Well, introducing EXCITER would be an insult to every real metal maniacs,
as you know very well the Heavy Metal Maniac / Violence And Force / Long
Live The Loud albums. The questions of this interview were sent to John Ricci
and Dan Beelher (Allan Johnson was not found). John answered to all the questions.
Unfortunately, it seems the relationship between him and Dan is not good
these last years. Thanks to ex-EXCITER bassist Paul Champagne who tried to
motivate Dan for doing this interview. After a long wait, Dan answered half
of the questions (I guess the other half will stay without answers).
Can you remember how you came into Metal and which bands impressed you
at the time ?
John : When I first started playing guitar
in the 60`s I was listening to bands like Black Sabbath. The heavy power
chording of Sabbath really made an impression me and I was hooked from that
point on.
Dan : My brother got me into Metal. He was my biggest inspiration.
Early Alice Cooper was first.
If I’m right, the band was first called HELL RAZOR, later you changed
the name into EXCITER… How did come the idea and the change ?
John : My previous band, before EXCITER was
called Hell Razor. The name kind of followed me when myself, Beehler and
Johnson got together in 1978.But in 1980 one of our roadcrew, Richard Beehler,
heard the song EXCITER by Judas Priest and suggested it would be a great
name for us instead of Hell Razor, we all agreed, and that's how it happened.
Dan : We were called Hell Razor at first. My brother suggested Exciter
because we were all big Judas Priest fans. I still like Hell Razor !!
The band was born in 1978, but it seems the first demo tape only surfaced
in 1982… So was the band concentrating on writing songs, rehearsing and playing
live at the beginning ?
John : In the beginning we actually played
cover songs and a few originals. We were always trying really hard to write
the ultimate Metal riff, so for the first few years we were sort of soul-searching
musically speaking. It wasn't until 1982 that we thought we had "good" songs
to record.
Dan : Correction, the band was born in May 1979, I was 17 years old.
We were writing and doing some early demos trying to gel and playing the
odd live show. We hit a point where we started writing songs like on the
Maniac album but this took years.
In 1982, there was a demo tape with "World War III" and "Sail On". How
were the reviews back then ? I guess this demo helped you to get in touch
with Shrapnel… Will the "Sail On" track eternally rest into the crypt, as
it seems you never used this song on vinyl back in the earlier days ?
John : Our WWIII demo, had a slower song
called "I'll Never Forget", it wasn't called "Sail On". This song totally
sucked, it was horrible. That's why you'll never hear this song ever, it's
definitely `not` EXCITER.
Dan : WWIII started everything for us as you know. "Sail On" was a
perfect example of the early demos I told you about in the last question,
we just weren’t there yet.
The same year the "US Metal II" compilation LP including EXCITER’s "World
War III" was released, an amazing song by the way ! Do you remember the response
for your first vinyl appearance ? Did the deal for the first LP come quickly
with Shrapnel ?
John : When we sent this demo to Shrapnel
in the USA. The label manager, Mike Varney, called me and totally freaked
out over WWIII. He said it was the most original Metal song that he had heard
in a long time. We didn't realize it was the start of Speed and Thrash. We
weren't ready for all the fanmail we started receiving from all parts of
the globe, when this compilation record was released.
Dan : Like I say it started everything for us and when we started
to get shit loads of fan mail from Europe we Freaked !!! And as you know,
soon after came "Maniac". The deal with Shrapnel was very quick. It was the
best deal we ever had !!!
In 1983, you recorded a three-tracker tape including "Under Attack", "Rising
Of The Dead" and "Cry Of The Banshee". Was it done to promote the LP or to
help signing the deal with the record labels ?
John : We never recorded a demo featuring
those 3 songs (the tape trading brought me a three tracks recording, the
sound being a little diffrent than on the lp, I would like to know from where
came this tape-Patrick). Our first full-length demo was our first record
"Heavy Metal Maniac". Shrapnel offered us a deal instantly as soon as they
heard the 9-song demo.
Dan : I’ve never heard of this tape. We didn’t release it. We released
a full version of the album in cassette format to the underground Metal movement
(Europe).The first version was called "WWIII Heroes", later changed to "Heavy
Metal Maniac" and released by Shrapnel.
Then you put out the "Heavy Metal Maniac" LP, an incredible masterpiece
in my opinion as it has remained one of my favourite album of all times !
Although the distribution was limited in Europe, you received an incredible
feedback ! Are you still proud of that album and the fact that with "Heavy
Metal Maniac" you have left a timeless jewel in the story of Metal ?
John : We were caught by surprise "HMM" LP,
we thought was just 9 good songs, we didn't think it would be received and
be as influential as it was. Yes, I'm very proud of it.
Dan : Thank you for the amazing compliments !!! It’s too bad about
the distribution but a lot of people got this album somehow. Even today with
the re-releases I know that if I only had the money to buy one (which is
true) I would shell out for "Maniac" !!! Johns guitar was a monster, never
came close after that.
What are you memories to be the opening band for Black Sabbath in ’83
? Did you play only local gigs to support the first LP ?
John : We got offered the opening slot for
Sabbath while we were in the studio just finishing "HMM". So, our set was
the exact 9 songs of "Heavy Metal Maniac" in the exact order as they appear
on the record. The show was outdoors, the attendance was about 6500. We met
the Sabbath guys backstage and they were very pleasant, especially Dio. He
talked the most to us. Otherwise, we did not tour that album, we had no tour
support from our label Shrapnel.
Dan : We just did one gig. Johnny Van Zant cancelled out at the last
minute. We got a phone call while we were recording "Maniac". We did the
whole album that night in front of 7000 people !! I will remember it for
the rest of my life !! I still meet a lot of people around the city that
were at that gig, it was a milestone in our career.
It seems the deal with Shrapnel Records was for only one album. How did
you get in touch with Megaforce for the second LP ?
John : Megaforce contacted us. Johnny Z,
the label manager, really liked us and he wanted to sign us because he knew
our deal with Shrapnel was a one-album deal.
Dan : Megaforce got in touch with us and the rest is history.
In ’84, "Violence And Force" LP was unleashed, full of killer songs again
! Were you satisfied with the job done by Megaforce ? Was this label good
for the tour support also ?
John : "Violence and Force" in the end turned
out ok, but I couldn't capture my sound of my guitar from the first album
which is like a "buzz saw". Megaforce did arrange some USA shows for us they
did the best they could for us.
Dan : Megaforce did a great job.. We fucked up. It was a strong album,
but the production should have sounded more like “Maniac”.
You were also part of a Megaforce compilation LP with the track "Death
Revenge". As this song is really killer, why didn't you use it for the LP
? Will you put it as a bonus-track on a possible re-release of "Violence
And Force" ?
John : I don't really remember how "Death
Revenge" came about. I think we had too many songs for the "Violence and
Force" and we decided to hold on to it for a future release. Then later down
the road Megaforce included it on a compilation.
Dan : "Death Revenge" didn’t turn out the way we wanted, mainly the
vocals. I sang it terribly but never had a chance to sing it again, we had
to go on the road with Anthrax, so we tossed it and opened the album with
"Violence And Force" instead. They dug it up later for INTO THE MEGAVAULT.
I still cringe !!!!
There was another label change as you signed with Music For Nations. Did
you think it was a better idea to sign with a European label for promotion
or tour support ?
John : Megaforce "traded" us for another
band with Music For Nations in the UK that's how we got to be with MFN. After
we recorded "Long Live The Loud", we did a 10-city European tour with Accept
in March '85. If it wasn't for MFN we would of not had that opportunity.
Dan : We had no choice, Megaforce dumped us on Music For Nations.
We woke up one morning and we belonged to them. They did what they could,
helped us out a lot but again we Fucked Up.
"Long Live The Loud" was released in ’85. There is more veracity, but
no sell-out to an accessible market as the songs definitely still are strong,
raging and memorable. Do you see this album as a natural progression ? Was
it as good as received the first two ones ?
John : You're right. We wanted to show our
fans, we could play more complex music but at the same time stay to our roots.
Dan : This album wasn’t as strong as the first 2. It was written in
a hurry and it sounds like Shit !!! It should’ve been the next HMM. Some
diehards liked it though. It has it’s moments.
What was the idea behind the release of the "Feel The Knife" 12’’, including
the devastating title track and live versions of "Violence And Force" and
"Pounding Metal" ? Was it out of question at the time to put out a live LP
with songs from the three albums ?
John : We released "Feel The Knife" EP because
we did not have any new material. I was just to tie us over until the next
record.
Dan : We wrote “Feel the Knife” in about half an hour. The record
company wanted an extra track…….I HATE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The live tracks are cool tough, and very authentic for the era.
Can you explain the reason why John Ricci left the band at this time ?
John : I left the band in August '85 because
I found the rest of the band was making business decisions which was actually
hurting the band's career. I felt I was losing control of a band that I originally
founded in 1978. I couldn't take it anymore, so I quit. I didn't quit music,
I just quit EXCITER at that time.
Dan : He was fed up and wanted to pursue other things in his life.
The "Unveiling The Wicked" LP saw the light of day in ’86, with new guitarist
Brian McPhee. There are good songs on this album, but do you think McPhee
was a good choice for the band ? I still think that tracks like "Die In The
Night" or "Breakdown The Walls" would have been more killer with John’s guitar
playing…
John : They got Brian Macphee who is a good
player because they couldn't find anyone else. They were friends from previous
band. If I were still the band on that album the song writing would of been
different. I really don't like any of the songs on that album.
Dan : Brian was a great guitar player, but a wrong choice for the
band. At that point we should’ve come back with a Speed Metal Album from
Hell!!
What is your honest opinion about the "Exciter" LP from 1988, with the
addition of vocalist Rob Malnati ? Did you get angry if I tell you that LP
was felt like a kind of "a knife in the back" for EXCITER die-hard maniacs
? And why Dan didn’t want to sing anymore at this time ?
John : I don't know why they bothered to
get a lead singer on that album. He just sounds like he's trying to imitate
Beehler. Adding a singer and the songs on that album, real total waste of
effort. The band should of used better judgement.
No longer after this release EXCITER broke up. What were your activities
before the comeback ?
John : While I was out of EXCITER1985-90,
I founded a new band I called Blackstar.
In 1990, EXCITER re-united with John Ricci and Dan Beehler, why Allan
Johnson wasn't part of the reunion ?
John : In 1990, when Beehler and I got back
together we called Johnson but he was not interested in the least. He had,
as far as I know, quit music.
The following year, you got a deal with Noise Records and recorded "Kill
After Kill". This time, the songs were good, but not the sound unfortunately.
What are your thoughts about this LP ?
John : I agree. "Kill After Kill" is a great
album but the production is not good. We recorded that record in a new studio
with old outdated equipment and on a tight schedule, not the best circumstances.
I saw there's a video of clip of "Rain Of Terror" that was released a
long time ago. What can you remember from this video clip as it's rather
a killer one ? Was it difficult to video it ?
John : "Rain Of Terror" video was filmed
in our hometown, Ottawa, for about $5000 Canadian dollars. It was done in
2 days over the weekend. In that video, our bassist was Jeff Macdonald, who
was in the band for a short time, we only did 2 live gigs with him.
A lot of the EXCITER fans thought it was sad you were the opener for Rage
for the European tour, considering the status EXCITER gained in the eighties
and that you had enough killer songs to play as a headliner. Do you agree
with this thought ?
John : When we toured with Rage throughout
Europe we were going through a "self-doubt" phase of our career. We were
just happy to be on tour after Beehler and I got back together and that we
had a record deal with Noise Records. So, supporting Rage did not bother
us at all and besides Rage is an excellent band and we became good friends
on that tour.
Should "Better Live Than Dead" ’93 CD to be seen as the testament of the
second split as it contains a Canadian live show from 1991 ?
John : "Better Live Than Dead" is raw and
exciting, a typical EXCITER formula. After this record Beehler decided to
pack it in, he had enough of trying and trying for so many years and we were
still struggling for respect from the music industry.
When everybody thought EXCITER was dead and buried, the band returned
in 1997, with a new line-up and a deal with Osmose Records, beginning with
the release of the "Dark Command" album, that is brutal and sounds evil.
How did this return work ?
John : Well, I waited for about 2 years for
Beehler to change his mind and re-unite. Then in 1996,I decided to continue
EXCITER and find new musicians. I held auditions and by the end of 1996,
I had a "new" EXCITER. The songs for "The Dark Command" took about a year
to write, they definitely sound "evil".
Why "Blood Of Tyrant was released so late after ""Dark Command", three
years is pretty long for fans to wait ? How do you see "Dark Command" and
"Blood Of Tyrants" albums in the discography of EXCITER ?
John : "Blood Of Tyrants" took 3 years because
Jacques, our singer, quit during that time and also we did not have any new
songs ready.
You did European tours and several appearances at summer European festivals,
was the crowd receptive to EXCITER new line-up and new songs ?
John : The first time we played Europe with
the new line-up and songs the response was over the top, fantastic ! I knew
we had something very strong in this line-up.
In 2005 you re-recorded songs for the "New Testament" CD. What was the
aim with this CD ? What do you answer if someone says to you that it’s an
heresy to record old classic EXCITER songs with a different line-up ?
John : The purpose of "New Testament" was
2 reasons : we wanted fans to hear the old songs as done by the new line-up
and again we did not have new material ready.
In 2003, Dan Beehler and Allan Johnson were back in a band called Beehler.
They play new songs and old EXCITER songs. But this band didn't’ last long.
Do you know the reason ?
John : I know absolutely "nothing" about
Beehler project.
I hope you will not find this question boring, but have you never thought
to an EXCITER return with the classic line-up ? And how is the relationship
between the original members ?
John : A re-union with Beehler and Johnson
will never ever happen!!!
Recently "Heavy Metal Maniac" has been re-released on CD in America with
some bonus material. Are you happy with the result ? Will it be available
in Europe ? Was it also done to fight against bootlegs ? Will "Violence And
Force" and "Long Live The Loud" be re-released this way too ?
John : I am not involved with the re-issues,
I know nothing about them and I really don't care.
Can you tell us the future plans of the band ? Have you some fresh news
? Which label will publish the new record ?
John : We will continue to be on Osmose label
in France.
For the the 3rd time in 10 years, Jacques Belanger has quit EXCITER, how
do you see the future of the band ? It seems the new album is put on ice
now because of that ? how could you explain his departure and aren't you
fed up fighting with member departures ? Perhaps a stupid view, but isn't
it time to include Beehler again as every fan are waiting for him ?
John : Jacques is a great singer, only if
sings in EXCITER. If you put him in another band, his best vocal abilities
will not be evident like in EXCITER. We will move on, without him, nothing
will stop the EXCITER Metal machine. Jacques quit for the same reasons, as
he's done twice before. This is like the 3rd time in 10 years. He basically
has a difference of opinion on many issues with the rest of band. As far
as Beehler is concerned, I will never work or speak to him again.
Excepted for the vocals, how will sound the next album ? What kind of
EXCITER should we expect now ? Could you tell us a bit more about the tour
that'll take please after the release of this new opus ?
John : The next EXCITER album is full of
anthem songs in the EXCITER tradition, even a little darker than the previous
releases.
Being involved for long in the Metal scene, how do you see its evolution
all over the years ? Do you like new bands ? Are you still loyal to the old
bands you bought the records in your youth ? And do you think it’s great
to see the comeback of many bands from the eighties ?
John : I like all the newer bands, like Immortal,
Cannibal Corpse, Cradle of Filth, Arch Enemy, Steel Attack, Black Abyss,
etc. I think the newer bands are playing music that is exciting, with a fresh
interpretation of old Metal (actually I can't see any Metal interpretation
in shit like cradle, but that's a matter of taste – Eric).
Everyone knows the band name is taken from Judas Priest, I'd like to know
your honest view about the 2006 Judas Priest ? According to me "Angel Of
Retribution" is one of the strongest release they've recorded since a long,
do you agree ?
John : The new Priest is good, but I was
expecting more, like stronger songs but I still enjoy listening to that record.
Thank you for your time on this interview. The last words will be yours
!
John : The EXCITER legacy will continue,
once we find our new voice .Thank you so much to all our fans. Watch for
the new record !!!
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