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| Phone Interview with Jeff Waters By: Blissfulviolet |
| Gone from the US for nearly 15 years, Annihilator is back and spreading what they know best, 'Metal.' Front man Jeff Waters is ecstatic as ever and ready to bring the band home, where fans have long awaited. |
Jeff Waters: Hey Denise, this is a very
apologetic Jeff Waters.
apologetic Jeff Waters.
Blissfulviolet: Hey it’s no problem, what’s
going on?
going on?
Jeff Waters: Oh, I’m so behind on these
interviews and I apologize if I’m late. The
person I just came off the phone with, not
sure if I should say but they just kept talking
and talking and that’s my job. (laughs)
interviews and I apologize if I’m late. The
person I just came off the phone with, not
sure if I should say but they just kept talking
and talking and that’s my job. (laughs)
Blissfulviolet: Well I know you must be
pretty busy, the Annihilator Metal cd came
out recently here in the US, correct?
pretty busy, the Annihilator Metal cd came
out recently here in the US, correct?
Jeff Waters: Yeah it’s supposed to be
released already; I’m just hoping that people can find it but that’s another story right?
Blissfulviolet: Yeah. I noticed that the album was released in Europe since April of 2007 and was
wondering what was the reason for the lengthy delay?
wondering what was the reason for the lengthy delay?
Jeff Waters: It’s definitely the worst scenario for any musician, especially with the internet; to have a
cd come out somewhere and then even 2 weeks later anywhere else, because of all the downloading that
can occur.
In my case it was a long time after, like you said since April. In North America we have been pretty
much gone from the metal scene since 1993, which was the last time we actually toured. The kind of
metal that we were playing, the 80’s traditional stuff, kind of went out and disappeared in 93’ when bands
like Pearl Jam and Nirvana were big. You can tell that I’m an old man, I’m 41.
You know this kind of music went out and I was able to still have a lot of success over in Europe, Asia
and Japan with Annihilator but over here in North America we were dropped like a rock by our label and
we just couldn’t get anything going again. So I just made a decision, I said, ‘You know what I’m not
going to stress and have a heart attack because I’m trying to get something going here, I’m just going to
have fun overseas’. But can you imagine the rough time I must have had thinking ‘I’m going to have to
settle for touring all through Europe for the rest of my life.’ You know what I mean? It was fun and we
did well since 1989 overseas, but it’s a shame that we almost disappeared from North America.
So the reason why our album is so darn late is because I really haven’t been able to get a record deal.
Nobody was really interested in signing us. Finally the same label that helped make us successful
overseas, SPV Records, they have a small office in New Jersey and they said why not? You can’t find a
label we’ll take you here.
cd come out somewhere and then even 2 weeks later anywhere else, because of all the downloading that
can occur.
In my case it was a long time after, like you said since April. In North America we have been pretty
much gone from the metal scene since 1993, which was the last time we actually toured. The kind of
metal that we were playing, the 80’s traditional stuff, kind of went out and disappeared in 93’ when bands
like Pearl Jam and Nirvana were big. You can tell that I’m an old man, I’m 41.
You know this kind of music went out and I was able to still have a lot of success over in Europe, Asia
and Japan with Annihilator but over here in North America we were dropped like a rock by our label and
we just couldn’t get anything going again. So I just made a decision, I said, ‘You know what I’m not
going to stress and have a heart attack because I’m trying to get something going here, I’m just going to
have fun overseas’. But can you imagine the rough time I must have had thinking ‘I’m going to have to
settle for touring all through Europe for the rest of my life.’ You know what I mean? It was fun and we
did well since 1989 overseas, but it’s a shame that we almost disappeared from North America.
So the reason why our album is so darn late is because I really haven’t been able to get a record deal.
Nobody was really interested in signing us. Finally the same label that helped make us successful
overseas, SPV Records, they have a small office in New Jersey and they said why not? You can’t find a
label we’ll take you here.
Blissfulviolet: Great to hear that it turned out ok in the end.
I know impatient fans from the US must have either
downloaded or purchased the imported CD version.
I know impatient fans from the US must have either
downloaded or purchased the imported CD version.
Jeff Waters: It’s normal. It’s a bad thing of course for
most musicians to have their music downloaded, if you don’t
go out and buy the record if you like it. I kind of like the
internet and Mp3 stuff. You know when you hear a good
song or see a good music video on MTV or Headbangers
Ball…In the old days, way back in the old days; I’d watch a
video and like a certain song and then go to the record store
and pay money for the cd and when I got home and put it on
I’d realize, that was about the only good song on the cd...
everything else was crap, they obviously wrote the record
for the one single or video and you basically got ripped off.
most musicians to have their music downloaded, if you don’t
go out and buy the record if you like it. I kind of like the
internet and Mp3 stuff. You know when you hear a good
song or see a good music video on MTV or Headbangers
Ball…In the old days, way back in the old days; I’d watch a
video and like a certain song and then go to the record store
and pay money for the cd and when I got home and put it on
I’d realize, that was about the only good song on the cd...
everything else was crap, they obviously wrote the record
for the one single or video and you basically got ripped off.
Back in the 80’s, most bands were writing 7-9 great songs and it was all about the album itself and about
the songs being put together. In the 90’s it changed to where records were made for singles and videos.
Bands would literally write one or two video/radio songs and it was all just crap that was quickly put
together. With the internet you can go online to audition and listen to these albums and songs. You could
then say “I love that one song but I think the other 9 are terrible. This band was lazy, they just wrote one
good song and they didn’t give a dam.” In my case I would go and buy that one song for 2 bucks.
(laughs) You know what I mean?
the songs being put together. In the 90’s it changed to where records were made for singles and videos.
Bands would literally write one or two video/radio songs and it was all just crap that was quickly put
together. With the internet you can go online to audition and listen to these albums and songs. You could
then say “I love that one song but I think the other 9 are terrible. This band was lazy, they just wrote one
good song and they didn’t give a dam.” In my case I would go and buy that one song for 2 bucks.
(laughs) You know what I mean?
Blissfulviolet: Gotcha.
Jeff Waters: (laughs) I’d actually buy the one song, not the entire cd; just the one song, because I liked
that 'one' song. But I still buy Cd's, that’s the main thing I do, I still go to the record stores for my music.
But like I said the good thing about the internet is you can check it out first. You can check out the new
Annihilator Metal album and if you don’t like it and it sucks for you, then I’m glad that you checked it out
on the internet first and didn't waste your money. You’d be pretty angry at me if you wasted your hard
earned money and you didn't like it.
that 'one' song. But I still buy Cd's, that’s the main thing I do, I still go to the record stores for my music.
But like I said the good thing about the internet is you can check it out first. You can check out the new
Annihilator Metal album and if you don’t like it and it sucks for you, then I’m glad that you checked it out
on the internet first and didn't waste your money. You’d be pretty angry at me if you wasted your hard
earned money and you didn't like it.
Blissfulviolet: Well now that this record is out in the US, what are Annihilator’s plans, will there be a tour?
Jeff Waters: We’re trying. We’re trying real hard. We just missed the Gigantour. I was a little late
calling Dave; he had invited Annihilator on the first couple of Gigantours. I was always not ready; I didn't
have a proper deal in the States so I couldn't’t do it, as much as I wanted to say ‘Wow I’m on tour with
Megadeth on the Gigantour,’ that’s a dream for many bands. I couldn't do it because I had no records in
the stores and no money from a record company to help us get a bus and get on tour, plus no promotion.
So no matter how much I wanted to go on tour, I just couldn't.
So now that I have a record out here and got around to asking Dave about the tour, it was too late, he had
already picked all the bands. So we are working on some other form of touring. We are talking to some
of the bands that we know and see if we can get down there and do some touring. Same with Canada, we
haven’t toured our own country about the same amount of time that we have been away from the states.
calling Dave; he had invited Annihilator on the first couple of Gigantours. I was always not ready; I didn't
have a proper deal in the States so I couldn't’t do it, as much as I wanted to say ‘Wow I’m on tour with
Megadeth on the Gigantour,’ that’s a dream for many bands. I couldn't do it because I had no records in
the stores and no money from a record company to help us get a bus and get on tour, plus no promotion.
So no matter how much I wanted to go on tour, I just couldn't.
So now that I have a record out here and got around to asking Dave about the tour, it was too late, he had
already picked all the bands. So we are working on some other form of touring. We are talking to some
of the bands that we know and see if we can get down there and do some touring. Same with Canada, we
haven’t toured our own country about the same amount of time that we have been away from the states.
Blissfulviolet: As for the album itself, I found Annihilator Metal to be extremely guitar driven; compared
to previous releases.
to previous releases.
Jeff Waters: Plus we have many cool guitar player guests on there, which really makes it an even more
guitar record. That’s what gave it that certain push towards that direction. It was cool and interesting
having guest on there.
guitar record. That’s what gave it that certain push towards that direction. It was cool and interesting
having guest on there.
Blissfulviolet: I’m going to be honest, I’m really not into these ‘New metal’ bands like Trivium for
example and when I found out that some of these artist were featured on your record I was very skeptical.
But after hearing the CD I was shocked that these players totally ‘Annihilated’ their sound and sort of
created a new sound. It made me over think my judgment on their abilities as metal musicians.
example and when I found out that some of these artist were featured on your record I was very skeptical.
But after hearing the CD I was shocked that these players totally ‘Annihilated’ their sound and sort of
created a new sound. It made me over think my judgment on their abilities as metal musicians.
Jeff Waters: Yeah I understand where
you’re coming from. Everyone that was
featured on ‘Annihilator Metal’ likes
Annihilator’s music, not necessarily all of
it. Just like with my favorite bands I don’t
like all the ballads or all the songs. I like
some things of what these bands like
Children of Bodom, Arch Enemy and Lamb
of God are doing. So it was interesting and
easy for them to bring out their small bit of
Annihilator style in their music.
Jeff Loomis (Nevermore) for example and
other great guitar players came in on the
record and I said ‘Just do your own solo,
your own thing,’ and they just disregarded
you’re coming from. Everyone that was
featured on ‘Annihilator Metal’ likes
Annihilator’s music, not necessarily all of
it. Just like with my favorite bands I don’t
like all the ballads or all the songs. I like
some things of what these bands like
Children of Bodom, Arch Enemy and Lamb
of God are doing. So it was interesting and
easy for them to bring out their small bit of
Annihilator style in their music.
Jeff Loomis (Nevermore) for example and
other great guitar players came in on the
record and I said ‘Just do your own solo,
your own thing,’ and they just disregarded
what I said and they did an Annihilator type solo. That was one of the coolest things for me, huge honor, to
listen to your music played back and hear a guy as great as Jeff Loomis playing a solo in your style. So it
was interesting seeing some of the guys incorporating Annihilators style, while others put their own stamp
on it.
listen to your music played back and hear a guy as great as Jeff Loomis playing a solo in your style. So it
was interesting seeing some of the guys incorporating Annihilators style, while others put their own stamp
on it.
Blissfulviolet: Speaking of Loomis, the song that he’s playing on, ‘Clown Parade’ is my favorite track off
the album, good stuff. By the way what gave you the idea to add these featured artists to your record? Was
it something that was planned from the beginning?
the album, good stuff. By the way what gave you the idea to add these featured artists to your record? Was
it something that was planned from the beginning?
Jeff Waters: The record was pretty much finished and I received a call from Corey Beaulieu to see how
the Annihilator record was coming along and one thing led to another and he expressed that he would love to
do a solo, I was totally into the idea. Then I thought if Corey wanted to do it maybe Michael Amott would
be interested and he was, along with others. It was all done pretty quickly.
the Annihilator record was coming along and one thing led to another and he expressed that he would love to
do a solo, I was totally into the idea. Then I thought if Corey wanted to do it maybe Michael Amott would
be interested and he was, along with others. It was all done pretty quickly.
Blissfulviolet: I’ve read that this particular album reminds you of the first 4 Annihilator releases, elaborate
more on this thought.
more on this thought.
Jeff Waters: The first four...well I think all Annihilator records are different but also very similar. They
are similar in the sense that it’s all metal, whether it’s thrashy, heavy or melodic, it’s still metal. I have
always kept that original Annihilaor sound but have managed to make every album sound different. I've
worked with different productions, sounds, drum sounds, mixing on each record and I've had many
different singers in the band. Right away having different singers should normally ruin your career or end
it. In my case I was one of the rare bands lucky enough and turned it into something cool.
What made this album remind me of our first recordings was the way this album was written. In the past I
wrote Annihilators early material with a ghetto blaster; no fancy studio, or drum machine…sitting all
comfortable with a belly full of steak from the night before. When I wrote songs in the early days I was
literally a starving artist; I had no money, recording equipment or a computer. So I decided this time to get
out of my studio and go into my dark depressing ferniest room, I took my ghetto blaster like the old days
and started working on the record.
are similar in the sense that it’s all metal, whether it’s thrashy, heavy or melodic, it’s still metal. I have
always kept that original Annihilaor sound but have managed to make every album sound different. I've
worked with different productions, sounds, drum sounds, mixing on each record and I've had many
different singers in the band. Right away having different singers should normally ruin your career or end
it. In my case I was one of the rare bands lucky enough and turned it into something cool.
What made this album remind me of our first recordings was the way this album was written. In the past I
wrote Annihilators early material with a ghetto blaster; no fancy studio, or drum machine…sitting all
comfortable with a belly full of steak from the night before. When I wrote songs in the early days I was
literally a starving artist; I had no money, recording equipment or a computer. So I decided this time to get
out of my studio and go into my dark depressing ferniest room, I took my ghetto blaster like the old days
and started working on the record.
Blissfulviolet: You mentioned going through a few singers, do you feel at ease or comfortable with Dave
Padden since he is the first vocalist to work with you on a few albums?
Padden since he is the first vocalist to work with you on a few albums?
Jeff Waters: Oh yeah...he’s been with me for almost 5 years now, he keeps getting noticed as the new
guy but he’s an old guy that has been on 3 albums now. He does a great job at what he does. I don't know
how long he'll be here. He could be here for 4 more albums or not be on the next album. He can sing in
quite a few different styles, glad to have him.
guy but he’s an old guy that has been on 3 albums now. He does a great job at what he does. I don't know
how long he'll be here. He could be here for 4 more albums or not be on the next album. He can sing in
quite a few different styles, glad to have him.
Blissfulviolet: In the past and on this new album you have done vocals as well. You have a great voice,
why did you never decide to be the singer for your own band?
why did you never decide to be the singer for your own band?
Jeff Waters: I'm a wanna-be vocalist. (laughs) Thanks
for the compliment but I don't think so. I had 3 different
vocalist for the first 3 Annihilator albums which were
very successful. I decided to try singing myself on the
4th because I thought my career would be done if I tried
to find another singer. My girlfriend and a friend of mine
said 'You always sing on the demos that you give to your
singers when you're trying to show them how you would
like them to sing, your voice is ok; you should try.' I was
flattered, at the time I was 27, 28 years old and I tried it.
To be a real good singer you need years of practice; you
just can't jump in and become a singer, but I tried it and
it became one of our biggest selling records in Japan and
Europe. But I'm not a singer, I reek.
for the compliment but I don't think so. I had 3 different
vocalist for the first 3 Annihilator albums which were
very successful. I decided to try singing myself on the
4th because I thought my career would be done if I tried
to find another singer. My girlfriend and a friend of mine
said 'You always sing on the demos that you give to your
singers when you're trying to show them how you would
like them to sing, your voice is ok; you should try.' I was
flattered, at the time I was 27, 28 years old and I tried it.
To be a real good singer you need years of practice; you
just can't jump in and become a singer, but I tried it and
it became one of our biggest selling records in Japan and
Europe. But I'm not a singer, I reek.
Blissfulviolet: Was there a certain reason why you
chose to sing 'Operation Annihilation' off the new album?
chose to sing 'Operation Annihilation' off the new album?
Jeff Waters: I was actually saving that one song
because Dave Mustaine at one point was planning on
singing that track, he really liked the music but coulden't
find the time to record. What ended up happening was
my singer went home after recording his vocals and I
was left with this track. Dave Padden lives so far away
because Dave Mustaine at one point was planning on
singing that track, he really liked the music but coulden't
find the time to record. What ended up happening was
my singer went home after recording his vocals and I
was left with this track. Dave Padden lives so far away
from me, rather then make him fly or travel back, I just ended up singing the song.
Blissfulviolet: Tell me about the lyrics or story behind 'Annihilator Metal?' The overall lyrics and sound
have an angry vibe to them.
have an angry vibe to them.
Jeff Waters: I've had good things happen in my life as well as many bad things. You can get inspiration
for a metal song with anger no problem because I personally had lots of anger for all these people involved in
the record industry. This album was really based on my fustrations of all the people out there who are
fucking you over or trying to rip you off. Being in a band and in the music industry is a terrible thing to be
into. If you think you can survive long enough then maybe it's for you but many bands out there only get to
put out 2 to 3 albums and then somthing happens to them. They end up breaking up, someone goes to rehab
or they get screwed over. If you've survived long enough as I have, you cleanup and you begin to realize
what's really going on out there. You see everything for what it really is and you know who is ripping you
off and you have to turn that anger and experience as a driving force to keep yourself going, you know what
I mean?
for a metal song with anger no problem because I personally had lots of anger for all these people involved in
the record industry. This album was really based on my fustrations of all the people out there who are
fucking you over or trying to rip you off. Being in a band and in the music industry is a terrible thing to be
into. If you think you can survive long enough then maybe it's for you but many bands out there only get to
put out 2 to 3 albums and then somthing happens to them. They end up breaking up, someone goes to rehab
or they get screwed over. If you've survived long enough as I have, you cleanup and you begin to realize
what's really going on out there. You see everything for what it really is and you know who is ripping you
off and you have to turn that anger and experience as a driving force to keep yourself going, you know what
I mean?
Blissfulviolet: So this album has worked as a remedy for the hatred you had bottled up all these years?
Jeff Waters: Yeah remedy is a good word for it; it's been an uplift in so many different ways, even
musically. When I'm writing these fast riffs I'm really just saying 'F' you, you son of a bitch! (Laughs)
musically. When I'm writing these fast riffs I'm really just saying 'F' you, you son of a bitch! (Laughs)
Blissfulviolet: You also had the opportunity to release that hatred on the road and toured a few European
shows, how did that go?
shows, how did that go?
Jeff Waters: Yeah we did a few European shows, some with Iced Earth before Ripper was out of the
band and we also toured with Trivum. Our tour with Trivum was just unbelievable, a really cool tour in
England. Trivum is selling huge records over there and it was such a brotherly thing of them to invite us on
this tour with them, they knew it would help us get exposure there. Since then we have been getting lots of
young kids taking interest in our music and our myspace site, they are even buying our album.
It doesn't matter what anyone says or what you read, those guys know metal; from Annihilator to WASP,
lyrics, trivia, you name it; they are just cool and are metal.
band and we also toured with Trivum. Our tour with Trivum was just unbelievable, a really cool tour in
England. Trivum is selling huge records over there and it was such a brotherly thing of them to invite us on
this tour with them, they knew it would help us get exposure there. Since then we have been getting lots of
young kids taking interest in our music and our myspace site, they are even buying our album.
It doesn't matter what anyone says or what you read, those guys know metal; from Annihilator to WASP,
lyrics, trivia, you name it; they are just cool and are metal.
Blissfulviolet: That's great that you guys are being exposed to all types of metal fans out there, especially
the younger generation. These kids should have the opportunity to know what Annihilator is all about. Since
we are on the subject of fans, I was wondering how involved are you with keeping in touch with them?
With sources like forums and myspace do you keep up with what's going on in the cyberworld?
the younger generation. These kids should have the opportunity to know what Annihilator is all about. Since
we are on the subject of fans, I was wondering how involved are you with keeping in touch with them?
With sources like forums and myspace do you keep up with what's going on in the cyberworld?
Jeff Waters: We have an official forum on our website and it was about up to a year and a half ago that I
was on that thing almost everyday. I was doing so much online at the time, I was talking to everybody,
answering questions, all sorts of stuff...Which reminds me and this is something that I am most certain that
I have 'NEVER' mentioned in an interview before. You got me talking (laughs).
It was a few years ago and I put together this huge online contest, and I mean it was huge, hundreds of
prizes. The contest was for any metal heads from anywhere around the world. I'm talking huge, Dave
Mustaine was giving away a few of his guitars, even Priest, Iron Maiden donated some stuff. I just wanted
to give something back to the metal community, you know...and all these major 'so called' metal websites
would not even mention the damn thing. I was pissed off for years about that. I'm sure you know what sites
I'm talking about. I was really disappointed because I'm sure many out there did not even know that contest
was going on.
was on that thing almost everyday. I was doing so much online at the time, I was talking to everybody,
answering questions, all sorts of stuff...Which reminds me and this is something that I am most certain that
I have 'NEVER' mentioned in an interview before. You got me talking (laughs).
It was a few years ago and I put together this huge online contest, and I mean it was huge, hundreds of
prizes. The contest was for any metal heads from anywhere around the world. I'm talking huge, Dave
Mustaine was giving away a few of his guitars, even Priest, Iron Maiden donated some stuff. I just wanted
to give something back to the metal community, you know...and all these major 'so called' metal websites
would not even mention the damn thing. I was pissed off for years about that. I'm sure you know what sites
I'm talking about. I was really disappointed because I'm sure many out there did not even know that contest
was going on.
Blissfulviolet: Yeah those sites are just all about damn profits, they don't care about anyone or metal.
Jeff Waters: I still can't believe that they would not mention such a massive Metal contest that was aimed
strictly for all the metal fans out there. We were even giving away distortion and guitar pedals, cds, dvds,
just about everything. That was the one time in my life when I set aside my work musically and had the
inspiration to give something back, to do something good for all the fans. You know what I mean? And not
many heard about if all because of these stupid websites...anyway, that sucked!
But anyways a little while after that I just got myself off the computer and got myself back on tour. I was
spending way too much time online. You see, when you manage yourself, you tend to spend so much time
at home and on the computer and if you play guitar you end up not having time for it. Also it can damage
your hands, arms and neck.
Anyways I'm still pissed about that contest, sucks right? I'm going to cry....(says in a whimpering voice and
laughs) Well I think I was talking way to much and I still have more interviews to do, but you got something
out of this, right?
strictly for all the metal fans out there. We were even giving away distortion and guitar pedals, cds, dvds,
just about everything. That was the one time in my life when I set aside my work musically and had the
inspiration to give something back, to do something good for all the fans. You know what I mean? And not
many heard about if all because of these stupid websites...anyway, that sucked!
But anyways a little while after that I just got myself off the computer and got myself back on tour. I was
spending way too much time online. You see, when you manage yourself, you tend to spend so much time
at home and on the computer and if you play guitar you end up not having time for it. Also it can damage
your hands, arms and neck.
Anyways I'm still pissed about that contest, sucks right? I'm going to cry....(says in a whimpering voice and
laughs) Well I think I was talking way to much and I still have more interviews to do, but you got something
out of this, right?
Blissfulviolet: Yeah those sites are just all about damn profits, they don't care about anyone or metal.
Blissfulviolet: Oh yes, definitely. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.
Jeff Waters: Not a problem, you take care.
