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Interviews
Slough Feg - Mike Scalzi
30/11/07 || Global Domination
This interview was done by ex-staffer/cocksmoker Banesupper.
Slough Feg = heavy metal, heavy metal = Slough Feg. The San Fransisco band has succeeded at recreating the sound and mentality of an 80’s outfit so well that you might think there’s a time warp going around them. I love everything the band has done, and will probably love everything they’ll ever do. I caught main man Mike Scalzi in my interviewer’s net, and he offered some great thoughts on Slough Feg’s new album, role-playing games, and the state of metal today. Applause goes to Mike for getting back at me quickly, and for being generally awesome
Global Domination: Before we begin our play of internet ping-pong, I’d like to extend to you a great big “thank you” for doing this interview. We here at Global Domination are always eager to harass talented musicians, all of us being immensely jealous types. (Even you K, admit it) (Note by The Lord: You can admit my penis)
Mike Scalzi: Okay — hmmmm…
So, how’re you doing? Is all well in Slough Feg land?
Yes yes, we are going on tour in one week – a 25 date tour of the whole USA, and we have recently acquired a new drummer, named Harry Cantwell. The band is in the best spirits it’s been in ages in fact.
Great. Your new album “Hardworlder” rocks. I have to say, I really fucking dig it. Best album I’ve heard so far this year. Congratulations on that.
Thank you.
I read somewhere that you were gonna scale down on the fantasy/sci-fi lyrics on this one. I dunno how to open the booklet and read the lyrics, so you tell me if this actually happened or not.
You don’t know how to open the booklet?? Yes, we scaled down on that a bit. There is one sci-fi song (“Tiger! Tiger!”) and that’s about it. “The Sea Wolf” is about a Jack London book, and the rest I think are about life in the streets of San Francisco!! And Then “Karma Kazee” is about war and all that shit.
I remember seeing some weird stuff on the Slough Feg forums about your grandfather and Dio’s father and olive trees or something. I think that somehow played into things.
Not really. A couple years ago Dio told me that his grandparents were from the same provincial farm country in southern Italy that my grandparents are from and I was quite excited about it. We had a little conversation on this before one of his show here in SF and of course I was very thrilled. He’s an Italian peasant like me, but interestingly, my ancestors were olive farmers, and his were dairy farmers. That’s his ancestors were to short to reach up into the trees, and mine were to tall to fit under a cow.
Hah.
The “Dio is short” joke never gets old. Sort of like Dio himself, who
miraculously haven’t turned sixty yet. Anyway, you did two covers on
“Hardworlder”, one of Irish legends Horslips, and one of American True
Metal champs Manilla Road. Let’s talk about the first one, shall we?
“Dearg Doom” is an interesting choice for a cover, and yet it’s a
perfect fit. How/why did you decide to do this one?
It’s a great song about an Irish god or demon or something. Perfect for us, and a catchy one as well.
If memory serves, the song was number one on the German charts back when it was first released as a single. Always trust the Germans I say, they know their shit. Okay, now for Manilla Road’s “Street Jammer”. Only question, what took you so long?
What do you mean? We did it in one day.
Actually, what I meant was “why did it take you so long to do a Manilla Road cover, Manilla Road being teh shit“ but whatever. I remember you saying that “Atavism” was your best album when that came out. D’you think you topped it with “Hardworlder”? In what ways do you consider it superior?
I’m not sure which is better. Atavism was great because it was a departure from the albums before it, and it was very raw and pure, like the first Slough Feg album. I liked it because it went straight to the point without a lot of frills, and I think it has some of our best songs, melodies, riffs, etc. on it. It’s still the one I would play for someone if they want to hear what we sound like.
The title track is fucking brilliant, I completely love that song. How the fuck do you write something like that? I’m interested in your creative process.
Funny, that’s probably my least favorite song on the album, and I also found it the easiest to write. The opening riff I had in my head for years, but thought it sounded too much like other stuff we’d done before so I never used it. Then I finally decided to use it for a straight ahead rock song, and then I wrote the rest of the song very quickly, thinking it was rather unoriginal compared to our other stuff. It’s kind of a generic hard rock song for Slough Feg to do. It’s sort of an attempt at doing a ‘cowboy song’ type thing. The only outstanding thing about it to me is the first little verse, where the music breaks down and I sing ‘killing you with kindness…’ I think that was sort of influenced by Queen. And then the other part of the verse I kind of like because it sounds kind of rough and rugged, like a Thin Lizzy song, that’s the “I’ve died a thousand times…” part. I like the guitars there, but they’re really contrived and generic. I just decided to write a song that sounds like a lot of other bands, rather than being completely original. I think at times it’s okay to do that, after so many albums that sound so strange.
The one thing that really disappoints me about the song is the lyrics. I consciously wrote them very quickly so they’d sound simple and sort of ‘normal’, because that was the whole idea of the song. But some of them make me cringe now when I here them, like “and I might live to see tomorrow” and “forever battling your sorrow”. Those are a little to generic and stupid – and somehow make the song sound too much like “Secret Agent Man”. Otherwise I like it, but I really messed up by writing those stupid lyrics.
Oh.
That took me by surprise, I really dig that song. Okay, in my review of
“Hardworlder”, I gave the impression that I was worried about John
Cobbett no longer being in the band. That was silly, obviously. Why did
he leave though?
That was a very long time ago actually. He’s been out of the band for years. Even before Atavism was finished. He was in too many band, three or four – and spent most of his time on Hammers of Misfortune. Also he didn’t always travel so well. Sometimes he did, but other times he wasn’t happy on tour, and didn’t want to be there. That’s a problem when you’re in Slough Feg, because we’re all about touring. It all sort of came to a head in Greece in 2004, when it became obvious he was miserable, and the rest of us were having the time of our lives. That’s when I knew it couldn’t go on that way. We’re still good friends and even write things together sometimes still. About a month ago I went to his house and we exchanged riffs and ideas. He may contribute to some Slough Feg songs in the future in fact, and perhaps I will contribute to Hammers as well.
What’s the story behind the album cover? I like it well enough, but it does strike me as somewhat odd.
Not much of a story. I wanted a hard looking guy in a sci-fi setting, because “Tiger! Tiger!” is based on sci-fi novel “The Stars My Destination” by Alfred Bester. So I wanted the character from the book on the cover. It looks a little weird, but overall it’s what I wanted, a constipated, miserable space man!!
“Hardworlder” and “Traveller” are the only albums to go without a High Season song, aren’t they? I never even understood what was going on there. It’s not like they come in order or anything.
There’s not much going on with that. Just a bunch of songs that sort of go backwards. The story makes sense though if you listen to it. This is a very abrupt ending for an interview. Well, nice questions, refreshing as well, thanks for thinking about them a little rather than asking, “what are your favorite bands?”
What the fuck? We’re not even half-way. Seriously, what the fuck? Eh… I’m listening to Skeletonwitch as I’m writing this, didn’t you praise them at one point or another? That’s odd, they’re not the kind of band I’d think you’d like.
That’s because you haven’t seen them live. Their live show rules and they’re great friends of ours now. We played them a few times over the last years, and they’re great. They’re one of those bands who understand us as people as well, really fun guys to hang out with.
Anyway, you left Hammers of Misfortune not long ago, and I heard that was on a bad note. What happened there?
It was not really on a bad note, unless you mean musical differences. That really was it. I was not excited about the last album, and didn’t want to do the style they were getting into. I’m more of a rocker, and John was really getting into sort of ethereal sort of stuff. I love dramatic, cheesy Broadway type songs, but Hammers was getting a little too art-rock for me.
I know you’re a teacher. That’s cool. What d’you teach? Vintage sci-fi role-playing games?
Philosophy. Mostly beginner stuff, basic syllogisms, logic and reasoning skills – Aristotle!!! But I’m off this semester to go on this tour!! My primary focus is still music, I just taught philosophy all last year, and hopefully will next year as well.
Now I crossed over to role-playing territory. “Traders and Gunboats” is the name of a “Traveller” supplement isn’t it? Isn’t naming a song after a supplement to a role-playing game kinda… I dunno, geeky?
Yes. Sounds like you’ve done your homework!! Good. Yes, it’s insane to do such a thing, but I don’t care. I never had a problem with being a geek, even as a kid, because I was good at sports too I suppose, so I wasn’t ashamed. Somehow (surprisingly) it never got in the way of getting girls either, so I didn’t care if people thought I was a role playing geek. I actually haven’t gamed for years, but I would if I had time.
Is the “Traveller” album based on a campaign you GMed? It’s okay, you can tell me.
Hehe… actually it is not. It’s based on a story I wrote that’s based in the “Traveller” universe. I love that universe, it’s sort of based on Star Wars, at least the Imperium. I really love the flavor of the “Traveller” game. It’s very technical and dry – very realistic, the whole design of the game was very military and real to life. I loved that as a teenager and always dreamed of writing a record or book based on the game. I just had to do it… I couldn’t help it!! I was also a running back on the football team… really!!
As it’s tradition to ask interviewees to rate crap here on GD, I’m gonna ask you to rate RPGs on a scale of 1 to 10.
Dungeons & Dragons: 10 for the original basic set – the red book with cover art by Erol Otus!!! 1 for the new hit location additions!!
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: 8, for the old hard back books.
Call of Cthulhu: 10!!!
Traveller: 20!!!
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay: Never heard of it.
Rolemaster: Never heard.
Cyberpunk: Never heard, see!! I’m not such a geek!!
Yes you are. Anyway, that
was fucking geeky. Now for something completely different. I know you
hate when you’re asked who The Lord Weird Slough Feg is, so I’m not
gonna. Instead, I’m gonna ask you who Slough Feg is not? I bet you’d
seen that one coming.
He’s not a guy who puts on khakis and a blue button down shirt and works in a fucking office!!!
He’s not? That’s what I thought. Dramatically changing conversational lanes here, I noticed you have drummer in Slough Feg. I am observant you see. But, hold on, the drummer’s black! No, that wasn’t a racist remark, that was honest surprise. You don’t see a helluva lot of black people in metal, something that has always puzzled me. Why do you think this is?
I don’t know. Actually there are quite a few. And we aren’t even with that drummer anymore. He had trouble touring as well – that’s usually the reason people leave Slough Feg, cause they don’t like or can’t handle touring.
I’ve decided to be particularly good to you and give you another chance to rate crap. This time around it’s American True Metal bands. 1-10 and a comment if you will.
Cirith Ungol: 8
Brocas Helm: 20
Omen: Actually, I’m not familiar with them.
Warlord: Don’t know.
Legend: Legend USA? 9 Edit: No, the fucking British American True Metal band!
Manilla Road: 8
Manowar: 6
Armored Saint: 7
Twisted Tower Dire: 9
The Lord Weird Slough Feg:
Slough Feg:
What, no rating for yourself? Tsk-tsk. From using my eyes to read stuff I know that a lot of people are complaining they can’t find your self-titled debut anywhere. I also know that there’s been some talk of seeing it re-issued. Is anything happening on that front?
I don’t know. Maybe I’ll do it myself.
Unrelated to everything, I’m looking through some old Slough Feg live and promotional pictures. Are you ever gonna have that body paint tattooed on? That would be awesome.
No.
Right. Ireland. It’s a country, yeah? It’s a country which’s legends and folklore you’ve drawn heavily from in your lyrics. Where does your fascination with Ireland stem from?
Your mom told me about it one night in bed.
Sure it wasn’t Margaret Thatcher? Personally, I dig it. Some of the coolest mythology out there comes from Ireland. Not a lot of metal bands though. I’ve just recently heard the new Primordial, “To the Nameless Dead”. Are you familiar with their work?
Yes, but I haven’t heard this one yet. They’re lovely Irish men though, but they’re bathroom stinks of Buckfast and puke.
Okay.
I seem to recall you bashing the music scene of today. I think you said
that basically nothing good had come out since the 80s. Surely that
can’t be true? Is the music of today really so terrible?
Yes. It all sucks shit. The only good albums of this year are the new Warning album, and maybe the new Witchcraft. Of course there are good underground albums, but even the more popular metal albums usually suck. Everything sucks. Fuck everyone.
There’s a sentiment I can agree with. I’ve heard people say that if Slough Feg had started in the 80’s, you’d be as big as Iron Maiden today. While that seems far-flung (in that it would involve people having good taste), what do you think? Could you have made it big with better timing, so to speak?
Of course we would have, if we were around in the eighties I’d be sitting down on Sunset Boulevard right now with a needle in my arm and three nasty sluts who all slept with Nicky Six fifty times each on each arm. I’d be trying to squeeze my flabby alcoholic body into spandex as we speak, and I’d have hair replacement instead of Rogaine!!! May be it’s good that we didn’t start in the eighties…
Maybe it is. A lot of people laugh at metal, now and then. Most consider it second-rate music, inherently inferior. Is it?
It’s no wonder that people laugh at metal. Metal is really fucking funny!!! It’s hilarious, and most of it is really terrible!!! Wake up!! Don’t you think it’s funny?!? I do!! I think it’s the funniest thing on the planet. If I didn’t, I don’t think I’d play it! Metal is the most entertaining art form in the world – and to me, if something doesn’t have any humor in it, it isn’t very entertaining. I don’t consider it second rate music at all. Obviously I think that metal is the best music in the world, but people who take themselves too seriously should not play metal, because metal is inherently funny – and you don’t have to try to make it funny. In fact bands that try to be funny usually fail. It’s when bands try to be serious that they’re the most funny. (Manowar??) Brocas Helm has the greatest sense of humor ever onstage, and off. Anyone who is a true performer incorporates humor into their act. I don’t try to be funny, I just write what I want to, and some of it comes out very funny. But I would never be in a joke band, or make a joke album, because that wouldn’t be so funny.
I absolutely fucking agree with you there. If you can’t laugh at metal, something is seriously wrong with you. Right, we’re almost done here. Has it been a decent ride?
Yes, because you have asked interesting questions.
Thanks a lot for your time. Anything you’d like to add, here’s your chance. Want to insult me? Here’s your chance.
I think I already took care of that. I don’t need an invitation to insult. Just ask your mom. People in the metal scene need to lighten up and get a sense of humor. All that stupid goth shit I see in all the magazines has gotta go. Even Ozzy’s into it now. It’s so cheesy. Goth has taken over metal. It’s either the goth look, or a bunch of fat idiots trying to look tough, which is even worse. At least Goths are skinny!! If you look at any of the US or British metal magazines, they’re all full of idiots, I mean people who genuinely look stupid. It’s so insulting, like, “If you wanna be in this magazine, you must have a very stupid look on your face and be fat and totally insecure”. They should put that on the front of those magazines. Whatever, fuck it, I’ll just keep playing “Traveller”…
None of us doubt that you will Mike, none of us.
