I still have good memories of the day in 1986, where I found the "Hate, Fear
And Power" ep. A few days after that bomb, I returned to a records store
to get the "Raging Violence" lp. These two vinyls are total raging thrashcore!
After the listening of the "Barrage Of Noise" ep, I decided to do this interview
with HIRAX. It took a certain time, but here it is, Katon speaks!
Before talking about HIRAX, can you say when you started to be in metal
and also in hardcore, as there are always some hardcore influences in HIRAX’
music?9
In the mid 70s I started listening to heavy metal/punk
hardcore music. For me, it was and still is my religion. Some of the early
bands that I listened to were: Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Motorhead,
Venom, Ramones, Dead Boys, New York Dolls, the Damned… that’s where it all
began for me. And even today I am still a fan of heavy music. It always inspires
me.
Do you remember when HIRAX formed and how did you meet the other members?
The original drummer Johnny Tabares and I had been
friends since Jr. High School (13 years old). We both used to hang out and
talk about music so we started a band. We met the bass player, Gary through
some other musician friends. We finally found Scott Owen our guitar player
because he was looking for a fast and heavy band. One of our roadies took
us to Scott’s house and he auditioned for us in his living room. We immediately
asked him to join the band. That’s when HIRAX was born…1984.
In ’84, you recorded a demo which was more heavy/speed metal than the
thrash core HIRAX is known for, but the four songs of this tape are totally
killer! How was the response for this demo?
The response for our demo was overwhelming!! As
soon as we released it, people started writing us letters from all over the
world. Even though it was a demo cassette tape… it helped open a lot of doors
for the band. From that point on … our name began buzzing all over the underground.
It wasn’t long before we were contacted by Metal Blade/Roadrunner Records…
and we signed a record deal with them. The story of the HIRAX demo is legendary.
To this day, people still ask us about that cassette tape.
These four songs have never appeared on the HIRAX vinyls. Why? Is there
a chance in the near future for a vinyl re-release of the ’84 demo?
Honestly, I can’t say yes or no. So many people
are interested in it… its re-release is a possibility as a special bonus.
You have to understand that I am very proud of the demo tape… but the styles
are completely different. Just like night and day. On the demo tape, we were
more traditional melodic style heavy metal. Like early Saxon, Iron Maiden,
Judas Priest style. We changed when we started to write songs for the first
album, “Raging Violence” because we wanted to go in the direction of a more
aggressive, faster, thrash metal!! That’s probably why we have never released
the demo. It is a part of our history though, so you never know what can
happen. There has been talk of a HIRAX anthology… I’m sure if this project
is released… it will include the demo.
In ’84 and ’85, HIRAX played gigs opening for Death Angel, Slayer, Megadeth,
Exodus, Exciter, Dark Angel, Possessed… What are your memories of this time?
Did you like all the bands you opened for?
Some of the bands we opened for… and some we supported…
or they opened for us. It was a great time in heavy metal. We were all comrades,
so we were and still are very supportive of each other. When you have so
many great bands playing together, it only makes for a better show. We knew
that we all wanted to be successful so we all played hard. Always giving
100%. All of the bands that you have mentioned are great friends of ours
and we are like a family.
How did you get in touch with Metal Blade and put “Bombs of Death” on
Metal Massacre 6?
Metal Blade contacted us. Like I’ve said before,
there was a big buzz on HIRAX... Especially in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
From what I hear, Metal Blade had been receiving letters about HIRAX. People
had been asking them about how to get a hold of our music. So they offered
us the Metal Massacre 6 compilation as well as a record deal. It was history
in the making.
Did you sign with Metal Blade right after the compilation LP? Were there
other labels interested?
We signed with Metal Blade Records right around
the same time as the compilation, Metal Massacre 6. For us, we were honored
because they also had Roadrunner Records in Europe as a part of the company.
We didn’t even think about dealing with any other labels because we were
on the same roster as Slayer, Voivod, Trouble and Hellhammer. It was great
to be a part of that metal scene!!
1985 was the year of the release of the “Raging Violence” LP, a massive
attack and a sonic storm, the cult HIRAX album, with a lot of great tracks
such as “Bloodbath”, “Suicide”, “Raging Violence”, “Warlords Command”, “Guardian
Protector” or “Bombs of Death” (although I prefer the version on Metal Massacre
6)… How was received the LP? Are you still proud of it?
The “Raging Violence” LP is a classic thrash metal
record! We were very young and raw back when we recorded it. We barely knew
how to tune our guitars and had just started writing songs. We were kids…
I am very proud of it though! It shows you, when you listen to our new records…
such as “Barrage of Noise”, or the newest album, “The New Age of Terror”
… we’ve grown musically. Some bands don’t progress… but we have!! Our music
is still as fast as lightening and heavy as hell. We have become real musicians
over the years. When I look back at the first two records… “Raging Violence”
and “Hate, Fear and Power” I am still very proud. I have been making heavy
music for a long time now. And I’m not about to stop.
Why did John Tabares leave the band? How did you find ex-D.R.I. Eric Brecht?
Johnny just couldn’t handle touring and making albums
any more… due to personal problems, he had to leave. We were really good
friends with the punk crossover metal band, D.R.I.. The singer, Kurt had
told me about his brother, Eric who was looking for a band to play with.
He gave me his phone number and I called Eric and set up an audition. He
joined the band shortly after he tried out. He played with a lot of speed
and we like that!
In 1986, the “Hate, Fear and Power” EP was a strong follower, radical
thrash core, with some outstanding tracks such as “Unholy Sacrifice”, “The
Plague” or “Criminal Punishment” Was it received as good as “Raging Violence”?
Yes, “Hate, Fear and Power” was well received, definitely.
Even though both records are different… they have very strong similarities,
the die hard fans love both records. “Hate, Fear and Power” has one of my
all time favorite songs on it, “Blind Faith”, and still today in our live
shows we do songs from both records. Even though those discs are out of print…
when we play live, people still scream for those songs.
Was the « Hate, Fear and Power » EP sold at the price of an
EP in other countries? Because in France, it was sold at the price of an
LP!
I’ve heard that from quite a few people. The difference
between being in the band and working at the record label is that we have
no control over what they sell our records for. Once they leave the pressing
plant… it’s out of our hands. But we honestly hope that our records are sold
at a fair price, because we are one of the true bands who really do care
about our fans. Their support means everything to us!! We try to give them
the best at everything we do. That’s why now we have better distribution
than we’ve had in the early days… we want our records to be easier to buy
at domestic prices rather than import prices. If our records are imported,
obviously they are more expensive. That’s not fair to the fans. We are doing
our best to make sure things are done right.
Why did you leave HIRAX and form PHANTASM with ex-METALLICA Ron McGovney?
Is Ron a very good friend of you?
Yes, I have known Ron since the early days of Metallica.
We go back a long ways…. And have been friends since the early 80s, back
when he recorded the Metallica demo, “No Life Till Leather.” PHANTASM was
a great band. It also included Gene Hoglan (drums) from Dark Angel, Death,
Testament, and Strapping Young Lad. It was the perfect side project for me
at the time …But PHANTASM was short lived and I soon rejoined HIRAX in 1987.
PHANTASM recorded a demo with Gene Hoglan on drums, played a few gigs,
and then broke up. Why?
We couldn’t keep the band together because everybody
else had other projects going on. There just wasn’t enough time. Gene Hoglan
was a friend of mine even before he played drums. He was a fan of HIRAX and
I knew him through one of our biggest supporters… and guy named Vadim Rubin.
The amazing thing about Gene is that once he started playing drums... he
became very good , very fast. I believe he is a natural. A man with a lot
of talent. He is blessed…. And he is one of the best drummers I have ever
worked with.
Are you satisfied with the “Wreckage” LP released in 2001, which features
the demo and a live gig?
Hell yes, it is a true thrash metal testament and
there will never be a band like that ever again. If you can find the “Wreckage”
LP, I highly suggest you to buy it. It’s a definite classic.
After the PHANTASM split, you were back in HIRAX… During the time you
were in PHANTASM, I heard about HIRAX trying Paul Baloff on vocals…
Your information is correct. Paul Baloff was in
HIRAX for a short period of time. He was a very good friend of mine! I was
honored that he was my replacement. I thought it would be a great thing…
HIRAX would have sounded totally different with him on vocals… but it just
didn’t work out. The band was based out of Los Angeles and he lived in San
Francisco. I think that it was meant to be the way it is. Paul ended up going
back to EXODUS and I ended up going back to HIRAX.
There was not a new HIRAX album on Metal Blade in ’87, but a two song
EP on Lautrec, released in “88… the songs were longer and less fast, but
still typical HIRAX. Did you get a good response for this EP?
Man, you know your HIRAX history!! Yes, there was
an EP called, “Blasted in Bangkok”… there were actually three songs recorded,
“Fear the War Within”, “Dying World Shock” and “The Beginning of the End.”
“Fear the War Within” and “The Beginning of the End” appeared on the 2 song
7” EP on Lautrec Records… “Dying World Shock” was an extra song that wasn’t
released until later.
Also in 2001, “Blasted in Bangkok” was re-released with the two songs,
plus the missing third song and “Bombs of Death” (Metal Massacre 6 version).
Why did you decide to re-release this stuff?
Because the 7” on Lautrec Records was out of print
and people still wanted those songs. So we released it with two extra tracks.
It is called “Blasted in Bangkok” 10”/CD and is still available at Black
Devil Records
What is the story behind the “Not Dead Yet” cd and pic disc released in
’88 by Metal Blade? It was not a new album, but a compilation with songs
from “Raging Violence” and “Hate, Fear and Power.” Was it to close the deal
with Metal Blade?
Not really…There was a picture disc version 12”
vinyl… but at the time CD had just started to be manufactured. The “Not Dead
Yet” CD is very, very rare… and worth a lot of money. If you can find it…
good luck. It is probably the rarest HIRAX item on the planet. The picture
disc is very rare also.
HIRAX broke up in ’88. What have you done before the comeback?
I always remained in the music industry. Either
dealing with record labels, running record stores, booking shows, helping
bands, etc… I have always supported heavy underground music.
You recorded a three track demo which was put on a pic disc 7”. To be
honest, I only like a lot the “El Diablo Negro” song. What do you think of
that demo?
I understand where you are coming from. That EP
was done in a very short amount of time. Almost no time at all!! It was recorded
in a few hours after a few hours of practice… with almost the whole original
line up. We were in a big rush to get something new out. When I look back
on it now... I wished that we had more time… but we didn’t. The band hadn’t
played together in over 13 years. But no more excuses… we just wanted to
make sure we had something new to get the message out that HIRAX was still
alive! I would agree with you… my favorite song on that EP is “El Diablo
Negro”… it is one of the high points of our live show. So a lot of other
people like it as well.
The “Barrage of Noise” EP is released and I’m glad HIRAX is back to killer
thrash core! Is the response good for the EP?
Fucking incredible! It has breathed new life back
into the band. It has spawned great reviews all over the world! As well as
the die hard old fans… we have a whole new audience. So the word continues
to spread about HIRAX. “Barrage of Noise” has sparked an explosion… one that
can be heard loud and clear!!
Is Deep Six a good label? What kind of deal did you sign with them?
Deep Six Records and Black Devil Records work very
well together. Unlike most businesses… we are friends. We try to help each
other out. So yes, they are a good label to work with. We continue to sell
a lot of HIRAX records… vinyl and CDs throughout the universe!!
Any plan for a full LP soon? A tour?
Now it is 2004 (the questions were done in 2003-
Patrick) and we, HIRAX have just released a new album on Mausoleum Records,
“The New Age of Terror.” It is our best and heaviest record to date!! 11
songs of over the top heavy metal! Headbangers will love this new THRASH
ASSAULT!! In support of this new album we have begun touring all over Europe
and the U.S. with more tour dates to be announced. Check the
HIRAX website
for updates. We will definitely be coming to France to play for all the
heavy metal fans there!!!
Thank you for your time. If you have something to add…
Thank you for the great interview!! I can’t believe
you know so much about the history of HIRAX! If you would like more infomraiton/merchandise/photos/mp3s/etc.
on the band, HIRAX check out the official website or snail mail – HIRAX *
PO Box 1474 * Cypress, CA 90630 * USA.
interview by Patrick Lefevre
Back
