Interview

Colorado is a state known more for it's mountains than its metal. Jag Panzer is the exception to that rule. This Colorado-based heavy metal band has been going at it since the 80's, and have managed to carve a niche for themselves in the metal scene in recent years. They have just released what is possibly their strongest album to date, "Mechanized Warfare", a fine slab of heavy, aggressive power metal. I recently had the opportunity to interview guitarist Mark Briody for BallBusterHardMusic.com, and discuss all things Panzer.

Jon: I love your new album, "Mechanized Warfare"! You sure didn't waste any time, as your last album, "Thane To The Throne", came out only about a year ago. Are you pleased with the way "...Warfare" turned out?

Mark: Yes, I am very pleased. Normally we wouldn't have been able to produce a quality album in such a short time, but "Thane..." was so different musically it allowed us to start work immediately on the more traditional sounding "Mechanized Warfare". The new album contains no left over music from "Thane..." but there are some ideas that stayed in my head because they wouldn't fit the mood of Macbeth. It was some of these ideas that I expanded on for "Mechanized Warfare".

Jon: Has there been any feedback from fans and critics about the album? How has it been?

Mark: Like the usual Jag Panzer album, the opinions seem to run the gamut. Some people loved it and have called it our best release, other didn't care for it at all.

Jon: How do you think this album compares to your previous work?

Mark: I think the music has a lot of depth to it. Some of the interplay between drum, bass, and guitar is a bit different from most metal. Also some of the melody lines are a bit more obscure than in our previous work. I enjoy music like this, it gives me something new to hear with each listen.

Jon: Do you have any favorite songs off "...Warfare"?

Mark: Ah, that changes every month. Currently I really like "Cold Is The Blade", Harry (Conklin, Jag Panzer singer) did a fantastic job on the choruses.

Jon: Where do your ideas/inspirations for your music come from? For example, "The Scarlet Letter", where did the idea for that song come from? "Take To The Sky" sounds like it was inspired by watching "Top Gun", or a Blue Angels show. Am I right?

Mark: Our ideas come from anywhere and anywhere. Sometimes we take a conceptual idea and place it within a story which is easily read. For example-the power of pairing man with machine, the speed, the g-forces, everything. This is all outlined in "Take To The Sky". Other ideas come from completely different thoughts. "The Scarlet Letter" is a "tip of the hat" to Iron Maiden. Notice the subtle tributes to Maiden (both musically and lyrically) to the "Charlotte The Harlot" series of songs ("Charlotte The Harlot", "22 Acacia Ave", etc)

Jon: Jim Morris did a great job producing the album. What was it like to work with him?

Mark: Jim is incredible for several reasons. He's a great engineer and producer with an excellent set of ears. One thing I like about Jim is that he makes the quality of the song that top priority. He has no problem making Harry sing a part 50 times or having me try alternate ways of playing a guitar part. He really works with each song and he'll try anything to make that song the best it can be.

Jon: Do you have any plans for a US tour? When will it happen? How about overseas? Will you be playing any festivals this coming summer, like Wacken or Bang Your Head ?

Mark: Look for us on tour in the US this month March 2002. The only European dates we currently have scheduled is the Bang Your Head festival in June 2002.

Jon: I know you guys played Wacken this past summer. How did that go? Please tell us all about the whole Wacken experience.

Mark: Wacken is awesome! It's everything you dream about as a kid learning to play guitar. It's a great stage, huge light show, top notch crew and a great crowd. Also, as a metal fan Wacken is incredible. There is always a great selection of bands to check out.

Jon: I'd like to get your thoughts on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Like everyone else, I'm sure you were shocked and horrified, as was I! What do you think of the war in Afghanistan, and the other actions the US Govt. has taken? Perhaps this will be some inspiration behind some future Jag Panzer music?

Mark: I just can't understand how anyone could kill innocent people in the name of religion. I didn't understand it in history class when reading about religious clashes of long ago and I don't understand the terrorist actions of today. It seems to be against the whole idea of religion. As far as the American actions in Afghanistan, I'm a proud American and I stand by our country 100%

Jon: Why did Joey Taffola leave the band? I know this was a while back but I don't know the whole story. What's he doing these days? Are you still on speaking terms with him?

Mark: Joey has a new solo album and I believe he is playing in Hardline. He is a fantastic guitar player and I wish him well, however we do not speak much anymore. His views on friendship and the music business are very different from mine.

Jon: Going back a little bit...is there any chance your first album, "Ample Destruction", and the "Tyrants" EP will ever be reissued again? I know a lot of fans would like that (me included!). These are hard to come by!

Mark: The "Tyrants" EP is a possible release, it's a matter of Century Media delivering a proper contract to our ex-drummer. "Ample..." will not be reissued, Century Media's final contract offer has been refused by an ex-band member. (What a bummer!-J)

Jon: What about the unreleased "Chain Of Command" album? Will that ever see the light of day?

Mark: I'd love to release "Chain...", I think it's an excellent album. However Century Media is not interested in the release for several reasons-Harry is not on it, and several tracks have already been re-recorded.

Jon: I'd like to know the story behind one of your early songs, "Eyes Of The Night". I love this song, and it's the first Panzer song I ever heard! I know it first appeared on Hit Parader's "Wild Bunch" tape way-back-when, that's where I heard it, and was later released as a bonus track on the '91 "Ample Destruction" reissue. Enlighten me...how did this song come about, and why wasn't it released on an album at first? Have you/do you ever play it live? I think it would go over great at your concerts!

Mark: "Eyes Of The Night" was recorded in demo sessions about a year after "Ample..." came out. We had several major labels looking at the band and that song was part of the demo we were shopping. We never got the major deal, so we decided to include that song on the Hit Parader compilation and on the "Ample..." reissue. We used to play it live and it went over very well. However the song is probably too obscure for us to play live now.

Jon: There seems to be a resurgence happening for traditional style/old school/power metal, the style you guys play. What do you think about this?

Mark: I think it's great. It's my favorite style of music and it's nice to see people developing an appreciation for it.

Jon: What are your thoughts/feelings about today's music/metal scene?

Mark: The underground scene is cool, lots of great bands to choose from in any metal style. The mainstream metal scene sucks, not enough melody for me!

Jon: What are you listening to these days?

Mark: The new Blind Guardian single, Iced Earth, Imagika, just to name a few.

Jon: I remember you toured with Iced Earth a few years back. How did that go? Would you do it again?

Mark: That tour was awesome, Iced Earth are a great band and very cool guys. You asked if we'd do it again...Stay tuned for our next touring plans.

Jon: What's your "dream tour"? If you could tour with any bands, who would it be?

Mark: Iron Maiden, that would be a dream come true!

Jon: How's your relationship with Century Media?

Mark: It's good. They've got some great people working at that label. Sometimes I disagree with certain things, but that's bound to happen in any working relationship.

Jon: I know "Ample Destruction" has been bootlegged a few times and I understand you guys are pissed about that, as anyone would be. But I saw the cover for one of them on your website, the one with the "biker chicks" cover, and I have to say I thought that was really cool. I have an idea...why don't you guys use that cover for a future album? You know, steal it back from the bootleggers? Poetic justice of sorts!;)

Mark: That's a good idea, but I'd worry that I'd just be stealing from some artist that may not have even gotten paid by the bootlegger. I mean, if the guy is stealing our music, maybe he stole the art as well.

Jon: I guess that's all...anything you'd like to say to your fans, or the world?

Mark: Thanks for your support! Keep sending email, but give me lots of time to answer. I have newborn twins so my time is limited! (Congrats, Mark!-J)