Interview with Former Anthrax Frontman Dan Nelson (Wolfpack Black, Year of the Tyrant, BlackGates)
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| Photo by Robb Webb |
by Mick Michaels
Recently, I had a very cool chance to speak with prolific singer, songwriter, guitarist Dan Nelson.We chatted about inspiration, awards, his time with Anthrax and his new band Wolfpack Black.
COSMICK VIEW: Hello Dan! Welcome to the Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it is greatly appreciated.
CV: Right out of the gate… How would
you define yourself as an artist?
Dan Nelson: My wife says quirky... so
we’ll go with that. Haha!
That and a constant perfectionist... (I’m)
always striving towards improvement. We can always do better and get
better.
CV: What type of things inspire your
music?
DN: Everything and Anything. From real
life issues to fantasy, movies to books, comics....and anything in
between.
CV: Who has been your biggest
influence?
CV: Many people have said that bands
today exude an "entitlement" attitude, where certain things are just
expected? Has this been your experience?
DN: Honestly, I try not to worry too
much about anyone else’s band/world.
Got enough to worry about with my own
stuff, ya know?
I believe in the old adage. Ya give
respect, get respect.....and always work hard, and the reward will be what
you’ve earned.
CV: What do you see is the biggest
difference between the up and coming bands of today to the up and coming bands
of yesteryear?
DN: Same stuff different
millennium....I believe in a lot of ways new and younger bands have it harder
than my generation and those before us.
CV: What do you feel is the biggest
challenge new artists face in today industry?
DN: Being able to turn a buck, or at
least enough to get out there and play some decent shows for rock and metal
fans.
Most bands aren’t greedy, or money
hungry....they just can’t afford in today’s day and age to even get to the
venue.
CV: Do think flexibility is an artist’s
greatest asset, especially now in music?
DN: I believe in all facets of
life....we either adapt or die.
CV: What other vital qualities or
characteristics do you believe artists need today to survive the long haul?
DN: Positivity, respect for one’s
peers... and the drive of a muscle car.
CV: Let’s talk about your time with
Anthrax. How did you come to sing with Anthrax and what was that like?
DN: Rob Caggiano now of Volbeat brought
me on board.
Every experience in life brings us to
where we are....and I have zero complaints.
CV: Your time with Anthrax has you
credited with co-writing eight of the 13 tracks that appeared on the 2011
release “Worship Music”. With recording of the album originally started in
2008, and your departure in 2009, were any of your vocals recorded during that
time?
DN: Yes, a version of the record was
completed with me singing.
CV: “I’m Alive” which was originally
titled “Vampires” debuted as a live song while you were with the band... why
the song title change? Or was this something done after you were no longer with
the band?
DN: Not sure, the title was changed
after I was no longer in the band.
CV: How did it feel to have “I’m Alive”
nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance?
DN: Was cool to have a song I was part
of recognized....but in my opinion awards and contests have no place in art and
music. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
DN: Not really. I enjoy singing and
playing rock/metal because I love creating, performing and the camaraderie
being in a band represents.
Accolades and kudos are for attention
seekers....long nights and empty pockets are for the artist. Haha!
CV: “Worship Music” was cited as being
a return to form for Anthrax. How much of an influence do you feel you had with
that “return to form” based on your writing contributions and time with the
band?
DN: I’m pretty sure those cats place
was cemented in metal history long before I came along.
We wrote a very cool bunch of tunes
together, that a lot of folks seem to really dig.
If my songs and contributions helped turn
some new and younger fans on to metal.....then awesome.
CV: What was your first clue that music
was going to be your life choice?
DN: Much like my son, who’s five now, I
was always singing since as long as I could remember. But once I
discovered the Guitar and metal music....it was hook, line and sinker.
CV: When you first started out, how did
you envision your music career going?
DN: I just remember always wanting to
jam and perform....constantly writing songs... and loving every minute of it. Nothing’s
changed. Haha!
CV: Do you feel your initial vision has
been on point so far?
DN: I love to play.
CV: Tell us about some of your more
recent projects… like Wolfpack Black?
DN: Wolfpack Black is something I’m
super excited about. It’s my first pure metal band since BlackGates, and it
really feels like coming home when writing these songs.
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| Photo by Nicole Harrissiadis |
My band mates Pat Foote and Dan Mintzer
are both amazing players, incredibly driven... and two of the best cats I could
have the honor of calling both friends and band mates.
I also have the honor of singing and
playing rhythm guitar for the band Year Of The Tyrant, which has some
outstanding tunes in store, from some unbelievable musicians... and some super
cool cats to boot.
That band has Jason VieBrooks (Grip
Inc., Heathen) on Bass, Vinnie La Bella (Exhorder) on Guitar, and Sasha Horn (Forbidden)
on drums.
CV: With being involved in several
projects and bands, how do you maintain inspiration to keep creating? How do
you manage the time?
DN: A cloning device and lots of
caffeine.
CV: Who would you like to work with if
given the opportunity?
DN: Any passionate artist or driven
musician really.
I’m honored to jam with anyone who
wants to share their time on this planet making noise with me for a
spell.
CV: What’s next for Dan?
DN: Onward and upward.
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Wolfpack single and music video in
March… EP and/or full length release to follow.
Then Tyrant hits the studio in
Cincinnati, mid March, to record the debut album.
Then tour, write, sleep....repeat… ‘til
the dirt says otherwise.
CV: Thank you again Dan for spending
some time talking and sharing with our readers. I wish you all the best and
much success with all your projects.
Check out Dan and his array of projects at the following:
https://m.facebook.com/DanNelsonMusic/?ref=bookmarks
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