After blistering live performances by Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer, we just needed to get “caught in a mosh” at an electrifying performance by these thrash lords from the East Coast. Anthrax is performing in Fly Music Festival being held in New Delhi and Bangalore on 16th and 17th February, respectively. We caught up with Frank Bello for a quick interview before the gig.
Eight Octaves: Greetings from Eight Octaves! This is the first time Anthrax is visiting India. How does it feel to be playing in the second most populated country on Earth? Also what took you so long!?
Frank Bello: It feels amazing! We are totally excited! We waited for the promoters to make it possible.
Eight Octaves: India has been a hotspot for international acts lately. In the past one year we have had Metallica, Opeth, Lamb Of God, Megadeth, Children Of Bodom, Kreator, Slayer, Gojira, Testament and now this huge Fly Music Festival. How does it feel to be a part of it and what are your expectations from the crowd?
Frank Bello: I am absolutely looking forward to the Fly Music Festival! I expect the crowd to be crazy and having a good time!
Eight Octaves: Formed back in 1981, Anthrax has released 10 studio albums, did tons of live shows, has been tagged as one of “The Big Four“, sold over 15 million copies and is rated as one of the best bands from the tri-state area. The journey must have been blissful! Please share your experience with our readers.
Frank Bello: Anthrax has been a great experience in my life, and still is! We have been very fortunate to be able to play to our fans all over the world- and thankfully our fan base keeps growing. We are a very hungry band that loves to play for our fans.
Eight Octaves: Please shed some light on the new Anthems EP coming out this March.
Frank Bello: ‘Anthems’ is a collection of cover songs that we recorded that will be released as an EP on March 19th. It’s a bunch of songs from bands that we listened to growing up- such as: “Anthem” (Rush), “Smokin” (Boston), “Big Eyes” (Cheap Trick), “TNT” (AC/DC), “Keep On Runnin” (Journey), “Jailbreak” (Thin Lizzy), and a cool remix of our song “Crawl” (from Worship Music).
Eight Octaves: When I listen to the upcoming American Thrash Metal bands, their sound bears a resemblance to that of Anthrax in the early ‘Among The Living’ days and not to any other band from The Big 4. What are your views on this?
Frank Bello: I think it’s great. It’s a great compliment.
Eight Octaves: Talking about Thrash Metal, it has evolved through many regionally-based scenes all having distinctive elements of their own. How would you differentiate East Coast Thrash from other regional scenes like Bay Area Thrash or Teutonic Thrash?
Frank Bello: I think every band has their own sound, which makes them interesting.
Eight Octaves: Anthrax was all about pure thrash but in early 90s the band’s sound transcended to a more rap/alternative based music, given the members interest in hardcore punk and crossover thrash. What made Anthrax go through this change, in spite of members already working in side projects playing such music?
Frank Bello: To us there was no change. We just wrote the music that was inside of us.
Eight Octaves: Anthrax has been through numerous line-up changes right from its year of formation. We also witnessed many exits and re-entries over the years. To what factors would you attribute this? Did you ever feel that you’ve missed something by not maintaining a constant line-up?
Frank Bello: Anthrax has been together for over 30 years and it’s hard to keep everything the same in those years. We’ve survived, so I don’t feel like we missed anything because thats was our journey to get where are right now- we’re having a blast!
Eight Octaves: Back in 1981, Scott and Danny faced a lot of problems in structuring the band. Most appointed members either didn’t fit in, were under skilled or had different visions. What’s your take on problems faced in setting up a band?
Frank Bello: To set up a band you have to all be on the same page to your goal.
Eight Octaves: How did you guys take the shock of Rob departing from the band? Was it something foreseen or was it sudden?
Frank Bello: Rob is our brother, and we love him. His heart is with producing and we respect that and wish him all the best in the future.
Eight Octaves: How are the sessions with Jon Donais being carried out? Is it just a temporary setting or can we expect to see more of him in future?
Frank Bello: John is a good friend of ours who is an amazing player and great dude. Right now- we just want to have great shows and see whats next.
Eight Octaves: Finally have you listened to any Indian metal artists? If yes, has the thought of collaborating with them ever struck your mind?
Frank Bello: I haven’t, but I am interested to hear some Indian metal artists.
