| Interview with Dave Overkill By: Herlaka Rose |
| Cleveland's legendary thrashers have been keeping busy, playing shows and promoting their latest release, 'Forever in Leather.' Dave Overkill shared his thoughts on the bands history, scene, future and more. |
Herlaka Rose: Forever in Leather has been out awhile now, how has it been received so far from the
fans and press?
fans and press?
Dave Overkill: Things are going good so far. Destructor seems to have good distribution in Europe
and the reviews have been favorable. “Forever in Leather” came out a few months ago, so I think time
will tell for us.
and the reviews have been favorable. “Forever in Leather” came out a few months ago, so I think time
will tell for us.
Herlaka Rose: What was the year 2007 like for
Destructor? Can you pin-point some highlights of
2007.
Destructor? Can you pin-point some highlights of
2007.
Dave Overkill: Playing in Europe, Germany and
Belgium was great for us and we always have the
time of our lives when we travel to such great
places. Destructor also played a festival
celebrating the local radio program on college
radio, hosted by Bill Peters of Auburn Records for
his 25 year commitment for his metal on metal on
metal radio show. Playing with Destructor were
Belgium was great for us and we always have the
time of our lives when we travel to such great
places. Destructor also played a festival
celebrating the local radio program on college
radio, hosted by Bill Peters of Auburn Records for
his 25 year commitment for his metal on metal on
metal radio show. Playing with Destructor were
Herlaka Rose: Is it difficult to hold on to your roots in the new face of subgenres now a days?
Dave Overkill: No, actually it’s much easier because crappy music always gives ‘us strong writers’ a
reason to write a killer metal riff. I personally like different kinds of music. There are songs for every
mood in your life; we just happen to write songs that define, in a metal way, our perspective of life and
the world we all live in.
reason to write a killer metal riff. I personally like different kinds of music. There are songs for every
mood in your life; we just happen to write songs that define, in a metal way, our perspective of life and
the world we all live in.
Herlaka Rose: What have your last few shows been like, fan wise, party wise etc.?
Dave Overkill: Great, we have had so much fun the past few years and the shows keep getting bigger
and better for us. It’s all in how you see it, isn’t it? We try to enjoy the ride as much as possible.
and better for us. It’s all in how you see it, isn’t it? We try to enjoy the ride as much as possible.
Herlaka Rose: Which Metal fests do you follow if any, or would like to attend?
Dave Overkill: I think we all follow many different festivals from around the world but most of them are
in Europe and we don’t live there. For me, I think the best way to go to a great festival is trying to get on
the bill. Ha ha ha!
in Europe and we don’t live there. For me, I think the best way to go to a great festival is trying to get on
the bill. Ha ha ha!
Herlaka Rose: What type of "atmosphere" does the band have to be into before a show if any?
Dave Overkill: Well seeing a band that sucks is good inspiration to kill
but you just approach every show individually and try to be inspired
when you plug in your guitar. Destructor is always happy to lay down
our brand of heavy metal that we have stuck by for almost 25 years
now. It has always been fun. I like them all but Iron Curtain seems to get
the crowd involved and that’s when it gets real fun for us on stage.
but you just approach every show individually and try to be inspired
when you plug in your guitar. Destructor is always happy to lay down
our brand of heavy metal that we have stuck by for almost 25 years
now. It has always been fun. I like them all but Iron Curtain seems to get
the crowd involved and that’s when it gets real fun for us on stage.
Herlaka Rose: What kinds of influences do you guys have?
Dave Overkill: Life I think is the greatest influence for us and great
hard rock and heavy metal; along with lots of 1970’s and 60’s. Little bits
help define Destructors sound. Destructor has always pulled from
different things musically, but we have maintained our own identity.
hard rock and heavy metal; along with lots of 1970’s and 60’s. Little bits
help define Destructors sound. Destructor has always pulled from
different things musically, but we have maintained our own identity.
Herlaka Rose: Tell me about your label.
Dave Overkill: Auburn Records- Bill Peters is the president and has
always maintained a standard of excellence in what he chooses to
release.
always maintained a standard of excellence in what he chooses to
release.
Herlaka Rose: As a veteran in this Metal scene, what are your thoughts on today’s scene?
Dave Overkill: Well today is different in a sense that so much has changed over the years, some good
and some bad. The metal fans have the fire and there is great conviction among the fans and bands.
The ‘Golden” era has passed but as long as we are still alive, there is much left undone.
and some bad. The metal fans have the fire and there is great conviction among the fans and bands.
The ‘Golden” era has passed but as long as we are still alive, there is much left undone.
Herlaka Rose: Do you think that "webzines" have taken away the value of physical old school zines?
Dave Overkill: Webzines are cool. The way I look at it, there is more people to read your publication
now. Both are fine. I like to read hard copies because I like to collect stuff but the web is good for
surfing. I can read 5 webzines in one sitting in front of a computer. That can’t be a bad thing, right?
now. Both are fine. I like to read hard copies because I like to collect stuff but the web is good for
surfing. I can read 5 webzines in one sitting in front of a computer. That can’t be a bad thing, right?
Herlaka Rose: Destructor resurfaced in 1999 when Listenable Records reissued the "Maximum
Destruction" album. Having a "reissue" means you have done something right! How has this been so far
for Destructor?
Destruction" album. Having a "reissue" means you have done something right! How has this been so far
for Destructor?
Dave Overkill: Reissue is, for me, only good if you can back it up still. Otherwise, it is a hollow
release. Yes? All I know is that Destructor hasn’t done enough yet.
release. Yes? All I know is that Destructor hasn’t done enough yet.
Herlaka Rose: How has myspace changed the way you did things before when there was no
myspace?
myspace?
Dave Overkill: Once again computers have increased all of our abilities to communicate faster and
better. I love talking with people from all over the world. Our family is bigger and closer than ever.
better. I love talking with people from all over the world. Our family is bigger and closer than ever.
Herlaka Rose: How would you describe your sound compared to the new age music out now?
Dave Overkill: True, heavy, steadfast to our
roots and what we are. Not to what anyone
may want us to sound like now days. We are
forever what we are.
roots and what we are. Not to what anyone
may want us to sound like now days. We are
forever what we are.
Herlaka Rose: How would you say the
conditions for heavy metal have changed
since you started?
conditions for heavy metal have changed
since you started?
Dave Overkill: Fun, energetic and
engaging…that question is best suited for the
fans.
engaging…that question is best suited for the
fans.
Herlaka Rose: What does the year 2008
hold for Destructor?
hold for Destructor?
Dave Overkill: Destructor will start to create more new music that we are currently writing, as well as
playing more festivals. So far this year, we have had some great shows; plus we are reuniting with our
friends, ‘The Exaulted Piledriver, along with playing at Wacken and Head Bangers Open Air in Germany
this July and August.
playing more festivals. So far this year, we have had some great shows; plus we are reuniting with our
friends, ‘The Exaulted Piledriver, along with playing at Wacken and Head Bangers Open Air in Germany
this July and August.
Herlaka Rose: Any final comments for fans?
Dave Overkill: Hope to see as many fans as possible and toss back a few beers in the time we have at
every show. Thank you to all the faithful. Cheers.
every show. Thank you to all the faithful. Cheers.
Raven, Anvil, The Exalted Pile Driver, The Manimals, as well as Soulless and Night Crawler. Adding to
the fact that we were ready to release our cd, Forever in Leather, 2007 was good for Destructor.
the fact that we were ready to release our cd, Forever in Leather, 2007 was good for Destructor.