MASTER
By Falber Teles • Dec 20th, 2009 • Category: Previous
SOURCEWEBZINE – What’s the status of your next album “The Human Machine” ?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – We will begin the mixing and mastering of this CD tomorrow actually on Monday the 21st of December just in time for Christams. The album sounds great and has many interesting parts so be forwarned. This will be an interesting record for sure. We have been in the studio for the last several days laying down the tracks and so far I am pleasantly pleased with the outcome.
SOURCEWEBZINE – In January/February 2010 you’ll be touring in Brazil on the Master Of Hate tour. Could you tell us about the setlist and whar are your expectations ?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – The setlist will include numbers from many of the various albums throughout my career, but we will only play songs from Master and Deathstrike for this first time in Brazil. I look forward to sharing my music with the many Brazilian fans that have written me in the past throughout the years of insanity with Master. I looked forward to meeeting the fans as well and talking about Metal. I truly hope that the crowds will be there to share the experience with me.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What ‘image’ do you have of Brazil? What do you think about the Brazilian metal scene? Do you know much about our bands?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – I honestly can only say that I have only seen pictures of this beautiful country and look forward to seeing the real thing. There have always been killer bands like Sarcofago and of course Sepultura rings a bell when I hear the name Brazil, but we’re talking about the original lineup from the past. I am not interested in the newer version of Sepultura or for that matter I was never very impressed by the Hip Hop group Soulflea (N.d.e. Soulfly) for that matter.
SOURCEWEBZINE – When you are doing a regular tour, does your set change from night to night? With each new album does it become more difficult to put together a set list for your tours?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – No, we normally play a similar set every evening as this is better for the band as the songs get tighter and tighter as each night progresses. Yes it does become rather difficult to pick and choose as the years fly by, but I always try to play the classic songs and add a few tracks from the newer albums to keep the fans happy as well as myself.
SOURCEWEBZINE – You’ve been part of the death metal scene in Illinois since the early days. How would you evaluate the state of metal and death metal today?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – This is a rather difficult question, because in todays Metal scene nothing really new is coming around. Most of the bands today have merely copied the styles of the dinosaurs of Metal and Death Metal. I am sorry to say that Nuclear Blast Records is still signing the Death Metal bands that are clones of Death and Master or Sodom and Kreator. It’s rare to see anything new today. I only listen to the old Metal bands these days. I get the chance to see many of the support acts when I am working on tour every year and I am rarely impressed or surprised anymore. For example someone asked me for a magazine to name my 10 favorites of the year and I just skipped this, because I haven’t ten favorite albums or groups for this past year.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Do you see yourself living in the US again at some point?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – Never, the USA is great place to visit, but I will never live there. There are too many new rules and regulations about, and governmental control is on the rise as always. There is less and less freedom to speak of there. The army and the police are working together to enforce the laws of the government. Freedom is nearly lost!
SOURCEWEBZINE – What advice would you give somebody who wants to have a successful career in music?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – Practice your ass off and go to see as many shows as possible to help invent your own style. Be leary of management, try and do these things yourself. Have a lawyer read your contracts and don’t sign to quickly, because there will always be another label with more money and or enthusiasm willing to give you a chance. Perseverance is also important. In this business longevity is the key. You have to continually show your face and be seen. Be patient of course.
SOURCEWEBZINE – You must be adjusting well to life in Czech Republic. What do you like most and least about Czech Republic ?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – The freedom over here is absolutely astonishing. At this point in the game the Europeans have more freedom than the Americans. This something very wonderful for me. Drugs, crime, and guns are rarely seen in this city where I live. I am sure that these American evils will make there way here in due course, but for the moment things are rather quiet where I reside.
Of course nowhere is perfect and nobody as well. The people over here are new to freedom and new to driving. The people are always in a hurry and always tailgaiting me and riding on my ass. Driving can be chaotic to say the least.
America is obviously bigger and the driving laws are more sensible. Here you can basically drive as fast as you want, anywhere at anytime. We rarely see the police around here, and that’s a good thing, but I think the drivers need to go to school and take refresher courses every few years. This would be safer for all involved.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Has living in Czech Republic changed your perspective on the U.S. and its policies?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – No, the USA has always been running a corrupt machine and trying to rule the world for centuries. The Czech Republic has corrupt politicians just as every country does. There is rarely anything different this aspect. The politicans of the world must be removed in my opinion and new freer states can be created. The youth of today best make changes before their freedom is entirely lost.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Could you tell us about your biography “Speck Mann: Surviving the Underground” ?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – I have yet to find a publisher. No one appears to be interested in hearing the truth from my perspective about the beginning of the genre called Death Metal.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Now that you’re older with wives and families is it tougher on you to go out on tour?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – No, touring is the most important thing in my life and will always be. After this 24 date trek in Brazil, we will play another 35 dates across Europe. This is what pays the bills in my house, so I must continually work to make ends meet.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Thank you very much for taking the time to give this interview, anything you want to say in closure to your fans?
Paul Speckmann (V/B) – I look forward to this tour coming up and meeting each and everyone of you guys. I appreciate all the support over the years and look forward to great party as well. See you soon my friends.
Falber Teles
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