Can you remember how you came into
Metal and which bands impressed you at the time ?
When I first started playing guitar in the 60`s I was listening to bands
like Black Sabbath. The heavy power chording of Sabbath really made an
impression me and I was hooked from that point on.
If I’m
right, the band was first called HELL RAZOR, later you changed the name
into EXCITER… How did come the idea and the change ?
My previous band, before EXCITER was called Hell Razor. The name kind
of followed me when myself, Beehler and Johnson got together in 1978.But
in 1980 one of our roadcrew, Richard Beehler, heard the song EXCITER by
Judas Priest and suggested it would be a great name for us instead of
Hell Razor, we all agreed, and that's how it happened.
The band was born in 1978, but it seems
the first demo tape only surfaced in 1982… So was the band concentrating
on writing songs, rehearsing and playing live at the
beginning ?
In the beginning we actually played cover songs and a few originals. We
were always trying really hard to write the ultimate Metal riff, so for
the first few years we were sort of soul-searching musically speaking.
It wasn't until 1982 that we thought we had "good" songs to
record.
In 1982, there was a demo tape with
"World War III" and "Sail On". How were the reviews
back then ? I guess this demo helped you to get in touch with Shrapnel…
Will the "Sail On" track eternally rest into the crypt, as it
seems you never used this song on vinyl back in the earlier days ?
Our WWIII demo, had a slower song called "I'll Never Forget",
it wasn't called "Sail On". This song totally sucked, it was
horrible. That's why you'll never hear this song ever, it's definitely
`not` EXCITER.
The same year the "US Metal II"
compilation LP including EXCITER’s "World War III" was
released, an amazing song by the way ! Do you remember the response for
your first vinyl appearance ? Did the deal for the first LP come quickly
with Shrapnel ?
When we sent this demo to Shrapnel in the USA. The
label manager, Mike Varney, called me and totally freaked out over WWIII.
He said it was the most original Metal song that he had heard in a long
time. We didn't realize it was the start of Speed and Thrash. We weren't
ready for all the fanmail we started receiving from all parts of the globe,
when this compilation record was released.
In 1983, you recorded a three-tracker
tape including "Under Attack", "Rising Of The Dead"
and "Cry Of The Banshee". Was it done to promote the LP or to
help signing the deal with the record labels ?
We never recorded a demo featuring those 3 songs. Our first full-length
demo was our first record "Heavy Metal Maniac". Shrapnel offered
us a deal instantly as soon as they heard the 9-song demo.
Then you put out the "Heavy Metal
Maniac" LP, an incredible masterpiece in my opinion as it has remained
one of my favourite album of all times ! Although the distribution was
limited in Europe, you received an incredible feedback ! Are you still
proud of that album and the fact that with "Heavy Metal Maniac"
you have left a timeless jewel in the story of Metal ?
We were caught by surprise "HMM" LP, we thought was just 9 good
songs, we didn't think it would be received and be as influential as it
was. Yes, I'm very proud of it.
What are you memories to be the opening
band for Black Sabbath in ’83 ? Did you play only local gigs to
support the first LP ?
We got offered the opening slot for Sabbath while
we were in the studio just finishing "HMM". So, our set was
the exact 9 songs of "Heavy Metal Maniac" in the exact order
as they appear on the record. The show was outdoors, the attendance was
about 6500. We met the Sabbath guys backstage and they were very pleasant,
especially Dio. He talked the most to us. Otherwise, we did not tour that
album, we had no tour support from our label Shrapnel.
It seems the deal with Shrapnel Records
was for only one album. How did you get in touch with Megaforce for the
second LP ?
Megaforce contacted us. Johnny Z, the label manager, really liked us and
he wanted to sign us because he knew our deal with Shrapnel was a one-album
deal.
In ’84,
"Violence And Force" LP was unleashed, full of killer songs
again ! Were you satisfied with the job done by Megaforce ? Was this label
good for the tour support also ?
"Violence and Force" in the end turned out ok, but I couldn't
capture my sound of my guitar from the first album which is like a "buzz
saw". Megaforce did arrange some USA shows for us they did the best
they could for us.
You were also part of a Megaforce
compilation LP with the track "Death Revenge". As this song
is really killer, why didn't you use it for the LP ? Will you put it as
a bonus-track on a possible re-release of "Violence And Force"
?
I don't really remember how "Death Revenge" came about. I think
we had too many songs for the "Violence and Force" and we decided
to hold on to it for a future release. Then later down the road Megaforce
included it on a compilation.
There was another label change as you
signed with Music For Nations. Did you think it was a better idea to sign
with a European label for promotion or tour support ?
Megaforce "traded" us for another band with Music For Nations
in the UK that's how we got to be with MFN. After we recorded "Long
Live The Loud", we did a 10-city European tour with Accept in March
'85. If it wasn't for MFN we would of not had that opportunity
"Long Live The Loud" was
released in ’85. There is more veracity, but no sell-out to an accessible
market as the songs definitely still are strong, raging and memorable.
Do you see this album as a natural progression ? Was it as good as received
the first two ones ?
You're right. We wanted to show our fans, we could play more complex music
but at the same time stay to our roots.
What was the idea behind the release
of the "Feel The Knife" 12’’, including the devastating
title track and live versions of "Violence And Force" and "Pounding
Metal" ? Was it out of question at the time to put out a live LP
with songs from the three albums ?
We released "Feel The Knife" EP because we did not have any
new material. I was just to tie us over until the next record.
I left the band in August '85 because I found the rest of the band was making business decisions which was actually hurting the band's career. I felt I was losing control of a band that I originally founded in 1978. I couldn't take it anymore, so I quit. I didn't quit music, I just quit EXCITER at that time.
The "Unveiling The Wicked"
LP saw the light of day in ’86, with new guitarist Brian McPhee.
There are good songs on this album, but do you think McPhee was a good
choice for the band ? I still think that tracks like "Die In The
Night" or "Breakdown The Walls" would have been more killer
with John’s guitar playing…
They got Brian Macphee who is a good player because they couldn't find
anyone else. They were friends from previous band. If I were still the
band on that album the song writing would of been different. I really
don't like any of the songs on that album.
What is your honest opinion about the "Exciter"
LP from 1988, with the addition of vocalist Rob Malnati ? Did you get
angry if I tell you that LP was felt like a kind of "a knife in the
back" for EXCITER die-hard maniacs ? And why Dan didn’t want
to sing anymore at this time ?
I don't know why they bothered to get a lead singer on that album. He
just sounds like he's trying to imitate Beehler. Adding a singer and the
songs on that album, real total waste of effort. The band should of used
better judgement.
No longer after this release EXCITER
broke up. What were your activities before the comeback ?
While I was out of EXCITER1985-90, I founded a new band I called Blackstar.
In 1990, EXCITER re-united with John
Ricci and Dan Beehler, why Allan Johnson wasn't part of the reunion ?
In 1990, when Beehler and I got back together we called Johnson but he
was not interested in the least. He had, as far as I know, quit music.
The following year, you got a deal
with Noise Records and recorded "Kill After Kill". This time,
the songs were good, but not the sound unfortunately. What are your thoughts
about this LP ?
I agree. "Kill After Kill" is a great album but the production
is not good. We recorded that record in a new studio with old outdated
equipment and on a tight schedule, not the best circumstances.
I saw there's a video of clip of "Rain
Of Terror" that was released a long time ago. What can you remember
from this video clip as it's rather a killer one ? Was it difficult to
video it ?
"Rain Of Terror" video was filmed in our hometown, Ottawa, for
about $5000 Canadian dollars. It was done in 2 days over the weekend.
In that video, our bassist was Jeff Macdonald, who was in the band for
a short time, we only did 2 live gigs with him.
A lot of the EXCITER fans thought it
was sad you were the opener for Rage for the European tour, considering
the status EXCITER gained in the eighties and that you had enough killer
songs to play as a headliner. Do you agree with this thought ?
When we toured with Rage throughout Europe we were going through a "self-doubt"
phase of our career. We were just happy to be on tour after Beehler and
I got back together and that we had a record deal with Noise Records.
So, supporting Rage did not bother us at all and besides Rage is an excellent
band and we became good friends on that tour.
Should "Better Live Than Dead"
’93 CD to be seen as the testament of the second split as it contains
a Canadian live show from 1991 ?
"Better Live Than Dead" is raw and exciting, a typical EXCITER
formula. After this record Beehler decided to pack it in, he had enough
of trying and trying for so many years and we were still struggling for
respect from the music industry.
When everybody thought EXCITER was
dead and buried, the band returned in 1997, with a new line-up and a deal
with Osmose Records, beginning with the release of the "Dark Command"
album, that is brutal and sounds evil. How did this return work ?
Well, I waited for about 2 years for Beehler to change his mind and re-unite.
Then in 1996,I decided to continue EXCITER and find new musicians. I held
auditions and by the end of 1996, I had a "new" EXCITER. The
songs for "The Dark Command" took about a year to write, they
definitely sound "evil".
Why "Blood Of Tyrant was released
so late after ""Dark Command", three years is pretty long
for fans to wait ? How do you see "Dark Command" and "Blood
Of Tyrants" albums in the discography of EXCITER ?
"Blood Of Tyrants" took 3 years because Jacques, our singer,
quit during that time and also we did not have any new songs ready.
You did European tours and several
appearances at summer European festivals, was the crowd receptive to EXCITER
new line-up and new songs ?
The first time we played Europe with the new line-up and songs the response
was over the top, fantastic ! I knew we had something very strong in this
line-up.
In 2005 you re-recorded songs for the
"New Testament" CD. What was the aim with this CD ? What do
you answer if someone says to you that it’s an heresy to record
old classic EXCITER songs with a different line-up ?
The purpose of "New Testament" was 2 reasons : we wanted fans
to hear the old songs as done by the new line-up and again we did not
have new material ready.
In 2003, Dan Beehler and Allan Johnson
were back in a band called Beehler. They play new songs and old EXCITER
songs. But this band didn't’ last long. Do you know the reason ?
I know absolutely "nothing" about Beehler project
I hope you will not find this question
boring, but have you never thought to an EXCITER return with the classic
line-up ? And how is the relationship between the original members ?
A re-union with Beehler and Johnson will never ever happen!!!
Recently "Heavy Metal Maniac"
has been re-released on CD in America with some bonus material. Are you
happy with the result ? Will it be available in Europe ? Was it also done
to fight against bootlegs ? Will "Violence And Force" and "Long
Live The Loud" be re-released this way too ?
I am not involved with the re-issues, I know nothing about them and I
really don't care
Can you tell us the future plans of
the band ? Have you some fresh news ? Which label will publish the new
record ?
We will continue to be on Osmose label in France.
For the the 3rd time in 10 years, Jacques
Belanger has quit EXCITER, how do you see the future of the band ? It
seems the new album is put on ice now because of that ? how could you
explain his departure and aren't you fed up fighting with member departures
?Perhaps a stupid view, but isn't it time to include Beehler again as
every fan are waiting to him ?
Jacques is a great singer, only if sings in EXCITER. If you put him in
another band, his best vocal abilities will not be evident like in EXCITER.
We will move on, without him, nothing will stop the EXCITER Metal machine.
Jacques quit for the same reasons, as he's done twice before. This is
like the 3rd time in 10 years. He basically has a difference of opinion
on many issues with the rest of band. As far as Beehler is concerned,
I will never work or speak to him again.
Excepted for the vocals, how will sound
the next album ? What kind of EXCITER should we expect now ? Could you
tell us a bit more about the tour that'll take please after the release
of this new opus ?
The next EXCITER album is full of anthem songs in the EXCITER tradition,
even a little darker than the previous releases.
Being involved for long in the Metal
scene, how do you see its evolution all over the years ? Do you like new
bands ? Are you still loyal to the old bands you bought the records in
your youth ? And do you think it’s great to see the comeback of
many bands from the eighties ?
I like all the newer bands, like Immortal, Cannibal Corpse, Cradle of
Filth, Arch Enemy, Steel Attack, Black Abyss, etc. I think the newer bands
are playing music that is exciting, with a fresh interpretation of old
Metal. (actually I can't see any Metal interpretation in shit like cradle,
but that's a matter of taste – ed)
Everyone knows the band name is taken
from Judas Priest, I'd like to know your honest view about the 2006 Judas
Priest ? According to me "Angel Of Retribution" is one of the
strongest release they've recorded since a long, do you agree ?
The new Priest is good, but I was expecting more, like stronger songs
but I still enjoy listening to that record.
Thank
you for your time on this interview. The last words will be yours !
The EXCITER legacy will continue, once we find our new voice .Thank you
so much to all our fans. Watch for the new record !!!