Dead cross It is a relatively new name in the world of music; However, behind the project are two of the most influential musicians on the rock scene of the last two decades: Dave Lombardo [Slayer] and Mike Patton. With two titans of that level, it is almost a guarantee that the project would be a quality bomb, as they demonstrated with their debut album ‘Dead Cross’, released last year.
Today, with growing fame and a tour that will take them to perform on the biggest stages, including Mexico, where they will perform before thousands of people at the Heaven Stage of Corona Hell and Heaven 2018.
We had the opportunity to interview the bassist of the band Justin Pearson [The Locust] about his imminent arrival in our country and the evolution of the band from its beginnings to the present.
Just a few months ago they released their debut album. How was the songwriting process? How long did it take?
Well it was easy enough, it took us about two weeks to complete the songwriting process. The only delay we had was the change of vocalist, when [Mike] Patton entered, but really the only setback we had, it is not as if we had planned to perform and compose orchestras or synthesizers, it was truly something very basic.
¿Cómo fue la química con tipos como Lombardo y Patton? Me refiero a individuos con tanto peso en la música…
De hecho, aunque no lo creas todo se desarrollo de una manera muy sencillo, todos son muy respetuosos de los demás, fue algo muy orgánico. Imagina, comenzó con la idea de hacer solo un par de shows, no planeábamos ni siquiera grabar, solo componer canciones y tocarlas por el simple hecho de hacerlo. Luego ese par de shows se convirtieron en seis, diez y luego una gira completa… y bueno ahora hemos grabado un álbum.
The media insist that their music is indeed Thrasher but you guys comment that it is hardcore punk, is there a need to label everything as it currently happens?
For me, punk is a style that comes from the heart, not a label, it is an attitude. But everyone has their opinion, sometimes people relate punk to things like Green Day, and I think it doesn't fit at all. I understand that there is some need to name things for media matters, but I do not agree very much.
And well, you know how difficult it is to achieve something in music, in your case, you chose to make a difference in 1994 with the foundation of Three one G records. What is the best memory you have?
I think that being related to the satisfaction of several people working for music, being able to integrate The Locust, Swing Kids, now Dead Cross with guys like Lombardo and Patton make everything much less complicated, and it has been something very helpful for our environment in the music.
Bueno, creo que necesitamos más proyectos como esos alrededor del mundo, es muy difícil estar ahí por el propósito no solo por individualidades…
Thank you very much indeed, I know, and that's why we started it. That was our intention from the beginning.
You will be in Mexico for the Corona Hell and Heaven festival. What do you expect from the event?
We expect a lot of madness. I've already been on tour in Mexico before with other bands like The Locust. I also live very close to the border, in San Diego, so Mexico is very close to me and I have always been very familiar with the country.
Bueno creo que ya lo sabes, que Hell and Heaven es considerado el más grande festival de Metal en Latinoamérica, creo que no se irán decepcionados…
Of course! And that's one of the reasons why we're so excited. We can no longer wait.
Do you know Mexican bands, Mexican music?
Of course, when I was on tour before we played with very good bands, I really liked “Maniquí” (Maniqui Lazer).
“El problema no es el Presidente por si solo, el problema es el sistema.”
Personalmente, me gustaría sugerirte un par de bandas que estarán en Corona Hell and Heaven en caso de que tengas oportunidad: Tulkas, que toca thrash metal y S7N, algo de heavy y thrash también…
I will definitely check them out, thank you very much for the suggestions.
If you were the President of the United States, what would be the first thing you would do regarding everything that involves between Mexico and the United States?
Bueno, no se si realmente estoy capacitado para responder eso… porque yo me rehusaría a ser el presidente de los Estados Unidos. Pero creo que el problema no es solo el presidente, hemos tenido otros, Obama por ejemplo, y también tuvimos muchas dificultades, el mayor problema es el sistema, no solo el presidente. Iría por un cambio ahí, mira, yo no me veo como estadounidense, como un ciudadano estadounidense, yo soy un ciudadano del mundo.
Mira lo que hace Trump ahora, la sola imagen del supremacista blanco, racista, siendo tan expuesto como es ahora, está motivando a la gente a mostrarse como realmente son, racistas y toda esa mierda… Así que bueno, es una pregunta que no podría contestarte muy bien.
Well that's a pretty punk answer!
[Laughs] Thank you, I haven't heard that in a while, I appreciate it.
Now, considering that you live in San Diego, I understand that being so close to Mexico, you know some Mexican words necessary for survival here, what are your favorites?
Yes [laughs], I can survive there, I can't conjugate verbs very well but I know what "Fuck your mother" and "Fucking" they mean, so I'm well prepared to be in Mexico.
Well, finally, can we expect a tour in Mexico of Dead Cross?
Sure, well I have no problem with it, but hey you know it's not just my decision, the others agree with the idea of touring, so who knows. It would be great.
Thank you very much Justin, an honor.
Thanks friend I appreciate it.
[alert type = white] Interview by Rick Aguilar for Summa Inferno [/ alert]
