LETHAL - Dave Mc Elfresh/Eric Cook/Jerry Hartman

Lethal is finally back. The band reformed with Tom Mallicoat (vox), Dave Mc Elfresh (guitars/violins), Eric Cook (guitars),Glen Cook (bass) and Jerry Hartman (drums), and they are ready to rock the world! For those who may not be aware of this band, you should definitely check them out. So far they have released “Arrival”, which was a demo release, two full-length albums, “Programmed” and “Poison Seed”, and the E.P “Your favorite God”.
\r\nAfter their very successful gigs in Germany, the power/progressive band from Kentucky is currently rehearsing and writing new material for an upcoming album. Eric, Jerry and Dave talked to Metalzone regarding the band’s activities and plans. (Thanx Sue for all your help!)
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\r\nMetalzone: It s been a long time since your last album. So, what have you been doing during the last years, after “Poison Seed”?
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\r\nDave: Oh, things like riding dirt bikes, hunting, raising my kids, and also writing some different music outside of Lethal.
\r\nJerry: We have been spending our time building families, marriages and kids for most of us, we all, have also gone on to further our educations in some way, or spent time with family business. We have full time jobs, and continue to play music together.
\r\nEric: Everyone needed some time to pursue other things. For instance, I went back to school and earned several degrees in computer science. In some ways it was hard to see bands like Disturbed, etc. because it seemed that we took a break just before metal started becoming more popular again. I can say that everyone in the band has gained depth and wisdom in life and after all that is what music is about. Letting other people feel the emotions that you are feeling. This is how someone on the other side of the world can be so close to you on a personal level. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: There has been a long period of silence for the band. Why is that?
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\r\nJerry: I think we needed a break, the metal music scene in the U.S. was getting stale. Although our silence was evident, we have remained together.
\r\nDave: Well, it was just getting to be that time in life, where several of the guys were in school and a few of us had children, and basically wε need to get a few things in order personally.
\r\nEric: I guess you can strike it up to personal growth. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: People seem to be very impressed after your recent gigs in Germany. After watching a couple of videos on youtube, I can tell why. Is this a result of regular rehearsals throughout the years?
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\r\nJerry: Yes, throughout the years we did rehearse, some new material was started years ago, and then in early 2006 when we confirmed for Keep it True festival, we started rehearsals a couple times a week, writing new material.
\r\nDave: Haha! Actually we used to rehearse 5 times a week, but we have been rehearsing maybe once or twice for a little over a year now. Not much at all.
\r\nEric: The band did not practice as a unit until we found out that people in Europe still believed in the music. So we had to put things together rather quickly. As a band that has been together as long as we have, the show had some mistakes. The Open Air fest should be much better. I need to say that even though we are very critical of ourselves, the fans at the KIT show were great. If we had known that they were that dedicated to the music we would have played there years ago. We are as a big fan of the people that came to see us as they are our music. Hands down one of the most enjoyable shows we have ever played, and this was because of the fans \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Tell us your thoughts about these shows, the fans and your performance
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\r\nJerry: I must say the fans are great! It gives us all positive energy to see how many the fans like our music! We would like to play music fulltime!!
\r\nDave: The shows were very fun. The fans are totally into it and we appreciate it. Frankly we could not have asked for a better first time in Europe.
\r\nEric: The shows were great because of the fans. Our performance will continue to improve. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: You are currently looking for a record deal. Are there any proposals you might be interested in, so far?
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\r\nJerry: We are not talking to any labels at this time. We are concentrating on our new material so we may have new material out in early 2008.
\r\nDave: Nothing so far, but hopefully after the new recording is done, we may find a good situation with a label and distribution.
\r\nEric: No one has contacted us about a deal. But in this day and age we are able to record and distribute our music on our own. That is not to say that we do not want a deal if a label were to offer. It is just not a do or die ordeal that it used to be in the early 90’s. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Are you working on new material?
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\r\nEric: We are trying to put together an EP, maybe 5 to 8 songs so that when we play the Open Air fest people will get some new material. The great thing about this new release is that some of the material are songs we played back during "Programmed". It will be great to mix the older songs with some new music and get some feedback from the fans. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: When are we going to hear some new stuff?
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\r\nEric: When we can get the EP finished. We are currently making demos to get prepared for the studio
\r\nJerry: We hope to have something completed by spring or early summer ’08 \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: From “Programmed” to “Your favorite God” and “Poison Seed”, there’s a big change concerning your music and the vocals style as it went in a more heavy direction. What will the musical direction be this time?
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\r\nEric: The direction that our music takes is just a reflection of what we are feeling. Music is emotion, so if you meet someone for the first time and they are happy, that is how you will remember them. What happens when you meet them again and they are angry? Has that person changed? Or perhaps you are getting to know them better. People grow and learn, or at least they should. Some friends of ours heard one of our rehearsals and said that it sounded like vintage Lethal. I don’t know, maybe it was how I was feeling when I wrote that particular song.
\r\nDave: It will probably be viewed as a bit "retro" as far as the vocals go and more "dual" guitar harmonies etc. More like the early Lethal material. But we hope to incorporate plenty of textures to make it interesting as well.
\r\nJerry: It’s hard for me to say, we write songs that we like to hear and play. I do not think we set a direction when we write. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Are there any side projects, or involvement with other bands? \r\n

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\r\nEric: Dave has done some side projects with friends of his. The rest of us have not been involved with any sort of established bands.
\r\nDave: I have played in a few other projects in my local area including The Screaming Kings, playing bass for Banderas, and I play some fiddle with a honkeytonk/country band called Straw Boss. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: There was a statement a few years ago from Tom Mallicoat that he was looking for musicians to form a new band and of course collaborate in writing, recording and touring. How did that come up? \r\n

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\r\nEric: I think Tom wanted to make music just as we all do. Since Lethal was not doing anything at the time, he needed some sort of outlet. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: I read in a review that “Programmed” has to be put on the same pedestal as Queensryche’s first albums. Do you agree with that statement? \r\n

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\r\nDave: Uhhh, well I wasn’t on it... so, sure why not! lol!
\r\nJerry: I can’t say one way or the other, but I am flattered that people like our music enough to compare us to a great band like Queensryche
\r\nEric: It is hard to rate yourself. Queensryche is a great band, but I think that the fans are the only ones that can decide if you are at a certain level or not. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: People often associate Tom’s voice with Geoff Tate. Do you think that your comparison with Queensryche has been a minus for Lethal’s progress? \r\n

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\r\nJerry: No, I don’t think it’s a minus at all, if we keep writing new music and getting it out, that is what matters to me.
\r\nDave: I think it can be flattering for a bit, but does tend to get old to hear that. I mean, when a person sings melody and in a particular range, everyone always has to compare it to someone. But there can be thousands of guys screaming their throats out and never catch that kind situation. Oh well...
\r\nEric: It is always great if the fans consider you on the same level as bands such as Queensryche, but we are not Queensryche. There have been times in the past when being compared to them has hurt our progress. I remember when their first EP came out on 206 records. Dell (our other guitarist from the programmed days) came to my house and played it for me. I couldn’t believe it. They sounded a lot like us. What people have to remember is that they grew up on the other side of the country listening to their influences just as we did. As fate would have it, they were a little older than us and farther along in their careers, which means they were the first ones to put out their music. So when we came along people started comparing us to them. I think that they are great, but we are just as progressive but in a more heavy context. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Tell us about your influences \r\n

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\r\nJerry: I would have to say all the great bands I grew up listening to.
\r\nDave: I love rock and roll, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Priest, and so on all the way through bluegrass to classical.
\r\nEric: My brother Glen and myself along with the other guys have had a wide range of influences. Rush, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Black Sabbath. The list goes on and on. I could fill a volume with the influences that we have had over the years. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: Which are your favorite bands and albums? \r\n

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\r\nJerry: All Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Rainbow, the Doors, the Beatles and many more classic rock bands.
\r\nDave: Tough one. Like I said, I aNo More or Mr. Bungle album have been just great.
\r\nEric: I can’t speak for the other guys, but for me it just depends on what mood I’m in at the time. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: What s your opinion about the music scene nowadays? \r\n

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\r\nJerry: The metal scene is not as large in the U.S. as it is in Europe!!!
\r\nDave: Well, it seems that nothing is trendy in Europe as it kinda is in the States. In the US you can be selling arenas one year and then barely pull hundreds to the clubs. Plus there are so many "sub-genres" that it really is hard to keep up! haha!
\r\nEric: I am very glad to see that the heavier stuff is making a comeback. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: There’s an upcoming show in Germany again, on July 24 at HEADBANGER’S OPEN AIR. Any plans for other shows etc? \r\n

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\r\nJerry: We have a few more shows we are hoping to book in Europe, we are hoping to stay a few weeks!
\r\nDave: It looks like there will be some more, but they aren’t confirmed as far as I know.
\r\nEric: I hope so. There are some great guys trying to help us out with a few more shows while we are in Germany. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: How can someone get in touch with you for instance in case they are interested in booking a show. Do you have a management, or you arrange everything on your own? \r\n

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\r\nDave: Good ol MySpace for the time being! Haha!!
\r\nEric: Dave is usually keeping an eye on the Myspace page to see if people are interested in putting a show together. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: The last words are yours. Good luck with your endeavors and I really hope we will see you soon in Greece! \r\n

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\r\nJerry: I can not say enough how much we appreciate all of the support from our fans! And the promoters!! We look forward to playing in Greece, you have a beautiful country.
\r\nDave: And I would so love to play Greece! Make it happen!!! Haha!!
\r\nEric: I would like to thank all of the fans who came to the shows. We have never been around other fans that love the music as much as we do. The people were always willing to help in any way that they could. It was great to meet people that we felt connected to on such a deep level. \r\n

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\r\nwww.myspace.com/yourfavoritegod \r\n

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\r\nNicoleta Sarantou \r\n

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\r\n"Killing Machine" live in Germany, 2007 \r\n

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