Interviewer : Matthias Mineur
Published on : August 2002
In Cross-Examination
Let me say this first: criticism is no blasphemy. Especially the fans should be allowed to ask the most critically questions. Not everyone has to be a big MANOWAR fan, but everybody should be happy because of the succes of their new album, because it helps the whole metal scene. But if this means that you have to do a show at Top Of The Pops should stay an unanswered question. We met Joey DeMaio to talk with him about some strange phenomena. That showed us that the boss of MANOWAR is more tolerant to distrustful questions than some of his fans.
Joey, what are the reasons for the unexpected succes?
No idea. We recorded an album that we were proud to present to our fans, as usual. But it was always that way. MANOWAR always gave 100%.
So, it's because of the spirit of time, and not because you changed something?
You can pick any MANOWAR album and you will always hear the best that we were able to do at that time. Take the debut, no matter wich album: These are always hymns for the fans.
Does your label have any kind of explanation for the succes?
They say it's because of the great album. I personally think that all MANOWAR albums are great, and so to me nothing has changed. If you ask me for the real reason: I think it's because the actual metal scene is so boring. The bands bother, the music bothers and then suddenly we came up with something that the fans love. Songs you can sing along, hymns that stay in your head, musicality, attitude.
Do you think that metal, because you entered the charts, could loose its importance to the underground?
No, because it's not the scene that had success, but Manowar.
But you are a part of it and suddenly you are right on Eminems back (in the charts)!
Yes, but it was the same with Kiss and Aerosmith years ago. They have just as MANOWAR their own identity. When you want to see Kiss you will have to buy yourself a Kiss ticket. And the ones who would like to see four wild guys playing their loud music with passion have to buy a MANOWAR ticket. We dreamed to become like Led Zeppelin, who had their own style, their own audience and who didn't have to take any compromises.
So your show at Top Of The Pops was no "giving in to commercial matters"?
No, why?
Because this was no place for MANOWAR.You could't have felt comfortable, could you?
We did, and I'm gonna tell you why: Yesterday we played at the Roskilde-Festival, at day, without a real monitoring system and with a lot of technical difficulties. But we played for the fans! I remember a show in a cow barn in 1986 in Holland. It smelled awfully and the rain came down through the roof, but even then I felt comfortable because we played for the fans. And that's the same with Top Of The Pops.I don´t care if it's a pop show or a metal show. They had the balls to invite us to their show. MTV didn't. If I had to judge I'd say that Top Of The Pops brought heavy metal to the fans, MTV didn't, they couldn't get their asses up. So who's the one with balls here?
Do you sympathise with the show?
No. Definietely not. Top Of The Pops play a lot of objectionable music, but they let MANOWAR play. So why should I fuck those people? They even gave us full light and full equipment. They said: You are MANOWAR, so just do what you always do. That's what we did and we played live. Can you imagine the volume? (laughing)
You would not seriously pretend that you in some way belong to this?
No, I think we hardly fit anywhere. But nevertheless we play.
Will you perform at the Popkom-Gala? There are rumours saying you are invited.
Right, and you know what: we are gonna be there and play our damn heavy metal. I know that there are gonna be a lot of conservative guys running around who hate MANOWAR. Ok guys, we hate you, too! But you can't stop us from playing our music!
And even there you are gonna feel comfortable?
Sure, because we will play for the fans there who would like to hear us. At every MANOWAR show there are a few people who are skeptic at first. Some of them dissappear and others are gonna be in the first row raising theit hands into the air. I want the assholes to dissappear so the cool people can have fun.
So like in the well known motto "Whimps and posers leave the hall". Does your dandified studiosound fit to this?
What?
The drumsound isn't very true. It's completely triggered.
Do you want the best posssible sound or not?
But I am not carrying the star of total veracity on my chest.
What do you mean with that?
That means that for example Running Wild get critised for that because they don't fit in your self designated philosophy of "true metal".
We played everything on our own. Nothing was made with a drum computer. Only the sound is a mix of natural sounds and trigger signals. Nowadays you need to do that if you want the quality of a record to be up to date.
Consessions to the industry mechanism?
We promoted this.
Aha?
We are working that way since 1984. We were outriders of new technologies and we were the first heavy metal band to record digital. Technology was always important for us. Again: loyalty to our fans means to offer them the best possible results. Would it be fair to record in an old studio with old guitar strings? Just because someone pretends it's cool? It's just important that the fans are happy.
They are not happy about your homepage. Except a boring screensaver you get nearly nothing for free. Just making money?
No, we know about the problem and things will be changed. There will soon be tracks you can listen to, free screensavers, photos and so on. Please tell the "HAMMER"-readers that all ideas are welcome. Just write down your ideas and wishes at our website www.manowar.com!!!
What's the reason that you nearly don't play any role in America?
Because America is under influence of this fucking radio stations and MTV. But we play there and the fans have fun. Unfortunately there is a claustrophobic atmosphere in the music industry.
Is the succes in Europe going to influence the one in the US?
I have been waiting for this to happen for almost 20 years and will probably have to wait 20 more. But they say you should never give up hope and the fans in America are really loyal. Unfortunally they are all brainwashed by MTV.
And they won't show your video because it's old fashioned?
That's what the critics pretended back in the 80's, because we won't show ourselves in swimming pools with naked women. We don't care. This video describes the mood of the song and shows the band the way we are.
You had not much money to spend on the video?
We surely would like to have the money to make a 20 minutes long video with fantasy elements like Micheal Jackson. But on the other hand I'd like to spend it on the PA and on the lights and go on tour with it.
MATTHIAS MINEUR
