Two decades after inventing the genre known today as grindcore, NAPALM DEATH continues to demonstrate that their work is far from done. In the intervening years, there have been changes in between but that doesn't mean that the mission hasn't. It has in fact remained the same; to outlet every trend, never compromise, provide a political voice for the voiceless, and create the most brutalizing challenging music on earth! Barney Vocalist and founder of NAPALM DEATH spoke to me about their reign of terror and what plans to become of the almighty grind masters!
1. Why the name Napalm Death what does it symbolize?
Barney: It’s from the 60s not sure if you know what Napalm means, it’s meant to serve as context, as an anti-war method.
2. What was it like to headline last year’s Los Angeles Murderfest?
Barney: It was pretty good we almost didn’t because I didn’t think it was going to a big ordeal it went really well and everyone really enjoyed themselves there were some really good bands on there too.
3. How is the current headlining tour been treating you and the rest of the bill.
Barney: Very very well, we are surviving Mike has been fatal somewhat its going pretty well, a lot of people not going out to shows most but I can’t complain nor am I going to complain.
4. How have the fans been reacting to the new material as to the old material?
Barney: Ever since the album has come out the reviews have been flawless, and great. I’d expect it would have been a mixture of negative and positive but its been positive all the way. I’m really happy about that.
5. Can you give a brief summary on "Time Waits for No Slave," and how did the artwork, title, and lyrics come about. Is there anything you wish you could change on it or are you happy without it turned out?
Barney: The writing process is pretty standard, the guitarist put down a few tracks and the basic form and then look at it and see if it needs work and then I look at titles from different sources from my cell phone texts or internet, or even just writing it down. It’s basically about self-discovery, about the world around you and how complex it is around you. The lyrics are challenging a lot of moral standards.
6. What is your favorite Napalm Death song?
Barney: I can’t give you an answer to that. I can probably give you like 10, but breaking it down to just one. Not too sure.
7. You guys have been together for almost 30 years, do you plan to celebrate?
Barney: Ya know what its special enough to go off and play a gig, and still be making albums, and touring, ya know, there are a lot of bands that are different I don’t know I’m just thankful for being with the band so long.
8. What can we expect to see from you guys for the rest of 2009?
Barney: Just lots of touring, playing in Europe and U.S. and all the places in the world. Trying to make everything enjoyable.
9. Is there a DVD in the works?
Barney: No, not right now maybe in the future I don’t want to do the usual 2 hours of footage, I want to shoot us goofing off backstage and other footage and what not but I can’t stand a live DVD, I myself can’t sit through a live DVD.
10. There is a picture of you with crunches, what happened?
Barney: I had jumped in the air and twisted my ankle and I didn’t know what to do and was wondering whether to cancel or not, it was a very painful but I got through it.
11. Have you cracked a joke about the Swine Flu, during any of your performances?
Barney: I think the whole thing is ridiculous, and I think it’s a scam really. Down in Mexico where people don’t have health care will be a problem for them but as far as I know I don’t know why everyone is worrying about it, wearing masks and stuff that is just a little over the top but I’m not worried about it. I’m not going to spend my time worrying about stuff like that.
12. How has MYSPACE and the internet impacted your band?
Barney: The internet and MySpace in general such as YouTube has helped expose and express us, showing live performances of us online and it’s helped us out a lot, a really good thing.
13. What is the toughest lesson you ever learned in the studio and on the stage?
Barney: Probably from the studio would be, if your voice is about to die, you got to wait a few days so that’s a good lesson for me. And as for other studio lessons, just the methods you’re comfortable with and as for live wise I’m going to stop swinging my arms around because I’ve broken fingers while flinging into someone’s guitar.
14. What's your reaction when/if a fan told you a very meaningful statement such as "Your music changed my life?" Has this ever happened to you?
Barney: I like hearing things like that and how it inspires them and then inspires me.
15. Thanks for doing the interview, anything else you'd like to add?
Barney: Ya know it’s always a great thanks for supporting us and it’s great we’ve been able to come back every year or every other year to perform and I’m very thankful for that.
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