rattlead.hu
interview with the former Thrust guitarist C. B. Sebastian.
C. B., being based in Chicago, do you think that Trouble and Zoetrope were the first original heavy metal bands who were actually really heavy and not hard rock?
Trouble and Zoetrope? Well … Trouble is more metal heavy like Sabbath… I don’t remember Zoetrope as much. We are good friends with Trouble. We go see them rehearsed and the see us.
Did they immediately manage to put the town on the map of the Heavy Metal/Hard Rock scene?
In those days. Everyone plays in clubs such as Haymakers/ Rusty Nail/ thursty Whale. And we where like 20/25 years old. Metal scene was just beginning. Radio stations like WMET and the Loop where playing metal/hard rock.
Were they the first to define a sound of heaviness in the scene and maybe everyone kind of took that sound a little?
They (Zoetrope and Trouble) were the earliest bands that brought everyone together, weren’t they? Both of them were influential…
Trouble was the heavy!! I don’t remember Zoetrope.
Was the early Chicago metal scene a traditional heavy metal one?
Hard rock mostly.
Do you think that besides Zoetrope and Trouble, Witchslayer, Slauter Xstroyes (previously Naj, White Which), Hammeron and a little bit later Thrust, Snowhite/Znöwhite, Iron Cross, War Cry (incl. Paul Speckmann), Mayhem Inc. etc. belonged to the first wave of Chicago’s metal?
Sure.
Were all of the bands different from each other and just sounded completely different from each other? Did everybody just have their own unique sound?
I think Trouble and us have a unique sound. But that’s just my opinion.
Was it a kind of camaraderie among the bands back then?
We all hang out in bars and enjoy the shows. The metal community on chicago is the best. Everytime there’s a concert in town like Motorhead or ozzy, we would see the same people lining up to see the show too.
At which point and how was Thrust formed? What about the line up?
We were in high school together. Me, John, Ron. And we all listened to metal. I happened to play guitar and John drums. Ron was in white cross. Just a bunch of kids trying out. Lol… i think ( not sure) John convinced him to join us.John knows better than me.
A split Ep Solidarność Rock for Poland (incl. The Lazer Band) in 1982 and two demos in 1983 were released, can you give us any details regarding these materials?
That was a long time ago… lol
John Bonata switched to the vocals and Ross Cristao became the new drummer, what was the reason of it?
I think that was the key to define our sound. Ross is an awesome drummer. And John has that death metal voice. And his lyrics. We needed a singer and John stepped in wanted to give it a shot! We went for it!!! Price’s bass is really good too.
The song Destructer made it onto Metal Blade Records’ Metal Massacre IV compilation in 1983, did you manage to make a name for the band or to expand your fanbase with this opportunity
Metal was starting to get recognized.
On this compilation were there five Chicago bands, Thrust, Trouble, Zoetrope, Witchkiller and War Cry, did it put Chicago on the map of the metal scene and opened the doors for other outfits, such as Terminal Death, Devastation, Mayhem Inc. etc.From there, you were signed to the label and releasedyour debut Fist Held High, what do you recall of the recording sessions?
Did you have a decent budget, by the way?
For the studio? It was ok.
Did the debut offer eight songs with a more than solid foundation?
Yes. I think so.
How do you view, that this album has plenty of aggressive moments aided by the strong production, and the NWOBHM influences that bring the intensity a cut above Judas Priest are evident on tracks like Overdrive, Metallic Attack and Thrasher?
It was pretty much hardcore/ prog met.
Did the band show their versatility in slower, lengthier numbers like the 8 minute Freedom Fighters, as well as Torture Chamber?
Our songwriting progress as time went by Listen to the song…. No mercy.
Did Posers Will Die! show the band’s more humorous side?
Yup… that was fun.
Are Fist Held High, Overdrive, Heavier than Hell and Posers Will Die! pure US metal anthems with just enough melody and catchiness?
We wanted metal!!! Lol.
How do you view, that the album sounds remarkably good for its time; the guitars’ presences are felt front and centre, the bass is quite audible and the drum tones are clear and punch?
The remastered version is so much better.
Is Fist Held High a decent effort that sits in a position between heavy and speed metal, with some traces of the emerging USPM genre?
Well, we all love Heavy and Speed metal. And still do.
Were there any shows or tours in support of the record?
Some shows but no tour. Metal Blade was just starting so Money was tight.
C. B., thanks a lot for your answers, what are your closing words?
Thank you. Metal heads!!
