a conversation with singer Rob Perkins and bassist Gary Monardo about this year’s album Raging Violence, their new project launched in 2013.
Rob/Gary, before we would speak about Raging Violence, both of you are – so to speak – veterans since you are the part of the metal movement since the early ’80s. I mean Hirax (previously K.G.B., L.A. Kaos), Wargod, Cold Blood, Attaxe, Subversion etc.), can you give us any informations regarding these outfits?
R. P.: Wargod was my first band. Members were Myself vocals, Gene Hoglan drums, Michelle Meldrum guitar, Phil Williams guitar, Greg Gunthner bass Wargod was a speed, thrash, technical band. Gene Hoglan left to join Dark Angel, we found Lee Rauch (Ex Megadeth). Wargod didn’t play a lot of shows, I just think the band needed more exposure for label interest. Losing Gene definitely slowed our progress. Besides his drumming abilities, his arrangement ideas and songwriting were a huge part of the band. In an Alternate Universe, if Gene would had remained in the band, I believe we would have secured a record deal. After Wargod, I joined the original members of Agent Steel, replacing John Cyriis as vocalist. The name was changed to Phobia since John and his management owned the name, Agent Steel, and music. Juan Garcia guitarist, left to pursue his new band, Evil Dead. Phobia played several shows, but without the management that they previously had as Agent Steel, the band didn’t build momentum. I was also starting a project called Cold Blood with ex-Hirax members, Gary Monardo bass, Johnny Tabares drums. Brian Kelley and Bob Savage were the guitarists. We recorded a demo at the „Infamous” Track Records in Hollywood with Bill Metoyer. The whole thing was recorded live in the studio, in 5 takes or less. Probably could have done it more efficiently if alcohol wasn’t involved There was a lot of positive response to the demo. Attaxe was an Orange County thrash band. They had heard my vocals on the Cold Blood demo and reached out through a mutual friend, Brian Kelley. I recorded a demo and we played several shows and a small tour. After Attaxe, I collaborated with Agent Steel bassist, Mike Zaputil in a couple metal/ punk crossover bands, MoFo Homeboys, and KLD. KLD members were: Myself on vocals, Mike Zaputil (AKA: Mike Zap) bass, Brett Phillips guitar (Trivia: Brett was one of many guitarists in the early form of Megadeth). Shane Unkrich drums. KLD played a bunch of shows and recorded 2 demos. In 2006, there was an Indie label, Marquee Records, that was interested in releasing the Cold Blood demo, they asked if we had more songs to add to make it a complete album since the demo only had 5 tracks. We didn’t, but we told them we could write and record 3 more… We had to change the name to Cold Blood since another artist had adopted it and released music. Weapon13 was our new moniker… Subversion was Scott Owen’s solo project. Performing as guitarist and vocalist. Years later, 2011 Scott regrouped his band, and rebranded as Subversion AD. I joined taking over vocals, we did a few shows together.
G. M.: KAOS, LA KAOS, K.G.B were the natural progression to Hirax as with KAOS we started doing copies, added originals as time passed, LA KAOS was when Bob Savage became our guitarist, we then had to change our name to KGB because of another KAOS out there. Then came HIrax where we recorded the 84 demo which became very popular in the underground with tape trading going on at that time. The style was very NOBHM. Suddenly we went from a party band to playing clubs such as Radio City in Orange County and the Troubadour in Hollywood. Once Johnnie replaced Brian Keith and Scott Owen replaced Bob Savage our style went to full-on speed metal. Cold Blood was between Hate Fear and Power and the Blasted in Bangkok ep. Weapon 13 did a demo but we didn’t pursue anything further. Cold Blood and Weapon 13 consisted of myself, Bob Savage, Johnnie Tabares and Rob.
Gary, in your opinion, were Raging Violence and Hate, Fear and Power influential crossover/thrash releases?
G. M.: Raging Violence was huge in the initial genre of speed metal/crossover/thrash. It was very influential to many bands and it’s still relevant and popular 40 years later. Raging Violence is mentioned quite often in top speed metal albums of all time. Hate, Fear and Power was a tighter effort as our songwriting and musicianship progressed.
Rob, Wargod released two demos (Demo ’85, Demo ’86), how would you described these materials?
The first demo was recorded on an 8 track tape deck. Featuring myself, Gene Hoglan, Michelle Meldrum, Phil Williams, Greg Gunthner. It was straight forward thrash/metal and speed. Vocals were just basic angry staccato. Demo 2 had much more complex arrangements. The songs were much longer and technical.
Was, by the way, Wargod an established band?
Yes. I think Wargod was an established band. More so if you are a fan of the thrash metal genre. Wargod does appear in Encyclopedia Metallum and several other sites, so we must have been valid… Right??lol
Both Hirax and Wargod had a lot of compilation appearances, did they help a lot the bands to attract label’s interests, to increase their fanbase?
R. P.: Yes! Absolutely. Since there was no internet or fan page or any of the promotional tools available today, the only way to promote a new band was through tape trading and compilation albums. Ask Metallica if appearing on Metal Massacre 1/Metal Blade Records did anything to help their career….lol.
G. M.: Bombs of Death was originally on Metal Massacre 6, but we were signed by Metal Blade Records before that. The 84 demo is what impressed Brian Slagel and he signed us off of that.
Rob, why failed Wargod to get a record deal back in the day?
Lee Rauch quit the band. We didn’t want to start over from scratch, looking for another drummer. So it ended. No band, no label….lol
Your ex-bandmates, I mean Lee Rausch and Michelle Meldrum passed away during the years, how do you want them to be remembered?
Regarding the passing of Michelle Meldrum and Lee Rauch, I was obviously shocked and saddened when I had heard. Michelle effected me on a more personal level. We were in a relationship for a while. We kept it private though, for professional reasons. Lee was a guy who I think deserved a second shot. He’s one of the few people I know who made a conscious effort to redeem himself. For those who never met him, Lee was kind, but outspoken, talented, but modest. I know Michelle will be remembered through her music, and by those personally knew her.
What were your views, by the way, on the L. A. scene considering the early ’80s, when outfits, such as Slayer, Metallica, Shellshock/Dark Angel, Abattoir, Savage Grace, Sceptre, Megadeth, Vermin, Détente etc. were popping up to make a name for themselves?
R. P.: It was the Big 4 Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, then Dark Angel, then Pantera (’89), and the classic metal bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. While that was happening, there was glam rock/metal which actual metal fans despised. I didn’t really get into the 3rd tier bands that came after. I think some of the later bands incorporated too much of their influences into their writing and the whole sound became faceless.
G. M.: The LA scene was coming on strong in the 80’s. Spearheaded by Slayer and Megadeth. Crossover was starting to come into it’s own with Suicidal Tendencies, DRI and Corrosion of Conformity.
In your opinion, was the L. A. scene divided into two parts? On the one hand there were the glam/hair outfits, while on the other hand there were the thrash/speed/power ones?
G. M.: It was absolutely divided into 2 parts. We would always refer to the hair metal/glam genre as posers and soft.
How about bands, that emerged later on, for example, Death Force, Viking, Recipients Of Death, Archenemy, Bloodcum, Terrorizer, Sadistic Intent etc.?
G. M.: I didn’t pay much attention to Viking, Sadistic Intent etc. I do remember Bloodcum because Tom Arya’s brother was in that band.
Did the thrash scene become oversaturated at the late ’80s?
G. M.: Yes, I believe it became way oversaturated, lots of bands hopping on the bandwagon. Much less talented and the songs were just getting amateurish and sloppy.
By the way, were the ’80s the heyday(s) of the metal scene as a whole?
G. M.: The 80’s were definitely the heyday of metal with Metallica Kill em All, Ride the Lightning, and Master of Puppets, Slayer with Reign in Blood, Megadeth with Peace sells and Anthrax with Among the Living. We were also introduced to some badass German bands such as Sodom and Destruction. We can’t forget Exodus, Testament and Possessed all came from that era.
At which point did you decide to join forces under the moniker of Raging Violence? What’s the line up like?
R. P.: In 2013, Gary, Scott, Johnny, myself and Bob Savage regrouped to form the Raging Violence project.
G. M.: Back in 2013 or 2014 we decided to reunite with Bob Savage (Hirax 84 demo) and the other 3 original members from the Raging Violence album. Myself, Johnnie and Scott.
It seems, you are good/close friends, correct?
R. P.: We all are friends. I was friends with Gary, Johnny and Scott before we ever played together. Bob I didn’t know till we got together to form Cold Blood.
G. M.: Yes, We are all still good friends after all of these years. We lost contact for many years before the last recording in 2014, lost contact again for a bit but this new release has seen us renew our bond.
Was it unequivocal using the title of the Hirax record as a band name?
G. M.: Regarding the Raging Violence name we chose that because we were the musicians and songwriters on that album and it’s a big part of our musical legacy.
This year you released a material, containing six re-recorded Hirax tunes and three originals, as for your own songs, how were they penned? How do they sound like?
R. P.: It’s a hybrid version of their earlier works from their Hirax tenure. The thing I like about the additional 3 songs most is the different dynamics of each. Due to the fact, that each one was written by a different guy. Bob wrote CRUTCH Scott wrote PEACE IN ANARCHY Gary wrote ASSEMBLE THE DEAD I wrote the lyrics for all of them so there is a commonality. I think any fans of metal, classic, thrash, speed, etc. will love this record. It’s been described as classic thrash with 21st century production.
G. M.: We had this idea that aside from the Hirax songs, Scott, Bob and myself would write one song each and Rob would complete them with his lyrics. Scott wrote Peace in Anarchy, Bob wrote Crutch and I wrote Assemble the Dead. The music is heavier, tighter and a little more complex than early Hirax in my opinion. Of course we all matured as songwriters.
What about the recording sessions?
R. P.: 3 new songs were written and recorded between 2013 and 2015 at 2 different studios, Pure Rock Studios/Dan Ochoa engineering and Backline Studios/TK Wiley engineering and producing.Both recording sessions were done completely sober by the way….lol
How could/would you recommend the stuff the fans, our readers, respectively?
G. M.: Fans are going to hear a tighter, heavier and cleaner version of the Hirax songs with different vocals. Katon’s voice was very polarizing to many so we thought it was a great idea to have the fans hear these songs as they were meant to be played and with a different vocal dynamic. The original Hirax versions were faster than we intended and somewhat sloppy in parts.
German Golden Core Records released the stuff, how did they pick up the band?
R. P.: 2024 Raging Violence signed a distribution contract with ZYX MUSIC/GOLDEN CORE RECORDS.
Did you manage to sign a long-term contract? Perhaps you know the owner of the label Andreas „Neudi” Neuderth?
R. P.: Andres „Neudi” Neuderth from Golden Core found us online. We had posted a few of the tracks. We have a 6-year contract with ZYX MUSIC/GOLDEN CORE RECORDS Digital, vinyl, CD.
Does/Did he do a lot of promotion, support etc. for you?
R. P.: The label is very supportive. They produced a promotional release video for our album, and have flooded every single digital platform with Raging Violence.
Do you plan to play live shows, go on tours?
R. P.: 2023 I started writing with Brett Phillips and working with engineer/producer TK Wiley on my project, RPG GROUP. 2025 Raging Violence tour? HELLFEST? WACKEN? GRASPOP? KNOTFEST? MARYLAND DEATHFEST? AFTERSHOCK?
G. M.: We have definitely discussed playing live. Our goal is to play a few US and European festivals. Not necessarily a full-blown tour at this point as the 5 of us live in 3 different states.
How about your future plans? Do you maybe already have any material written for the next record?
R. P.: PainDemic recording sessions begin…. New material is being written now. I can’t wait for you guys to hear it!!!!
G. M.: Johnnie, Rob, and I have started a new band called PainDemic along with young up-and-coming Cheyenne Scott on guitar. All of my new writing efforts have been with PanDemic in mind.
Rob/Gary, thanks a lot for the interview, what are your closing words?
G. M.: Thank you for the interview! To the fans out there, thank you so much for the support through all of these years! Take a listen to our new album, you won’t be disappointed whether you’re an old Hirax fan or just hearing these songs for the first time. As always, keep it heavy!