Music Headline Answers With Corners Of Sanctuary's Mick Michaels January/February 2020 • 4th Edition #85
Metal Pulp And Paper: Hello Mick.Thank you for taking the time to be a part of Metal Pulp And Paper’s Music News Headline Questions. We appreciate it. How are you, and are you ready for this new decade? Mick Michaels: Hello! Happy New Year! Things are great and I am absolutely ready for the roaring 20s! 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! Mick: My name is Mick and I play guitar for Corners Of Sanctuary, a traditional Heavy Metal band. We have been together for nine years now. Just after the holidays we released a new EP titled What We Leave Behind. The EP is now available for free and can be downloaded exclusively through Metalheads Forever Magazine. Go check it out. COS is currently preparing for its first UK tour this coming March. We had an opportunity to do a 10 day tour in Europe last year and it was amazing. I’m sure our time in the UK will be the same… really looking forward to it. The band is also working on its next album, Heroes Never Die, and hopes to have it released by year’s end. MPAP: Very nice. So, just in case you or the reader are new to this, this is how it all works, it won’t sting a bit. 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. Mick: Would love to play a Denny’s… seems like it would be cool. Play a set and order a Gram Slam breakfast afterwards… what could be better? 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? Mick: One situation that does stand out in my mind is when we opened for UDO back in 2017. It was a great night, an amazing time and the audience was electric. After our set we made our rounds and as a fan would, watched UDO perform. Unfortunately, little did we know that our reserved parking areas were now in jeopardy as UDO's tour trailer was coming in earlier to pick up the band’s equipment. Our tour truck was already ticketed and was in the process of being towed. This was all during the show…and we hadn’t loaded our gear out yet. Thankfully, we were alerted in the nick of time, and after a few choice words with the driver, we managed to divert the tow. Unfortunately, we were stuck with a parking ticket that we weren’t able to contest. But in hindsight, it was all worth it. But like I said… nothing really interesting. 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?
Mick: People change… we all change, whether we want to admit it or not. Age teaches us patience and tolerance, and for some, even compassion. The things that got us riled up when we were younger might not have the same effects later in life. I’m sure the guys in Metallica have grown as individuals, becoming husband’s and parents and successful… can’t begrudge a person for succeeding and reaping the rewards of that success. But I’m sure that lends itself as well to changing a person’s perspective. Music, like life, it a revolving door of growth and change… and I believe it will reflect how that person feels and what they believe… art imitates life. 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?
Mick: People should be permitted to wear whatever they like. That being said, however; I do think in some cases proper etiquette is required. This maybe more of an individual’s judgment than a written rule, unless one is written and should be enforced and respected. If you are aware that what you do, say, or even wear might cause an issue and you do it anyway, then you need to be prepared for what comes about because of the decision. But in this case, it should not have been an issue. To each his own, and it clearly seems to have been more of one person’s issue than the airline’s as a whole. Being a long haired, metal liking, musician type, I have been judged many times in my lifetime… I am sure I will continue to have judgments thrown my way for many more years to come. We all will to some degree… it is what it is. People tend to judge the book by the cover… it’s what we have been conditioned to do. I think it’s a situation we all have been privy to, on both sides of the coin. In cases like these though and with the airline incident, it’s always best to take the high road and keep the peace, in my opinion… saves a lot of grief… and possible jail time. 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?
Mick: Absolutely! My late uncle always said, "where there’s a will, there’s a way." Music is timeless, and it never dies. Songs are always new to someone. And as PT Barnum said, "there’s an ass for every seat." I definitely see myself continuing to write and record music. Performing as well, but I think that is going to be a matter of how, why and when. 20 years is a bit of a way off… so, for now we will just keep pushing hard and do the best we can to make that 20 year plus stretch. You never know what tomorrow will bring… we hope for the best. 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?
Mick: Without good health we don’t have a lot to go on… the small things in life become a chore. So yes, health and fitness are something I work to maintain and enhance. I’m not talking being a body builder or triathlon, but to keep fit, eat well and be able to enjoy what and who are around, that’s important. When we are on the road I try and work out as often as possible, hit the gym if there is one or workout in the room with push-ups and sit-ups, take a walk or run around the hotel…I have been known to travel with workout bands. I do the same when I am at home. It is part of my lifestyle. Not always easy, but something I like to stay consistent at. It’s always hard to eat well while on the road given schedules and long rides. I try and make the best choices and even pack some take alongs to help the in between times when good choices are in limited supply. Just like anything else, it’s a matter of wanting to do it and making an effort to do it. 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?
Mick: I have blown out both my knees, unfortunately. I was told at one point I would not walk after a certain period of time if I did not stop specific activities and have surgery. Well, I refused both… did my own sort of rehab conditioning and am happy to say that I am still walking 10 years later. I do have hearing loss, as many artists do, unfortunately… and getting to the point where it may become significant. I wasn’t told to stop performing yet, but have been told to take additional precaution to minimize any addition loss at this stage. I do realize that at some point it will be something that will have to be addressed. For now, though, I’m gonna keep going. Plus I’m counting on some Star Trek sort of thing to come along in the near future that can just zap my ears back into shape… we can dream! 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?
Mick: Actually, in my opinion, if the music was more important than the fans should have respected the decision to uphold safety standards. This just seems like another opportunity to lash out. If there was even a remote chance to see the last two band’s perform, burning the drum set pretty much cancelled that out… I still don’t completely grasp the idea of lashing out in a violent, destructive manner, when we don’t get our way. What did such action prove in the end? Again, it plays to the stereotypes that hover over Hard Rock and Metal. It does more damage long term than anything else and prevents the scene from growing. Completely displaced in my opinion. 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?
Mick: I think what many people believe life on the road to be is more of a fantasy contrived by the industry of old to sell albums that has just carried over to today. I am sure there was and is plenty of heavy partying going on here and there, but for many of us that really isn’t the case… less is more for us. We are pretty much the same on the road as we are off the road. If you want to play well, and play well consistently, then excess is not the way…at least in my opinion. Socializing with other bands and fans is a given, but that doesn’t mean it has to be an all out debauchery of epic proportions. As a band, we are pretty much laid back and keep to ourselves. There is always a lot going on before, during and after shows that keep us busy… so keeping yourself engaged and on point is paramount. 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… 10.1: What has been your most interesting gig so far?
Mick: We played on a 'ghost hunters' type show back in 2016. It was kind of cool and kind of odd at the same time. We played an all acoustic set in between the ghost hunting segments, and then at the end we were interviewed about what we thought and felt during the filming. Not a typical gig for us, but it’s a gig and we had a great time doing it. 10.2: Is there a person out there walking this earth that you’d like to get an autograph from?
Mick: Speaking of KISS… yeah, sure… Paul Stanley would be cool. 10.3: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.
Mick: Our buddies in Blood Feast… their low end would have definitely drawn the sharks and more. 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?
Mick: I doubt we can top Manson, but we have asked for diet Cokes and Peanut M&M’s to be available backstage on a number of occasions. We even had flowers delivered to our dressing room once compliments of the venue’s management. 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?
Mick: I guess it would depend on what one defines as Heavy Metal… is it just sheer volume or bottom end? Or is it more along the lines of abrasiveness and intensity. Arguably, it could be the Beatles. But I’m sure it goes further back than that…somewhere, at some back woods Blues jam that, unfortunately, went unrecorded and undocumented… just good musicians doing what they do…laying it down with feeling. Heavy is in the eye, or the hands, of the beholder. 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?
Mick: I am definitely proud of the fact that we are still going. It’s an everyday, in the trenches type of endeavor. Bands come and go… and there are so many bands out there that it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle… and I’m sure at times we have and do…but we keep digging and that is a major accomplishment to me as it demonstrates passion and dedication come what may. On a more superficial note, I am proud that this band had a chance to perform in Europe and we are currently working on heading to the UK this year. I think it’s cool we had an opportunity to shoot a music video in Hannover, Germany… I find it surreal that we’ve had the chance to meet and work with some fantastic artists and bands over the last nine years on all levels. It’s amazing to me, that there are those, besides ourselves, who want to hear Corners of Sanctuary’s music. You write a song as a personal extension of yourself… you bring ideas to life. Then at some point you find that others are interested enough to want to listen to what you have created… and sometimes they ask for more. We have been very fortunate and we are very grateful for all the support we have received. We could not have done it without the support. 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, Mick, for taking the time to answer these recent music news headline questions. We look forward to what you or your band, Corners Of Sanctuary, does in 2020 and beyond. Any last words for all your fans and all the Metal Pulp And Paper readers out there?
Mick: Thanks so much, it was a pleasure chatting. You can check out Corners of Sanctuary at www.cornersofsanctuary.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CornersofSanctuary. Shout to everyone who has stood with us…we appreciate all your support… you guys rock …and we look forward to seeing you all on the road in 2020… all our best! COSnROLL.