Music News Headline Answers With Dead By Wednesday's
Christian 'Opus' Lawrence
December 21st, 2019
Metal Pulp And Paper: Thank you, Christian, for taking the time to be a part of Metal Pulp And Paper’s 3rd installment of Recent Music News Headline Questions. How are you doing so far this year?
Christian 'Opus' Lawrence: I’m great, thanks for asking, and happy holidays!
MPAP: Before we get started, tell us a little about your band. And, of course, if you’ve got new music, or new music coming out soon, please tell us about it.
Opus: Hey, thanks for having me. My name is Opus, and I currently play drums in Dead By Wednesday, on David Ellefson’s solo album Sleeping Giants, EARTH, and ex-Gargantua Soul. DBW has a new self-titled album out on Combat Records available in vinyl, disc, digital and is currently touring on it. We also just recorded two new bonus tracks, "Symphony of Destruction" by Megadeth;and "Unchained" by Van Halen;that was produced by Zeuss and were both featured on Sirius’s worldwide radio show Corridor of Covers. Myself and DBW’s guitarist Dave Sharpe also co-wrote one of the new tracks entitled "Vultures" off Ellefson’s new solo album. I started playing at age 13 and never looked back. A true rock-n-roll warrior who walks the walk and talks the talk, without sounding too corny, lol. Some have the internal fire for this and some do not. Mine has gone up and down throughout the years but has never gone out. It’s either in your blood or not. This lifestyle is not for everyone!
MPAP: So, just in case the reader is new to this, and to make sure everyone is on the same page on how this works, we’ve pulled some recent music news headlines from the Metal Injection website and turned them into questions and get your answers and reactions. We’ve been doing this for a couple of months now, with different headlines each time, and it has been fun to read everyone’s answers so far. So, once again, please place seat backs and tray tables in the upright position, hang on, here we go.
1. Real Housewife Wearing Metallica Shirt Asked To Name 3 Of Their Songs, She Cannot
MPAP: Some talk show, on the Bravo! channel had The Real Housewives of Potomac star Candiace Dillard as a guest. She was wearing a Metallica Lady Liberty And Justice For All shirt, and a caller called into the show and asked the host of it if Candiace could name three songs by Metallica. She pretty much had no clue who the band was, and obviously, she couldn’t name three songs by them either. Do you believe if you wear the band’s shirt, you should at least know maybe who the group is?
Opus: Abso-fuckin-lutely! I think if you don’t know at least a couple of tunes, you are a fucking poser as we used to call it if you wear the shirt without the musical knowledge. Heavy Metal is not or shouldn’t be a fucking fashion show. Neither should Punk Rock, etc.
2. Mosh Pit & Wall Of Death Break Out During The Village People’s Set At Riot Fest
MPAP: You would have never really expected something like this too of happened now, would you? And to be honest, I didn’t know The Village People were still together and performing, but they are. That just shows you metal music fans can always have fun even if it is moshing to songs like "Y.M.C.A.," or "Macho Man" by The Village People at a music festival. Now, what is something you’ve seen happen while performing, or while at a show that you weren’t expecting to see or have occurred?
Opus: Well I was in one of the only unsigned bands, Gargantua Soul, who was asked to perform at Woodstock '99 and no one was expecting any of that shit to happen, or break out with the fires and riots on that crazy Sunday! Wow, we were like, let’s get the fuck outta’ here ASAP! Hahaha.. and we did. I think it's awesome about The Village People, the only thing that would’ve topped it would’ve been if one of the bands learned their tunes and made metal versions of them for them to sing over. Now that would’ve been super rad! Haha.
3. Reminder: Metallica Will Never Play The Super Bowl
MPAP: Every year when the Super Bowl announces who is going to be their half time show, metal music fans are pissed off because it’s never a metal band or even a hard-rock band for that matter. For almost five years fans have wanted Metallica to host the Super Bowl halftime show. Fans also started a petition to get them to play at the 50th Super Bowl halftime show in 2015. Metallica would be an excellent choice to be a part of it, they’ve won Grammy awards, they are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and have toured just about everywhere in the World, and just recently they were named the World’s biggest touring act. What are your thoughts on this? Why do you think metal music is always going to get snubbed at the Super Bowl?
Opus: Well, believe it or not, I think I’m the only person in America that can’t stand the Super Bowl or the 'holiday' that sort of surrounds it, plus I don’t drink, or like sports in general. Fuzeball’s the devil! Ha… When I was a kid, we considered those guys who were into that shit jocks. And I was super into and indulged in music, playing drums, being in a band, and at a very young age, I knew what I wanted to do. I had a goal in mind that helped me ever since I witnessed KISS Alive II, even though when I met one of my idols (for reasons Idk), Peter Criss was a complete dickhead to me and we literally almost got into a fistfight backstage one time, long story that will be in my book when I start writing it.
4. Slipknot’s Corey Taylor Doesn’t Believe Drugs & Alcohol Makes You Write Better Music
MPAP: What are your thoughts? Do you think drugs and alcohol bring out the creativity in a musician or can kill it?
Opus: I agree with him. In fact, I cannot play drums even slightly drunk at all. I need all the stamina, speed, and coordination I can get when I play, and whenever I drink or do anything, I feel winded, more tired in the end, plus I lose my dexterity too; not cool. Most people who think they can do it or thinks that it makes them a better player is wrong. People that come pay good money to see you play should get a fully aware conscience energetic artist who cares about themselves as much as they care about their fans and audience. I can play stoned if need be, and yes, sometimes it does help open your mind and be creative at least when writing or at least at band practice, but I would never do anything live that would affect my playing or the music/band beforehand. Pro’s don’t do that. That’s an old, outdated tradition.
5. Steel Panther Frontman: If I Could Bring One Musician Back From The Dead, It’d Be Motley Crue’s Vince Neil
MPAP: This headline started some mudslinging between both of the bands because obviously, Vince Neil isn’t dead; he’s just a bit overweight and can’t sing like he used to be able to do as he did in the 80s and 90s. I don’t see them ever going out on tour together anytime soon, but anyway, if you could bring any musician back from the dead, who would you choose, and why?
Opus: That’s pretty hilarious, though, but I have a lot of respect for Crue! One of my fav drummers is Tommy Lee, although technically not the 'best drummer', he is solid, very influential, and known outside of just drumming in a flashy way, which makes him larger than life. I like that. Plus, I taught myself to "Shout At The Devil", so, I guess I’m biased. Anyway, who I would like to resurrect would be John Bonham! He was a beast behind the kit.. such pocket and groove. Talk about someone who could actually play drunk, hahaha; he was probably the only one who could do it and do it well. I would’ve loved to see him play live. Same with Randy Rhodes!
6. Green Jelly Track Down Deadbeat Promoter And Get Paid
MPAP: A promoter stiffs Green Jelly after they performed at Old East 765 Bar & Grill in Canada, and vocalist Bill Manspeaker, as he states in his cellphone video made looking for Marcus the promoter, 'I ain’t the guy to fuck with.' So, the band tracks down the promoter and finds his home and demands the money owed to them. It’s funny to watch because at one-point Manspeaker is knocking on his door, saying, "Little pig, little pig, let me in." In the end, Marcus ends up paying the band half of what money was owed to them, but at least he walked away with kneecaps still in place. So, has anything like this happened to you before, and would you do something like this?
Opus: This has only happened a couple of times believe it or not in my career. Not fun! Not cool, either. But nothing too exciting to talk about. I do remember being robbed twice though, my entire drum set being stolen in Philly from an inside job by the promoter that I figured out later. But this crap shouldn’t happen to anyone ever. The entertainment field is hard enough without more scumbags in it. Bill is a friend of mine; in fact, we just spoke about possibly writing some new material together, so I think it was funny as hell to watch but not funny to have it happen at all to him or anyone. We provide a service, like a plumber or whatever, so we should be paid for that said service. Simple as that. I think Bill was in the right. And he’s such a funny bastard too! Great dude. My 6-year-old son loves his music too!
7. Morbid Angel & Obituary Featured As An Answer On Jeopardy!
MPAP: Jeopardy has featured answers on other episodes about popular metal bands such as Megadeth, Rob Zombie, and Five Finger Death Punch, but never had any answers quite like this one. One of the writers on the hit television show has to be a metalhead for sure! So, in case you missed this episode, Alex Trebek said, 'Morbid Angel and Obituary are popular bands in this genre,' and contestant Dhruv Gaur answered with 'What is Death Metal.' Pretty cool when things like this are showing up on a popular television show. Now, if you or your band were to be mentioned on Jeopardy, what would the answer and question be? Let’s see how creative you are.
Opus: I actually saw and heard that episode. It was cool and threw me off guard for a second to hear that on there. But I would have to say a question like… 'What band includes a day of the week in their name and promotes themselves by using a fictional female character from The Addams Family as one of their main more popular logos?'
8. Oops! Stadium Accidentally Leaves Ramstein Song Blasting All Night, Annoying Neighbor
MPAP: Someone at Budapest’s Puksas Arena just happened to leave the sound system on blasting the song "Deutschland" all night long, over and over. It’s an open-air stadium that’s under construction, so the loud music bothered all that lived nearby. That worker should have had a bigger playlist than just the one song; maybe it wouldn’t have been so bad then, right? So, since the subject of the headline is about something that annoyed people, let’s find out from you; what annoys you, whether it’s out on the road, at a show, in the recording studio, or even when you’re at home, what annoy's you the most?
Opus: What annoys me is when a sound man jumps the gun and starts putting up microphones on my drum kit when I’m not in place yet, rushing to get it done, which in turn makes him have to do the work twice, because after he puts them on, I have to move them or take them off. Then he gets pissed at me for his own fuck up, when he should’ve just waited an extra five minutes and then placed them on my real set up. I don’t get it. Another thing that annoys the crap me around here when I’m home is the whole 'I’ll try to be there', which basically means, you’re not going to the show. Don’t 'try', do what Yoda says and does, 'Do or do not, there is not try!'
9. Tool Threatening To Eject Fans From Shows If They’re Caught Using Their Phones
MPAP: Once again, cellphone use at concerts makes the headlines. If you don’t remember, but a couple of years ago during a performance of Maynard’s other band A Perfect Circle, 60 people were kicked out for filming the show with their phones. And even Jack White (The White Stripes) has a no cell phone policy at his shows. So, what’s your take on it? Are cellphones that much of a distraction to where the fan should be kicked out? Do fans need to watch the show instead of looking at their phones? Does it even matter since they paid for their ticket already?
Opus: I don’t really care. If they came and paid the money to get in, as long as they’re not distracting the show of anyone else, they can play with themselves for all I care there while watching if they want.
10. Windhand Robed In Houston, Post List Of Stolen Gear & Belongings
MPAP: This happens way too often, it seems. It’s hard enough to make a living being a musician, and then you have a douchebag, or douchebags, break into your trailer or van and steal all your stuff while you’re out on the road. So, when you are out on tour, what extra precautions have you taken so that this hopefully doesn’t happen to you?
Opus: I actually mentioned this above in a different question. But my drums have been robbed twice in the past. Both shitty situations and both times, it was someone I knew or somehow connected. Most robberies are usually someone you know or indirectly know. Now we usually park against a wall when parking at night, and we also double padlock and chain it to our vehicle. People who rob others ESP musicians, have a very special place in hell for them.
11. Machine Head Show Paused, Partially Ruined After Fan Throws Beer On The Soundboard
MPAP: This happened at a show at the O2 Academy Brixton in London, England, and a fan, more like an asshole, threw a 32-ounce beer on the soundboard. After a 20-minute delay, Machine Head was able to finish the show, but not with the highest quality sound after that. First off, what a dick move to do something like that, almost ruining it for a sold-out crowd, and second, I’m sure soundboards aren't cheap, and third, who throws a 32-ounce full beer? I don’t know what beer costs there in London, but in the US, a beer that size would cost more than likely $30. So, what a waste to throw a beer. Anyways, has this ever happened to you where you saw something was thrown from the crowd, and it abruptly stopped the show for a while, and what happened?
Opus: That's why alcohol is sometimes bad, mmmm'k! Hahaha… Yes, I had some idiot who thought it was a good 'cool' idea to pull the fire extinguisher off the wall and spray it around to get some better fog going for us. Little did he know he would clear the bar and literally suck out all the air in the room to the point where I couldn't breathe while playing drums and still tried to keep it going. Some people came back in, but most left. It was a real dick move! Another time when I first started, I played this venue where they just waxed the floor and had a brand new drum riser, but it wasn't attached, so halfway through my set, in the middle of a tune, the drum riser opened up, and I literally ended up falling and folding up in the middle of the stage while I was playing. I was so angry! I got up and stormed off, hahaha.
12. Australia To Shut Down Highway For AC/DC Tribute Bands In 2020
MPAP: How cool is this? On February 19th, 2020, marks the 40th anniversary of vocalist Bon Scott’s death, and the city of Perth is celebrating by shutting down six miles of the Canning Highway to celebrate so AC/DC tribute bands playing live on slow-moving trailers can drive through like a festival parade. In your hometown, what would you like the city to shut down for you or your band so everyone can celebrate?
Opus: Well I also play in an incredible Black Sabbath tribute band called EARTH that even tours Europe, so I would love it and be ecstatic if maybe Liverpool followed suit for them and had us play in the street there in honor of the best heavy metal band of all time Black Sabbath! #AllHailSabbath. Now that would be dope!
MPAP: Those are some great answers. On behalf of Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Opus, for taking the time to answer these recent music news headline questions. We look forward to what your band, Dead By Wednesday, does to finish out 2019 and beyond. Any last words for all your fans out there?
Opus: Thank you, Metal Pulp And Paper! It was my pleasure. Last words would be, thanks to all from us for supporting and sticking with DBW throughout the years and throughout the different line ups too. It means the world to all of us, especially the original O.G. rhythm section Mikey Modeste and myself (Opus)! Keep it heavy! Peace.