Paul Crook has agreed to do an interview for my website! The 14 questions submitted to him reveal his opinions, thoughts and feelings on anything from Napster to Metal Sludge!
The questions are in yellow and Pauls answers are in green.
JUST THE BASICS:Just an end note:1.) How long have you been playing guitar?
24 yrs
2.)Do you play any other instruments?
No
3.)I know that you were in Anthrax, and are now in Sebastian Bach and Friends, what other bands were you a part of?
Big misconception, I'm still playing with ANTHRAX. We just left the MAXIMUM ROCK TOUR with MOTLEY CRUE and MEGADETH. No other bands worth mentioning, wait I forgot.... THE EXCELLENT JAM. We play on Randolph Av and tour the local strip club (small tour, big women)
4.)Who were some of the people that inspired you to play guitar, and helped build that 'energy'?
Edward Van Halen and Gene Simmons
OPINIONS
5.)What do you think of Napster? Do you think it should continue on or be pulled from the 'net?
I don't know what to think about Napster. Sometimes I take advantage of the site. Although the thought of people being able to download the entire next Sebastian Bach or ANTHRAX record does scare me.
6.)I read that you're a Sludge-A-Holic. I know (and I think you know as-well) that Metal Sludge is only entertainment. There are a lot of artists who don't seem to be able to take a joke very well. What do you have to say about that?
Yes, I am a Sludge-A-Holic. METAL SLUDGE cracks me up. I love the site. I have no problem with anybody who can't understand that type of humor. It can be pretty brutal.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE:
7.)If you weren't in a band, what would you be doing right now?
If I wasn't in a band I'd be working in a studio engineering/producing records.
8.)Any advice for aspiring guitar players?
I love seeing young guitar players ripping it up. Scott Ian and I recently judged a guitar competition in Dallas, TX. This one kid blew my mind. He was 15 yrs old. I voted for him but he didn't win. When it was all over I invited him to the MAXIMUM ROCK show the next day. I told him to keep practicing his vibrato. It is the most frustrating thing for a guitarist to develope. <<<
>>> 9.)Through your career as a musician, have you been able to work with some of the people you dreamed/hoped of working with?
Actually, I saw SKID ROW on pay-per-view back in 88 or 89. It was the MOSCOW concert. I freaked out over Sebastian Bach's performance. It was the first time I ever saw him in a live situation. I remember saying "I wanna play guitar for that guy".
10.)If you were sent to Mars tomorrow, other than basic necessities, what 2 items would you bring with you and why?
I'd bring a guitar and my chick Kristie so I could keep all my juices flowing.
MISC. STUFF
11.)Jimmy Flemion is out of Sebastians band (for now?). Are there any plans of you being in the band for good?
Sebastian Bach and Friends is Baz's band. He is the only one that is there for good.
12.)Can you give me a little Anthrax history? How long Anthrax has been alive, band members, when you came in, etc.. ANTHRAX was started by Scott Ian back on July 9th, 1981 (I believe). Scott had Dan Lilker on bass (there is no one more metal. He's a part of SOD with Scott and Charles). He also had that guy from White Lion on drums. I forget the rest of the original lineup. The band really started making a nitch when Charles Benante, Joey Belladonna, Frank Bello and Dan Spitz got together with Scott back in 83 (I believe). I love this lineup. Some great music and attitude.
In 92 Joey was fired and John Bush joined. In 95 Dan was fired and I came in but not as a full partner.
13.)I just heard that you and Mark "Bam Bam" McConnell played together in your previous band called 'Crook'. Any special memories?
Yes I do. We played the place called the LIONS DEN in NYC. We finished our set and Bam Bam asked Harry (our singer) if he could borrow his car to drop off this girl. Mind you it's a Friday night and she lived on the LI (about a half hour away). Anyway, nobody heard from Bam Bam until Monday. Harry had no way home and no car for the entire weekend.
LAST QUESTION:
14.)If you could tell the readers 1 thing that they already didn't know about you, what would it be?
I'm a vegetarian.
(This is the interview exactly as I recieved it! Caps and all). Kudos to Paul for being a vegetarian and thanks a billion for doing this interview!!
To email Paul Crook, click on his face below!!
Main Page
Paul Crooks Official Site
Sebastian Bachs Official Site
Anthrax' Official Site