Traditional heavy metal band DAMIEN has been back since 2004. Well,
forget the word "traditional" and put "killer" at the place ! Because
their tunes are more than being effective. They only played live for the
moment, but it seems that resurrected material and new one are in the process.
With the big help of Jeff Pero, it was possible to do this interview with
bassist Kevin Kekes.
Hello Kevin, was the bass your first instrument ? How old were
you when you began to play bass ?
I originally started playing guitar. I wasn't
very good though, I really struggled with it. Then a friend asked me to
fill in on bass for his band. It was a good fit, and I stuck with it. In
those days, Guitar players were a dime a dozen...and bass players were hard
to find. I was 16 yrs. old then.
How did you come into Metal music ?
I loved music from my earliest memories.
My Dad listened to Elvis, Marty Robbins, and Wayne Newton. I used to listen
to his records while he was at work. I was calling AM radio stations when
I was 6 yrs. old, requesting "Puppy Love" by Donny Osmond. I think I was
in 7th grade when I heard "The Prophets Song" by Queen. That changed everything.
My path was set. I was on to Thin Lizzy, Priest, Maiden, U.F.O. I
loved the European bands.
Do you remember in which year was born DAMIEN ? The reasons which
led you to play in a band ?
I joined Damien in 1982, but there was a
line-up before that. Damien was actually one of my favorite local bands
back then. Chuck was already known as a great guitarist.
Had you known various line-ups before finding the stable one ?
How did you get in touch with Chuck, Randy, Fritz and Johnny ?
I used to see them in the clubs. Chuck saw
me rehearsing with Jeff Kollman one day, and a few weeks later I ran into
Chuck. We were both in a restroom at a club, taking a pee, and Chuck said
"Aren't you that bass player"? He asked me to audition, which was
ironic, because I knew that Damien was looking for a bass player, but I didn't
think I was good enough to try out. I did though. I was the last one to
join the "classic" line-up. It's been 25 yrs. now.
Did you play live a lot before signing a deal in 1987 ? Did you
record some demo tapes and make them circulate in the underground ?
We rehearsed for about 2 years before we
played a public show. We had a warehouse with a stage set up. We tried
to mimic Priest and Sabbath. We used to throw parties. It was insane. It
built our reputation, so when we played our first public show, almost 900
people showed up on a Monday night- in a snowstorm. The club ran out of
beer. We were off to a good start...
How came the deal with Select ? Was it only for two albums ?
Our manager at the time- David Preschel,
got us the deal with Select. There was an option for more than two albums,
but after "Stop This War". We started running into trouble. Like alot of
bands, we started having internal problems.
1988 was the year for the release of “Every Dog Has Its Day” album.
This album clearly shows the potential that DAMIEN has to play powerful
heavy metal. How was your debut album received in the metal world ?
It was well received overall. Of course,
we had a few bad reviews, and some people just hated the band, but overall...it
was very positive.
The following album “Stop This War” came one year later.
I think it is more killer than the previous one. What is your opinion about
these two albums ?
I love them both. It's like your children...you
love them both, but maybe in different ways. I am both proud and grateful
to be a part of those albums. The fact that they are still going strong
today tells alot about those records. It's just good classic Metal, and
I'm glad that some people enjoy them.
At the end of the eighties, you were a heavy metal band in a scene
where thrash metal was disappearing and where death metal was the next
big thing. Was it difficult to be a traditional metal band in the middle
of two trends?
Well...yes and no. If you add in the grunge
movement, we were in the middle of 3 trends, and the music we were doing
was just not favorable. But then again...so what! Most of those bands
have come and gone, and the music of Damien is as strong as ever. Live by
a trend-Die by a trend. I think that a band, and especially an individual,
has to be true to themselves. I can't be something I'm not, and I won't pretend
to be. I've never regreted that.
You made two promo videos for each album with “Every Dog Has Its
Day” and “Break Out”. What are your memories of these two videos ?
Alot of fun. Both videos were directed by
Simeon Soffer, who did video for Led Zeppelin, Overkill, and Dirty Looks,
among others. For "Breakout", we rented this great big hall, painted the
walls black... We had 14 Iron Coffins (motorcycle gang), and 20 female models.
The Sheriff showed up. I could probably write a book...
Did Select give you promotion and tours support ? Or did you tour
by yourselves ?
Select did some great things for us, like
the videos, a publicist, and alot of press. When it came to touring however,
we were on our own. There was no tour support. So any touring we did, or
have done, has been all us.
Why did Randy, Fritz and Johnny leave the band ?
They left at different times, for different
reasons. It's hard to keep a band's line-up intact for 10 years, let alone
20 years. People lose interest, especially in difficult times. We all change
and grow. I love everyone who has ever been in this band. Some more than
others, but it's always been a family. Even our crew, and managers, and
such. The band Damien has always been bigger than any one person in it.
Damien lives on regardless. Having said that...Thank God for Chuck Stohl!
How did you find Scott Miller and Rob Brug ?
They were both local guys. We had mutual
friends, and they recommended them. They both made their mark when they
were in the band. I still talk to Rob Brug often. He's playing drums for
the band Halloween from Detroit. He's really a smoking drummer, and a great
guy. He's like a brother.
With theses two new members, you recorded a third album in 1995,
titled “Angel Juice”, on the Mourning Star label. I still don’t know that
album, how does it sound ?
Personally, I think it's a great record.
A little heavier than the first two. And we had really grown as far as
playing our instruments. We are currently in the process of re-pressing
that CD. It's sold out, but Chuck and I have the rights, and there is
a demand. You can currently get the MP3's for "Angel Juice" at
www.MusicLizard.com
I think that's the only place on Earth you can get them. They
will have the CD in a month or two, probably.
Why did the band break up shortly after ?
Well, personal differences...all that bullshit.
The band was really struggling against the tide. And then there was the
dope, and...Man. it's a long ugly story. We went our separate ways, but
Damien has never technically broken up. You may see a new release, along with
unreleased stuff from the Damien vault. There are plans...
Which were your activities between 1995 and 2004 ? Did you stay
in contact with the other members ?
Personally, I did some stuff with David Chastain.
I played bass on Chastains' "In Dementia" , and played in his blues-rock
band Southern Gentlemen. I did two of those Southern Gentlemen discs-
"Exotic Dancer Blues" and "Double Your Pleasure" I also did an album with
VainGlory- "2050". That disc features a great guitar player in Corbin King.
I'm currently recording some solo work, and Chuck Stohl and I are talking
about doing some Damien stuff. I think we have to. The band won't die, which
is great! Chuck put out some solo material with his band Stohl-N.
It seems your manager Jeff Pero has a role in your comeback, hasn’t
he ?
Did he tell you that...? I'm gonna kick his
ass!! In reality, Jeff has been absolutely essential to the Damien
story. Much of our success is due to Jeff, and his loyalty, hard-work, and
determination. He's our secret weapon!
So DAMIEN returned in 2004 with the classic line-up. Which were
your feelings to be back on stage with the other members ? Did you still
have the same passion when playing the songs ? How was the audience ?
It was fantastic. From the first note, it
was like we never had parted. We picked up right where we left off. Like
I said...it's a family. We will always have a connection. It was especially
sweet for me, because in 2002 I severely injured my right hand. I really
wasn't sure if I would ever play bass again, let alone play those Damien
songs! So my passion in playing that music was greater than ever. It still
is... The audience was so great. Those people showed so much
love for the band. And we love them. It was so cool, because we had all the
old fans, and alot of young kids who had never saw a live Damien show. And
the young kids loved it! It was a very special time. We are releasing that
reunion show on CD and hopefully DVD. I'm sorry that it has taken this long.
Are you satisfied with the cd’s re-releases by Power Play ?
Absolutely. Jim from Power Play has been
great. We had no say in the deal between Power Play and Select, but Power
Play was really willing to work with us. We continue to work with them.
Jim has been very cooperative in considering our input. He put the videos
on the CD's, and let us contribute artwork. I can't say enough...In many
ways, he is better to work with than Select. He just doesn't have Select's
budget.
Have you plans for a new album ?
Yes, but I'm not sure of the line-up. I am
sure that it won't be the line-up from any of the albums.
Which are your best and worst memories with DAMIEN ?
There are many good memories. The friendship
between us, most of all. Going to New York City to mix the first two albums.
Recording our videos...many of the live shows are great memories. As far
as the worst...maybe being stranded 1500 miles from home, with no money
and a crew to feed. There have been many high points, and more than enough
low points.
How do you see the current metal scene ?
Most of the great classic bands are still
great. Other than that, I don't hear much that I really like. There seems
to be a lack of songwriting and craftsmanship. That's certainly not exclusive
to metal though. It's everywhere. To be fair, there is probably many
good bands that I'm not aware of. Metal lives on, like it always has. Maybe
it just needs a shake-up. I think that the entertainment business in general
is going through alot of changes.
Let’s finish with a less easy question : your ten favorite metal
albums ?
That is a tough one...O.K. these aren't all
exactly Metal, but these 10 influenced my life:
1) QUEEN - A Night At The Opera
2) JUDAS PRIEST – Stained Class
3) THIN LIZZY – Bad Reputation
4) ACCEPT - Restless & Wild
5) UFO - Obsession
6) QUEEN - Sheer Heart Attack
7) GARY MOORE - We Want Moore
8) IRON MAIDEN – Killers
9) MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath
10 ) AEROSMITH - Rocks
Thank you for taking time to answer my questions. I wish you all
the best for the DAMIEN’s return ! Feel free to add some words if something
was forgotten…
Thanks for your interest in Damien. Check
out www.MusicLizard.com
or www.powerplayrecords.com
to find Damien music, MP3's, T-Shirts, etc.
Keep in touch with the band at :
www.myspace.com/damienlives06
/ www.myspace.com/stohlnrocks
/ www.myspace.com/kevinkekes
http://hometown.aol.com/damien2002rs/myhomepage/profile.html
Thanks to all of our fans. You've made it all worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Interview by Patrick Lefevre
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