Richard Christy
January 20th, 2010 - Written by judith–
It was on January 19th 2010 that I had the chance to have a phone interview with a drum and Metal music legend: Richard Christy. Here is an inside look into the creation of his new album with his new band “Charred Walls of the Damned” and a conversation with a passionate man.
CONFRONT: Hi Richard, Judith CONFRONT Magazine how are you?
RICHARD: Hi Judith. I’m great how are you?
CONFRONT: I’m great. Thanks a lot for allowing us to have an interview with you
RICHARD: The pleasure is mine
CONFRONT: So first let me explain briefly what we are. Our magazine is called CONFRONT Magazine. We are an online music magazine that some friends and I started 3 and a half years ago. We want to bring music to the world!
RICHARD: This is great
CONFRONT: Ok so let me start by some fun questions we call our CONFRONT questions that we ask all of our interviewees
RICHARD: Perfect
CONFRONT: what would be the first and the last CD you remember buying?
RICHARD: I hate to say that I’m kind of old…. But I am so…J and the first music I bought was on vinyl. It was actually a gift, its was a Peter Criss solo album and a Johnny Cash record that my aunt gave me, but as far me purchasing music, the first music I’ve purchased was I saved up my money in 1983 to buy Quiet Riot’s “Metal Hell” and that was on cassette. I also remember when CDs came out, the first actually CD I bought and this is a little embarrassing to say but I’ll admit it was Stryper’s “In God we Trust” and I didn’t even have a CD player at the time so…I wanted a CD and I figured I’d buy a CD player eventually and then ended up not getting one for about four years so… that was the first CD and the first music that I ever bought. The last, was… let me think…Volbeat “Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood”.
CONFRONT: nice, many different types of music that’s great. Now what would be the first and the last concert you’ve attended as a fan?
RICHARD: My first concert was Stryper and White Lions in 1988 I was 14 years old and my mother took me to see them and I was still to this day maybe the loudest concert I’ve ever been too. I was great. I couldn’t hear a thing for about three days afterwards but it was totally worth it J . The last concert I was at was Metallica, Volbeat and Lamb of God at Madison Square Garden in New York City and it was an amazing show. I’ve been friends with Lamb of God for years and years so to see them play Madison Square Garden made me really proud and they were awesome. Every band ruled so that was definitely a killer show.
CONFRONT: wow another very loud show
RICHARD: yeah for sure, but by now I’m half deaf anyway so it like I’m almost permanently wearing ear plugs even loud noises don’t effect me as much anymore because I’m half deaf from listening to heavy metal since I was ten years old
CONFRONT: yeah that make sense J ok now what would be guilty pleasure you have musically? Something you might not want your fans to know you like; well they will do now but, or something you listen to alone in your car or…
RICHARD: Well definitely one of them is Stryper as I’ve mentioned earlier. I was a big Stryper fan when I was a kid and still am. I saw them play this past September in New York City and they sounded amazing so I do catch a little flag for it but you know… everybody as their own tastes… I love Stryper what can I say right…
CONFRONT: exactly. So tell us about this new band you’re starting ‘Charred Walls of the Damned’?
RICHARD: yup, Charred Walls of the Damned it’s a band with myself and Tim Owens on vocals. He formally sang with Judas Priest in the 90’s, he is the guy they made the movie “RockStar”, Mark Wahlberg played him…
CONFRONT: I remember that movie
RICHARD: we’ve been friend for a long time now so he was the first one I thought of to sing in the band. On bass I have my good Steve Digiorgio who I’ve also played with for a long time and he is my favourite bass player so. And on guitar I have my good friend Jason Suecof, who is better known as a producer then a guitar player but he is an amazing player so I had to ask him to play in my new band. That’s pretty much the band. There is me of course I’ve been player the drums for a long time and played with a lot of bands but this is the first time I have pretty much been in control, where I write the music and it’s been a lot of fun
CONFRONT: well it does seem like you’re having a lot ot fun and you’re talking about the fact that you are happy to be playing again.You’ve been said to re-enter the heavy metal scene… what do you think about that?
RICHARD: Yeah it definitely does seem like I’m re-entering it but I mean heavy metal is something that I love and always will love, I’ve never left heavy metal as far as loving the music, I went and saw a lot of shows, I’ve played drums everyday so it’s always been present in the five and a half years I’ve been out of the scene but it’s always been in my heart you know…but as far as recording and touring yeah I’m definitely re-entering heavy metal. Yes I have a day job at the Howard Stern show but this is something (making the album) that I reall y wanted to take some time for and do it well. I’ve been working on music for the past five and a half years so it made sense to me to make this album and come back.
CONFRONT: well, we are very happy you’re back
RICHARD: that’s another thing I love, metal fans never forget. Doesn’t matter how long you go away for, when you come back they remember and appreciate you as much and if not even more then before.
CONFRONT: you have great fans
RICHARD: yes we do
CONFRONT: Talking about fans… Do you have any advice for your fans and the starting drummers…musician who would like to have a career as prosper as yours?
RICHARD: yeah well for starting up drummers I’d say to listen to as many types of music as possible. The more music they listen to the more they’ll be able to find their style, they’ll be able to see what they like and don’t like. Have an open mind about music. Set at least an hour or two a day to practice… to me this is key, be dedicated to what you’re doing. Even me to this day if I don’t play at least an hour a day I feel like I’m missing on something you know. It good to have a good work ethic… love it and be passionate…dive in head first.
CONFRONT: For sure. You’re living your dream.
RICHARD: yes I am, it wasn’t always easy but I worked hard and I love it
CONFRONT: yeah talking about working hard what if one day you decided to stop, what would you want you legacy to be?
RICHARD: well as far as my drumming is concern I’ve received a lot of email from fans saying they love my drumming on the album by Death “Sound of Perseverance” and I agree and you know was a fan first and became best friend with Chuck (Chuck Schuldiner lead singer of the band) and loved playing with him. He passed and I miss him everyday so of course being remembered for my work with him would be great and also I really love the work I’ve done on this album so I’d like and would be proud to be remembered for that
CONFRONT: well I’m sure you’ll be greatly remembered for that work. This is it for me… thanks a lot for doing this with us Richard
RICHARD: thanks to you
Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.
You can check him out at
http://www.myspace.com/richardchristy69
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