Interview with Tales From the Pit Video Producer Jerry Allen
Interview by EvilG
First
of all, congrats on the release of TFTP #5!
Thank you. Appreciate the interview.
How long did it take to put this one together?
Well, the first band we interviewed for Issue #5 was S.O.D. back in
late 1999 and the final event we covered was Vio-lence's last show in
April of 2003. We covered many great events during that time frame
including Thrash Of The Titans, which I also co-organized with Walter
Morgan. I'd say my involvement with organizing and filming that event was
the main reason why #5 took so long but everything worked out in the end
and I was happy it took so long because had we put this out a year or so
earlier, the line up and material wouldn't have been as strong. What you
have to understand is I never put a time limit on myself when creating an
issue. I'll release the program when I feel I have enough killer material
to top my previous installment and satisfy myself.
It was a lot easier back in the late 80s/early 90s because there was
way more great thrash events happening. Obviously because thrash was in
it's glory days and shows were happening every weekend. If you recall,
they also had a yearly event called Foundation's Forum where great metal
acts from all over the world would gather for a weekend of metal. Sort of
a convention. I got so much great material for the early issues at those
events. Just one weekend and I had interviews and live footage (if they
played) with at least 10 bands. That cuts down on time in a big way. We're
a small company so we don't have the luxury of flying around to all these
events. We have to wait for bands to come to us or at least California.
What we do is all self financed without any corporate backing. And we
choose to keep it that way. I still have a contract from Metal Blade
sitting on my desk. Without sounding pretentious or gay, I look at these
videos the same way a painter or sculptor looks at something they're
trying to create. They create something they hope others will enjoy but
their primary goal is to please themselves first. Unless they are a
commercial artist. Which I'm not. My approach is far from commercial and
that's why I choose to do things myself and at my own pace. When it's
ready and it makes me happy as a program I'd like to watch myself, I
release it. Yes, I could pump these out quicker if I wanted to include
bands I wasn't really into but I think the main reason why Tales From The
Pit turns out the way it does is because the viewer can identify with the
honest approach behind it. Like them, we are into the bands we cover.
There's no bandwagons we jump on or favors we do for labels. No agendas
except our own....which is obviously to create an entertaining and
informative program that promotes metal and the scene we love.
Why was there a long gap between #4 and #5?
We put out #4 in late '93 and that was a very rough time in my life.
I'd say the combination of grunge and nu metal dominating heavy music
mixed with the downfall of the thrash scene was the primary reason why I
said "fuck it" for a while. I got burnt out and jaded. Add to
that a messy divorce and a drug problem and you have all the ingredients
of someone who needed to get their shit together and figure out a new game
plan. I really didn't have much of a scene to cover as my videos are
dedicated to primarily old school thrash. Of course there was some good
bands still playing at the time but my favorite bands that inspired me to
do the program to begin with were dead or dying or evolving into something
gay.
What I did during those years was listen to my old death, thrash and
traditional metal albums and found work on independent films and projects
my industry friends were doing to earn a living. I think I really needed
that time off to recharge, get healthy and clean, learn some new things
from some of the pros I was working for and come back with a vengeance. I
never stopped listening to the music or quit being a metal head though.
That is something I'll never grow out of. I'm talking old school. In 1998
I decided to put out a Best Of TFTP which is a 3 hour compilation of
highlights from the first 4 issues mixed with a bunch of new classic
stuff...like Glen Benton of Deicide, Testament in the studio with Dave
Lombardo recording their brilliant The Gathering album, Paul Baloff doing
a hilarious 'work out' routine and more..
That sort of got me back into the groove and got me into my old TFTP
mindframe. I released the Best Of and promoted the hell out of it to as
many metal press outlets as possible (more on that subject later) which
resulted in some great reviews and opened many doors and opportunities
when it came time to start issue #5. I also bought all new digital cameras
and digital editing tools so it's fair to say that this was the issue that
was going to top all previous efforts in quality and approach. It's the
first one that actually looks semi-professional. Ha ha! I can't even watch
my previous ones anymore because my skills as a director and editor are
much more advanced and the old equipment I was using was great for the 80s
but in today's DVD spoiled society, it just doesn't hold up. You gotta
grow. I've learned so much over the years but I have a lot more to learn.
Why isn't #5 for sale on DVD or DVD-R? A DVD burner is inexpensive
now so there are no excuses! haha!....well maybe there are, if so let's
hear them! :-)
Baby
steps my friend. Haha! There is nothing I'd love more than to be able to
release everything on DVD. I love DVD. I own over 300 movies and music
related titles as we speak. The thing is I don't want to put out something
bare bones and lame because I know how I feel when I buy a DVD and it's
got nothing on it but the program. We don't have the budget to put out the
type of DVD I'd want to see this released on so it's out on video at the
moment because it makes more sense for us economically. We are old school.
Videos are old school. You'll get a DVD somewhere down the road in the not
too distant future and when it comes out, it will be loaded with extras
and shit. I'm certainly not going to burn a bunch of DVDs one by one
anyway. I don't even do that with the videos. We have them duped
professionally in semi large quantities. I have my hands full just trying
to keep up with orders at the moment. All I can say is have patience.
Hell, Indiana Jones just came out and Star Wars has yet to come out. Haha!
Not that TFTP compares with those titles but shit man, I've waited forever
for those to come out and I'm still waiting so unfortunately things don't
happen as quickly as we want but at least you have a video to watch for
now.
Will TFTP #6 possibly be available on DVD/DVD-R?
Whenever and if ever I do TFTP #6, of course it will go straight to DVD
and no video release. Like I said, baby steps. The reason I say "if
ever" is because I've had a few offers to do some official DVDs for
bands we feature on TFTP and I think I'd like to explore those options if
and when they materialize. I feel I'd be a perfect choice to direct a DVD
for a thrash band(s). Think Kreator and Overkill's latest but better. All
it takes is a contract and a budget. I have the vision.
Another thing we want to do is make a low budget horror film in the
tradition of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Last House On The
Left. I'm talking about a real film. My background started in Hollywood
and I've worked on quite a few genre films in the late 80s. I still have a
lot of old contacts who have become fairly powerful people in the business
since I last worked with them. We have been in touch and they are
interested in doing something. They are the type of people that can get a
script funded and name talent to star in it. I'd also incorporate my
thrash metal influences and have some notable musicians making cameos and
such. We'll see how it all works out. Tales From The Pit is something I
love doing but even though they are technically video magazines, the
approach is very similar to making a documentary. The amount of work is
certainly the same. I never say never. There may be a #6 somewhere down
the road but with me, I always have to move forward. That doesn't mean
selling out...it means I'm limited with TFTP. If I can promote metal in
bigger ways, that's what I'd be happier doing.
I've also noticed a big trend with SOME of the metal press in this day
and age. Back in the day we all helped out each other for the common cause
of supporting the scene. Nowadays a lot of these magazines want you to buy
ad space just to review your product. Hell, If a label asks me to put a
banner ad on my web site and I like the band, I'll put it up free of
charge. Especially after they sent me a free promo. A lot of these press
people not only expect a free promo but they want you to pay them as well.
Totally weak! Of course there are still good press people out there who
love metal and support the scene. I'm talking about a few I've recently
run across that left me totally disgusted. They requested a video to
review from me and then sit on reviewing it or spam me with demands to buy
ad space off them or it will effect my review. Those people are total
jackasses and give metal a bad name. Maybe I'll list them on my web site
soon.
What made you decide to do a "video magazine" as opposed
to a print magazine or a website?
Like I said, my background is in film and video production and I love
metal. It was like that commercial where the chocolate gets mixed with the
peanut butter. Haha! Also, there was no such thing as web sites when I
started doing TFTP.
Where did you learn the art of video production?
Massachusetts College of Art and UCLA Film School.
How did you get Vio-Lence vocalist Sean Killian vocalist Mark
Osegueda of Death Angel to be the hosts of #5?
They are friends of mine. I just asked them and they said yes.
Did you consider doing the hosting yourself?
I'm on there a little bit but who the fuck wants to see me host? Haha!
They want to see Paul Baloff or Sean or Mark.
On TFTP #5, how old is the content, namely the interviews and when
were the host sections filmed? Some of it seems new!
It all spans the last 3 years but most of it is new from 2003.
There were a lot of video "clips" used on TFTP #5, but not
full videos. Some of them were ones I haven't seen in ages or haven't seen
at all and it would of been nice to have more in the way of that I
think?!?!
Just pick up a bootleg or the band's official home DVD releases or
watch Headbanger's Ball if you want to see whole videos. Tales From The
Pit is about the interviews and other rarities you never see anywhere
else. The music clips just make the interviews more interesting and gives
the viewer a sense of what the band is all about so you'll go out and buy
their albums. You have to realize that with as many bands per issue that
we feature and to keep it interesting, it's got to be a fast moving,
quickly paced program that informs and entertains but the most important
thing is to promote. If we played whole videos, we'd be getting into the
area of royalties and such. We feature clips because that's all we're
allowed to feature. Our goal is to turn people on to the stuff we present
and leave them wanting more so they'll actually support the band by buying
the albums.
In my review of TFTP #5, there were two things I that I pointed out
that I disliked (and that's why I gave the tape a 4/5 instead of a 5/5).
The first was the interview with the goth skank calling herself
"Mistress Persephone" and the second was the silly "Brawlin'
Broads" section. Why did you (in my opinion) waste space with that
instead of using it for more things like full videos, longer (or just
more) interviews, and more live footage showing COMPLETE songs from the
Thrash of the Titans gig or any other gig?!
Uh...again because I make these programs for me. It's stuff I find
funny or interesting. If you like it..great..if you don't...I really don't
care. I can handle the criticism but the bottom line is, I dig what I put
on my programs. You and one other guy are the only ones who seem to be
hung up on it. If you get a moment, check out some of the customer/fan
testimonials on the TFTP site. A lot of people have sited those segments
as highlights of the tape and favorites of theirs. You can't please
everyone so I just try to please me and hope others like it...if not...oh
well. As far as replacing it with more metal...well what the fuck dude? I
just gave you 2 1/2 hours of metal, is it okay if I break it up and put
something different on there? Something that makes you laugh or gets you
to talk about it in reviews? You sound like a frustrated director. Haha!
As far as more TOTT stuff...dude, to be honest, people would be
complaining there wasn't enough of it no matter how long we made the
segment. Hopefully we can get it released on DVD in the future so people
can enjoy a longer version of it but I'm sure there will be people people
complaining then as well. Haha! It's all up to Walter and Chuck. The ball
is in their court. They can make it happen and they know how.
Tell us a bit about yourself such as...
- how you got into metal
I was stoned out of my mind on the way to a party when I was in High
School and the driver of the car put on Judas Priest's Stained Class. I
managed not to kill myself, had a great time at the party and went out and
bought it the next day. The rest was history.
What are some of your fav bands?
Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, old Slayer, Exodus, Death Angel, Vio-lence,
Overkill, old Sepultura, The Haunted, At The Gates, S.O.D., Testament, 80s
Anthrax, Kreator, Nuclear Assault, Dew Scented, Venom, Witchery, The
Crown, Napalm Death, Deicide...and a shitload more.
How
did you get into the video production business and what other video things
have you done with Metallian Productions?
I broke into the film business by moving to Los Angeles from Boston in
the mid 80s, attended UCLA, dropped out to actually work on some Hollywood
films, made a bunch of money and started my own company...to make a long
story short. We put out a Mentors home video back in the early 90s when El
Duce was still alive and got some rave reviews.
Do you play any instruments or have you been in a band yourself?
I had a side project called Storm Of Hate. I sang. Very badly. I didn't
pursue it and stuck to making videos. You CAN hear the music from my
project during the opening titles of Tales From The Pit #5. We just looped
a really cool riff. It's not the whole song. But yeah, I'm a frustrated
musician.
Anything else you'd like to add...
I like beer.
Please tell us what happened with the planned DVD release of the
Thrash of the Titans benefit gig? Some KILLER scenes are on TFTP #5, but
I'd like to see the full thing!! Will it ever come out in a huge full
length DVD box set?
Basically what happened with the DVD is there was never a concrete
agreement to put out a DVD. It was all a verbal agreement that wasn't set
in stone. It was just talk. Like anything in the music business, verbal
agreements get broken and plans get shelved. To be honest, it will be
nearly impossible to release the concert in it's entirety. Do you have any
idea of the music rights and red tape involved with 10 different bands
giving us rights to entire sets? What we talked about originally was a few
songs from each band like the old Ultimate Revenge videos. Even that will
be difficult. Some bands like Exodus don't want that footage to ever get
out. They feel their performance wasn't that great and to be honest, they
didn't practice much. Every band is going to have their own set of
demands. 10 sets of demands. It's not a simple task by any means. I own
the footage. If one of the bands wants to use it for their own home
release well then you could possible see a whole set by a band. It's
probably the only way it will happen. I'd love it to come out though. Make
me an offer.
You must be pretty disappointed that it didn't come out?
Well we busted our asses filming it and I lost a $2K camera so I was
hoping to recoup the losses when we finalized the deal in writing. Shit
happens. Move on. Someone is going to want to put it out and make a deal
one day. They'd be fools not to. Haha!
Do you have plans to do anything like TOTT again - be it a benefit
gig or a normal metal festival?
If someone I knew got sick and I could help them in some way, I'd do it
in a second. I'm not interested in organizing any metal shows for the fuck
of it though. We did TOTT for a special cause.
What do you think Death Angel's return (with a new album) in 2003
will be like? Will it be a continuation from Act III? A redefining moment
in thrash metal? A mix between Death Angel and the oddball Swarm? etc...
Death Angel are a really smart band. They know what's up. I've heard
some of the new material played live and I was really impressed. Exodus as
well.
Didn't you film the Death Angel reunion gig? Or was that their
appearance of TOTT? If it was a separate gig, will it be released because
I want to buy a copy!
Yes, I filmed their TOTT and reunion shows. We'll see if it gets
released. Anything is possible.
What thrash band should reunite? (I would like to see Forbidden
return).
You pretty much nailed it. I would LOVE to see Forbidden come back with
Craig and Bostaph.
What thrash band should call it a day?
Although you can't really call them a thrash band anymore, I seriously
think Metallica should call it a day.
Here's some quick questions for you...
Bay area thrash or German thrash?
Well, that's not fair because you know I'm gonna say Bay Area!! Haha!
Testament or Vio-Lence?
Oh shit...that's a tough one. I love them both.
Clean vocals or cookie monster?
I've got nothing against cookie monster vocals but I do think it's
been overdone to death. No pun intended. The thing about cleaner vocals is
it gives the band more of a unique identity. Look at old school Bay Area
thrash. Every band played somewhat similar thrash music but the vocals
were so unique, you knew exactly who they were immediately. It takes more
talent to sing. If you can sing at times and growl as well, I think it's
better.
80's thrash or modern thrash?
80s thrash all the way....but I really do love The Haunted, Witchery,
Dew Scented and few other modern thrash bands.
Next thrash band that will make it?
Dew Scented and The Haunted!!
NU Metallica - shit or not?
COMPLETE SHIT!
Most under rated thrash band?
EXODUS.
Most over rated thrash band?
I don't know...Pantera?
Favourite video / fav live video?
MTV style promo would be a tie between Slayer's War Ensemble and
Seasons In The AByss. I dug the black and white aggression of WE and the
whole Egypt vibe of SITA. Live video would be Britney Spears live in Las
Vegas. Hahaha! No, probably the original Ultimate Revenge with Exodus,
Slayer and Venom.
What are your top 10 thrash metal albums of all time?
1.) SLAYER - Reign In Blood
2.) EXODUS - Bonded By Blood
3.) METALLICA - Master Of Puppets
4.) VIO-LENCE - Eternal Nightmare
5.) OVERKILL - Horrorscope
6.) DEATH ANGEL - The Ultra-Violence
7.) S.O.D. - Speak English or Die
8.) DARK ANGEL - Darkness Descends
9.) TESTAMENT - The New Order
10.) KREATOR - Extreme Aggression
Any closing words for the reader of metal-rules.com?
Support thrash by going to the shows and BUYING the albums. This
downloading shit is way out of hand. Sampling a few songs is cool but
fools downloading whole albums and ripping the artists off is lame.
Thanks for the interview.
Official homepage:
www.talesfromthepit.com