Metalhead Rocks With Anthrax…And That’s Just The Beginning

Interview by Kimberly Katz
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“I love to wake With all my senses It’s hard to fake A smile when moving backwards” …Sunlight

It isn’t that often when I get hooked on a band that I’ve never heard before while seeing them live for the first time. Sometimes it might take two or three times of listening to a band’s songs before I decide if I like them or not. This was not the case when I saw Metalhead. I had recently seen Metalhead while playing with Anthrax at the Pearl Room and, to be honest, I didn’t know what to expect. What I got however was a night of tight-knit, heavy rock with catchy hooks and grooves that you could sink your teeth into. From the moment they opened with “Win or Die Trying”, I was, well…hooked. Frontman/guitarist/songwriter Bob Fedderson (formerly of Loudmouth) did a terrific job at keeping the crowd at frothing for every last drop by giving them, the cliché, 110 percent from beginning to end. Kevin Rogers belted thunderous bass lines while Aaron Esquetin slammed the skins like it was his last gig on Earth. All this while smokin’ hot guitarist Scott Spidale’s heavy tones and fiery riffs seemed to complete Metalhead’s great new sound. All in all, Metalhead had the energy, stage presence and sound any rock fan would appreciate. To find out more about Metalhead and to check out their upcoming show’s (which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND going to) go to www.metalheadtheband.com. You’ll be glad you did. Also recommended is the band’s new release “Metal Bands Only”, which features my personal fave – Texas City, Texas, baby!!!

After their set, the sweaty Metalhead-ites were happy to sit down and give us the down low.

Buzz - We were just talking about the music. Can you elaborate?

Kevin Rogers (Karp) – Its just stupid lyrics, stupid riffs. It’s simple but it’s rock ’n’ roll. Bob [Feddersen] writes 90% of everything then we just add to it and sweeten it out a bit. He comes to us with most everything done already. Other people have written in the band but mostly it’s Bob’s baby.

Aaron – I played in a band called Headspace with Bob. Four of the songs we play now are from Headspace. But Bob really allows for all our personalities to come out in the music.

Buzz – Your album “Metal Bands Only” just came out. What’s the idea, or theme, behind it?

Karp – Pretty much, what you see is what you get, you know what I mean. Keep it simple, stupid – KISS. KISS, you know, the ultimate band in the world.

Buzz - How are your practices? Loose? A lot of improvising?

Aaron – Not too much improvising. We run through like the songs we need to run through and then Bob will usually kick into a blues jam or rock jam and we all go nuts for five minutes.

Buzz – So no one is cracking the whip, so to speak?

Aaron – No, what ever happens, happens. It’s just fun. If it’s not fun, you’re not in a rock band.

Buzz – Karp, you’re in another band, Premium Kill and Aaron, you’re also in American Motherload. Does that conflict with Metalhead’s agenda?

Aaron – Metalhead for me has turned into my main priority.

Karp - Absolutely. Priority.

(Anthax’s Scott Ian walks between us giving Metalhead the thumbs up)

Buzz – It doesn’t hurt that Bob is such a hard working force either, does it?

Karp – Bob is one of the hardest working guys you’ll ever see in music. I mean he writes a song a night and is purely dedicated.

Aaron – Literally, Bob writes a song a night – Monday thru Sunday – every week of every year.

Karp – He MP3’s us every night on the computer and if we like it, we’ll learn it and play it. He’s really cool about it. If we like it we play it, if we don’t like it, we don’t play it.

Buzz – Bob has had his material out there in many different ways.

Aaron – Bob has probably been in over a thousand commercials, movie soundtracks and so on. That’s what he does. That’s why he writes so much. He has two licensing deals in California and they’ll hire him to write a song for a movie or background music. I believe most recently, he did something for Ice Age II.

Buzz – Metalhead has a tune coming out (Win or Dir Trying) in a new movie with Michael Madsen and you’re having the same tune revamped by Steve Dahl, Steve Albini and Rick Nielson in order to pitch it to the White Sox. Isn’t it great when opportunity knocks?

Karp – The opportunities are there because Bob works his ass off. He constantly makes calls, gets connections…

Aaron – You know how they say the owner is like his dog? Well Bob has a bulldog and that’s exactly what he is. He’s a fucking bulldog.

Karp – And he’s the sweetest, nicest guy in the world. But…he knows what he wants and he does whatever it takes to get it. He’s a working motherfucker, man. He’s not afraid to get what he want, or at least try. He got a strong mind and a strong heart.

Buzz – What’s your label situation at the moment?

Karp – We are shopping for a deal.

Aaron – Once we figure out the dates we have for Gigantour, and then our co-manager, Michael Goldberg,’ll shop us heavily.

Buzz – What do you like best about playing out?

Karp – My favorite thing is playing with these three guys.

Aaron – Playing…crowd reaction and just having fun.

Buzz – Least favorite?

Karp – Packing and loading after a show.

~Buzz later spoke with bandleader/songwriter Bob Feddersen …

Buzz - How is Metalhead different from Loudmouth for you?

Bob Feddersen - Metalhead is my band. Like Juan Valdez picks the best coffee beans for Hills Brothers, I've picked the best musicians for Metalhead. Loudmouth was neighborhood kids and school chums that just sort of happened due to proximity.

Buzz - Can you tell me about your project with Steve Dahl for the White Sox?

Bob - I wrote the song "Win or Die Trying" inspired by the White Sox motto. I'm a huge Steve Dahl fan who is also a huge White Sox fan. I thought Steve just might be the right guy to send the song to. Turns out I was right. Steve loved the song but wanted to re-record it. Next thing you know Steve Albini calls the Steve Dahl show and says "I'll record the song." Thank you very much Mr. Dahl!

Buzz - You have a song coming out in a Michael Mann movie...do tell.

Bob - Same song. "Win or Die Trying" (Original version). Sometimes a song is just perfect for a particular scene in a movie. The film is called "Deep Winter" and stars Michael Madsen (Resevoir Dogs, Kill Bill). Due out in September.

Buzz - I was told you literally write a song every night! Is this true?

Bob - Yes it's true. Like picking up a hammer. I hammer out a song everyday. It's the only way to get good at it. It's also the only way to get work as a songwriter. Most folks I meet in the music business are more interested in hanging out being a bar star. I stay home and write music.

Buzz - You raise money for (MS?), something that hits close to home for you. How did that start?

Bob - One dollar from every Metalhead CD sold goes to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. My wife has MS and so it does hit close to home. I'm finished with the vanity side of Rock N Roll. I love playing but also want to do something good for people this time around.

Buzz - Has Metalhead developed the way you envisioned?

Bob - Metalhead is still developing. The goal is to never be great but to always get better. The moment you think you're great---give it up. Work hard, persevere, and evolve.

Buzz – Texas City, Texas…awesome tune! What prompted you to write a song about it?

Bob - "Texas City, Texas" came about due to the History Channel. Some idiot that worked at a refinery dropped a cigarette and BOOM! The whole town blew up. I'm sure the guy got "fired", get it?