|
 |
|
Interview with Dave
Overkill of Destructor
January 2008 by Metal Mark |
|
|
Destructor formed in the Cleveland area back
in the early 1980’s. They released their debut “Maximum Destruction”
back in 1985 which was a very raw and killer example of early thrash.
The band broke up in the early 1990’s, but have since reformed and
released “Forever in Leather” in the fall of 2007. I recently
interviewed guitarist/vocalist singer Dave Overkill to find out more
about what the band were up to.
So what are you currently up to?
In the fall of 2007 Destructor helped organize a festival with
Bill Peters, the president of Auburn Records, to celebrate his 25
years on college radio. Bill has had a show named “Metal on Metal”.
The bands consisted of Raven, Anvil, The Exalted Piledriver and us
along with some Cleveland favorites. The show was a great success.
after that we released the “Forever in Leather” cd. A couple of
shows have followed since. Currently Destructor is writing new songs
for another future release. We hope to re-release “Maximum Destruction”
in 2008. We have recorded all of the songs that was to be our second
LP, Decibel Casualties that has been done since 2002 but we haven’t
put that one out because we wanted to prove to ourselves as well as
the fans that we were back and had current music to offer the heavy
metal world. |
| |
“Forever in Leather” has been out for a few months now so what has
been so what has been the reaction to it so far?
The reaction has
been great. We have received good reviews and the distribution is the
best we have had so far. It seems to be selling well. We wanted to
present all new songs on Forever in Leather. On Sonic Bullet and the
Storm of Steel e.p. We had a couple of new songs mixed in with older
ones as well as live tracks. Forever in Leather was our first chance
to show what Destructor was currently all about.
What were you doing in the 1990’s during the time when you didn’t
have this band going?
Destructor’s last show from the old days was in 1992. It
was with Overkill. In 1990 Pat Rabid, Matt Flammable and I started a
project called “Space Core” it was a fun band that played space rock.
We opened up for Hawkwind and had so much fun with it |
 |
| that
after Destructor split, Pat and I kept Space Core going.
In 1995 I left Space Core and they changed their name to
Nucleon. Pat remained in Nucleon until 1997 or so then in
1999 Destructor reunited.
It’s hard to believe that it has been 23 years since Maximum
Destruction came out. Does it seem real to you that it was that long
ago?
It’s weird. life has gone so fast and many changes have happened
over time. Now Destructor has come full circle and has a new life.
Let’s say someone could only afford to buy one of your albums,
which one would you recommend and why?
I would say Forever in Leather because it shows all sides of the
Destructor style. I believe it is our most metal effort ever.
What is the music like in Cleveland these days? Any great bands
there that we should know about?
Cleveland still has an underground metal scene. Many bands have
come and gone over the years and some have come back. A couple of
great ones are Eternal Legacy, Cellbound, Soulless, Lick The Blade and
Midnight.
You are set to play at Wacken this year. How excited are you about
that?
We look forward to playing every show we accept and we have done
some great ones over the past 5 years but Wacken will prove to be the
biggest show yet. The whole festival scene in Europe is the best in
the world. For Destructor to even be considered for a show like Wacken
is another dream come true.
In recent years a number of bands like Fueled by
Fire, Merciless
Death and other have popped up. They play an 80’s style of thrash
metal. Do you think these band are doing anything that older bands
like yourself have not already done or are they copying a style that
has already been done?
Well that’s not really for me to say. Just because you play old
school style doesn’t make you good in my eyes. I like all types of
music and, to me; there are only good songs and bad songs. There is a
lot of great metal riffs still yet discovered and it’s up to the new
blood to take it to the next level.
What have Destructor yet to accomplish that you would like to do?
Destructor wants to tour Europe and other countries. We want the
chance to continue to show we are back and ready to kill. We have many
more good songs to record and as long as we are able and there is an
interest in what we do we will continue our mission of metal.
How do you think that the metal scene now is different from say
twenty years ago?
Well for one there are more different forms of great metal music nowdays.
Things have progressed for metal music a lot over the past 20+
years but as much as things change, things remain the same. Meaning
that real old school metal will always have an audience. Metal lives
forever in the hearts of the believers.
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
What newer metal bands do you like?
I really like many of the new metal bands. Some such bands like Amon
Amarth, Riotor, Toxic Holocaust are on my list.
If you could only listen to three albums for the next month then
what albums would you pick?
Unleashed In The East, (Judas Priest) , Another Perfect Day ,(Motorhead)
And Odin On Our Side, (Amon Amarth). That should tie me over I think.
Pick the band from the following pair that you prefer and tell why.
Destruction or Kreator
Kreator. I don’t know why!
Judas Priest or Motorhead
I can't pick between those two. It’s way too hard.
Breaker or Damien
Breaker. Those are my boys. They’re almost like family.
Anthrax or Slayer
Slayer. That’s a no brainer. Anthrax is good, But slayer ??? Come on!!!
Is there anything else that you want to say about your band or your
music?
Destructor are just glad to be apart of metal again. There's so
many great bands out there that we just look forward to making more
music and playing it live. Thanks to every metalhead that has shown
Destructor that faith lasts forever. I hope everyone that reads this
has a chance to pick up Forever in Leather and come party with us
live.
www.myspace.com/maximumdestructor |
www.auburnrecords.com
|
|
|
