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INERTIA ENT.

HMTV Canada Tina Interviews Master-speckmetal.com



www.master-speckmetak.com
www.myspace.com/masterspeckmann

HMTV Canada Tina: 1. Hi Master How are you?

Master: Fantastic, with the re-release of the first original Masters as well as the re-release of the first two Abomination releases, things are progressing rather nicely. John from Incantation’s label Ibex Moon Records has decided to re-release the latest masterpiece called Slaves To Society in North America. Master just finished another European Tour last week and the numbers of people were quite killer everyday as well as the sale of the latest products. I have a four-week holiday at home followed by a tour with Wisconsin’s Jungle Rot in late March. When I am not on tour with Master, I travel on the road supporting other underground acts as a merchandiser, roadie, or tour manager, so this keeps me quite busy year round.

HMTV Canada Tina: 2. What is the latest news on Master Speckmetal and what can the fans expect from the band in 2008?

Master: We may be touring South America in August. I am awaiting details for this. Master will record a new CD in the fall of 2008, as for the rest of this year, I will be on tour with other groups, such as Extreme Noise Terror, Resurrection from Florida and Broken Hope from Chicago on their reunion tour this year. So things are genuinely picking up as usual.

HMTV Canada Tina: 3. How did you get started in music?

Master: I was walking the halls of my high school in Arlington Heights, Illinois back in the early eighties when I was approached by a guitarist called, Ronald Cooke, as I was singing a song from the group Yes, called, “All Good People,” Ron asked me if I would audition for his band called White Cross. Of course I was thrilled with the opportunity. This was a cover band playing songs from Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath and UFO. I did my best at the audition, which was mediocre at best, and was hired. I spent a few years with the boys playing some gigs at school and some parties and minor functions. I discovered the bass guitar during this time. I began teaching myself to play bass, as the guys in the band said I would never master this. In the end I formed a new group called Warcry with Steve Ahlers and Marty Fitzgerald. Marty and I dropped out of school with the hopes of stardom. In the end we produced a demo called, Trilogy of terror,” which would influence many bands and people including original Napalm Death singer Lee Dorrian who would go on to form the Doom legends Cathedral.

HMTV Canada Tina: 4. Who are the current band members?



Master: Zdenel Pradlovsky on drums and Aleš Nejezchleba on guitars, and myself Paul Speckmann on bas and vocals.

HMTV Canada Tina: 5. How many releases have you put out and who produced them?

Master: MASTER DISCOGRAPHY:

Master, DEBUT - 1989, Nuclear Blast
Master, ON THE SEVENTH DAY GOD CREATED MASTER
-1992, Nuclear Blast Master, COLLECTION Of SOULS - 1993, Nuclear Blast
Master, FAITH IS IN SEASON - 1998, Pavement
Master, LIVE IN MEXICO - 1998, Goatsucker
Master, FOLLOW YOUR SAVIOR - 2001, Metal Age
Master, LET'S START A WAR - 2002, System Shock rec.
Master, UNRELEASED 1985 - demos from 1985 - 2003, Displeased
Master, THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST - 2004, System Shock
Master, MASTERPIECES, 2005, Twilight Vertrieb
Master, FOUR MORE YEARS OF TERROR, 2005 Twilight Vertrieb
Master, SLAVES TO SOCIETY 2007 Twilight Vertrieb
Master, DEBUT RE-ISSUE 2008 Displeased Records
Master, SEVENTH DAY RE-ISSUE 2008 Displeased Records

The records were produce with different producers and engineers over the years. I have always been a part of the producing as well on nearly every record. I went to the fashionable MorrisSound Studios in Florida and worked with the infamous Scott Burns a few times, but he was all about money and nothing else. The record s he recorded for Master had an inhuman drums sound. and he also forgot some of the guitar solos on the Master debut in 1989. So after this time I returned once again to the helm. The re-release of the Master debut on Displeased features the original sound created by Bill Schmidt and myself.

HMTV Canada Tina: 6. What do you consider your major influence to be?

Master: The world and its problems are the biggest influence in my writing. I suppose America is probably a big part of this. A country run by geriatric patients is a great influence for music in any genre.

HMTV Canada Tina: 7. What do you express in your lyrics?



Master: I express the ideas of revolt. I believe that the youth of today must take a stand against the crazy governments that rule society today. If the next generation is to live in peace, then the politicians must be removed from their podiums. The USA is the number one terrorist today, trying to force American ideals and the silly American ideology on the entire world. Hell, when I moved to the Czech Republic in 2000, the dollar was 46 Czech krones, and today the dollar is worth a mere 17 kč Czech krones. Bush and his cronies are dragging America through the mud. But as I said the politicians in every country are getting richer as the poor starve in nearly every land. The low- income people are dying in our own backyards. Anarchy is nearly lost! I also write about the ups and downs and trials and tribulations of mankind.

HMTV Canada Tina: 8. What issues in humanity are you expressing in your lyrics?

Master: Humanity has to learn to get along with each other, and make the changes necessary to create a better world. Race color, and creed make no difference. If the world is to continue its existence, then people must learn to accept the differences of one another.

HMTV Canada Tina: 9. Do you have any spiritual influences in your lyrics?

Master: Yes, myself. I believe in myself, and also my family and friends. Without these values I could never survive on this God forsaken planet.

HMTV Canada Tina: 10. Do your band mates help in putting sound to your lyrics?

Master: Actually in the beginning, way back in 1984 and 85 we were writing together for the first release. After the original demise of the lineup due to the insecurities of the original lineup, I was forced to take the helm shortly afterward and have been writing alone for many years. But for the latest CD Slaves To Society, Aleš Nejezchleba did contribute two songs for the CD and the first track The Final Skull was well written musically by him. There is no doubt that on the next CD there will be more contribution from Mr. Nejezchleba. Of course the drummer writes his own parts, I only specify what is to be played during the vocals. Mr. Pradlovsky plays several different beats and I choose what I like best. He is a real professional.

HMTV Canada Tina: 11. Have you certain principles or styles when composing your sound?

Master: Yes, less is more. In today’s genre of Metal, people are trying to be the fastest and most technical. I am not impressed by these factors. I still believe that less is more. Just listen to Sabbath, or Motorhead. The music speaks for itself.

HMTV Canada Tina: 12. What have been your biggest challenges in recording and producing your latest CD?



Master: Getting the musicians together for a few practices. The guys lead busy lives and play with other groups, so practice is hard to come by.

HMTV Canada Tina: 13. Has the band ever played any covers or remixes?

Master: Master recorded a cover of Nazareth, Miss Misery on the CD Let’s start A War as well as Jailbreak on the Collection Of Souls CD back in 1993. Also we covered a track called Children of the Grave from Sabbath on the debut album in 1989, before it became fashionable. At the time the only Sabbath cover was War Pigs from Sacred Reich. A few years later everyone jumped on the band- wagon and did the same.

HMTV Canada Tina: 14. Have you played any compilation sound tracks for any movies? If not is the band interested in tapping into the market - completing sound tracks for Hollywood Films?

Master: I certainly hope that someday a movie company approaches me for this. I can certainly write all kinds of different styles of music for films if given the chance.

HMTV Canada Tina: 15. What is Masters criteria for a well mixed or engineered song?

Master: A heavy bass sound of course with well played drums and most importantly, good solos. Today many bands don’t have solos on their songs. I am from the old school and I feel the solos are very important on CDS. There is nothing like Blackmore, or Tipton. These players add a special flavor to the music with the articulate solos. Iommi is a God on guitar as well.

HMTV Canada Tina: 16. What are your live performances like?

Master: Brutal and aggressive. There will be a live DVD released very soon from the previous tour with professional sound as well as the soundboard mix. The DVD was shot at 2:00 am this previous Saturday in Rostock, Germany on a ship called Stubenitz. There is also and old live track from Party San Open Air in Germany from 2006 that can be seen on my myspace sight.



www.myspace.com/masterspeckmann
www.master-speckmetal.com

HMTV Canada Tina: 17. Does Master Have a line up of tours or shows planned for 2008?



Master: There are only a few shows with a possible tour of South America in the works. I said earlier that I am quite busy working for other groups at the moment, so Master will have to wait a bit.

6.14.08 Chronical Moshers Open Air
10.03.08 Skullcrusher Dresden-Germany

HMTV Canada Tina: 18. Do you have a record label? If not what are you looking for in a record deal?

Master: I have a deal with Twilight Vertrieb in Germany, but the deal has recently run out, so of course a new deal would be cool. If I cannot find a better deal, then I will re-sign with Twilight as they are doing a killer job these days. I look for a short time period, as I don’t want to be tied down for more than a few years with any deal. Of course good distribution and a decent advance is always helpful, as well as decent tour support and good promotion.

http://www.twilight-mailorder.com/index.php?cat=band&id=1013

HMTV Canada Tina: 19. In your opinion is it better for a independent band to seek a record label or a distribution deal or both?

Master: Both can be a big help for sure, but get a lawyer to read the contract. I have signed many shit contracts in the past. And even with regular contracts, labels continually rip me off. Contracts many times aren’t worth the paper they are written on.

HMTV Canada Tina: 20. Do you find live performances are better for building your fan base than trying to build your fan base through the internet?

Master: All of these are important.

HMTV Canada Tina: 21. How is the internet helping promote Masters music internationally?



Master: Definitely it’s great for getting tours and shows, but unfortunately bands myself included are paying the price for the illegal downloads everyday. But, for interviews this is the perfect tool and myspace is also very helpful. The internet has opened many doors for me personally.

HMTV Canada Tina: 22. Has the band been able to get on any internet radio stations?

Master: I suppose, but I never really researched this.

HMTV Canada Tina: 23. What is your opinion of the music industry today and what would you like to see change?

Master: The industry has never changed, the labels make good money and are always on holiday, and bands like Master continually struggle to survive. I think this will never change. More money should be split with the bands, but again this is a dream.

HMTV Canada Tina: 24. What are the bands hopes and goals for the future?

Master: We will continue to divide and conquer. I no longer live in a dram world. I go out and make things happen every year. I manage the band as well as book the shows and interviews.

HMTV Canada Tina: 25. Before we close our interview do you have any shout outs or any last words?



Master: Yes, thanks for the support. Magazines and interviews are always very helpful in spreading the word. Also, check out Slaves To Society. You will not be disappointed I assure you.

Thank you Master Speckmetal for allowing HMTV Canada Online Ezine to interview your band. You Rock.

HMTV Canada

Hollywood Music TV Canada Tina