Exclusive Interviews Only Found Here at MetalCore!

King Fowley of Deceased

I have known King Fowley for what seems like forever ha ha and I thought a new interview with him would be in order as he has many things going on his plate so here is an interview I did with the King man:

MC: King now that your latest CD has been out for a while now, what is your feeling on it now? Do you feel it is your best release? How have sales been and what the response been to it so far?

KING: I am really pleased with 'surreal overdose'. The playing, the songs, the sound, the art, all of it. It’s done really good! Sold a few thousand copies which is great, though album sales never interest me. My favorite record by deceased is 'supernatural addiction' but this is right up there. I enjoy listening to it often. Response has been great and people have supported what we do and understand what kind of band we are.

MC: Did you think in a million years when you released you 1st demo that you would still be at all these years later? What keeps you motivated to do the band? Do you ever think the band will get any bigger than it is now and what was the peak for the band as far as popularity goes?

KING: Yes I did. I’m in this for life. It’s what I was created to do. Music makes my heart tick and it's my love. Popularity has never interested me. We do what we do year in and year out. People have taken notice for our down to earth togetherness with other metal freaks and that's all it's about when it comes to discussing us as a band outside of the music. No egos, no rock star shit, just music. We’re getting great crowds at shows and people are always thanking us for what we do so popularity wise we're right where we should be, just existing on for those who dig what we do.

MC: I know you live near Phila, PA now and you have for a couple years now. What do you think the big difference is from where you live now as to when you lived in Virginia? Have you been back down there at all since you came up North? What do you think of the Phila music scene in general?

KING: Philly is a busier kind of vibe but Virginia had a lot more space and the area I know is very populated now. Both have pros and cons but that's anywhere. VA got too crowded and traffic was insane. The properties were outrageous and living was outrageous cost. I go back to Virginia often as my sister and brother and a lot of friends still live there. It’s changing more to 'upper class everywhere it seems. Philly music scene is kind of small for what there is up here. Seems like a lot of folks stay home a lot and when I attend shows it's not really that packed. Voivod/Kreator was half full if that. It is what it is and turnouts don't mean shit if it's full of people who could care less to be there. Diehards are around. When I travel with deceased and gig I see the best places to play right now in 2011/12 are NY, Boston and Chicago. Great scenes there with a lot of support and just a great 'high' for metal music on the live front.

MC: How many songs do you think the band has recorded over the years? Do you know how many releases you have out? Shit how many different labels have you been on and what has been the best label and worst label you have been on over the years?

KING: We’ve recorded about 125 songs I’d say through the years. Yes I know every release we've ever done no matter how big or small. We’ve worked with a lot of good folks and labels they've done. We’re about helping out buddies and doing things for various reasons. Relapse has to be the only label that really bullshited us in the end, lies/nonsense, don't need that EVER. All others from thrash corner to cursed to patac to area death and the others have really been great.

MC: How did you end up behind the drum kit and did you ever take any lessons with the bass or guitar before you decided to play drums? Was it at first, hard to sing and play drums at the same time. In your eyes what makes a great drummer and who are some of the best drummers you have seen live? Do you think a lot of bands trigger their drums in the studio now?

KING: I ended up on the kit because the original drummer marcel had more interest in his girlfriend then the band. I was playing bass then. I never took lessons on either. I learned to play drums myself. I used to beat on the school desk or kitchen table and picked it all up. I decided to become the singing drummer because we needed vocals and I was originally the singer/bassist. It was a bit weird at first to do both. The first couple shows were done instrumental actually. Then one night at a party I said I’d do it with vocals. Never looked back. My favorite live drummers are away/voivod, robb reiner/anvil, carl palmer/elp, leonard haze/y&t, scott rockenfield/queensryche to name a few. Triggers are all over the place. A lot of stuff is sampled in studios to save time and make mixing and recording easier. It’s common practice now.

MC: How did you come up with the name Deceased? Was any any other names considered and who actually came up with the name? Have you ever gotten any shit over the name?

KING: I came up with the name. It fit our morbid ideas. We had names like mace and madd butcher (from the movie not the song), evilaxe. dumb early names that were just attempts at shocking the world. Never got any shit over the name deceased. I love the band name, couldn't ask for a better one as far as I’m concerned.

MC: I know you’re a big horror movie fan? Is there any of the current horror movies over say the past 5 years that you have liked? Do you think most movies now have too much computer effects and just aren't scary in general? What are some of your favorite horror flicks and have the thought ever gone into your head about doing your own horror movie?

KING: I dig a lot of newer films. I’m into horror. Sure a lot aren’t as good as the 'golden days' but I love stuff of last 15 years like 'blair witch' and 'paranormal activity' and 'darkness' and many more. I look for things to like in any film. Horror pulls me in. a lot of it is done to death but I’m a sucker for it. Movies move too quick now for the most part. The days of slow and brooding are fading. When films do it they take alto of slack that's it’s too slow. I don't agree. I hate cgi gore it's the stupidest thing ever!!! all-time faves include 'phantasm', 'the exorcist', 'burnt offerings' , 'let’s scare jessica to death', 'carrie' , 'let sleeping corpses lie', 'maniac' etc etc. yes I want to do a real fear film. Totally straight forward horror with no happiness! One day :)

MC: About how many members have been in and out of the band over the years? Are you still on good terms with most or all ex-members? What is the current line-up of the band now?

KING: Live now it’s me on vocals, eric mayes on drums, chris paolino on bass on east coast with les snyder doing shows mid to west coast, shane fuegal on guitar and james danzo on guitar. I learned a few years back that to play live for years to come going to have to have guys that can go and do it. Mike retired from live. Mark quit the band and we all have family etc. as well. 13 guys total have played in deceased. studio wise it’s still me, les, mike and now shane. Live we have to mix it up to make it happen. I’m on good terms with most guys, a few incidents here and there but it is what it is.

MC: Is there any unreleased material that might see the light one day? I know you have a cd or double cd coming out on Area Death Productions. Tell me a little bit about what is going to be on this release? What is the rarest thing that the band has put out? Have you ever seen any of your old stuff on sale on sites like Ebay?

KING: ebay auctions are crazy. I saw a demo of our go for $175 one time. Crazy. Singles for $80 etc. that's all crazy shit. We don't have must unreleased song wise stuff. The double cd has been out for a year now, get with it chris :). It’s got unreleased demos, rehearsals, pre-deceased and more. It’s called 'worship the coffin'. Rarest thing is probably '13' on vinyl. Very rare nowadays.

MC: When the band was first starting out did you and the rest of the guys take the band seriously? How long do you think it took before the band started to find its sound? What was the 1st song that you wrote and put out that you really felt was your sound?

KING: We were young and potheads and druggies. We loved the music but we had a lot we 'added' to the whole experience. Over the years it became more about the music and less about everything else. Our sound kind of rose up quickly. Demo wise we had our way. When mike joined I’d say by 'fearless”. 1996/7 we had what we knew was our real direction in it all. I still say the first song we ever wrote 'after the bloodshed' is our sound it just grew natural in time.

MC: Were you always into music at a young age? What were some of the 1st bands that you heard and what did you think of it the 1st time you heard it? What led to you to discover the world of metal? Was it like a drug when you discovered it and you wanted more and more? Were there any cool record stores in your area where you could go and get metal stuff?

KING: Music has been my life since I was 3-4 and the beatles were introduced to me via my aunt marlene. Loved the choruses the singing to it, the rhythms. They were my first love. bands like kiss, sababth, maiden, ramones, got me really going at a young age then more extreme stuff like anvil, slayer, fate, voivod, and punk hardcore did a job on me too. I loved it and still do. Also love my foreigner and benatar and heart and boston and styx and kansas and all the radio classics as a kid too. Music trivia is me :) record stores growing up like waxie maxie, penguin feather always had the imports and I’d buy em or steal em like mad :)

MC: I know you have always loved Voivod. What is it about them that you like so much? What was the 1st release that you heard from them? What about the 1st time you saw them live? Is there of their releases that you think don't live up to the band?

KING: They are original is a world full of non-originality. They make precise moves musically that strike the perfect chord with me. I heard the demos and loved em. War and pain obviously is the first full length I heard when it came out. Blew my mind. Still does! I saw the first ever u.s voivod show at the ritz with venom and cromags in 1986. One of the best gigs ever by any band! Voivod is lord!!!

MC: Do you collect metal music? What are some of the rarest things you have in your collection? Is there anything you are looking for yourself and is there anything you would like to see be re-issued one day?

KING: Indeed I do! I have tons of rare vinyls that I’ve had forever. First rods record is a pretty rare one. Pre anvil lips records etc. etc. I love em all, monetary value means shit to me. I cherish the music. I really collect anything of the band rock goddess. I love them! Anything I don’t have. Mag covers, posters, all of it. Reissues don't mean a lot to me.

MC: In your eyes and ears what makes a good song? When you hear a song what do you listen for 1st? Are vocals a big thing for you? What are some styles of music that you absolutely hate? What style of vocals do you hate?

KING: Memorable makes a song to me. I need a hook. Dynamics that deliver. The whole package makes or breaks it. A good tune with a bad vocal is awful. And vice versa. A great singer singing a crap tune stinks. I hate rap music! That isn't music to me. It’s shit! Vocals that fit a song are fine by me. If it's too far-fetched then it's annoying.

MC: Do you personally like going into the studio to record music? What is the best part of doing it and also the worst thing or the most pain in the ass thing about it? Have you pretty much gotten along with producers for the most part or have you had conflicts of interest with them?

KING: I love the studio! I love laying down THE version of a song i've been a part in creating. It’s all fun to me. The learning process the trial and error. Nothing is a pain in the ass. Maybe obtaining the funds to run free in the studio is :). Producers are called in to run the show. If you take the time to hire them you have to let them do what they do. Jim Barnes on 'fearless' was probably the least professional producer we've ever used.

MC: If a young band was just starting out what advice would give to them? How long would you tell them before they should go into a recording studio? How long do you think a band should be around before they should sign with a label?

KING: To be yourself. Learn your craft. Don’t jump the gun to get out and record right away. Let the band grow and breathe a little. Signing to a label is what it is. Breaks only come so often. But be ready for it. Let it all happen naturally. Don’t force anything!!!

MC: When you play live now how hard is it to come up with a set list? If you were doing a mini-tour, do you keep the set list the same or do you change things around? Does the band at least practice once a week or no? When you play cover tunes how much fun is that for you guys? Do you have certain songs that you pretty much have to play every live show?

KING: We never get to practice for live. That really saddens me. There are so many songs we need to get into he set and have on hand to change things around. With everyone living apart it's kind of a set list for shows. We have about 15 songs in hand at any time. I’d like to have 40-45 ready to roll out with. Covers are fun. It’s a tribute to bands and energy that we enjoy too. A few songs are always in the set as 'standards' but I’m open to add more of the off the cuff ones that go over live well.

MC: How long do you think it took the band to find "its sound"? What style or type of music would you say the band is? Do you feel you’re an original band and have pretty much stayed true to your sound from day 1?

KING: Our sound is still evolving and always will. We’ve got some things set in stone but we just write what comes out. Deceased is 100% death metal from the grave. We’ve stayed true to ourselves always and to me that's what you have to do to remain important to yourself. We grounded and always have been. I’m very pleased with our style and what we've achieved as a band musically to date.

MC: What are your thoughts on the underground these days? Do you feel as I do that there is way too many unoriginal bands around doing nothing new and clogging up the scene? Where do you see the underground in 5 years? Do you think CDS will go by the wayside so to speak and just be for diehards like vinyl is now?

KING: The die hards are always there. I’m getting older and I see it through 40 year old eyes now. There’s the same sincerity by some and lameness by others. Some come and goers. It is what it is. Unoriginal music is rampant in the world. It’s a shame. But again, it is what it is. You just trudge on and do your own thing. Cds to me have their place. Whether they are in fashion or not doesn’t concern me. To me it's a genuine proper format to hear music on as is vinyl.

MC: I got your opinion on labels earlier. Do you feel that there are too many labels out there that just sign any trendy bands just to sell records? What are some labels that you have not had the pleasure to work with that you think are good?

KING: Labels are out to make money. They keep up with the moment. That’s always been the way it is. A few talk the talk but they still want to move product and make dollars. Any label that at least keeps their word and does what they were expected is a good label. We’ve had good times with most we've worked with. Even relapse was a good time for a number of years.

MC: Do you still have the same drive that you had when the band 1st started? When the band finally gets laid to rest, what would you want the band to be known by? As you get older does being in a band get just a bit harder and how much bigger do you see the band getting?

KING: Indeed I do! I want to go go go. I am always on the guys to keep it moving forward. We've all got jobs, families, houses, etc. But to me the band has to go go go. It’s the most important thing in my life. I’m fine always being where we are. Just recording, gigging and being ourselves year in and year out.

MC: How does a song come together? Is it a band effort or one or 2 members usually? Where is the weirdest place you had had a song idea? What usually comes first the music or the lyrics? Now who usually writes the lyrics? What has been the hardest or longest song that took to get done? As time goes on does writing new material get harder?

KING: Riffs are brought forth. They get spewed out and arranged and deranged and we get a foundation for a song. We build off of it and make it its own entity. Me and mike doing the writing these days and it's a good formula that has worked well. Shane adds his little things and les keeps the bottom end. Music always first! I write all lyrics. This happens after music is done. Some idea may sit and I may build off that, but it's the music I’m creating off of. I love creating new music. The challenge of not rehashing your own past is great. I arrange deceased songs and I love that challenge.

MC: Now at one point you had your own label. Did you ever work or have anything to do with a label before you did one? How did this idea come about was it something you had in the back of your mind for a while made it reality?

KING: I still have old metal. I did it to releases old classics onto cd. It is fun and a good time for the most part. I always wanted to do my duty and put out metal for the masses!

MC: Looking back, was running a label harder or easier than you thought it was going to be and did you do everything by yourself or did you have help in any way? About how much time in any given week was spent doing label stuff?

KING: Early on I had a silent partner but he stopped and it got even better cuz it got a bit more in line with what I wanted to do directly. I’d spend a lot of my time lining up deals to release stuff, getting distros the world over etc.

MC: How did you come up with the name and were any other names considered? Looking back do you like the name and do you think if fit what the label stood for?

KING: Old metal records fit what I was doing. The old school stuff.

MC: What was your 1st actual release and did you have any of the bands sign contracts or was it more of a handshake type of deal? Where did you go to get the discs made and he did the artwork for the CDs and was that the only format they came in? How many did you press up of each release or did it vary?

KING: I’m a man that goes on handshakes but that has burned me a few times. Blessed death 2 on 1 'kill or be killed/destined for extinction' cd was my first cd I did. Discs were made in a place out of Connecticut, I forget the name. It was exclusive to cd and the art was the original art from the records. Press #'s varied. As little as 500 and as high as 1000.

MC: How many releases did you end up putting out? Out of all of them do you personally have a favorite? Was there something that you wanted or planned on putting out but didn't get the chance? Why did you end up folding the label? Was part of it because it was taking up too much of your time?

KING: I’m still rolling, up to 55 so far. I love most of em equal. A few were done on whims more than love. Laaz Rocket I don't care for at all. That was the silent partner more so than me. A lot of things I want to still put out. don't wanna say what cuz some folks are blood drinkers and throat cutters and steal ideas Alot .But it's cool stuff. Again the label isn't folded!

MC: Did any of the bands ever give you any sort of problems at all even after their release came out? I had read in a few zines that people were saying you were bootlegging some of your stuff? I totally disagree, but what would you say to them? Did you ever consider putting out any Deceased material on the label?

KING: Yep! I had a few that were all gung ho till I did them then they wish they had did them themselves as they wanted to cut me out of any profits etc. I hate those people. Wives got involved. Ex labels surfaced who couldn't have cared less before. A few things did come out unofficial early on. Rights were open and no one owned stuff so we went with it. But to me it got too shady, hence the silent partner being gone. That didn't always sit well with me either. I made it up to about any of the bands that had issues. A few bands had one guy who wanted to do it, I’d work with him, release the project then other guys would suddenly surface after the fact and have a total change of heart. That sucked! No on deceased material!

MC: Looking back if you could turn back time would you have even done the label or were you just happy you could put some out of print stuff out? Is that all you put out was out of print stuff or did any of your releases contain new music of the bands? Did you ever do t-shirts or anything like that?

KING: I wouldn't change a thing. It is what it is. I released a few new bands premonotion and vermefug and october 31 but most were re-releases of classic material. No shirts exist.

MC: Are any copies of any of your release still for sale or are they all gone? Do you still see any of them popping up on Ebay and sites like that? What advice would you give somebody that wanted to start a label, even a small one?

KING: Most are sold out. The later titles are in print. Ebay will have em from time to time for insane prices, which I think stinks. To do a label have your head on right and do it the best you can. Make it professional and together.

MC: What is your opinion on bootlegging? Do you own any or some bootlegs of say any of your bands or Voivod? Have you ever seen any Deceased boot legs stuff whether it be a DVD, CD or t-shirts?

KING: I have never had a problem with bootlegging/bootlegs. I have seen my bands bootlegged indeed. Cds, videos, etc! And it is what it is. Doesn’t bother me! I didn’t get into music for money; I got into it for music. I collect boots of my fave bands out of love of the bands. If someone took the time to bootleg music I’m involved with that's sorta a compliment to me. I always said if you ever taped a record off the radio or traded a demo tape that's bootlegging. In a small caliber yes! But it is still bootlegging. So think before you act you non-bootlegger talk folks. I’ve seen a lot of hypocrites out there on this subject.

MC: Has any bands to your knowledge done a Deceased cover? If so what bands have done it and what songs? If any have what are your thoughts on their versions?

KING: A few bands have covered 'fading survival'. I forget the names. Kind of wild. I thought what I heard wasn't bad. I know one used a drum machine for the drums which was odd.

MC: Now you have played in several other bands besides Deceased. For those who don't know what other bands have you been in and did you play drums in all of them? How different is it being in other bands and I would assume Deceased is your main priority? Have you ever played in one of your other bands and then Deceased on the same show?

KING: Doom stone, october 31, abominog. Yes drums in all and some vocals too. Yes deceased is indeed priority over all. All have been fun and good times. I love each one for different reasons. I’ve done shows with abominog, doomstone and deceased all in a row. October 31 and deceased has done gigs together too.

MC: Your other bands, how does a song come together? Are any of the other members of Deceased involved in any of them? How much stuff have you had released and is it all still available?

KING: Same process mainly. Abominog I was more helping out. With doomstone and october 31 I arranged most of the tunes there. Les was in doomstone as well. Doomstone did 2 cds and a best of cd. October 31 has done 3 full lengths and an ep! Abominog I only played on one record 'dark museum'.

MC: Out of the styles of metal, what genre would you say is your favorite and least favorite and why to both? Do you think it is weird at all that there are so many styles and genres of metal?

KING: Heavy metal traditional is my all-time fave. It’s got songs and power and audible vocals. It packs the biggest punch when done right. Black metal of the modern age is probably worst. That are grr death metal. Has no power or energy. It’s weak to me, very dull and throw away. Styles are part of it. They separate the sound for many folks.

MC: Gonna throw out a few styles of metal and just want your opinion them from what the style was in the beginning to what it is now? Thrash metal:

KING: Great when done right. I love the in the pocket kick snare of it. Speeding, charging metal music! Kick ass

MC: Black metal:

KING: Old stuff like venom fate is cool as hell. But the later stuff just goes by like wimpy noise.

MC: Doom metal:

KING: A lot of it is too slow for me but some of it based in sabbath isn't bad.

MC: Death metal:

KING: Various sounds and opinions on this. I dig good death metal like early autopsy or entombed or unleashed but stuff like cannibal corpse or dying fetus does nothing for me.

MC: What do you think is the most overrated style of metal and the most overrated band is? What are your thoughts on the Big 4 today? Black metal today, it really is crap! Metallica is the most overrated band ever in metal.

KING: The big 4 are all garbage. Slayer died around 87 for me, Anthrax died when belladonna came in, Megadeth I always hated and Metallica is a pile of crap.

MC: What is the craziest thing you ever saw at a show you saw, but didn't play at? What was the craziest thing you saw happen at one of your shows and have you ever seen somebody with a deceased tattoo?

KING: Probably a show at capital centre arena in maryland. Maybe it was aerosmith. Saw a girl getting beaten to death by her boyfriend/husband and cops laughing while it happened and letting it happen. Craziest thing at one of our shows was a guy jumping off a very high pa and busting himself up real bad! That sucked. Yes seen a few deceased tattoos for sure. Mainly 'fearless' art motifs.

MC: Where is the furthest you have played as Deceased in the US? Is there any place in the US that you would like to play but have not yet?

KING: Seattle Washington I’d say. Lots of places I want to go. Tennessee, Georgia, Missouri, and any and all places we haven’t been.

MC: I f I am correct you have played overseas have you not? If you have what was it like going over there to play and what place or places did you play and how was the crowd reaction to the band?

KING: We played wacken in 2001. It was wild as shit. That fest is huge. Like 50,000 maniacs going nuts. We were first band of entire thing. We played 9 am. It was great even then. Love to get back.

MC: How much longer do you think the band will be around or do you just kinda take things day to day type of thing? Do you see the band getting much bigger or do you think you will stay right around the way things are? What advice would you give somebody who wants to start up a band?

KING: I’m in this for life. I love music and without it I’m lost in the world. We are happy right where we are. If you're going to do a band please, please, please care about your music first and foremost.

MC: Where do you see the metal scene headed in say 3 yrs. and then 5 years? Do you see there being even any record stores so to speak to go shop for metal? Have you ever been ripped off by anybody that you have brought stuff from? Which is your favorite piece to have, cd, vinyl or cassette? What do you think of MP3's?

KING: It is what it is. Year in year out. Trends will come and go but those with heart/dedication will just go on and on. Record stores are slowly creeping back even now. No rip offs I can speak of ever. Been fortunate cuz a lot of crooks out there. I love vinyl and cds for different reasons. Vinyl is still my all-time fave though. Mp3s to me are just cheap things as a last resort.

MC: What do you do with yourself when you’re not doing band related stuff? Does the band take up more time than you ever thought it would?

KING: Playing sports like hoops, collect movies, family, etc. I am always thinking of the band whether booking shows, jams, writing or even answering interviews or emails online. I love spending time on the band.

MC: Will the underground scene ever die out? Do you think thrash, death and black metal will be around for years to come? Have you ever even thought about wearing or putting on corpse paint, even as a joke?

KING: It will always be hit/miss. Folks will come and go and others again will be here till their end. Yes all those genres will be around. No on corpse paint. Doomstone wore 'make up' to mock it all those years ago.

MC: In the past have ripped on you because you’re so honest. Has anybody ever got to the point of trying to actually fight you or threatened you in any way?

KING: Nope! Opinions can cause anger, jealousy from folks. It is what it is. I’ve always spoke my mind and always will. If it comes to fisticuffs I’ll know the person isn't in any proper frame of mind to begin with then. If they want to smash it up then indeed we'll smash it up. I assure you, they'll wish they didn't!

MC: Have you ever done any writing for any fanzines or on-line web zines at all over the years? What did you think of fanzines when they 1st came out and can you even count of guess the amount of interviews you have done over the years? What is your opinion of the interview that appeared in Slayer Mag, which is featured in his book?

KING: Yep! had a few zines. 'morbid terror' and 'stay ugly'. Had a blast doing em too. We’ve probably done over 1000 interviews for fanzines since our inception. I love fanzines, still do. I love when it's obvious the creator of them is giving it their all. I haven't seen the slayer book and no one sent me one so I guess I can't comment.

MC: How do you go and discover bands from way back when that you might not have ever heard of? Do you like zines like Snakepit and Voices From The Darkside that feature a lot of the older obscure bands in interviews?

KING: Those mags are cool for what they do. Sometimes I don't understand how they’ll give bands that turned on metal and now back a pat on the back. But other than that they are cool! I just look out bands. You Tube, my record collection .I spend time on bands. I give the whole records listens etc.

MC: What sort of non-metal stuff do you listen to and what are some of your favorite non metal bands? What do you think of close minded people or won't give any new bands a chance unless it is a million miles an hour or the singer just screams and growls into the mic? In your ears what makes a great singer?

KING: Oh I love tons of stuff. no doubt, benatar, old fireigner, missing persons, styx, blondie, b52s etc if people want to only listen to one dimension of music, more power to them. I need to hear what I love and it comes in man sounds and sizes. A great singer just has it. Hard to describe. Fitting

MC: In your opinion is there even an underground metal scene anymore? Do you think the underground lost o lot of its identity when the computer age came around and all these labels and bad bands starting popping up?

KING: Yes! People still do what they do. You and I are being part of it now doing this. Computer change did but it helps in some ways. Makes things NOW!

MC: If you could play drums in any band besides Voivod and of course any of your own bands, who would it be and why?

KING: IRON MAIDEN. Cuz they are my all-time favorite band. Love the rhythms they keep and I’d love playing that music.

MC: Can you see yourself being 60 years old and still playing this style of music? Is there any bands that have been around for a while that you still like and respect?

KING: Yes! I’m doing this forever. Age is age. Just keep on doing it on and on. IRON MAIDEN, VOIVOD, BOC, ANVIL, SAXON, are 5 off the top of my head.

MC: I know you are on Facebook a lot. What is your opinion on social networking such as that and have you found any old friends that you lost touch with years ago?

KING: I love Facebook. Yes tons of old friends. Easy to work and good times. You get in and do your thing and that's that. Yes computer socializing is fun. Still l got to get outside and move around though. Sitting on a chair all day typing is about as healthy as eating lard! Moveeeeeeeeeeee

MC: What do you feel are the most overrated forms of metal nowadays and why do you think they are overrated?

KING: Nothing really stands out as overrated to me now. It is what it is. I find more a lack of memorable songs in all of music anymore. A lot of throw away stuff which is sad as hell to me.

MC: What is your room like and how many cds do you think you have in your collection and same goes for vinyl?

KING: My room is full of mo0vies and posters and old metal mags on the wall. Cds I probably have 4000 or so, vinyl probably 5,000 records. I’ve gotten rid of some over the years. I know at one time I had about 10,000 vinyls. Some make the test of time some don't and get moved on.

MC: Where do you go to get your metal fix as far as buying things? Are there any good records stores worth going to nowadays?

KING: Any and everywhere. Amazon or stores I can find. Friends other distros. I just keep an eye out for it all. Record stores are come and go. Just gotta ask around wherever you are. There’s still some here and there.

MC: Would you like to see more metal type fests like the Maryland Death Fest? Did you manage to play or go to any of the Milwaukee or NJ Metalfests back in the day? What did you think of the club G Wilikers?

KING: I dig fests if the bands get good gear and sound and it’s not get on get off scenarios. Let em play a bit. Brings a lot of the metal crowd together for a big event. Yes did Milwaukee and NJ fests. A mess in some ways like bad gear and shitty time set ups etc. good in getting to see friends from the states all in one place. G wilikers sucked. The set up was always a mess. Got in a couple of fights there and had to put a few knuckleheads in their place.

MC: Plug any websites you have and what sort of stuff do you have for sale nowadays?

KING: www.upthetombstones.net or easier even email me kingdoomstone@yahoo.com got cds and shirts and various stuff. Get in touch.

MC: King mega thanks for doing this long ass interview and any last words the floor is yours.

KING: Thanks Chris for the years of support. Anyone reading this be yourself. Stay wild and keep it honest and from the heart! Up the tombstones!!!