Thrash Never Dies had the opportunity to talk to STEVE GAINES, a true veteran of LA`s early 80s Thrash/Speed Metal scene.
Steve was in ABATTOIR, when they recorded the legendary „Vicious Attack“ album. He also founded bands like BLOODLUST or TACTICS in the 80s.
Some years ago, Steve gave birth to a very interesting new band – ANGER AS ART, which is currently recording its third full-length.



Steve updated us on line-up changes in ANGER, the recent studio work and further tour plans.
He also gave a review on ABATTOIRS first European show ever, among others at cult fest KEEP IT TRUE in Germany,
and some great insights in further plans with ABATTOIR…



Hi Steve, I`m very curious to hear what you`re working on with both of your
"A-bands".
So let`s start with ABATTOIR - you just came back from the bands first
european shows ever. How was that short tour and especially the experience
at "Keep It True" fest, with all those classic bands and dedicated fans?


-Nick, how are you? I was hoping we'd be able to make contact at KIT. The
experience was hard to describe, in that 25 years ago we had an idea that
the response could be like it was. To see it become reality was a dream
come true, and humbling. Not only at KIT, but at every show... everyone
seemed to know the words to every song. The crowds were very impressive.
And fortunately the band played well. Not that I had any doubt, but you
always wonder. It was an experience I would not trade for anything.


From what I`ve heard, your show at KIT was one of the best and covered the
original 80s feel very much. Was it a trip back into the "good old times"
for you too?


-Yes, and no. I believe that more is made of trying to recreate the 80's than
needs to be. This music is timeless - whether it came from the 80's or
2000's. Having said that, the vibe was phenomenal. The biggest kick for me
was to share the bill with Armored Saint and Lizzy Borden, who were rivals
of ours back here in LA - I mean grudge rivals! And we all shook hands and
conquered the stage that night. Of course, our pals Tyrant - who we haven't
seen in years. Shared a hotel and dressing room with them. It was much
more about the camaraderie at Keep It True. I suppose I could go back and
perform KIT with Anger, Bloodlust, Bitch or whoever... but you can never
recreate the vibe of the first one! It was special.


The band`s current line-up is awesome in my opinion, Juan Garcia`s
appearance in particular. Original plans for KIT included EVILDEAD, so after
the disappointment about their pull-out, I was very pleased to see him being
part of the Abattoir line-up for KIT. Will that line-up work together
further on and how can that collaboration look like?


-You have to know that Juan was a founding member of Abattoir. So, to have
him back in the fold is amazing. Of course, Mel being the founder... Rob
who was Danny Anaya's roadie (and Evil Dead drummer) and one of the best
drummers I have ever played with... myself on vox (I will leave that for
history to judge). We were happy to have Tim Thomas cover for Mark on this
tour. I guess Mark just doesn't want to do it... and we back him in that
choice. One cool thing was for our warm up show for the tour, Danny

Oliverio played with us - a 3 guitar line up a la Maiden. Anything going
forward from this point will have a 5 piece lineup with Juan and Danny on
guitar - and since all of the same players will be doing any potential Evil
Dead work, we may just call it Aba-dead, or Evil-toir, and cover the entire
history of this dysfunctional family... LOL.


Now to ANGER AS ART - from what I`ve heard, you are working hard on the new
album, called "Disfigure". When will that third AAA disc see the light of
day and what can we expect from it?


-Hopefully you will see it very soon. Our plan is to start tracking in July.
We have a little more pre-production to go over... but it will be worth the
wait. It has been a little frustrating, the pace with which we have been
working... but we had to make some changes in order to go forward. This
album will be AAA's 3rd. And from those who have heard the songs are saying
that this is easily the strongest album yet - which is nice to hear, but I
need to make sure it is reality! It will certainly be an AAA album - perhaps
a little more like the debut than Callous And Furor... simply by the fact
that William is no longer with us - so it will be a lot less experimental.


There were some line-up changes in AAA. Do you have a punchy force together
now?


-Well, the vibe in the room is much better. I think William and Dave no
longer wanted to be here. But instead of quitting, they would just
participate and as a result, drag the energy down. I cannot fault them if
they wanted to leave, but I wish they would have said so instead of forcing
the issue, and wasting my time, Angelo's time and the record s company's
time. When I knew there were going to be changes, I was ready to go ahead
and do this record by myself - similar to the first album. Angelo wanted to
stay, and I am grateful for that - he is actually the bass player I wanted
when putting AAA together back in 2004, and to have him as a team mate is a
plus!. So the new members are Rob Alaniz on drums. We were heavy into
Abattoir rehearsals when this change came about, and Rob was able to do
things that Dave wouldn't. So I asked him if he was interested, and he said
yes! Now, as of this past weekend, we have our 4th member. Believe it or
not, it is Danny Oliverio on guitar and vocals. This came as a surprise to
me. We were gonna continue as a 3 piece for the album, and again, Danny
came into the picture during Abattoir rehearsals. It was a no-brainer.
Now, one thing that does concern me is - I want to make sure that no one
tries to confuse AAA with Abattoir. To this point, no one has. But now
because the band consists of 3/4 Abattoir members, no one should entertain
the thought that we are Abattoir, or trying to be Abattoir. Anger As Art is
its own established entity. Not since Mars was our drummer was the vibe
this good. It has that gang mentality. And it sounds pretty damn good!



Steve, you`re definitely one of the real Thrash/Speed scene veterans and you
are practicing Metal history with ABATTOIR. With ANGER AS ART, you founded
another band, not too long ago, that came on the scene, when the "New Wave
of Thrash Metal" began to roll. How`s the feel among all those young bands,
that are worshipping exactly what bands like Abattoir or Bloodlust did 25
years ago (Those young dudes even cloth like you (we) did, back in day...)?


-I think AAA pre-dated the new wave of thrash... but I understand what you
mean. It is interesting when some of these bands come to you and say things
like "the only reason I do this is because of what you did back in the day."
And that is a great feeling - it also makes you feel old!!! LOL. The only
thing I tell them is to do what they do from the heart. Don't just recreate
what Exodus did, or whoever. Take the ball and run with it! It is your
world now. Fly the flag, but be yourself. They will need to have longevity,
and be able to stand on their own. I am not sure how long they will be able
to stand when they are ordering people to do things because somebody from
some old school band commanded them (based on a lyric I read). All of them
should be able to stand alone - I think most, if not all show incredible
strength. Regardless, thrash is in good hands, and able to span generations!
The old bastards blend well with the new bastards!


One thing, I`m pretty curious about is, how it is playing those different
roles on a live show, like you do nowadays - I mean vocals in ABATTOIR,
vocals + guitar in ANGER AS ART, and aren`t you playing bass in BITCH, too?
All three roles should give different feels on stage, is that right?


-The difference between all 3 may seem dramatic to some. But to me, not at
all. I play for the song, whether it be bass, guitar, or vocals. A lot of
people, specifically Europeans expressed a lot of anger with me when I was
only playing guitar as a member of Dreams Of Damnation, or trading lead
vocals in Anger As Art with another member. I see no problem with it. To me
it is about the song... how it effects me, how it makes me feel... or
whatever. Here's an analogy - it is not about an author typing the page, it
is about an author telling the story. I don't see myself as a lead singer -
rather as someone who hears metal in his head, and will participate in
whatever medium necessary to get that vision out of my head and into your
ears. As a bassist, so much goes into the feeling of the song - locking in
with the drummer. As a guitarist, so much unnecessary worship goes to that
position. Too much credit goes to guitarists who misunderstand that
adulation. I noticed it the first time I played a guitar solo live.
Everyone leans in with anticipation, starts nodding their head like they are
saying 'yeah!' To me, you are setting a mood that is no more important than
then the percussionist playing triangle. Get off the high horse, and be a
part of the song! As lead vocalist, you are the barometer. The cheerleader,
the communicator... it is not so much about how well you sing as it is about

how you portray the energy and communication. It took me years to learn
that - but once I did it started to come so much easier, and be received so
much better.
I don't know if that helps, but that is my perspective. The song is way
more important than the musician.


Closing question - when can we expect the next appearance of ANGER AS ART or
ABATTOIR on european ground? Any plans for further live shows in 2009/2010?


-If all goes accordingly, ANGER should be back in Europe in 2010. We need to
get the new album out, and then shop for tour dates. But we are coming -
hell or high water. ABATTOIR? Not sure yet. I am certain that something
will come up - maybe later in 09... but we all have other priorities to
attend to. Agent Steel, Anger As Art, Winterthrall... also I will be doing a
record with Bitch later this year. As the offers come in, Abattoir will
consider, and go forward. It will not be a day to day functioning band.
BUT - something will come of it.


Steve, it was an honor and a pleasure to get those insights in your current
work. Keep it up!


-My pleasure Nick. Please do relay to the thrash fans - specifically in your
country of Germany - how much we appreciate them. We will see you soon.
Thanks for the opportunity.