:: INTERVIEW TO
JOEY BELLADONNA FROM ANTHRAX - versione italiana
Maybe
your temporary reunion has come in a very unexpected way.
Could you tell me how was born this idea?
Charlie talked to Scott and they then brought the idea to the management.
Everyone discussed it together and thought it would be a great time to do
it, especially since it's our 20-year anniversary.
...And there’s even the fact that so much people thought that your relationship
was quite bad, and those could think that you made all this thing only about
money...
First of all, there's nothing bad at all with us. We get along quite well.
No one is going to get rich off this. Of course we're going to make some
money because this is our job, it's how we earn our living. This is how
we get paid. Also, it's a great lineup, so why not do it? We're really psyched
to do it.
How do you feel playin’ today with your old band in front of Anthrax’s
old fans?
It's going to be great playing with the old lineup again in front of old
and new fans.
Which
reason brought you to leave Anthrax?
I didn't leave Anthrax. They wanted to part ways with me. I think they wanted
to use a different style of vocals.
...Then you started your solo carreer...what thing drove you to do that?
I think it has been a hard way to run, about the fact that you had to begin
from...the beginning!
Well, I've always been into music, so it was inevitable that I continue
writing and performing on my own. Of course, I'm not carrying the name "Anthrax",
so it's a little more difficult starting with my own band, Belladonna. But,
overall, I'm really enjoying writing and performing.
Now you released two albums Artifacts. Could you tell us what they contain,
who you played with and what your fans have to expect from these works?
Actually, only the first volume has been released so far, but the second
will definitely be released. I also have three solo albums prior to "Artifacts
I"......."Belladonna", "Spells of Fear" and "03". As to the Artirfacts albums,
Paul Crook, is the guitarist, Paul Mocci on bass, Jeff Torotora on drums
and I do the vocals. These are raw demos recorded in 1993 in the basement
of my home. We decided the songs were so cool as a demo, people might like
to hear them.
Have you planned a tour to promote Artifacts?
Since 1995, I have included some of the music from the album in my live
performances.
Would you change something of your first album?
Well, I actually have several first albums, so am not sure to which you
are referring. My very first album, ever, was "Spreading the Disease" with
Anthrax. My second "first" album was "Belladonna" done with my band, Belladonna,
and my third "first" album was "Artifacts I" done with the musicians shown
above. All the albums had their moments and nothing is ever perfect. There
are a few things I would have liked to change with the "Belladonna" album,
such as have Paul Crook on guitar, but he wasn't available at the time.
I would like to have had the lineup we had for "Artifacts I" for all my
solo albums, but it just wasn't possible. I loved everything about "Spreading
the Disease".
Talking about Anthrax again, whit do you think about the realization
of “The Greater Of Two Evils”?
They had the opportunity to put it out, so why not?
Do you like the tracklist chosen by your fans?
Hey, there are plenty of good songs on there. I never saw the list that
they were presented with, so I can't tell you much about it.
Always about the tracklist, are you surprised about why they chose some
songs like “Deathrider”?
Well, again, I really couldn't give you the definitive answer to that. All
I can say is, "Why not?", I guess.
I noticed how several people identify Anthrax with the historical
line up (at the time of “Among The Living”, for example). What do you think
about this? Is it a pleasure for you to know that people recognize the only
one singer of the band in you?
I call it the "classic" lineup. This lineup really got things underway and
was very successful. If that's how people feel, I think it's awesome.
I'm really happy if they feel that way. Thank you.
Could you tell us something about each album from “Spreading The
Disease” to “Persistence Of Time”?
"Spreading The Disease": just joining them was an awesome experience.
"Among The Living": another great batch of songs on there. Also cool was
having Eddie Kramer produce it. We mixed it with Eddie in the Bahamas.
"I'm The Man": another cool thing, being able to do an EP. Throwing in a
Black Sabbath song was cool, as was getting to play the drums while performing
it live.
"State of Euphoria": mixed in Miami. Sunny, tennis courts, swimming pool,
Ozzie tour. Another cool experience with a record that's a little different.
Doing "Antisocial" in Frence was cool.
"Persistence of Time": going to Electric Lady studio to record was great.
It was good to be back in New York City. A bit darker record. Touring with
Iron Maiden.
And what do you think about Anthrax’s last releases?
I don't know much in detail about them. They all seem pretty heavy. It seems
like they've kind of broadened their writing along the way.
Are you going to record new stuff now tht you are back together?
No one knows at this point. We're just enjoying what is going on now.
You will play at Gods Of Metal Festival in June. Would you like
to say something to your italian fans?
It's going to be great to come back to Italy again! I have such fond moments
of being there. You are great fans! Thank you for having me back.
R
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