METAL PULP AND PAPER: Hello Grippo. Thanks for doing this answer some music headline questions for Metal Pulp And Paper again with us. We appreciate it, and we are glad you'll be a regular for this feature now.
So, for anyone new to this, we changed things up and are doing something different. I pulled some recent headlines from the Metal Injection website and get reactions and comments on them from bands all over the world. We did this last month, with different headlines, of course, and it was fun to read each group's different answers. And Grippo was kind enough to do it again. So, please place your seat backs and tray tables in the upright position, and hang on, here we go again.
1. Granny Caught Rocking Out To Slipknot
MPAP: At a recent Knotfest show an elderly woman, even with her cane in hand, is caught on video rocking out to Slipknot. The story doesn’t mention her age, but I would say she’s in the prime of at least her 70s. What do you think of granny rocking out to Slipknot? Have you ever seen any older folks rocking out at any of your shows before? And bonus points, if we were keeping score, have you had any of your grandparents at any of your shows before?
GRIP: This is awesome! There is no age limit for metal and rock music! No one should ever get judged based on their age. If the music speaks to you and makes you want to move, move! We’ve had the occasional older folk rock out at our shows. Sometimes my mom will come down and stand right in the middle of the area I know a pit is about to break out. I gotta yell 'don't hit my mom.' Unfortunately, all of my grandparents passed away before I knew what metal was. However, I saw POD last summer, and this guy in his 70s was throwin' down harder than anyone in the pit. It was awesome!
2. Metal Guitarist Too Young To Play Bar Plays Outside With Wireless System Instead
MPAP: The band Ancient Burials had a bit of a dilemma when they played a show at the Hawthorne Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Their guitarist was underage and not allowed into the bar to play. Some places will mark your hand with an 'X' identifying you’re a minor and let you play. Not the Hawthorne Theatre with Oregon’s liquor laws. So, instead of them canceling the show, fellow bandmates Paradigm Shift hooked him up with a wireless pack, and he went outside and played. The bar had an open window so you could see the band playing inside and he was outside shredding it out on the street. It’s a great video to watch.
GRIP: This is super cool and resourceful. As we always say, the show must go on no matter the circumstance! So, props to these guys for finding this fix and making sure their set went on as planned. I hope they achieve big things. This shows dedication.
3. Comedian Gilbert Gottfried Reveals Himself As Slipknot’s Tortilla Man
MPAP: Obviously, someone brilliant out there got him to announce that, probably on one of those Celebrity Cameos or something. In all seriousness, does it even matter who Tortilla Man is? And why do you think Slipknot is so strict on revealing who new band members are? They had this previous issue when Paul Gray passed away and was replaced by Alessandro Venturella, and also when Jay Weinberg replaced Joey Jordison.
GRIP: I thought this was hilarious. I love when people use Cameo to do something creative other than wishing their boy happy birthday or what not. In the age of the internet, mysticism has been removed from music. Everyone who wants to know can easily find out who is behind the masks in Kissing Candice. Back when Slipknot first started, no one knew who any of them were. They coulda been straight up monsters. I think them being strict with his identity is a throwback to this era where the focus was on the theater and not who the actor playing the character was.
4. These Post Malone Fans Are Just Hearing About Ozzy For The First Time Thanks To New Collaboration
MPAP: Recently Post Malone recorded a song called "Take What You Want," and it featured Ozzy Osbourne. Honestly, it’s not a lousy collaboration between the two. Wasn’t expecting it to be a good song. Anyways, what gets me is some people, mainly his fans were saying thanks to Post Malone he just gave this Ozzy guy a career. They obviously have no idea! Even back in 2015, it was almost the same thing, Kayne West did a song with Paul McCartney, and Kayne’s fans were saying Kayne just gave Paul a career in the music business. Really c’mon? So, my question is, should the history of music be taught in school or something? Shouldn’t the younger generation know who Ozzy Osbourne and Paul McCartney are?
GRIP: I honestly think this is mostly Twitter trolling from the younger generation. However, I definitely believe there are some kids out there who were genuinely like 'DAMN POSTY BOUT TO PUT THIS OZ GUY ON THE MAP. GIVIN A NO NAMER A FEATURE ON A HUGE ALBUM'. I personally love Post Malone and the album, along with this track. Has grown on me a lot. I definitely think music history should be taught in school. However, with the lack of funding for music programs currently I’d be happy with schools just getting instruments in kid’s hands or having them find out if they love to sing. There was a category on tonight’s Jeopardy 'CLASSIC HEAVY METAL BANDS' and I cleaned it up! However, not everyone who listens to mostly a certain genre of music are gonna know who the purveyors of other genre’s are. I’m sure you can find tons of metalheads who don’t know about NAS or Wu-Tang Clan.
5. Sabaton Involved In 'Serious Traffic Accident' In Tunisia, Cancel Tonight’s Show
MPAP: Luckily everyone is ok now, but do you have any scary tour bus accident stories that you can share with us? Or, if no accidents, any close calls where you thought you might die?
GRIP: One night, up in the mountains we were on a road with no gas stations, towns, cell phone service, or really anything in sight… Other than the blizzard we were in. I knew one wrong turn and we’d be overturned in an embankment for years. Touring is scary. Hoping the guys in Sabaton make a quick recovery and are able to get past the traumatic effects of something like this to get back on the road!
6. Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg: The Effects of Climate Change Are Undeniable
MPAP: Some say there is no such thing as climate change, or some say it is getting better. Both sides of the party point fingers at each other. Even back in February of this year, Ocasio-Cortez, the 29-year-old democratic socialist, wanted us to get to the point of where air travel would stop becoming necessary, and believes farting cows are responsible for the climate change and we need to get rid of them. What are your thoughts on climate change?
GRIP: I studied Environmental Studies and Sociology in college, and graduated… kinda a rarity for touring musicians, so I’ma flaunt that a bit. Sorry but I'm proud! I believe climate change is definitely real. There’s a lot of everyday things adding to it that are just being ignored. I think people like Elon Musk with Tesla are working for ways to slow it down, but he’s also bringing along the problem of human enslavement to robots. So, you can’t really win here. Just be mindful.
7. Nicole Kidman Attended An Iron Maiden Show with Her Husband, Keith Urban
MPAP: Never would have expected that couple to be into Iron Maiden, but still cool either way. It’s good to know that music can reach anyone. So, have you ever had anyone famous that you know of attend one of your shows? If not, who would you like to leave a ticket for at will call to come to your next show?
GRIP: This doesn’t surprise me at all! Iron Maiden was huge when they were growing up. Those songs probably made a large impact on their lives. Even if they don’t still listen to them, it probably feels good to go relive being young a bit. I just saw Weird Al a few months back for that reason! We played a show with Waka Flocka Flame once, so he was there… Also, Ice-T. Post Malone can be on our guest list any day he wants… So can Marilyn Manson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jason Momoa.
8. Yellowstone Police Are Using AC/DC To Clear Bison Off The Road
MPAP: In our previous headlines feature Metallica was blasted to scare away a cougar, and now bison are being blasted by AC/DC. It makes you think, what animal is next, and then how long until the animal kingdom doesn’t put up with this anymore and revolts against humans?
GRIP: At this rate future generations of animals are gonna be attracted to hard rock. They should start using our music instead, it scares away animals and humans.
9. Vinyl On Pace To Outsell CDs in 2019
MPAP: Buying albums seems to be the trendy hip thing it looks like again. Since streaming services are the popular norm, it’s good that records are making a comeback, but sad in a way, because CDs will become extinct.
GRIP: CD’s will have their time to come back in about 15 years when they become retro. Post Malone just released his new album on cassette, as have a lot of smaller hardcore bands. Vinyl is cool because it is more of a full experience with looking at the large artwork, dropping the needle, and taking it all in. I just wish vinyl wasn’t so expensive to produce.
10. Dude Who Tried To Swim Back Into Slayer Show After Being Ejected Immortalized on Beer Can
MPAP: The guy that tried to swim back into a Slayer show is from 2018, but him being immortalized on a beer can is new. This is a two-part question. Which beer can would you like your face on, and while out on tour, what is the craziest thing a fan has done that you have seen?
GRIP: I would definitely be on PBR… or maybe White Claw at this point in life. On the first day of Mayhem Fest we saw a fire started in the pit!
11. Former Five Finger Death Punch Drummer’s New Gig: A Horror Porn Anthology Series
MPAP: Yep, you read it right, former Five Finger Death Punch drummer’s new gig is in the porn business. Not only is Jeremy Spencer a part-time cop in Indiana now, but now he writes, directs, and even stars in his pornos. Crazy. So, my question is, what is your dream job if you weren’t performing in a band? If you had to hang things up in the music business, what would you rather be doing?
GRIP: That’s… a really bizarre combination of jobs. But hey, live your dreams! I am currently studying and pursuing a career in marketing, so probably that. I want to be my own boss and be able to be creative in the ways I like.
12. Flaw Accused of Plagiarizing You Tuber’s Song, Vocalist Said He Had No Idea
MPAP: This isn’t really a question about that headline, but it made me think and want to ask, is there one song out there that some band has recorded, and it’s so good that you wish you could claim it as your own song?
GRIP: I wish we had written the new Knocked Loose album.
13. Metallica Named 'World’s Biggest Touring Act' According to New Study
MPAP: Even though they’ve released a few records that some fans can’t stand, that still hasn’t stopped them by selling over 22 million tickets and grossed $1.4 billion in touring since 1982. That’s very impressive. So, I guess the question would be, lets rain on their parade for a moment, what’s your least favorite Metallica song that you must turn off or turn down when it’s on the radio? And by no means, this is no disrespect to Metallica at all. I think they are man enough to handle hearing which songs or albums are not fan favorites. It's just for fun and games, until we shot our eye out.
GRIP: Super generic answer… but St. Anger. I think most Metallica fans will agree with me.
MPAP: Grippo, huge thanks again for doing this headline questions interview. We look forward to your answers again next time. Until then, take care.
To read Grippo's previous headline answer's, click here.
So, for anyone new to this, we changed things up and are doing something different. I pulled some recent headlines from the Metal Injection website and get reactions and comments on them from bands all over the world. We did this last month, with different headlines, of course, and it was fun to read each group's different answers. And Grippo was kind enough to do it again. So, please place your seat backs and tray tables in the upright position, and hang on, here we go again.
1. Granny Caught Rocking Out To Slipknot
MPAP: At a recent Knotfest show an elderly woman, even with her cane in hand, is caught on video rocking out to Slipknot. The story doesn’t mention her age, but I would say she’s in the prime of at least her 70s. What do you think of granny rocking out to Slipknot? Have you ever seen any older folks rocking out at any of your shows before? And bonus points, if we were keeping score, have you had any of your grandparents at any of your shows before?
GRIP: This is awesome! There is no age limit for metal and rock music! No one should ever get judged based on their age. If the music speaks to you and makes you want to move, move! We’ve had the occasional older folk rock out at our shows. Sometimes my mom will come down and stand right in the middle of the area I know a pit is about to break out. I gotta yell 'don't hit my mom.' Unfortunately, all of my grandparents passed away before I knew what metal was. However, I saw POD last summer, and this guy in his 70s was throwin' down harder than anyone in the pit. It was awesome!
2. Metal Guitarist Too Young To Play Bar Plays Outside With Wireless System Instead
MPAP: The band Ancient Burials had a bit of a dilemma when they played a show at the Hawthorne Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Their guitarist was underage and not allowed into the bar to play. Some places will mark your hand with an 'X' identifying you’re a minor and let you play. Not the Hawthorne Theatre with Oregon’s liquor laws. So, instead of them canceling the show, fellow bandmates Paradigm Shift hooked him up with a wireless pack, and he went outside and played. The bar had an open window so you could see the band playing inside and he was outside shredding it out on the street. It’s a great video to watch.
GRIP: This is super cool and resourceful. As we always say, the show must go on no matter the circumstance! So, props to these guys for finding this fix and making sure their set went on as planned. I hope they achieve big things. This shows dedication.
3. Comedian Gilbert Gottfried Reveals Himself As Slipknot’s Tortilla Man
MPAP: Obviously, someone brilliant out there got him to announce that, probably on one of those Celebrity Cameos or something. In all seriousness, does it even matter who Tortilla Man is? And why do you think Slipknot is so strict on revealing who new band members are? They had this previous issue when Paul Gray passed away and was replaced by Alessandro Venturella, and also when Jay Weinberg replaced Joey Jordison.
GRIP: I thought this was hilarious. I love when people use Cameo to do something creative other than wishing their boy happy birthday or what not. In the age of the internet, mysticism has been removed from music. Everyone who wants to know can easily find out who is behind the masks in Kissing Candice. Back when Slipknot first started, no one knew who any of them were. They coulda been straight up monsters. I think them being strict with his identity is a throwback to this era where the focus was on the theater and not who the actor playing the character was.
4. These Post Malone Fans Are Just Hearing About Ozzy For The First Time Thanks To New Collaboration
MPAP: Recently Post Malone recorded a song called "Take What You Want," and it featured Ozzy Osbourne. Honestly, it’s not a lousy collaboration between the two. Wasn’t expecting it to be a good song. Anyways, what gets me is some people, mainly his fans were saying thanks to Post Malone he just gave this Ozzy guy a career. They obviously have no idea! Even back in 2015, it was almost the same thing, Kayne West did a song with Paul McCartney, and Kayne’s fans were saying Kayne just gave Paul a career in the music business. Really c’mon? So, my question is, should the history of music be taught in school or something? Shouldn’t the younger generation know who Ozzy Osbourne and Paul McCartney are?
GRIP: I honestly think this is mostly Twitter trolling from the younger generation. However, I definitely believe there are some kids out there who were genuinely like 'DAMN POSTY BOUT TO PUT THIS OZ GUY ON THE MAP. GIVIN A NO NAMER A FEATURE ON A HUGE ALBUM'. I personally love Post Malone and the album, along with this track. Has grown on me a lot. I definitely think music history should be taught in school. However, with the lack of funding for music programs currently I’d be happy with schools just getting instruments in kid’s hands or having them find out if they love to sing. There was a category on tonight’s Jeopardy 'CLASSIC HEAVY METAL BANDS' and I cleaned it up! However, not everyone who listens to mostly a certain genre of music are gonna know who the purveyors of other genre’s are. I’m sure you can find tons of metalheads who don’t know about NAS or Wu-Tang Clan.
5. Sabaton Involved In 'Serious Traffic Accident' In Tunisia, Cancel Tonight’s Show
MPAP: Luckily everyone is ok now, but do you have any scary tour bus accident stories that you can share with us? Or, if no accidents, any close calls where you thought you might die?
GRIP: One night, up in the mountains we were on a road with no gas stations, towns, cell phone service, or really anything in sight… Other than the blizzard we were in. I knew one wrong turn and we’d be overturned in an embankment for years. Touring is scary. Hoping the guys in Sabaton make a quick recovery and are able to get past the traumatic effects of something like this to get back on the road!
6. Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg: The Effects of Climate Change Are Undeniable
MPAP: Some say there is no such thing as climate change, or some say it is getting better. Both sides of the party point fingers at each other. Even back in February of this year, Ocasio-Cortez, the 29-year-old democratic socialist, wanted us to get to the point of where air travel would stop becoming necessary, and believes farting cows are responsible for the climate change and we need to get rid of them. What are your thoughts on climate change?
GRIP: I studied Environmental Studies and Sociology in college, and graduated… kinda a rarity for touring musicians, so I’ma flaunt that a bit. Sorry but I'm proud! I believe climate change is definitely real. There’s a lot of everyday things adding to it that are just being ignored. I think people like Elon Musk with Tesla are working for ways to slow it down, but he’s also bringing along the problem of human enslavement to robots. So, you can’t really win here. Just be mindful.
7. Nicole Kidman Attended An Iron Maiden Show with Her Husband, Keith Urban
MPAP: Never would have expected that couple to be into Iron Maiden, but still cool either way. It’s good to know that music can reach anyone. So, have you ever had anyone famous that you know of attend one of your shows? If not, who would you like to leave a ticket for at will call to come to your next show?
GRIP: This doesn’t surprise me at all! Iron Maiden was huge when they were growing up. Those songs probably made a large impact on their lives. Even if they don’t still listen to them, it probably feels good to go relive being young a bit. I just saw Weird Al a few months back for that reason! We played a show with Waka Flocka Flame once, so he was there… Also, Ice-T. Post Malone can be on our guest list any day he wants… So can Marilyn Manson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jason Momoa.
8. Yellowstone Police Are Using AC/DC To Clear Bison Off The Road
MPAP: In our previous headlines feature Metallica was blasted to scare away a cougar, and now bison are being blasted by AC/DC. It makes you think, what animal is next, and then how long until the animal kingdom doesn’t put up with this anymore and revolts against humans?
GRIP: At this rate future generations of animals are gonna be attracted to hard rock. They should start using our music instead, it scares away animals and humans.
9. Vinyl On Pace To Outsell CDs in 2019
MPAP: Buying albums seems to be the trendy hip thing it looks like again. Since streaming services are the popular norm, it’s good that records are making a comeback, but sad in a way, because CDs will become extinct.
GRIP: CD’s will have their time to come back in about 15 years when they become retro. Post Malone just released his new album on cassette, as have a lot of smaller hardcore bands. Vinyl is cool because it is more of a full experience with looking at the large artwork, dropping the needle, and taking it all in. I just wish vinyl wasn’t so expensive to produce.
10. Dude Who Tried To Swim Back Into Slayer Show After Being Ejected Immortalized on Beer Can
MPAP: The guy that tried to swim back into a Slayer show is from 2018, but him being immortalized on a beer can is new. This is a two-part question. Which beer can would you like your face on, and while out on tour, what is the craziest thing a fan has done that you have seen?
GRIP: I would definitely be on PBR… or maybe White Claw at this point in life. On the first day of Mayhem Fest we saw a fire started in the pit!
11. Former Five Finger Death Punch Drummer’s New Gig: A Horror Porn Anthology Series
MPAP: Yep, you read it right, former Five Finger Death Punch drummer’s new gig is in the porn business. Not only is Jeremy Spencer a part-time cop in Indiana now, but now he writes, directs, and even stars in his pornos. Crazy. So, my question is, what is your dream job if you weren’t performing in a band? If you had to hang things up in the music business, what would you rather be doing?
GRIP: That’s… a really bizarre combination of jobs. But hey, live your dreams! I am currently studying and pursuing a career in marketing, so probably that. I want to be my own boss and be able to be creative in the ways I like.
12. Flaw Accused of Plagiarizing You Tuber’s Song, Vocalist Said He Had No Idea
MPAP: This isn’t really a question about that headline, but it made me think and want to ask, is there one song out there that some band has recorded, and it’s so good that you wish you could claim it as your own song?
GRIP: I wish we had written the new Knocked Loose album.
13. Metallica Named 'World’s Biggest Touring Act' According to New Study
MPAP: Even though they’ve released a few records that some fans can’t stand, that still hasn’t stopped them by selling over 22 million tickets and grossed $1.4 billion in touring since 1982. That’s very impressive. So, I guess the question would be, lets rain on their parade for a moment, what’s your least favorite Metallica song that you must turn off or turn down when it’s on the radio? And by no means, this is no disrespect to Metallica at all. I think they are man enough to handle hearing which songs or albums are not fan favorites. It's just for fun and games, until we shot our eye out.
GRIP: Super generic answer… but St. Anger. I think most Metallica fans will agree with me.
MPAP: Grippo, huge thanks again for doing this headline questions interview. We look forward to your answers again next time. Until then, take care.
To read Grippo's previous headline answer's, click here.