How did you start writing about metal?
I
was a teacher in my 20s but wanted to switch to writing for a living, so did
some freelance stuff for various magazines until I got a job at Record Collector magazine in London in
1999. I started writing books more or less as soon as I got there. The first
one came out in 2000 and then in 2004 I had a bestseller with my Metallica
book, which allowed me to quit a year later and work from home as a full-time
author, which I’m glad to say I’m still doing eight years later.
What difference do you see in
metal bands from the past and now?
I
try not to let middle-aged nostalgia affect my view of modern metal, but it’s
difficult because when I was a teenager, bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica and
Slayer were recording their best albums and I haven’t really heard anyone do
better since then. That said, if I were 15 years old now I’m sure I’d be
totally into the modern stuff. It’s all a matter of perspective.
Tell me who was your inspiration?
As
a writer, I was inspired by the late Tom Hibbert of Q magazine, whose
relentless attacks on his subjects blow my mind to this day, not least because
his writing was so good-humoured and self-mocking. I never really warmed to
writers who portrayed themselves as rock stars. That’s not our function.
Can you share some of the best
and worst times which you have seen in your life?
I’ve
lost family members and become a father. Those are the worst and best things
that can happen to anybody. Life has generally been good, though. I’m lucky
enough to have a great job that allows me to be in full control of my time,
which in turn has enabled me to be available for my family.
Personally which band do you like
the most?
I’m
currently as fond of the same mixture of metal (the obvious thrash/death/black/heavy
acts) and non-metal (Prince, Beatles, Tom Waits, Bach) as I ever was.
Can you tell us which is your
best and worst interview that you did?
Worst:
Jon Bon Jovi in 2000, who was bored and distant, but it was my fault really: I
couldn’t think of anything interesting to ask him. Best? It was a life-changing
experience to meet James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag (just a couple of
months before his death) and the guys out of Anthrax and Slayer. Dave Grohl was
amazing, just recently. I remember John Williams, the classical guitarist,
trying to speak down to my level. Lemmy of course, Bill Wyman, the
godly Jack Bruce. Tom Jones, Mike Oldfield, Michael Nyman the composer, Clive
James the thinker, John Simm the TV actor, Patrick Moore the astronomer, Katie
Price the ditzy model. Having a curry with Rick Wakeman. Helping Bob Geldof
write a letter to the Pope. Disagreeing with John Lydon. Having a laugh with Ozzy,
Tony, Geezer, Bill, Ronnie. Talking death metal with Slipknot. Interviewing
every metal band under the sun – Satanists, murderers and rapists among them –
some of whom were great, some of whom made me feel disgusted. Nick Rhodes of
Duran Duran phoning me up, and my wife answering the phone and being left
speechless. Marc Almond talking about the road accident that nearly killed him.
Gary Numan talking about the plane accident that nearly killed him. Bruce
Dickinson of Iron Maiden inviting me onto his BBC radio show and telling me
“What an amazing career you’ve had” (!). Most of Deep Purple, many times. Alice
Cooper – in shock, the week of 9/11. Mike Patton and Billy Gould of Faith No
More, some of Green Day. Peter Gabriel meeting my daughter when she
was a few months old. Queens Of The Stone Age, Machine Head. Ice-T telling me
about life in the army. Stewart Copeland teaching me Italian swear words.
Standing on stage at Ronnie Scott’s and pretending to be Miles Davis. Asking
Liam Howlett of the Prodigy about Rage Against The Machine. Exchanging fanboy
tales about Randy Rhoads and Deep Purple with Tom Morello. Telling Slash I’d
heard him swear on kids’ TV and him being mortified. Thomas Fischer of Celtic
Frost gleefully reading me a bad review I’d written of his recent album, and me being mortified. It goes on and on – I’ve been doing this for 16
years and have done about 1000 interviews. Most of all, the three
autobiographies I’ve co-written – of Glenn Hughes, David Ellefson and Max
Cavalera. I did between 30 and 60 hours of interviews with each guy, which
gives you a viewpoint into their heads that no-one else gets – not their
bandmates, wives or children. It’s quite a responsibility.
As doing interview from a year I
know at starting phase everyone do mistake. Can you tell me what is the most
stupid thing that you did?
Nothing
terrible, just basic rookie errors like lack of preparation, lack of research
and so on.
Nowadays what are you working
for?
I’m
the editor of Bass Guitar Magazine and I contribute to Metal Hammer, Classic
Rock, Acoustic, Drummer, Record Collector and The Guardian. I also write two
books a year on average and do the occasional sleevenote for record companies.
What are the achievement that
came in your life after writing for metal?
Being
a good dad comes first.
When you start writing what are
things that come in your mind?
How
to manage my time so the thing gets done on time.
What do you think metal band
should be underground or come to mainstream?
Both
are fine.
Anything that you have say to the
reader and your fans out there?
Don’t
worry, it’ll all be fine in the end. And thank you for the interview.
