Anger As Art

Posted on Aug 3, 2006

by Anders

Steve Gaines might be a name that will sound familiar among all you old school thrash metal fans outthere, if not you are about to find out who he is. He is soon ready with the second album from his own band Anger As Art , which is entitled "Callous And Furor". His debut album has just been re-released by Old School Metal Records, the selftitled album is a treat of old school thrash, all the things great about the genre are included on the album, together with a good amount of passion and emotion. I hooked up with Steve to find out what drives him and what Anger As Art is all about.

Hi there Steve, how are things as we speak?

Things are great. Today is a really good day – had some good things happen for the band, and to do an interview is perfect timing. You caught me in a good mood.

Will you please start off by introducing yourself and tell us how you ended on the path of metal?

My name is Steve Gaines, and I didn't choose metal, so much as it chose me. I was 5 or 6 years old, and my sister turned me on to Black Sabbath. The music called me. I started playing in bands at about age 12 – did records and tours with Abattoir, Bloodlust, Tactics, Pagan War Machine, and Dreams Of Damnation. Have some other fun stuff in the works too. But my absolute focus in music and life is Anger As Art.

A small introduction of the rest of the band, will be very appreciated as well, together with a bit about the roles in Anger As Art!

Sure. In addition to myself on vocals and guitar, we have William Rustrum on guitar and vocals, Javier Marrufo on Bass, and on drums, we have Mars.

You got your first album "Anger As Art" re-released earlier this year, how do you look upon that?

Validation, I guess. It really was a demo of songs I had written for the bands I was working with – and all of those bands rejected them – in one instance a band stopped working, they weren't good enough, or I wasn't allowed to write – some jealousy was involved, I believe. I was accused by some of my bandmates that these were open hate letters directed at them. So using them in any of those projects was a dead issue.  But for the pure fun of it, I sent some demos out to people I had been in contact with, and they loved it. There was demand to put a band together and carry on, so we did.  It is nice when you do something that people respond to so favourably – and in this case, they did. I can't help but think about where I might be if I'd have listened to any of my friends in those bands, who only had 'my best interest' in mind.

Are you satisfied with the re-release and how well has it done?

I can't believe that this 'demo' was actually made into a full scale CD release. And of course, I am thrilled. I love the packaging, and the 4 bonus tracks – it gives people a chance to get acquainted with the band, and get an idea as to how we are going to sound. But as far as how well it has done – I haven't had time to pay attention. We have been working on this new album since the release date of the re-issue. Truth be told, I can make records for the rest of my life – and I hope that they are all better and sell better than this one. But this easily was the most important milestone recording that I have ever done. It is a moment in time that I will never forget.

Does the material on the album still reflect what Anger As Art is all about?

I think so. If you look at the music I released over the last few years, culminating in AAA, you will see a thread. It is reflective of my style, I would suppose. And we are definitely in that vein. We still love to play all of the songs on there. In fact, some we haven't played live yet – but will get their first run through when we get to Europe in 2007.

How much have you developed the music since the first album?

That is a hard question to answer – for myself, anyway. Your music will evolve naturally. And if there is an attempt to try to go down a different road when your heart isn't into it, it will fail. I have been caught in that trap before. I want whatever AAA does to flow naturally – with no pre-conceived notions. Having said that, this time, the guys in the band have contributed songs to the album, and their influence is very definitely felt. But it will always sound like Anger As Art.

How do you work when you write music, do you have to be in a special mood when writing, and are there certain things that trigger you?

I have found that if I am happy or complacent, I cannot write. But if I am in want, or need, the songs just flow out. The analogy might be that of a hungry person wanting to be fed, where as a person who is not hungry, doesn't want food. Usually, an angry moment will create the right vibe for writing.

Where do you usual find inspiration when you write music?

I live in Los Angeles, so driving on the freeways is a major source of inspiration. Sometimes I can feel anger, and just feel a rhythm in my head – I try to focus it into a riff, and it usually works well. But you know it is a keeper, if you hear an instant melody to sing. And if you listen to it about an hour later, and do not hate it – you have a winner.

The reggae inspired bit that is present in the 'Anger As Art' track, how did that enter the world?

I read your review, and I don't hear it as reggae at all. It is straight up cool jazz. For the record, I despise reggae music. Just too damn happy for me. But the inspiration for that – it was a piece of music I sat on for years, and I was told by all of my bandmates "NO! It doesn't work". I knew it would. It also lets people know that while you are definitely getting thrash metal, don't be surprised if we throw a curveball at you. I have been in too many bands that are 'in a box' – and didn't want to paint myself into one – I'd rather show some diversity. The real inspiration behind it was the ending of 'Symptom Of The Universe', by Black Sabbath. Every time I ever played that song, I insisted on playing the ending as well – it really shows Sabbath for the geniuses they are. To take something so heavy, and then take a turn!

You have been an active part of the metal scene for quite some years, during the years, have you changed the way you write and make music, and has it become easier?

Not so much easier… but you get into a routine. You know if it is going to be good, or if you should let the idea go. You also learn not to beat a dead horse, so to speak. Nothing has really changed, save for the fact that I can record these ideas now – I never had the capability before.

What do you find important to have in a song?

There has to be a purpose. A lot of guys think "I wanna write a song", and that is the only reason they have. That is the WRONG reason. It has to say something – both musically and lyrically. If you cannot convey the energy, there is something wrong. There are a lot of great, and famous musicians who cannot write, but try to. I will not mention names… but I think you might think of a few.

Now when you have assembled a full band, do they others chip in while writing music and arranging the songs etc?

They may suggest things, dynamics or whatever. And I want everyone's input. But I usually write by myself. It goes way back to my early days of having people start changing your creativity into something that you don't like – it ends up sucking, and then they blame you for the piece of crap you wrote. I hate when it is done to me, and I won't do it to people. As far as free form jamming in a rehearsal room and coming up with ideas that way… that may work for others. For me personally, I can't stand that. It is never a democracy, and it is an excruciating waste of time, in my eyes. Damn, get your idea together, and show me something complete. For AAA, it seems to work well this way.

What do you want to tell with your music?

That is particular to each individual song. But I am not into fantasy, or storytelling. I like to tap people's emotions. Be honest…

You are the man behind the lyrics as well, where do you find inspiration when you write the lyrics?

Again, it is particular to each song, or situation. I like to go for emotion – and the emotion is usually something that I am angry about. I mean, metal is all about a release, so why not expend as much negative energy as possible?

Do you have a message with your lyrics, and how important is the lyrics compared to the music?

Hard to answer – but I think the music is only slightly more important that the lyrics. I mean, we don't all sing the words to 'Smoke On The Water'. We sing the riff, right? But the lyrics/vocals have to have as much relevance as the music. Again, each message is particular to the song.

Where have you found inspiration for your vocals, and how important is it for you to be able to sing? It seems like you pour a lot of your heart and emotion into it!

Usually from people telling me I don't know what I am doing. I love to prove people wrong. But I really concentrate on what I think my strengths are, and step beyond those boundaries only when necessary. I cannot stand 'cookie monster' vocals. To me, it is just an excuse to have someone who looks the part front the band. I was told – particularly when AAA was released – that my voice is too good for my music. I needed a death metal growler in the band to fit into the scene. Exactly. I do not want that. If you are a singer, sing! Don't get up there and babble some hyper-anti-catholic crap. Sing. Show me that you have talent. Try not to suck. I won't suck on purpose, ever. If people think my voice doesn't fit their criteria – I applaud that. Go find someone else to do that bullshit. You won't have to look hard. Cookie monster vocals are a dime a dozen. In my own infantile way, I am still that little kid who is trying to be in league with Halford, Dio, or whomever. I want to be me – Love or hate my voice, I certainly am unique. And I will either win or lose doing what I believe is right – so long as it is my decision. See, I have taken advice from people who knew better, and it got me nowhere – specifically when it failed. I would rather fail doing what I believe in, than fail at what I don't believe in. 

You are soon ready with your sophomore album "Callous And Furor", how is that compared to the debut and how do you feel about it?

It is an extension of what came before, and a step beyond! I am excited about getting it out to people – but am also scared to death at the same time. It is a lot like allowing people to slap your children if they do not like them. But the songs are very strong – and I feel great about it. It is coming soon.

What do you expect of the album?

I would rather not answer that one. I just hope it reaches new fans, and satisfies the existing ones. Anything beyond that… I am uncomfortable with predictions. Thanks for understanding.

The album title "Callous And Furor", what does that cover and what does it symbolize?

The duality of the nature of man. I for one get angry over things that other people don't care about, and don't care about things that others would kill each other for. Everyone has that, to a degree. Just a look at the nature of anger in a human.

Which lyrical topics have you touched on the upcoming album?

Anger, loss, dealing with emotions, failure, freedom from being bonded to things you'd rather not… and the reality that this is the way you are, and you aren't gonna grow out of it.

Do you look forward to get it unleashed upon the world?

That is only part of it – I just look forward to being able to hand it off to the label – knowing that all of the work on creating it is complete. Then we get into the promotional end of it – which is as rigorous – but maybe a little more forgiving. As we write this, we are literally days away from completion. So, yes! We are looking forward to it.

How do you look upon the future of Anger As Art?

Hard to answer, other than to say that the choices we make today will effect the next 2 years, and also what comes after that period. I'd like to say that we'll last as long as the Rolling Stones, but don't know if I will live that long. Just this – we are dedicated to bringing metal to the world as best we possibly can. If we do just that, we'll be fine for years to come.

Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with the readers of Nocturnal Horde?

Accept – Restless And Wild
Judas Priest – Unleashed In The East
Slayer – Reign In Blood
Machine Head – Burn My Eyes
Motorhead – Ace Of Spades
And one more, please – Black Sabbath – Master Of Reality

6 albums that changed my life.

Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to ad it now!

Just to say thanks for the interview, and for the support. We want to be personable, so feel free to write us. We will reply. Hope to see you on tour, and go pick up a copy of "Callous And Furor" when it comes out in September. In the short term, go get a copy of "AAA" as well. Good metal. Talk soon.

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