Interview with METAL MIKE CHLASCIAK/ PAINMUSEUM
5/01/05
by John Haseltine
Most notably know for the recent success, and assistance in launching Rob Halford back into “Metal God” status, or so most press quotes. I never knew he fell. And now a more recent addition to the stellar line-up of trash legends Testament, the busiest man in metal, a true metal god himself, Metal Mike Chlasciak puts together yet another amazing project/new band, PainmuseuM. I don’t know where he found the time, but Mike took some time out to let us in on what’s going on with his new band, Testament and a new Halford album scheduled for later on this year.
JH: Tell us about yourself. How did you get started?
MM: I started playing guitar a bit late I suppose, about when I was 16. This led to constant practicing, real obsession actually. All my friends were a lot better musicians that I thought, so I just practiced non stop. So, I made quick strides and eventually got a scholarship to a renowned music college in Boston called Berklee. Everyone would play jazz, but I was always playing a flying V, being a Metalhead. I joined Halford in 1999 and recorded 3 albums, some Japan only Ep's. Toured the world a few times over. The rest is pretty well known I suppose. I also did 3 solo albums "Grind Textural Abstractions", "Therritory: Guitar Kill !!" and "The Spilling". My new band is PainmuseuM. And, the new album is "Metal For Life" - the CD is available worldwide.
JH: Tell us about your latest band PainmuseuM.
MM: PainmuseuM started in 2002 and grew towards the end of the Halford band activities. I wanted something that was free to grow in its own merit and a band that would make real Metal albums as we hear them, being fans of Metal ourselves.
JH: 'Metal For Life' is a punishing release. It's receiving rave reviews, as well as from myself. Can you tell us a bit about it?
MM: I'm very pleased that people are reacting well to the album, this means a lot to us. This is a record of true labor of love, total dedication to the craft. I stayed true to my vision as an artist and ended up with a very viable product that is liked by many. I'm very happy with that.
JH: Did you know going into this what sort of sound the album was going to have? Or did it develop with the addition of Steve, Tim and Bobby?
MM: Before any of the above mentioned players were involved I already wrote all the music. However, they all brought their own perspective to the album, their own abilities which are obviously incredible. Tim also contributed a lot with his vocal and lyrical approach. I put the skeletons together of the album and asked my friends, who happen to be incredible Metal musicians, to contribute as they saw fit.
JH: Do you plan to stick with this same heaviness on the next one?
MM: I don't really think that it will change. PainmuseuM is an extension of what's happening w. me in each time. But, I doubt that I'll get very happy and start writing White Lion songs, so yeah ... PainmuseuM will continue kicking everyone's ass pretty much as long as we see fit.
JH: How is it working with Roy Z.? (seems like everything he has a hand in turns out great.)
MM: I enjoy working with Roy because he's so full of ideas and takes each band separately into equation, so to speak. This allows each band he works with to have their own sound. Roy was very encouraging for me to continue with this band and this helped me in some dark days. He did a wonderful job for us mixing.
JH: What does the Painmuseum tour calendar look like for this year?
May 21, 2005 - co-headlining Shred Fest 3 - Steel Music Hall in Rochester, NY
June 3rd, 2005 - co-headlining Louder, Harder, faster Fest - Crocodile Rock in Allentown, PA
After the Summer we are looking at European dates as we have just come to an agreement with a prominent agency in Germany. We are certainly the type of band that enjoyed playing live. To me making records is just an excuse to go out and play live. I live for it.
JH: Besides being a great guitar player, how did you come about landing the gig with Halford?
MM: I have sent Rob's management video tapes of me opening various shows on the East Coast for Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Morse, Ronnie Montrose .... I did this as an instrumental artist. I was doing very well on the East Coast playing shows in front of 800-1000 people with out a singer. Rob saw that and invited me to come out to Los Angeles to write an album. That time Resurrection Cd was taking place.
JH: So is this Priest reunion a fulltime thing for rob, or will there be more from the band Halford?
MM: Well, the reunion will keep Rob very busy, but this does not mean the end for Halford, the band. We have already been traveling all over the US putting together the next Halford studio album.
JH: So you're in testament now?
MM: I played with Testament last Summer 2004 and will probably do it again this year after their reunion tour is completed. It's not a full time commitment, I go out and tour w. them as they are all my friends. Maybe do the next studio album w. Testament. I love the band musically and like all the guys personally, so I have no problem kicking ass with them if my time allows.
JH: I hear there's a new release in the works for this year. How's that coming?
MM: The final pieces are being put together. When the album comes out I believe it will be another great album from a great band.
JH: How involved with the band are you ?
MM: We all explained above, its all very easy, very relaxed atmosphere. We enjoy working together, when times allow it.
JH: Will there be any testament shows this summer?
MM: I believe that they might be booking some.
JH: If so, how will this effect any PainmuseuM plans?
MM: Not sure exactly, as this depends what we got on the plate. But, PainmuseuM is extremely important to, I'm not going to sacrifice the band, so all will have to work out and lets hope for it.
JH: Tell us a bit about your company C.M.M Entertainment.
MM: A small company put together that manages day to day basics of my career. So management, contract dealing. Making sure the albums are in stores. It's basically a big brother that makes sure everything is working well. If things need help then we step in and do it ourselves.
JH: What exactly is your role in the day to day operations of it?
MM: Well, I'm involved extremely a lot. I'm at the head of making all the decisions such as hiring crew, contracts, fan club, merchandising, websites, you name it. Honestly you can't do everything yourself, but I'm involved as much as possible.
JH: You're a very busy guy. Is there any time for rest? Or are you just another workaholic?
MM: Pretty safe to say I'm a workaholic. I'm not sure if that is or is not a choice. There is always another phone call, e-mail, order to attend to. Outside of that you have music to be learned, to be written .... its just an enormous amount of work to be playing Metal full time. But, its the choice I've made and I'm very happy with it. Honestly, I would not want to do anything else.
JH: Give us your feelings of how your career has gone up to this point in time.
MM: So far I'm very happy with the strides. From funding my own CD's to touring worldwide, selling decent amount of records, meeting so many interesting people. I feel very rewarded for the time that I have put in. There are more things I want to do. PainmuseuM will grow stronger each day, eventually doing it's own world tours. I have a list of goals that isn’t ending anytime soon. But, in honesty its the only way I can be. Otherwise I get very, very bored with life.
JH: What's next for metal mike?
MM: Well some US Dates with PainmuseuM. The some Summer Festivals with Sebastian Bach, possible Testament. After Summer PainmuseuM tour. In the mean time I'm constantly working on the next Halford album. When that's all done I'll be doing another PainmuseuM album and most likely an album with Bach, it will be his solo album. Eventually CMM will reissue my 3 solo albums with new art, remastering for those who want to check out the early efforts. Hopefully by the end of that I'll spend a few nights at the Playboy mansion.
JH: It's really been a pleasure. Is there anything you'd like to add?
MM: Thank you for taking the time and for all the fans for the warm embrace of "Metal For Life" album. That Cd is available across the US in FYE, Coconuts or order yours directly from painmuseum.com, or cdbaby.com/metalmike. Our Japanese/ European label is Demolition Records and Central American label is Scarecrow Records. Metal For Life and once again - thank you for your Metal hearts.
