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Metal Hails Paul thank you for taking the
time to fill out this interview. You started out in the metal underground
way back in 1983 with your first band Deathstrike what was it that drew you
to the metal scene in the first place?
Actually I was in a Heavy Metal band as they called it back then, called
Warcry. We were playing Sabbath inspired music at the time. Guitarist Marty
Fitzgerald knew that at the time I was listening to Motorhead and searching
for heavier music. He gave me a seven-inch from Venom and my life was
changed forever after hearing it. Original drummer Bill Schmidt and I began
a new band called Master but only got as far as taking pictures in October
of 1983- Bill had also already written the Master classics called Pledge of
Allegiance, Terrorizer and Master so we were really at the beginning of the
genre, but we split and went our separate ways after failing to find a
suitable guitarist. So I formed Deathstrike with Chris Mittelbrun, actually
one of the guitarists that originally auditioned for Master a year before.
Strange how the world works sometimes!
How long was Deathstrike together before you
went on to form Master? How did you come up with the name Master for the
group?
Deathstrike was together a few months, just enough time to record the Fuckin
Death demo. We never played shows. Schmidt came crawling back after his
brief stint with the band called Mayhem from Chicago. We became Master again
after he rejoined me. The name came from Rick Manson the then Witchslayer
bassist after he took it from Lord of this world from the Black Sabbath
song!
Originally you and the band were located in
Chicago, IL. I have been a "fan" of Chicago and Illinois metal bands since
the late 90's. But I was wondering what was your opinion of Chicago's metal
scene in the? Do you still follow Chicago / Illinois {overall scene} today?
Who are some of your favorite bands today from there?
No left Chicago behind in 1992 forever really. But back in the day I was an
avid fan of Trouble a band I actually auditioned for but never returned for
the second audition as I thought Master would be bigger. Nevertheless a
great experience. I also followed Barry Stern, Kenny Black and their band
Zoetrope as well as Znowhite. There was quite a scene back then with
Paradoxx, Devastation, Terminal Death and many others. Chicago was the place
to be in the early eighties. It must have been something in the water.
Cianide was also killing it.
You re-located to Czech Republic, why did
you move to the Czech republic? How long have you lived there?
I
left the USA just as Bush came into power to escape the rhetoric there. I
recorded a project with the Kabathor guys called Martyr, Murder X, the end
of the game for System Shock Records from Germany here, and was offered the
position of bass player of Krabathor after our project was finished. I have
been here in the Czech Republic for nearly 14 years.
This proved to be my best move in the game of chess, because I have been
creating records and touring ever since coming here.
What is your opinion of the metal scene in
the Czech Republic? Who are some of your favorite bands from this country?
The scene has been exploding and has been ever since I arrived, Fleshless,
Pandemia, Hypnos and of course Root dominate the Metal scene here. The best
European Festivals also exist in Czech. Try and visit Brutal Assault,
Obscene Extreme or Masters of Rock just to name a few.
Coming back to the band Master has released
countless cd's, lp's etc.. over the years. But I was wondering is their one
song and one release from Master that sticks out as your all-time favorite?
Not really, because we put our hearts and souls into every release as we
always have. The albums are like a public record of the world from my
perspective of course and what was happening in my life at a particular
time. The Witchhunt is the best at the moment for me as life is killer at
this point in time. I seem to write better records at high and low times in
my life!
Paul you have toured the world over where
have been some of your most memorable shows been played?
Brazil has been an interesting country to tour and we will return for the third
time in January so I look forward to this. There are so many killer places
to play. Germany has always been
supportive of Master as well as many killer bands so respect for Germany of
course. This is too general of a question, we have good and crappy
experiences every year around the world. The scene in the USA has improved
greatly for Master over the last few years and we will return for the fourth
time in April after an 8 year hiatus from 2000-2008.
Who have been some of your favorite bands
that you have shared the stage with?
Asphyx and Shit Feet Under were also cool.
Are their any countries that Master has not
yet had the pleasure of playing that you hope to play one day?
Sure we would like to bring Master to Asia so hopefully one day this
happens.
Master recently released the new cd "The
Witchhunt" through the mighty FDA Rekotz. How did you come into contact with
this label?
I
actually ran an ad on Shitbook saying I was about to start my own label when
a friend of FDA recommended I contact the label. I went to the site and they
said they said they weren't accepting submissions at the time. I wrote the
label friend back and the boss Rico contacted me and we discussed a deal
which was signed sealed and delivered in a matter of days. The label is
doing a fantastic job exposing Master to the masses again so things look
good at the moment! Hopefully FDA and Master will have a long and prosperous
future together.
How long did it take you to write the songs
for this release?
The songs were written quickly as were the last several recordings. I write
riffs throughout the year on my acoustic guitar and record them on my
old-fashioned micro-cassette recorder! When the time arrives to record, I
search the riffs and put together songs. Drummer Pradlovsky and I usually
get together mornings and work on arrangements, the guitarist comes in and I
teach him the songs. On some albums guitarist Nejezchleba brings in songs as
well but this time he was working at the local music store so I wrote 10 of
the 11 tracks for The Witch-hunt, and with the great response we will do it
this way like we used to. It seems my songs are the ones that most talk
about so if something works there is no need to fix it. The first albums
this lineup recorded were all my songs but I thought it was cool to let the
guitarist write some tracks for some diversity, but it appears that maybe
these tracks he writes are a bit too different for many fans so we will go
back to the old way I suppose. We will see.
Are you and the band members happy with how
everything turned out?
It's a great record but there is always room for improvement so of course
the next record will be better. We always try to progress when recording.
How has the response been from the metal
press and the metal fans so far?
The response has been overwhelming but we will see if the general public buy
the CDS and vinyl. It's obviously easy to illegally download it for free
already.
Does Master have any upcoming tours, shows
in support of "The Witchhunt"? If yes where are some places the band will be
playing?
Onslaught and Empire of Evil begins next Wednesday for 24 dates in the UK
and Europe, but we have shows booked and tours as well until May 2014!
As mentioned you have been a part of the
metal underground since the early 80's. So I wanted your opinion on how you
feel it's changing for the better, worse? I have read some say they feel the
UG scene is dead or dying do you see this or maybe just changing with the
times and technology?
The scene is still thriving in Europe and America still so no idea where
this attitude comes from. I have been Surviving the underground just fine
ever since I relocated to European shores. Master plays over 120 shows per
year every year across the globe!
What is your opinion of email, social-media
sites, web-zines do you feel they help the underground scene or have hurt
it?
They are a big help for newer bands for sure and these interviews are
published and shared over and over again so it works.
In your opinion what is the best and worst
thing about the underground today? And what does the term underground metal
mean to you?
There are too many crappy bands in the world today so the competition is
fierce these days and many of these fuckers cannot play live as they use
pro-tools in the studio which anyone can do. Unfortunately today everyone is
in a band. When we began bands like Death, Dark Angel, Kreator and
Destruction were creating original music, today all the bands are clones of
all the original greats.
You have been a part of the metal scene
longer then just about anyone I can think of Paul so I would like to ask
you. What is it that has kept you motivated to keep the band going all these
years?
I have always enjoyed sharing my thoughts and ideas with the world and
getting on the stage
as well to blow away all these fuckers with the energy and intensity that
only a band like Master can do. The difference with many bands and Master is
that we genuinely live the music. My life is on the stage, I am not an actor
like many of these guys are.
And when the sad day does come that you
decide to put Master to rest {Hopefully not for another 20 yrs.} how would
you like the underground maniacs to remember you and Master?
I
just want people to remember the band for its honesty and its true belief in
itself! The music will live on regardless when I finally leave the earth so
this will be my legacy for sure.
Well Paul thank you again for taking the
time to fill out this interview, do you have any final words for our
readers?
Buy the Witch-hunt. You can hear it for free of course but please buy it and
support the true underground! More information can be found on Master and my
many projects at
www.master-speckmetal.net
http://www.reverbnation.com/master
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