Music News Headline Answers With Hail Sagan's
Sagan Amery
November/December 2019 • 3rd Edition #41
Metal Pulp And Paper: Well thank you, Sagan, for taking the time to be a part of Metal Pulp And Paper’s 3rd installment of Recent Music News Headline Questions. Before we get started though, tell us a little about your band or what you do in the music industry. And, of course, if you’ve got new music, or new music coming out soon, please tell us about it.
Sagan Amery: I’m Sagan Amery, vocalist and co-creator of the band Hail Sagan. We have been working on a ton of brand-new music and are set to release a video in the near future.
MPAP: So, just in case you or the reader are new to this, and to make sure everyone is on the same page on how this works, we’ve pulled some recent music news headlines from the Metal Injection website and turned them into questions and get your answers and reactions. We’ve been doing this for a couple of months now, with different headlines each time, and it has been fun to read everyone’s answers so far. So, once again, please place seat backs and tray tables in the upright position, hang on, here we go.
1. Real Housewife Wearing Metallica Shirt Asked To Name 3 Of Their Songs, She Cannot
MPAP: Some talk show, on the Bravo! channel had The Real Housewives of Potomac star Candiace Dillard as a guest. She was wearing a Metallica’s Lady Liberty, ‘And Justice For All’ shirt, and a caller called into the show and asked the host of it if Candice could name three songs by Metallica. She pretty much had no clue who the band was, and obviously, she couldn’t name three songs by them either. Do you believe if you wear the band’s shirt, you should at least know maybe who the group is?
Sagan: I used to hold the belief that anyone wearing a band shirt should be an actual fan. I was also an incredibly angry human being and had horrible anxiety as a result. I started to make major changes in my life and how I approach the world I live in. Now I believe that it is not up to me to decide what someone else wears, and it shouldn’t make me mad - if it does, it is just a reflection of how I feel about myself. Maybe she just liked the style, no harm meant. And to be honest, I would be grateful if someone on a television show wore my band’s shirt.
2. Mosh Pit & Wall Of Death Break Out During The Village People’s Set At Riot Fest
MPAP: You would have never really expected something like this too of happened now, would you? And to be honest, I didn’t know The Village People were still together and performing, but they are. That just shows you metal music fans can always have fun even if it is moshing to songs like "Y.M.C.A.," or "Macho Man" by The Village People at a music festival. Now, what is something you’ve seen happen while performing, or while at a show that you weren’t expecting to see or have occurred?
Sagan: At our shows, people have moshed to "Dark Cloud" which is a very slow song, so it was awesome to see. At one point, we saw three circle pits going. It’s like fans don’t care about tempo or rules, they just let loose and have fun; that’s the whole point of music! Forget genres, I actually have considered removing the genre labels from our band description. With so many elements like rock, metal, electronic, pop, and rap merging together these days, do we really need genres? Let’s just call it music.
3. Reminder: Metallica Will Never Play The Super Bowl
MPAP: Every year when the Super Bowl announces who is going to be their half time show, metal music fans are pissed off because it’s never a metal band or even a hard-rock band for that matter. For almost five years fans have wanted Metallica to host the Super Bowl halftime show. Fans also started a petition to get them to play at the 50th Super Bowl halftime show in 2015. Metallica would be an excellent choice to be a part of it, they’ve won Grammy awards, they are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and have toured just about everywhere in the World, and just recently they were named the World’s biggest touring act. What are your thoughts on this? Why do you think metal music is always going to get snubbed at the Super Bowl?
Sagan: I think music is changing in so many more ways than we ever could have imagined. One of the points of art is learning to be comfortable in discomfort. Going with the flow and being okay with an occasional snub is good for the soul. As humans, it’s too exhausting getting mad at everything that doesn’t go our way, especially when it comes to music. And if you really want it badly enough, it wouldn't hurt to try manifesting a different outcome. Instead of saying "Metallica Will Never Play The Super Bowl," state the opposite, and then do your best to make it trend on twitter. Stranger things have happened; they changed the face of Sonic The Hedgehog for crying out loud! You might get what you ask for, and you will definitely get what you believe.
4. Slipknot’s Corey Taylor Doesn’t Believe Drugs & Alcohol Makes You Write Better Music
MPAP: What are your thoughts? Do you think drugs and alcohol bring out the creativity in a musician or can kill it?
Sagan: As a non-drug using, almost three year's sober, musician, I agree with Corey. Nothing I have ever done artistically has involved being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. I also come from a bloodline of drug addicts and alcoholics, some of whom are still suffering, so I work hard to steer clear of the stuff. I think the truth is that speaking from the heart makes you write better music.
5. Steel Panther Frontman: If I Could Bring One Musician Back From The Dead, It’d Be Motley Crue’s Vince Neil
MPAP: This headline started some mudslinging between both of the bands because obviously, Vince Neil isn’t dead; he’s just a bit overweight and can’t sing like he used to be able to do as he did in the 80s and 90s. I don’t see them ever going out on tour together anytime soon, but anyway, if you could bring any musician back from the dead, who would you choose, and why?
Sagan: No Comment.
6. Green Jelly Track Down Deadbeat Promoter And Get Paid
MPAP: A promoter stiffs Green Jelly after they performed at Old East 765 Bar & Grill in Canada, and vocalist Bill Manspeaker, as he states in his cellphone video made looking for Marcus the promoter, ‘I ain’t the guy to fuck with.’ So, the band tracks down the promoter and finds his home and demands the money owed to them. It’s funny to watch because at one-point Manspeaker is knocking on his door, saying, “Little pig, little pig, let me in.” In the end, Marcus ends up paying the band half of what money was owed to them, but at least he walked away with kneecaps still in place. So, has anything like this happened to you before, and would you do something like this?
Sagan: I have been ripped off by a deadbeat promoter and it definitely created a lot of anger within me, which I now know was bad for my health and overall wellbeing. Everyone has to choose to handle these types of situations in his or her own way. But my suggestion would be to let it go, and warn others to avoid this promoter in the future.
7. Morbid Angel & Obituary Featured As An Answer On Jeopardy!
MPAP: Jeopardy has featured answers on other episodes about popular metal bands such as Megadeth, Rob Zombie, and Five Finger Death Punch, but never had any answers quite like this one. One of the writers on the hit television show has to be a metalhead for sure! So, in case you missed this episode, Alex Trebek said, 'Morbid Angel and Obituary are popular bands in this genre,' and contestant Dhruv Gaur answered with 'What is Death Metal.' Pretty cool when things like this are showing up on a popular television show. Now, if you or your band were to be mentioned on Jeopardy, what would the answer and question be? Let’s see how creative you are.
Sagan: Question: 'This band has had to endure so much bullshit that they should probably write a tell-all book about the corrupt music industry and then quit, but instead the vocalist has adopted a positive lifestyle and would rather move forward and focus on being a good person who doesn’t hold grudges, and keep writing and releasing music' Answer: Hail Sagan. Also: Alex, we love you!
8. Oops! Stadium Accidentally Leaves Ramstein Song Blasting All Night, Annoying Neighbors
MPAP: Someone at Budapest’s Puksas Arena just happened to leave the sound system on blasting the song "Deutschland" all night long, over and over. It’s an open-air stadium that’s under construction, so the loud music bothered all that lived nearby. That worker should have had a bigger playlist than just the one song; maybe it wouldn’t have been so bad then, right? So, since the subject of the headline is about something that annoyed people, let’s find out from you; what annoys you, whether it’s out on the road, at a show, in the recording studio, or even when you’re at home, what annoy's you the most?
Sagan: I try to not allow myself to get annoyed by petty things anymore; it’s something I have had to work hard at because it seems so natural for humans to be whiny and pissed off all of the time. And I used to be very whiny and pissed off all of the time. But I have learned that we create our own environment and the things that happen to us. That said, I think it’s kind of funny that the song was blasting all night long. Even previous to my positive lifestyle, I would have laughed at hearing that song over and over again. So, anyone who really got annoyed has a lot of work to do on themselves. There are so many worse things that could happen, hearing music in the distance is a gift.
9. Tool Threatening To Eject Fans From Shows If They’re Caught Using Their Phones
MPAP: Once again, cellphone use at concerts makes the headlines. If you don’t remember, but a couple of years ago during a performance of Maynard’s other band A Perfect Circle, 60 people were kicked out for filming the show with their phones. And even Jack White (The White Stripes) has a no cell phone policy at his shows. So, what’s your take on it? Are cellphones that much of a distraction to where the fan should be kicked out? Do fans need to watch the show instead of looking at their phones? Does it even matter since they paid for their ticket already?
Sagan: I prefer fan photos from the show because they are not trying to get anything out of it besides love and appreciation. And so many are budding photographers who cannot afford fancy equipment. So, I do not mind them using their phones to capture the moment. I am just grateful that anyone shows up at all. And I want to thank them for videoing our shows and sending us the footage, we appreciate you.
10. Windhand Robbed In Houston, Posts List Of Stolen Gear & Belongings
MPAP: This happens way too often, it seems. It’s hard enough to make a living being a musician, and then you have a douchebag, or douchebags, break into your trailer or van and steal all your stuff while you’re out on the road. So, when you are out on tour, what extra precautions have you taken so that this hopefully doesn’t happen to you?
Sagan: I will say the most important measure one should take to avoid getting robbed is to have at least one crew member stay with the van and trailer all night. Take turns, take shifts, but always have someone out there. Another great thing to avoid is thinking someone will steal your stuff. Every time you create a scenario like that in your mind, you are giving birth to it. Take proper precautions, then drop it. Focus on good stuff instead.
11. Machine Head Show Paused, Partially Ruined After Fan Throws Beer On The Soundboard
MPAP: This happened at a show at the O2 Academy Brixton in London, England, and a fan, more like an asshole, threw a 32-ounce beer on the soundboard. After a 20-minute delay, Machine Head was able to finish the show, but not with the highest quality sound after that. First off, what a dick move to do something like that, almost ruining it for a sold-out crowd, and second, I’m sure soundboards aren't cheap, and third, who throws a 32-ounce full beer? I don’t know what beer costs there in London, but in the US, a beer that size would cost more than likely $30. So, what a waste to throw a beer. Anyways, has this ever happened to you where you saw something was thrown from the crowd, and it abruptly stopped the show for a while, and what happened?
Sagan: Our fans have always been awesome, so thankfully they haven’t broken any equipment. I hope it was just an accident and the person who did it learned a lesson. And maybe the venue will also learn that expensive equipment and beverages do not mix. Time to invest in a popemobile for the soundboard!
12. Australia To Shut Down Highway For AC/DC Tribute Bands In 2020
MPAP: How cool is this? On February 19th, 2020, marks the 40th anniversary of vocalist Bon Scott’s death, and the city of Perth is celebrating by shutting down six miles of the Canning Highway to celebrate so AC/DC tribute bands playing live on slow-moving trailers can drive through like a festival parade. In your hometown, what would you like the city to shut down for you or your band so everyone can celebrate?
Sagan: That’s lit af! I would love for our city to shut down a major road so that we can take part in a giant festival together, and we can all do an activity where we pass around a microphone and tell each other something positive we feel about the world we live in. No complaining, no looking for reasons to be angry. Just be excited about spending time together. Lots of hugs and good vibes.
13. Brazilian Researcher Names New Spider Species After Iron Maiden, Scorpions, & Angra Members
MPAP: Christina Rheims is a researcher in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and recently discovered four new spider species and happens to be a big fan of heavy metal music. Can’t get any better than that. She named the four new species Extraordinarius bruceickinsoni, Extraordinarius klausmeinei, Extraordinarius rickalleni and Extraordinarius andrematosi, after Iron Maiden's vocalist Bruce Dickinson, Scorpions vocalist Klaus Meine, Def Leppard's drummer Rick Allen, and Angra's vocalist Andre Matos. If she happens to find another species of spiders and you’re next in line to be named after, what would you wanted the spider’s scientific name to be?
Sagan: They could call our spider, Humanitas Saganas, because we believe that kindness and the betterment of humanity are very important things to focus on.
MPAP: Those are some great answers. On behalf of Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Sagan, for taking the time to answer these recent music news headline questions. We look forward to what you or your band, Hail Sagan, does to finish out 2019 and beyond.
Any last words for all your fans out there?
Sagan: We just wanted to thank you, and everyone who has been a part of our lives because of the art and music that we have created. The world is massive and we have been brought together for a reason. If anyone reading this just discovered us and would like to follow our band, they can do so at instagram.com/hailsaganofficial
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