list.

- You were the first powerhouse vocalist of thrash metal and original lead singer of Anthrax. How did you get hooked up with Anthrax in 1982? Overall, how would you describe your time as a member of Anthrax? Do you look back on it all with a certain fondness?

Scott Rosenfeld called me in response to a month old ad I placed in a local music paper and I told him I was unavailable at that time.   After leaving the band Amra, I called Scott back a month later, to see if they still had no singer. I met with Scott Rosenfeld and Danny Lilker first,  then jammed with the entire band including members Greg Walls (Guitar) and Dave Weiss (Drums) and joined the band a couple of days later.

In my two years with Anthrax, I helped to pioneer Thrash Metal during the “Groundbreaking Era” of the band.  I helped put Anthrax on the metal map with “Fistful Of Metal” and the first North American Tour.  My songs were on the first three albums and many subsequent re-recordings and greatest hits releases.

I don’t look back, I only look forward!!!!  I have no nostalgic feelings whatsoever about Anthrax.  I have a lot of good memories of the rabid metal fans who got to experience Thrash Metal for the first time.

- You penned such songs as Metal Thrashing Mad, Armed and Dangerous, and Deathrider. How does it feel to know that these songs have defined a genre and are now regarded as classics?

When I created the ideas for these songs, I knew exactly what they were. I was compelled from within to write them and I’m glad that metal fans appreciate them the way that I do. I am aware of the fact that DEATHRIDERS songs will always be compared to these Metal Anthems, but I’m the same person who wrote them and will always continue to write METAL THRASHING!!!! songs in the same vein.

- Why were you fired from the band only after two years?

I hung in there for as long as humanly possible.  After we went out on the road twice in 1984, the other members of the band and the management formed a coup against me, therefore making it impossible to continue to work together.   They couldn’t deal with the fact that I was getting a lot more attention than they were comfortable with.  Charlie Benante and Scott Rosenfeld insisted on pushing the songwriting in a totally different direction and I stood my ground when I was writing Armed And Dangerous and Gung Ho.  That’s part of the reason we had to separate.

- Are you still in contact with some of your former Anthrax pals? What do you think about the vocalists changes they went through nowadays?

Actually yes, the original Anthrax lead guitarist Greg Walls recently contacted me on his trip out to Winter NAMM 2010. About their vocalist changes… it’s not what I think about it, it’s what the fans think about it.

- In 2003 you made a great solo album called “Threatcon Delta”. Could you tell us about this please?

I signed a record deal with Metal Mayhem in August 2001 to record my first solo album “Threatcon Delta”.  The songs were a combined effort of myself and different collaborators.  It gave me the opportunity to play with some great musician friends that I have a tremendous amount of admiration and respect for.

- Deathriders is named after one of your songs and was formed in 2003 to support your solo album “Threatcon Delta”. Is Deathriders only a solo project or a real band?

Of course DEATHRIDERS is a real band!!!! We did 25 shows last year in 2009 including Germany twice on our “Double Vengeance European Tour” and toured Japan and the US together in 2008 as well as Sweden Rock, Monterrey Metal Fest, Thrash Against Cancer and Rocklahoma.  DEATHRIDERS has been touring together for over 5 years. We are currently recording our debut album “Back With A Vengeance”.  The band and I are collaborating with one of the top guitarists in Sweden, Jonas Hornqvist of the band Treasure Land on songwriting and recording. We’ve also been playing the last three years with Michael Angelo Batio as a special guest on select dates. The name of the band is DEATHRIDERS for a reason.  It represents an important part of my history and THRASH METAL!!!!

- Please give us some details on the current lineup of Deathriders. How did you find these members and what have they added to the bands sound?

Sandy K. Vasquez (Bass) joined the band after we played Sweden Rock in 2006. Sandy brings a solid foundation and groove, and plays incredibly fast with his fingers that most others play with a pick.
Mike Guerrero (Guitar) is known as “Tapping Ninja”, joined DEATHRIDERS in 2007 before our Japan tour along with Dave Watson (Guitar). Both Mike and Dave bring a twin guitar attack and do justice to the metal thrashing madness that is DEATHRIDERS.
Dave Chedrick (Drums) joined us one year ago with his dynamic double bass and as a band we’ve played 25 concerts in 2009.
Collectively the band has brought a lot of old school experience with them and the hunger to stay thrashing.
For more detailed information on the band check out: www.DEATHRIDERS.net/presskit.html

You guys are working on your debut album, right? How would you describe your debut album “Back With A Vengeance” musically?

DEATHRIDERS is a force to be reckoned with and we’re ready to thrash!!!! “Back With A Vengeance” picks up where “Fistful Of Metal” left off.

What record label will it be on? And maybe any word on a release date?

A few labels have already contacted us. When the album is fully recorded, mixed and mastered that’s when the final decision will be made. From the standpoint of negotiation it would be much stronger to have a finished product that is ready to go.  Before that point in time I’m not going to speculate. We’re as anxious as the fans are and we are making every possible effort to have our debut album come out as soon as possible. We are actively working on it.  The goal is to put out a remarkable Kick Ass Metal Album and not just another album.

- Please give the readers a preview of the new songs and thoughts.

Check out www.reverbnation.com/deathriders and give me YOUR thoughts on the new DEATHRIDERS songs which are already online.

- What was the songwriting process like? Can you tell us what you were going through during the writing of the album?

Most of the songs I’ve collaborated with Jonas Hornqvist and DEATHRIDERS on, and a couple of  songs I wrote the lyrics and music to all on my own, like “Riders Of The Apocalypse” and “Until We’re Dead or Motorhead”. Our focus is on an aggressive and intense thrashing album like “Fistful Of Metal” for the old school fans. The songtitles and lyrics deal with a number of very personal subjects: Screaming In My Head, Crimson Warrior, Give Em Hell, Bridges Will Burn.

- What’s your main goal with this CD?

Our main goal is to make a CD that will stay in your stereo or i-pod in constant rotation. We wanna put out an album that makes the fans happy and that will thrash like fistful of metal 2.

- Your voice sounds as tremendous as back in the day. It is flawless. How do you keep your voice in shape?

Once you get to a certain level as a vocalist and you’re really familiar with your instrument and how it works, you better understand the parameters and what it takes to warm up or have your voice in a more flexible state, so it is prepared to reach upper, middle and lower registers seamlessly. The most important thing for any vocalist is to have enough sleep and rest (8 hours) for the voice to repair itself.  On the road this is very hard to do, which makes it challenging even for the best there is.

How would you compare today with the heydays and the craziness of the 80’s. Was it much different than it is today? Was it more exciting back then?

The eighties were a challenging and exciting time of breaking new ground and pioneering thrash metal. Today it is even better since in 2009, DEATHRIDERS have played more shows than ever before and we’re not looking in the rear view mirror.  We just KEEP MARCHING ON!!!!

- Thanks for giving us some minutes for answering this exclusive interview. And finally, anything else you would like to add?

Keep the Metal Strong!!!! And Stay Thrashing!!!!

/Neil T