ANTHRAX' Frank Bello

ANTHRAX' Frank Bello Says Covers Album Set For Fall Release; To Feature RUSH, BOSTON Classics




By Matthew O’Shaughnessy from WVOX.com


The Bronx, New York has given birth to many celebrity actors,
internationally-known Italian restaurants and, of course, heavy metal
titans ANTHRAX who are currently tearing up the road with SLAYER,
SLIPKNOT, MOTÖRHEAD and more on the The Rock Star Energy Drink Mayhem
Festival. Bassist Frank Bello recently checked in from the road sounding
completely upbeat and stoked about the current road trek and upcoming
gigs with TESTAMENT and DEATH ANGEL, and more dates in Europe with
Motörhead after the Mayhem Festival.






WVOX.com: To say that Anthrax is having fun on the Mayhem Festival
is an understatement. We hear that the tour is going exceptionally well.



Frank Bello: “This is exactly what we needed for state-side touring.
It’s been great! It’s just been a blast. This thing is a rage! We’re
headlining, as you know, the second stage and we’re on at 5:20pm every
night and it’s 40 minutes of sheer brutal stuff, man. It’s really great.
People come out and it’s packed every night. It’s just a crazy time.
The pits are insane. Then, when we get done with our show, I can go
watch Slayer, Slipknot and Motörhead – it’s kind of great!”



WVOX.com: How much music has Anthrax been in a position to feature on the Rock Star Energy Mayhem Festival?



Frank Bello: “We get forty minutes, so we call it ‘the punch in the
face’ – we just want to leave them wanting more. A complete rage of
forty minutes. It’s just non-stop.The good thing is the fans have been
wanting more. It’s a great, great tour.”



WVOX.com: The tour kicked off on June 30th in San Bernadino ,
California and has now worked its way to the East Coast. What has the
camaraderie been like with Slayer, Slipknot, Motörhead and the other
bands?



Frank Bello: “It’s been a big summer camp! We do a 928 shot of
Jägermeister in Slayer’s dressing room every night to celebrate the
tour. And that pretty much ignites the rest of the evening. It’s been a
big summer camp hanging out with your friends. This is a big party with a
lot of great music involved. That’s exactly the best way I can describe
it. It’s a blast. I recommend anyone who hasn’t had tickets to see this
tour, to come out. It’s going to be sad to see it end one day. But it
has been a blast! It’s a good vibe.”






WVOX.com: You’re set-list is unique for this tour, having forty minutes to perform.



Frank Bello: “This is the best of Anthrax with one new song. It’s been posted everywhere. We just put it all out there.”



WVOX.com: What’s every day life like on The Rock Star Energy Drink Mayhem Festival?



Frank Bello: “It’s been pretty non-stop honestly. Nobody is
complaining about this lifestyle. I know how lucky I am. I’ve been
doing bass clinics in between these shows at Sam Ash’s around the
country. I’ve doing six bass clinics for my new bass that’s out now. As
far as life on the road is; I get up at ten or eleven in the morning;
go eat some breakfast, do some interviews, we have a Rock Star Energy
Drink signing at three o’clock . You go back in get ready for the show,
stretch out and we go on at five twenty and we rage. And then after
that, maybe some more interviews, eat some dinner and then the party
starts with the Jägermeister.”



WVOX.com: Anthrax came roaring out of the Bronx, New York in the
early 1980’s and fast made an international name for themselves in heavy
metal. After thirty-plus years, what are your thoughts on the bands
longevity and success?



Frank Bello: “I think after thirty - one years and seeing the young
generation that’s coming up of Anthrax fans and we are specifically
seeing it on this tour; there’s a whole new generation of Father’s and
brother’s bringing their kids out. It’s just been a really great time.
So, there’s a whole new generation along with our regular fan-base. It’s
really a passing of the torch. So, to see that just inspires us more,
it really sparks you up. It really does.”






WVOX.com: Anthrax has forever put their stamp on New York metal and
for that matter all over the world. What are the bands plans for writing
new material? What’s on the agenda for a Worship Music follow up?



Frank Bello: “Actually, what we are planning on doing is doing some
covers. We’re doing some cover versions of songs and re-releasing the
record in the fall with some special cover songs such as a RUSH track
and a BOSTON song. It’s gonna be great. Some really cool stuff which I
think people are really going to dig. And we also have a lot more
touring to do; we’re going out with Motörhead in Europe in November and
then we’re on the road with Testament and Death Angel.”


Wvox.com: What’s your message for your world-wide fans?



Frank Bello: “Thank you! You know we are all family. I really mean that. I love you all.”