Music News Headline Answers With FOES' Garret Judkins January/February 2020 • 4th Edition #78
Metal Pulp And Paper: Hello Garret.Thank you for taking the time to be a part of Metal Pulp And Paper’s Music News Headline Questions once again. We appreciate it. How are you, and are you ready for this new decade?
Garret Judkins: What’s up MPAP! Glad to be asked to come back and write again, last time was fun and had a great response. It's been a busy beginning to the decade for FOES, and I think for everyone as well. Now more than ever there seems to be an increasing urgency to do this and to do that, but personally I am looking forward to finding more time for my passions and things that make me happy in the coming years. MPAP: That's great to hear. Before we get started though, tell us a little about your band and what we might need to know. And, of course, if you’ve got new music, or new music coming out soon, please tell us about it so we can pummel our eardrums!
Garret: I play in FOES, a local/touring Hardcore and Metal band coming out of Sunriver, Oregon. We offer a DIY attitude and an eclectic spread of heavy musical tastes to our local scene and beyond, as well as consistently delivering high energy live performances. You can check us out @foesfosho on everything now! Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and Bandcamp at foesfosho.bandcamp.com. Leave some love, talk some shit, just do something!
MPAP: Well, Garret, you know the drill, but this is how it all works for the readers new to this music news headlines feature. We here at the Metal Pulp And Paper headquarters pulled some recent music news headlines from the Metal Injection website and turned them into questions. Pretty simple, just like putting on your pants one leg at a time. So, once again, please place seat backs and tray tables in the upright position, hang on, here we go. Putting on your seat belt is totally up to you… 1. Hardcore Show In A Denny's Restaurant Results In Hundreds of Dollars In Damages
MPAP: So, this 17-year-old kid, Bryson Del Valle, booked his first DIY show at a Denny’s restaurant for the punk band Wacko. Obviously, Denny’s is not the ideal spot to play a hardcore music show, or is it? Still, somehow Bryson pulled it off at the Santa Anna restaurant other than the damages done to the establishment. First off, I guess the show sold out, so maybe Bryson is onto something here. Can’t imagine why Denny’s agreed to it, what were they thinking? So, I guess the question is, where would you like your band to perform that is not the ordinary place to play, and maybe get a bit wild and wreak havoc on some table and chairs? And since the story has gone viral, Green Day donated $2,000 to help pay for the damages.
Garret: First off, fuck yea Bryson! I don't know how the hell he got this to go down but kudos, because stuff like this is so important to local scenes. Throwing crazy and memorable shows in fun new locations, like a fucking Denny's, grabs people’s attention and gets everyone talking. Since our favorite on the road delicatessen are Pho joints, I can't think of a better place for FOES to play than a small Vietnamese restaurant. I want people holding their bowls of Pho like PBRs in the pit, delicious and scalding hot broth sloshing everywhere... Glorious. P.S.- Good on Green Day for helping pay for the sneeze guards and pie cases that were injured in the making of this show. 2. Meth Recounts Hilariously Crazy Story Of Missing Their Gathering Of The Juggalos Set
MPAP: Every year Insane Clown Posse puts on a music festival called Gathering Of The Juggalos, and let’s just say it’s not a music fest you’d want to take your parents to or go there on your first date. Shit, what do I know, maybe you would want to take them there? Either way, you’re going to see some fucked up shit happening there. Anyways, one of the members of Meth told a crazy story about trying to get there to play but was unable to find the right stage they were to play on that day. Now, what about you, any crazy band stories about missing a show, or about almost missing a show that is memorable?
Garret: Right off the bat, I'm gonna mention that some members of FOES may or may not be down with the fam. ICP is one of those artists we like to play while we’re on the road to have a good ol' laugh and get nostalgic about our weirdo upbringings. So, damn Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, hook FOES up on one of those side stages! Meth is an awesome group to watch live, I personally saw them at Mathcore Index fest 2019 in Oakland during my 20 minutes of fame, filling in guitar duties with Steaksauce Mustache. So, too bad, so sad for missing out and some great tunes fam. As for FOES, we have only missed/cancelled shows in an emergency and we aim to continue the trend! Whoop whoop. 3.Destruction Vocalist on Metallica: "Once You're A Billionaire, What Should You Be Pissed Off About?"
MPAP: I don’t think Lars or James are billionaires just yet, but maybe in another year or two, who knows? Schmier, Destruction’s vocalist, said in an interview that Metallica's lack of heaviness and anger over the years has to do with the fact that Metallica got rich. Do you think that’s a fair assumption that if you’re no longer pissed off about anything in the world, or whatever it will reflect in your music?
Garret: 100%, I agree that it is a fair assumption that once you have enough money to erase all basic needs type problems, you probably don't have much to be angry about. Therefore, the music that millionaires tend to make is watered down and lackluster because there really isn't motivation to keep pushing yourself creatively. I'm pretty sure if I was rich, I wouldn't be angry or pissed off anymore. In fact, basically all my damn problems could be cured with capital. I think that when someone gets to a point where you can relatively afford anything, they would be more sad that they aren't angry anymore and have nothing to fight for. Unfortunately for Metallica, they've been out of touch for a long time. 4. Airline Forces Woman Wearing "Hail Satan" Shirt To Either Change or Get Off The Plane
MPAP: Satanism is officially recognized as a religion in the United States now. Still, it was far too much for one American Airlines crew to handle, who forced a passenger to change her shirt if she wanted to remain on board the plane. She was escorted up to the front of the aircraft and told to remover her shirt or get kicked off the plane. She eventually covered up the 'so-called offensive' shirt with one of her husbands. What are your thoughts on this? If her shirt had said 'Hail Jesus', no one would probably have even have batted an eye. So, should you be allowed to wear anything you want out in public? What if your favorite shirt could be offensive to one person, but not to others, what do you do? Ever had someone report you to someone or just glare at you for what you were wearing at an airport, or anywhere in public before?
Garret: Praise him, our dark Lord and master! Jokes aside, this here is the perfect example of Christians on their high horse, playing gatekeeper to anyone who thinks differently or defies their religion. I only hope one day people can move past archaic methods of self-projecting their will onto others via religious persecution and all realize that no one is special. Love and respect for each other is all anyone really needs to live a fruitful existence. But fuck me I guess, because shit is just getting worse by the day. Regardless, I'm in a battle vest or have on a metal band shirt every day, and of course I get looks from ol' fogies and all the yuppies here in Sunriver/Bend, Oregon. I just laugh it off and typically stare right back at them. But more often than not, I'm receiving compliments instead of insults, and I think, generally, most people are intimidated enough by the 'metal look' to not say anything. All of that being said, here comes the devil’s advocate, if you're flying or getting on public transportation, are in a professional atmosphere, or you're packed in with a bunch of strangers passing through police/security it might be the wise choice to wear appropriate attire to avoid unnecessary confrontation. Everyone on each side needs to pick their battles is the last thing I'll say on that. 5. Lars Ulrich Can See Metallica Going For Another 20 Years
MPAP: Metallica formed as a band in 1981, so, in the year 2020, that would put them at touring the World for 38 years. So, add another 20 more years, that would then put them at touring just under six decades. Is that even fathomable to think about? But check this out, Dame Vera is the UK's best-selling female artist. She began performing publicly at the age of seven and is still performing to this day. Her first radio broadcast was with the Joe Loss Orchestra in 1935. That’s 85 years so far. So, try and beat that Metallica! Now how far ahead do you see yourself going? Do you still want to be performing five, ten, or even 20 years from now?
Garret: A decade and a half short of a century! A very impressive career span by anyone’s scrutiny. I think I was still shitting my pants and eating dirt when I was seven, which is something I'm sure Dame Vera will learn a lot about in the coming years given her geriatric disposition, Ooooooooh burn. I kid, I kid! Old people love me! I hope to continue playing music as long as I keep feeling the itch, but playing shows the way we do at age 50, 20 years out for me, does seem a bit daunting. For now, all I can hope to do is keep pushing to do what I love doing for as long as it seems productive and economical health-wise. 6. New Study Says Listening To 78 Minutes Of Music Daily Is Important To Your Health
MPAP: Well, first off, are you listening to the recommended amount? And then, what do you do at home vs. out on the road to stay healthy or keep in shape? Do you worry about your health while out on the road? After a while, the same truck stop corn dog and burrito has to get old eating all the time, right? What are some of the main obstacles you have to deal with?
Garret: I can most assuredly say I ingest far beyond my daily recommended dose of music, often spending six to eight hours in headphones on weekdays while working. Not including time outside of work driving while listening, playing music at practice, and putting on records at home. Is it healthy? I'm not gonna say it isn't. But there are a few things that the guys and myself do to keep ourselves going both at home and out on the road. For example, Sonny, (guitar widdly wah guy), and I started dieting in the last half of 2019 by cutting out carbs, refined sugars and portion control. I think between the two of us we're down over 80 lbs since starting! It’s been fairly easy to navigate the food restrictions out and about as well, pretty much living on water, assorted nuts, and jerky until we can find somewhere with decent food options. Of which there are no shortage in the places we have been to recently; Seattle, Tacoma, Sacramento, Santa Cruz. I would say the main obstacles in our each of our paths to healthy living are ourselves, our vices (smoking, drinking, etc.), our depression, our anxiety, and slipping into carelessness about our futures. The way we get through it all is with each other’s help and the support we get from our friends and family. 7. Jason Newsted Told By Doctors To Stop Headbanging
MPAP: Recently Newsted, formerly of Flotsam & Jetsam and Metallica, said that 25 years of headbanging has finally caught up with him, and it’s time to, as doctors have told him over the years, it’s time to 'stop spinning the head.' Luckily, he doesn’t have to get surgery yet, but Slayer’s bassist Tom Araya was not as fortunate and had to have anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery done in 2010. So, what’s something if the doctor told you to do stop doing, you would stop doing. And then on the other side of the coin, what’s something if he told you to stop doing, you wouldn’t do because you like it so much?
Garret: I definitely know the pain a gnarly bangover the night after a gig can bring someone, as well I can speak to chronic neck pain from years of being energetic on stage, as well as a few car accidents in my younger days. Whiplash! There's my 'Tallica reference. If the doc told me not to dick around with all his supplies in the room, I guess I would probably stop doing that, if he was looking right at me. But if he was like, 'Hey! No more jerkin the gherkin!' I'd be like, 'UhUhn, no sir, no way pal. I don't care how long it takes to get a PhD'... Yea, I went there. 8. KNOTFEST Mexico Canceled After Fans Rush The Stage, Breaking Barricades. MPAP: A security safety issue prevented fans from seeing the rest of Knotfest after the stage barricade broke during Behemoth's set, and it was impossible to fix it in time for the final two acts of the night, Evanescence and Slipknot, so, in the end, the rest of the show was canceled, and this did not sit well many. In pictures and video footage that surfaced, it shows many fans getting onto the stage and destroying some of Evanescence’s equipment, and set fire to Will Hunts drum set. Obviously, you don’t want this kind of shit to happen. The fans took it too far, music was more important than the safety of others. What’re your thoughts on this?
Garret: Rioting is never the response an artist wants to see. But I've seen Behemoth up-close and personal and I can easily see how a barricade could get broken open. What happens after the barricade breakage was unfortunate, in that repairs weren't able to be completed resulting in all the chaos. In America, I think a lot of the people would just go home these days. I feel like a lot of people would be like 'damn', get their refund and do something else. However, in a place like Mexico that already deals with violence on a somewhat regular basis and gets little in the way of big metal concerts, the cancellation of a once in a lifetime event like this could be cataclysmic to a young metal fan. So, I can understand to a point but setting fire to dude’s drums and potentially really hurting someone? *teeth sucking noise* C'mon man. 9. Alice Cooper Says Lemmy's Idea Of Not Drinking Was "Maybe Just Five Or Six Drinks"
MPAP: Alice explained that one time that Lemmy from Motorhead told him he had quit drinking. Lemmy’s idea of not drinking was not drinking a bottle of whiskey each night. Maybe just five or six drinks. Are the days of excessive drinking and partying over with? What is life out on the road for you? Are you quiet when you’re not on tour, but look out, when the tour begins you can’t wait to hang out with the other bands and have a few drinks?
Garret: Nowadays, when I'm at home I don't really drink very often, and when I do it's like 3-4 drinks and I'm in bed like an old guy. Honestly, I don't like going to bars or seeing my friends drunk anymore because lately I'm seeing people abuse alcohol and fall into a shitty cycle. You know, like it’s not to have fun or kickback for them anymore and that has been replaced drowning your selfish problems and wallowing in your own bullshit. Not that I'm against being responsible and enjoying a couple beers with all the guys when were out on tour, but it's definitely not on my radar as far as important tasks to check off on the road. 10.Kiss Played A Show For Great White Sharks But No Sharks Actually Showed Up
MPAP: I think this is the first music headline that I can’t think of anything to come up with for a question, but it just seemed so good not to talk about it. Let’s see what I can come up with in the end; either way, let’s continue. So, anyways, some Air-B-N-B company paid Kiss probably a butt load of money to perform live on a boat, like they needed it anyway, but it was for a good cause, and some fans got once in a lifetime performance. Hmmm, now that I’m thinking about it, is this Bryson’s second booking to have a band perform in a not so-usual-place? Knowing this outcome, I think he needs to stick with restaurants and book his next show at a Red Lobster. Don’t worry; it wasn’t him that booked it. But anyways, to get to the moral of the story, if anyone cares, Kiss set up and actually performed live on a boat off the coast of Port Lincoln in support of the Australian Marine Conservation Society in front of like eight special die-hard fans. The whole idea of the debacle was that Kiss would play some songs, and then sharks swimming in the area would show up because they 'love the low-frequency sounds of rock and roll.' Bassist Gene Simmons was very impressed with the whole ordeal and even said, "Guys, this is probably the most interesting gig I’ve ever done. I’d want my own autograph after this." Bam! I’ve got it! Let’s go with this, (fireworks and sirens wailing), let’s have the first-ever Metal Pulp And Paper Headline Questions three-part question. This is exciting. Mary, drum roll please…
MPAP: What has been your most interesting gig so far?
Garret: I've got a decent one, nothing crazy location wise, but it was one that's always worth reminiscing about. It was the first night of FOES joining Steaksauce Mustache in the middle their Denim Diaper Daddies Tour at an interesting little bar in Kennewick, Washington, called, The Tin Hat. We arrived early, as we usually do to get the lay-of-the-land, and saw a few rugged looking locals and some friendly bartenders. Figuring this would be kind of our warm up show, we started to relax, have a drink and get merch set up. People start trickling in until doors open, and suddenly this small bar is kinda bumpin with black shirts! Music gets going, bands are late, there's a cool energy going on and then we hear that Zan, one of the bands driving a decent a ways and was a bit behind, had been in an accident resulting in a good portion of their gear in pieces across the road. The news at the time was that they had to bail off the show. Anyways, so the FOES go on and we're feeling the vibe pretty hard, and bam, during the second song of our set, Micah, vocals, goes for a downward headbang and gets a gigantic gnarbar Chuck Norris style roundhouse kick to the temple and does a Mortal Kombat wobble. He doesn't skip a beat and we kill the rest of the set. Needless to say, Micah had the fattest black eye for the rest of the tour and then some. Out of nowhere Zan shows up and collects enough gear from the other bands to play their set, they kill it, and all while rocking full on dad gear like true Denim Diaper Daddies. All the bands, also shout out to Narrow Minded, played amazing, and Micah ended up posing with the roundhouse delivery man for a hunter/prey style photo op. All in all, it was one of our more interesting gigs.
MPAP: Is there a person out there walking this earth that you’d like to get an autograph from?
Garret: Hmmmm, I personally have acquired just a few autographs in my day, Corey Taylor with the rest of Stone Sour, all of Cryptopsy, all of Kataklysm, just to name a few. It's not usually something that I care about, but it's always cool to hang a piece of nostalgic memorabilia up in our jamspace, or to keep it in the closet collecting my precious dust particles. But I guess if I could have anyone’s autograph it would probably be Phil Collins, cause he is a BAMF, and straight up murder your sadness with wholesome tunes. I say once again, don't @ me bros and brahs.
MPAP: And then, give a shout out to a local band from your home town out there that you think the sharks would have shown up to listen to instead of Kiss.
Garret: I think any sane human being or elasmobranch would agree that no one wants to listen to Kiss haha, but yeah I'm gonna have to throw a bone out to our younger bros in Corvus, they've been grinding for a few years now and I think they are well on their way to something lasting if they keep pushing forward like they are. Find them on Facebook, on Insta @corvuspnw, and on Spotify. Definitely seen them bring out the pit sharks on a few occasions, so put that in your "Love Gun" and kill yourselves Kiss. 11.Five Finger Death Punch Guitarist Talks Backstage Perks: Their Own Dressing Rooms, Masseuses & Personal Assistants
MPAP: Must be nice, I guess, right? I don’t know how true this one is, but alongside Haribo gummy bears in his dressing room, Marilyn Manson reportedly has asked for a 'bald-headed, toothless hooker' in his rider at one point in his music career. What have been some of your backstage perks that you’ve gotten or asked for before? Can you top Manson’s?
Garret: I just don't think there's any topping Manson or other bigger rockers like him, at least when it comes to backstage 'perks'. FOES is very humble and we only ask for water and some basic food items, iF possible; we're not trying to be anything we're not out there on the road. But more power to whoever if bald toothless hookers are your thing. Everyone needs love, some just gotta pay. 12. Pete Townshend Says The Who "Sort Of Invented Heavy Metal" In 1970
MPAP: Ya right! And this is coming from a guy that recently said in an interview he’s glad drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle are dead and gone and no longer in The Who. What a dick. Anyways, who do you think invented Heavy Metal music in your eyes. Some say Black Sabbath’s self-titled album in 1970 was the birth of Heavy Metal music. Others argue that Blue Cheer's 1968 record Vincebus Eruptum is the first heavy metal album, while others say Coven's 1969 album Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls is where it all started. Maybe you have a total different take on it?
Garret: Pfffft, The Who invented fuck-all. Robert Johnson spurred the creation of metal when he received his powers from Satan down at the crossroads in the dirty swamps of the south. I think that was an immensely important turning point for heavy music. Of course, there were concepts and themes commonly used in metal that can be traced back too much of classical music, world music and even as far back as Gregorian Chant music. Certain combinations of notes were not permitted such as the tri tone, for fear it would summon Satan himself. So, you can see that Metal was never invented at all but only eventually discovered as with all different kinds of music. There you have it, get learnt and stay learnt my fellow metal heads! 13.Metallica's 1991 Self-Titled Album Breaks New Billboard Record
MPAP: Yes, I know, I know. Not another Metallica question. What can I say they make a lot of news headlines. So, the Black album is approaching 17 million sales in the United States while cresting over 31 million worldwide and has sold so well that it's now become one of the only four albums in history, of any genre, to be on the Billboard 220 for 550 non-consecutive weeks. That’s over ten years? At one point I think I heard it sells like 5,000 copies a week. I wonder how many warehouses Lars has rented over the years to store them all? Anyways, blah, blah blah, either way, it’s quite the accomplishment, but more importantly, what about your band? What is something that you’re proud of that has happened, and why?
Garret: If you read the last series of questions last month, then you know my opinion on Metallica already and I won't beat a dead horse. Even if that horse should've died years ago, still keeps leaking fluids and can't stand on its own. Okay okay, my bad guys. But something that I'm proud of FOES accomplishing is that we're still together after going on 6 years now, a feat I didn't think would be feasible given how often most local bands break up. But here we are, over half a decade later and about to release our best material to date with music videos and tours lined up. It's been very hard work, sometimes dragging members kicking and screaming along for the ride and endless amounts of money flowing out for this and that but I'm not sure if I would want it any different. I think you can hear the struggle in our music, then when you see us play live, you'll see why we do it and hopefully will be drawn in to our little world to release a little bit of your own stress with us. MPAP: Well, that wraps up another edition of Metal Pulp And Paper’s Headline Questions, and those were some great answers. Now Mary, tell them what they’ve won. Mary? Hey Mary! Shit, we can’t find Mary, haha! Anyways, so, on behalf of Metal Pulp And Paper, we’d like to thank you, Garret, for taking the time to answer these recent music news headline questions again. We look forward to what you or your band, FOES, does in 2020 and beyond. And we look forward to your Headline Answers edition #5 when it comes out in March. Any last words for all your fans and all the Metal Pulp And Paper readers out there?
Garret: Make sure to check out FOES @foesfosho on all social media platforms, and check out our music on all streaming platforms including bandcamp @ foesfosho.bandcamp.com. Keep your eyes peeled around the end of March/beginning of April for new music and other cool content from you friendly neighborhood foesbros. Shout out to all the FOES fans who shared and read the last questionnaire, y'all are BAMF's. Till next time! Photo Credit: Walt Raskal Sullins