One of the boldest moves that legendary thrash mongers Anthrax ever made was to fire their longtime frontman Joey Belladonna in 1992, a move that inevitably sent the metal community into a fit of frustration. After the introduction of former Armored Saint vocalist John Bush to the band’s ranks Anthrax went on to record some of the best material of their career. Fast forward to the present day and, once again, the band have shocked the metal world by reuniting with Belladonna and the rest of the classic Among The Living line-up which also includes guitarists Dan Spitz and Scott Ian, bassist Frank Bello and drummer Charlie Benante. For many die-hard fans including myself, this is by far one of the coolest events to take place in the history of the genre. Having never been given the opportunity to see the classic Anthrax line-up perform back in the day I was ecstatically happy that the guys decided to go this route. As with any change in the continuity of an artist’s career the fans usually follow suit with a lot of confusion, misplaced speculation and a genuine feeling of eagerness as to what the future will hold. In an effort to alleviate concern and give insight into the decisions made by the band as well as dig a bit deeper into their history, philosophies and general outlook on life, I was privileged to speak with founding member Scott Ian in regard to these matters. In what proved to be a more than interesting and somewhat shocking conversation, Scott reaffirmed the band’s position as leaders in their own right and established some much needed clarification on what to believe and what not to believe when it comes to the rumors and gossip that clouds the truth. Amid talk of drinking milk, listening to your mommy, cracking smiles and necrophilia, this is definitely one for the books!

OT: Ok, well since you’re drivin’ and I don’t wanta cause any accidents I’ll try to get through this as quickly as possible.

Scott: Ok, man.

OT: Let me start by saying I’ve been looking forward to speaking with you for quite some time now, I’ve always taken great interest in everything you’ve had to say over the years, you come across as one of the most intelligent individuals that I’ve ever heard in Metal.

Scott: Well thanks. (Laughter) That’s kind of a backhanded compliment. I’m one of the most intelligent dudes ‘in Metal’.

OT: Not just in Metal but generally as well. It’s just that people get this mentality that metal heads are dumb but…, you know what?

Scott: I know, I know, I’m just f*ckin’ with you.

OT: I’ve learned a lot and you and Ronnie Dio are right up there at the top as far as intelligence, and I think Blackie Lawless is pretty smart too. What do you credit your intellect to? Do you read a lot?

Scott: I paid attention in school, I drank my milk all the time, I listened to my Mommy and I went to church.

OT: Ok, that’s something that’ll shock a few people.

Scott: If you believe that…. I don’t know, I really did actually pay attention in school, I was really good in school and I do read quite a bit and I am an opinionated prick, so I think it all goes hand-in-hand.

OT: (Laughing) Right on. Now y’know, this reunion kind of… it came out of the blue after releasing what I personally believe to be your best work ever-not to knock your previous albums-but We’ve Come For You All was just golden for me, man.

Scott: I agree, I agree, I think it’s our best one.

OT: And when the Greater Of Two Evils came out, I thought for sure that John was on board ‘til the bitter end. Then before anyone had a chance to know what happened, the classic line-up had returned. There are a lot of people on both sides of the fence that are having trouble with this: people that are happy about it, people that are not happy about it. When it was first decided to bring back the old line-up did you give any thought as to the impact - both for and against - this reunion?

Scott: No, no. We’ve never given thought to what anyone is gonna think or say. Outside of the people in this band, really no one else’s opinion matters. And it’s been like that since day one because if it wasn’t that way we never would have gotten past our first album. When we were first writing songs to make Fist Full Of Metal people were like, ‘You’re out of your minds, you’re never gonna be able to do this, you might as well just play Van Halen covers. Then you can go get gigs and make some money.’ If we would have listened to people we never would have done anything, we’ve never done this to please anybody but ourselves. And I think that’s true for any band, but especially in this music, when we started playin’ it nobody gave a f*ck, nobody cared about thrash metal or speed metal or any of that crap. So, in a sense, we’ve been on our own forever and people have come along for the ride, but we can’t base our decisions on what our audience is gonna think - we could never do that.

OT: Right, right. No I totally hear what you’re saying, stick to your guns and people will respect you more anyhow.

Scott: And I mean, that’s not as if to say we’re telling our audience to go f*ck themselves; far from it. We understand anytime you make a decision like that, of course, you’re gonna piss people off. When we fired Joey in 1992 we knew we were gonna piss off a huge portion of our audience, but if we didn’t do that then maybe the band doesn’t continue. And we get John Bush and we have this f*cking amazing dude in the band for thirteen years. And it just so happens we decided to make a call and try and put the reunion together and it happened and now we just find ourselves in a really weird place because instead of one singer we have two great singers; we don’t know what the f*ck we’re doin’.

OT: Right, that can present problems. Y’know it’s interesting, you guys make decisions and you’re not sure of the outcome, obviously there’s been a lot of doors opened for Anthrax by doing the things that you’ve done, but looking back over the years, has there been anything that you’ve regretted, any of the decisions that you’ve made?

Scott: No, no I can’t say that because, as far as line-up changes or anything like that, no, absolutely not. Really the only thing I can say where I felt like we ever made a mistake was we listened to Elektra in 1993 and we released “Black Lodge” as a single before “Room For One More.” I mean really that’s really the only thing that I could ever pinpoint to where we listened to somebody else and it was a mistake and I wish we could have that decision back. But outside of that, no, there’s really nothing else.

OT: It’s cool that you’re so confident about that. There are some artists that, if they could go back and do it all over again I think they’d make a lot of different decisions. But I’m glad to hear you say that because I believe it really has defined who Anthrax is, by sticking to your guns in that respect.

Scott: Right.

OT: Now you’ve obviously heard what’s been reported about where John Bush currently stands in regard to his place with Anthrax saying that it’s over with. What are your thoughts on his reaction to the reunion and what his outlook for the future is?

Scott: Well I know what his reaction to the reunion is and I know what his outlook for the future is. And what you read in the press and what is actually talked about between friends are two different stories and some things will remain personal and some decisions will be revealed when we decide to reveal them. Not every conversation that this band has is for public knowledge; it’s just the way it is. I’m sorry people on the internet, but you just can’t know everything.

OT: No doubt things do tend to get out of hand when it comes to the internet gossip that goes down. There’s always the twisted version of the story and of course the truth…. it’s like the old Telephone Game, rumor gets spread around and it doesn’t take long for the story to stray way off course. I just wanted to get your input and what you thought. And if you wanta keep it personal, that’s cool. I mean, I’m down with that.

Scott: Yeah, I really, truthfully, have nothing to say about it. Whatever decisions happen and however we move forward in this band will be made known when were ready, but we made a statement and the fact of the matter is we committed to do a reunion tour and that’s it. And nobody was fired and nobody’s quit. And people can speculate all they want, but until we say something then there’s really no reason for them to waste time speculating. Either enjoy it or don’t enjoy it.

OT: Good enough for me, man. I’m right there with ya; I’m definitely enjoying it, personally. When I was growing up I never got to see the band play back in those days. I’ve seen John perform with you guys on many occasions, but I’ve never seen Joey and so I’m really looking forward to checking that out.

Scott: Gotcha.

OT: Y’know, metal has definitely evolved over the years and you guys have been a major influence to a lot of musicians. I have to say that, looking at the career that you guys have had and as far as influences go, when you guys teamed up with Public Enemy and did “Bring The Noize” it was very, very cool. However, when Limp Bizkit arrived on the scene, I didn’t think that style was so cool anymore; it lost something along the way. In this respect how do you feel about the influence that you’ve had on the metal world?

Scott: That’s something that I really don’t think about. Because if I was making royalties on those people’s records I would have more of an interest in what they did or are doing; I really don’t pay attention, truthfully. I really only have time enough in the day to worry about myself and Anthrax and believe me; Anthrax is more than a 24 hour a day deal. Yeah, I don’t know, I really couldn’t tell you. Unless people specifically come up to me and tell me, ‘You are a huge influence.’ But it’s not something that I ever really think about or occupy my time with… ever.

OT: Interesting, that actually makes a lot of sense and probably helps you to not follow any trends and remain true to yourselves as musicians.

Scott: It would be different if I was retired and if I was living in Anton Levay’s mansion and drinking absinth and I could sit back and reminisce about my career and think about all the people I influenced. But that’s not the case, I’m in this now; I’m doing it now. I can’t imagine anyone who’s in a band playing any kind of music now, if you’re current and you’re making records and you’re out touring, I don’t know how thinking about how you’ve influenced other people, how that would ever fit into the pattern at all, truthfully.

OT: I’ve never thought of it that way, but I see your point. Now in the early days of the band, there was quite a bit of animosity towards religious and political figures and I know you’ve always been one to speak your mind. Nowadays the themes of your music - in a lot of ways - tend to be about, just kind of holding up the legacy of metal and reflecting back on the things that have meant most in your lives; a little bit more positive messages than what you may have used to convey. Has your outlook on life changed much in the past twenty years, from where you started to where you are now?

Scott: I don’t even remember what my outlook on life was twenty years ago, so… (Laughter) I was a kid, I have no idea; that’s something that I never paid attention to, truthfully. That’s why I was writing songs about Judge Dredd. I don’t really think I really had enough internal experience I hadn’t lived yet, I hadn’t experienced anything weighty enough or personal enough for me to be able to write about it. So everything was like a lot of external influences and I would write about stuff I saw on television in movies or in books. And that still plays a big part but I just write differently now, it just comes across differently. If anything it’s just as simple as that; I just try to not be as obvious, that’s all.

OT: Right on. I had this conversation with Dee Snider once and he’s spoken about it a lot, talkin’ about how he wasn’t angry any more after recording Stay Hungry and trying to do the next album. So I was just wondering if that was the same type of thing that happened for other artists. But, no, I hear what you’re saying and I tend to agree with you. I don’t really remember exactly what I was thinking twenty years ago either.

Scott: Right. I mean anger definitely plays a role in Metal, of course. But lyrically, for me, we’ve never really been that kind of band. I may rant about certain things in lyrics, but that’s never been the driving force, really, from day one. I guess maybe that’s something that sets us apart from the bands we came up with in the 80’s it just wasn’t constantly hitting you over the head with how pissed we are. I understand when you’re twenty years old and you’re in a Metal band…, I guess there was a lot to be pissed about. But I never felt so angry back then, I was just happy to be in the band and we were making records. I was never really an angry kid growing up. I guess it was a case of picking and choosing my spots, as far as if I’m really angry about something I’ll write about it, but I don’t have it in me to write ten songs on an album where I’m just pissed-off constantly.

OT: That would require a shit load of energy. Now you guys always had a lot of aggression but I think you came across as a lot more…, oh what’s the word for it? It seemed like you guys enjoyed yourselves more. You guys got off into some slap-stick comedy-type routines and different things and just havin’ a really good time as where a lot of the bands out there were very, very serious and a lot darker in their delivery and it just seems like you guys were just a big partyin’ band. I appreciate that; it actually made me feel better about life.

Scott: Well for us, we just did what we did. We were just guys who were in a band; we just never felt we needed to put on a ‘band face’. We would hang out with other bands back in the 80’s who, when they weren’t on stage or making records or taking pictures, they were the biggest goof balls you ever met but they would always have to wear a band face whenever they were doing anything, for the public to see. That’s just really something we never felt we needed to do, we just like - whatever we felt and whatever was going on…, whatever. If we were doing a photo session and we were acting like assholes then that would be the picture we took, whatever. We never cared if people saw us smile, I know that sounds so stupid but there are a lot of Metal bands out there who actually do care and make it a point. And for us, we were just regular dudes from New York City and we just felt like anything that was in us, why shouldn’t it come out through the band, this is who we are.

OT: Absolutely, absolutely. Now obviously Metal is a fairly easy target for society to point the finger at and blame for the decline of our civilization. What are your thoughts on the political and social impact that Metal has had on our culture and have you guys come under fire from conservative and religious factions over the years like many of your peers?

Scott: Naw, you know, we’ve never really had that much of a problem with any of that crap. I don’t know, we obviously don’t have the imagery that a lot of other bands have had over the years that conservative groups have pointed their fingers at. But I wish it would go further, I mean I wish Metal bands…, Black Metal bands are certainly taking it to the extreme and I wish it would go even further. I want to see corpse f*cking on stage, just to piss people off. My attitude is, hey man, whatever people wanta do they should f*cking do it and if you don’t like it, then I don’t give a f*ck. It’s not my problem if you don’t like it, then don’t watch it. And raise your kids properly. I don’t care; bands can’t go far enough as far as I’m concerned. I wish bands would go further and further and piss off more and more people.

OT: Interesting. Y’know it’s…

Scott: I already see the headline for this interview: ‘I want to see corpse f*cking on stage.’

OT: (Laughter) That’s a good one; you’re probably right.

Scott: Lesbian corpse f*cking. (Laughter)

OT: Funny. Forgive me for mentioning Dee Snider again, but something just struck me. In the 80’s when he went before congress against the PMRC he was the enemy and just a couple years ago he was playing an Arnold Schwarzenegger rally, performing “We’re Not Gonna Take It”. And all the people that were against him, their kids have grown up now and they’re all supportive of his song. Maybe the next thing will be political rallies where everybody’s singing, “Caught In A Mosh”.

Scott: I don’t know about that.

OT: Well I’m just wondering what the impact is that you guys have had on society and metal in general - it’s interesting to see how everything connects.

Scott: I hear ya.

OT: Now over the past five or six years, I’ve seen you guys perform with Motley Crue, Megadeth, Dio, now you’re out with Judas Priest, these are all bands from what I consider the golden era of metal. Have you ever thought about playing with some of the newer bands in existence today, y’know, taking some of the newer bands out with you for support?

Scott: Actually last year we had Lacuna Coil and Lamb Of God open for us and we’ve had Shadows Fall open for us and so you just haven’t seen us on those tours. And we’ve had Killswitch open for us and we’ve had Soilwork open for us; we’ve had lots of different bands open for us.

OT: Are there any of those bands that you’re particularly fond of?

Scott: All of them.

OT: Awesome! Now being out with Joey again, have you seen your fan base expand much? Are there a lot of people from the younger generation coming out or is it still predominantly all the diehards from back in the day?

Scott: We don’t know really, because we haven’t done a headline tour yet. Most of this reunion tour’s been festivals in Europe and like this Judas Priest tour, so it’s really hard for me to say because we haven’t really done our own thing yet. We’ve done a couple of headline dates and, yeah, there have been a lot of young kids. So I would think once we go out in January and do some headline shows that we’ll be seeing a lot more of that. For a band like us, our audience changed years ago it’s not just now, the audience turned over about three-four years ago, at least. Where we just noticed on We’ve Come For You All that, really there was a complete turnover and the audience was under twenty five.

OT: Yeah, I think that when it comes to the old-school metal sound, you can’t keep it down; good musicianship will always prevail. There’s a lot of music that’s come out in the last ten years or so that wasn’t all that great, but it’s great to see you guys and Priest and Megadeth and all these bands out there still keeping it alive; I mean I appreciate that more than anything. Like I said, I missed out on a lot when I was a kid, I had a fairly conservative upbringing and wasn’t allowed to attend a lot of these types of functions so I’m making up for lost time now.

Scott: Alright, cool.

OT: Now I understand you live on the west coast.

Scott: I’ve lived here for over fifteen years.

OT: I had no idea it has been that long.

Scott: And why would you?

OT: Why would I?

Scott: Yeah, It’s not like I’m out there wearin’ a shirt sayin’ ‘I’ve lived in L.A. for fifteen years.’

OT: True but as the fans usually keep tabs on every aspect of their favorite bands, including where they live, I figured I would have heard something in passing or maybe bumped into you at a couple of shows outside of Anthrax or something. So do you ever miss New York?

Scott: No, no, I go there enough.

OT: (Laughing) I don’t know, it seems almost cliché, a lot of the artists end up in sunny California, it seems like the place to be. Obviously you’ve been here fifteen years so you like it out here.

Scott: Yep.

OT: Right on dude. Well I won’t take anymore of your time, I appreciate the chat.

Scott: Ok, man.

OT: Thanks so much.

Scott: Alright, thank you.

OT: ‘Bye.

Scott: ‘Bye.