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METAL PULP AND PAPER: Hello Sebastian. So glad to be catching up with you. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us here at Metal Pulp And Paper. We appreciate it. How are you doing?
SEBASTIAN PHOENIX: I am doing fantastic this cool fall morning. Thanks.
MPAP: Now give us a little run down about your band and what we need to know, and especially tell us if you have any new music coming out or any tour announcements you can share here?
SEBASTIAN: Hello, name is Sebastian, I am the vocalist for the Portland, Oregon band Othrys. We currently have a new track finished, tracked and waiting to be mixed. So, looking at a release here in the next month or so. We are pretty excited. No tours at the moment as we are working on recording new music. We are playing the Heavy Metal Brewery in Vancouver, Washington with Ditch Digger and Sweater For An Astronaut, October 19th. And as of right now, is our only show booked for the rest of the 2019 year.
MPAP: Very nice. So, for anyone new to this, we changed things up and are doing something different. We've 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. 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?
SEBASTIAN: What a great question. I did see that video posted of the elderly woman rocking out to Slipknot. I loved it. Just shows that all types of music, including the full metal genre is loved by people of any age, the old 'If it’s too loud, you’re too old' motto has no grounds here. GTFO with that. She is 100% into it, rocking out. It’s healthy. It’s awesome. I’ve seen many older people at our shows in the past having a great time and totally into all the band playing. I think it’s a way to tap into that internal fountain of youth. Music makes you feel good. Makes you feel alive. Awake. That’s a few of the many reasons I’m a musician. I can’t say I’ve had any of my grandparents at any of my shows. Wish I could. But has never happened. But someday I’ll be that grandparent at a show, waving his cane!
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.
SEBASTIAN: This was amazing, honestly. What a great idea to save the gig. We all start when we are kids, I did. Not many places I could play when I first started playing shows. There isn’t many available all age venues around town and that makes it tough for the younger musicians to get gigs. They made the best of the situation and maybe even gained some new fans playing in front of normal pedestrians walking by.
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.
SEBASTIAN: This just cracks me up. I laughed when I read about that. Could you imagine Gilbert Gottfried rocking out under that mask? Pretty funny. Wouldn’t it be funny if they treat it like the new KFC Colonel Sanders commercials and have it being some different whacky goofy celebrity every month? I honestly don’t really care who it really is behind the mask. I think that defeats the purpose of those masks. Those masks are their identities. And who knows, maybe it’s just a sub for now and not an permanent member so they are keeping the 'who' on a down low.
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?
SEBASTIAN: Oh boy. I don’t even know what to say about this. I just shook my head in disappointment. I’ve seen this type of collaboration happen a few times now, and this has happened all three times. I’m always shocked that kids today haven’t heard of these great artists that we grew up listening to. Paul McCartney? Are you kidding me? The Beatles? How have you not heard of him or his band? Ozzy Osborne? "Crazy Train"? Black Sabbath? Ozzfest? I have no clue what to say about it. Its boggles the mind. Should the history of music be taught in school? Yes! Yes, yes, yes! They already teach music in school, songs and instruments, but I feel they should dive deeper into the history of all music. Artists, bands, timelines of events. From Bach to the Beatles, Hank Williams to Michael Jackson, Slayer to Ozzy and beyond.
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?
SEBASTIAN: How scary. I am thankful they are all ok. Tour bus/van accidents are horrible, and a lot is at risk since no one, but the driver is seat belted in and most are pulling a trailer full of heavy gear. I myself have fortunately never been in any accidents to and from a gig, as I’m knocking on wood.
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?
SEBASTIAN: You don’t have to be a scientist to see there is something drastically happening to our planet. The planet is definitely warming up. I’ve also read that scientists have said all the planets in our solar system have been warming up. Not just Earth. Our magnetosphere isn’t the way it should be either. The weather is crazy now days over the entire planet. It’s completely different than it was when I was a kid. Cows flatulence being a cause? There is more methane being released from melting sea ice, melting permafrost and from mining than from cows. I’m sure all the cattle doesn’t help, but it’s definitely not the cause.
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?
SEBASTIAN: Good for them. Keeping metal alive. I do not think I’ve ever had anyone famous attend any of the gigs I’ve played besides some national touring musicians. At least as far as I know of and had been told. If I could leave one ticket at will call for a famous celebrity, it would have to be Bill Murray or Keanu Reeves, Devin Townsend even. That would be pretty damn amazing.
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?
SEBASTIAN: Are you kidding me? Metallica to scare a cougar? That’s fan-fucking-tastic! I read about Yellowstone using AC/DC. I think it’s perfect. Its loud, it’s hard, its rough around the edges, a bit stoned and drunk. I know people that will clear off a sidewalk when people like that walk towards them. Eventually the animals will become immune, realize that music isn’t scary, its good shit. Become metal/rock fans and start conjugating where the metal is playing. Aaaand look who showed up to Rockfest, Farmer Jenkins cows crashed the party.
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.
SEBASTIAN: I don’t think CDs will become extinct, but they are definitely less used now due to music streaming for sure. I feel the whole vinyl nostalgia. When I really started getting into music as a kid it was all vinyl. It takes me back. The feel, the smell, the sound. I love the huge album art. Some albums opened up with more art and lyrics. And vinyl coming in different colors. It’s a gem 100%. I find vinyl far more satisfying to collect than another CD and its jewel case. Unless it’s like Tool, with a mini chargeable screen. On a good player with a good needle vinyl still sounds really damn good.
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?
SEBASTIAN: This cracks me up. I guess I would have to have my face put on a Pabst Blue Ribbon can. It’s the first beer I got really drunk on when I was 13. Playing quarters with friends with 40’z bottles. I spent a summer drinking PBR. And over the last 10 years has been my cheap save money goto, though I really don’t drink any more. I have seen some fans do some crazy shit at some of our gigs. All influenced by the mighty booze in some way or another. Even had a fan steal a bar stool out of a venue and wanted us to autograph the stool. Haha, insanity.
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?
SEBASTIAN: Porn would be a great, make money having orgasms. Beautiful women and dirty whores. You just can’t complain about that at all. Good for him. Oh boy, if I had to hang up music and do something else, I think I would go the direction of special effects, animations, digital effects and horror makeup. I’ve actually thought about do this even while playing music. Good question.
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?
SEBASTIAN: Huge question. So many amazing bands that have wrote and recorded amazing music. And to this day I keep discovering new bands that blows my mind writing fantastic music. I don’t think I’ve ever had the thought that I wished the song was my own. But I definitely have felt envious of such talent.
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.
SEBASTIAN: Metallica still packs houses. No doubt they are as popular as ever. Hard working/touring band. They have put out a lot of albums. Have put in the work. Have pushed through their failures. I have a high amount of respect for them. But now days I turn down pretty much every song of theirs that gets played. The best way to put it would be… I loved mac and cheese as a kid. Ate it almost daily. Then came a point where I couldn’t even look at mac and cheese, smell it, or even think about eating it, without feeling nauseous.
MPAP: On behalf of Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Sebastian, for taking the time to answer these questions. We look forward to what Othrys does to finish out 2019 and beyond.
SEBASTIAN: Thank you for having me a part of this. Was fun!
MPAP: Any last words for all your fans out there?
SEBASTIAN: Keep supporting local and national musicians. Go to shows, buy a T shirt. Have a good time. Cheers.



Othrys/ October 8th, 2019/ Headlines 2 #26

