Following the hot topic, Ultimate Guitar’s Joe Matera interviewed Anthrax’ Scott Ian last month. The guitar player talked about the latest happenings in the Anthrax world (there are many), and his take on the music industry. An excerpt below, you will be able to read the full interview this week on UG read the full interview right here!

Image credit: revista_offline on Flickr

Did you ever think that some 30 years later along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer, you’d still be here doing what you love and influencing a generation of other metal bands?

It is fuckin’ amazing. I started this thing 29 years ago, I co-founded the band with Danny Lilker and its amazing to me. And I’m sure it is not only for Anthrax but for all four of the bands involved in the Big Four as well, they feel the same. It is like about 26 years since our first album came out and the fact that on a worldwide level, so many people still care about what we’re doing and that it means so much to so many people all around the world, that just makes me feel great.

And the fact that after all this time it is the first time that the four of us have ever played together, and that its happening after all this time on such a massive level, it is just incredible. These upcoming shows are probably going to be some of the biggest gigs any of us will ever play.

Aside from your musical endeavors, you have a passion for writing comic books?

Yeah last year I put out my first book for DC Comics. I wrote a two issue series for their character Lobo. A two issue Prestige Format and each book had 64 pages, so it was like 128 pages of Lobo and it was called Lobo: Highway To Hell. It was so much fun for me and was a dream come true. It was something I have always wanted to do. I spent a long time, about a year working on the book with Sam Kieth the artist and it turned out great and I loved the whole experience.

I’m currently working on my second thing for DC Comics right now for another character which I can’t mention at the moment as DC are going to announce it soon so I can’t really jump the gun on it. But it is coming along great and it is even more story intensive and more layered. And obviously the more I do the better I’ll get at it all. I’ve been reading comics my whole life and to be involved in that world is something I never thought I’d get to do.

Finally out of all your years spent in this tough music industry, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned?

To just do things your own way, the business is a necessary evil obviously, but you just got to have your own vision as an artist. And you have to know what you want and you have to know who you are because if you don’t, somebody is going to mold you into something you’re not and then you are going to suck.

We’ve only ever done things our own way and that is the only way I know how to do it and whether it is right or wrong. That’s the best lesson I’ve ever learned. So you better show up with a good sense of who you are as an artist otherwise, you’re going to get fucked.

The full interview is available at this location, read few excerpts from it below (the most practical ones, in my opinion):

What sort of tips can you give to new music bloggers and new musicians looking to establish the direction of their own blogs?

As Seth Godin recently warned, “the Internet is almost full”. Picking readers’ attention is harder and harder and harder each year and even month or week. I don’t think you need to afraid to fail though, remember that it’s all about fun (good luck if you began blogging to get rich). Experiment, try things that no one or only few have done before, see the results and either stick to the new direction or try something new again. Your goal is to stand out against the crowd of blogs in your niche, so experimenting by itself will do a lot for you.

If you are a musician, of course just blog in any way you can, even if your grammar skills suck. Don’t do it for the sake of being trendy, do it for fun. Keep your posts short if you are not wordy (most readers will appreciate that!), but say something cool each time you leave a post. You are a rock star, and your life IS interesting to others by default. What seems boring to you will sound spicy to others, especially your fans.

Did you do any research to learn new and more effective ways to establish and promote your blog? If so, where did you receive the best information from?

I had been spending hours reading dozens of blogs dedicated to that, like Copyblogger, ProBlogger, Blogging Tips etc. They are all great, that is fact, but these sites are mostly recycling the same information over again. I’ve learned absolutely essential things from such blogs, but also understood that there is no need to constantly keep up with each of them to get your website running great. Instead of falling into the learning trap, like I love to do, just open your online editor and write a new blog post!

Did blogging present new avenues for networking and establishing connections with people that may not have been available to you through social networks?

Yes and this is one of the most amazing things about blogging to me. Owning a blog gives great opportunities in finding new connections in your industry. Most of the people nowadays realize the influence of blogging, so you’ve got very strong chances to get a response from a high profile person even if you blog is young and small.

How can a blog network benefit new bloggers looking to establish their own brand?

If you want to build a name in your niche (and I know that you do), you should find as many blogs of the same topic as possible and start not only reading them, but constantly leaving comments in their posts, contacting their founders, asking to do guest posts. And if you do a guest post, share the best stuff you’ve got!

Networking is crucial for establishing a successful blog and spending more time on networking is one of the top priorities in my to-do list for Dotted Music.

How long did it take you to establish a ‘voice’ within your writing? Do you have any tips for new bloggers looking to find their own voice?

I think I’m still establishing my voice! Writing in English is an exciting challenge by itself, as I’m Russian. But I have to note that expressing ideas in a language different from your native one proved to be healthy. You don’t have a too wide scope for writing unnecessary stuff, and so this is my advice to everyone – keep it clear and to the point.

If interested, read more over here, and be sure to check out other articles from the series – very inspiring.

Also, using a chance, I want to apology for writing here so rarely lately. You will see a lot of interesting stuff on Dotted Music very soon, so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading :)

The new film, starring Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart, presents an unflinching insider’s view of what it was like for six teenaged girls to be thrust into the limelight with minimal adult supervision, in a sex, drugs and rock’n’roll era hostile to female musicians.

Ultimate Guitar’s Joe Matera recently talked to Victory Tischler Blue about her new film, the renewed interest in the group, reissues of its back catalog, Vicki’s memories of her two year stint in the group, and thoughts on music industry. Read an exclusive DM excerpt below:

Edgeplay cover

Do you have many fond memories of your time in the group?

The whole thing was really magical for me, I really did like it. Not to contradict myself, but I really enjoyed it as it was a chance to go out and play music and be very cool as a teenager and travel the world and live a dream. But the bummer was after awhile, I kind of wanted to go home and get back on track and do the other thing in my life that I loved which were horses and going back to film school. To become a film director was my original goal.

What do you think of the new Runaways movie that Joan Jett has sanctioned?

I have not seen it though I know the script as I had it for awhile and I’ve seen the clips and everybody I know has seen it. Ironically, two of the actresses in the movie called me as they wanted to touch base and connect and stuff and they told me that they ended up watching Edgeplay over and over again to learn from it, a basis of the part of the characters they were going to play. The other ironic thing is that a lot of the things that Joan was suing me over in Edgeplay, ended up being included in the new Runaways movie.

So does Joan has control over the back catalog then?

Yes, on a business level they have made sure of that and I think Joan’s big issue with Edgeplay was a control issue. And at that point it certainly wasn’t the content. But they’re all about controlling the whole Runaways franchise.

Since you’re now full-time in the film making business, do you still harbor any musical ambitions?

No I am involved in the music in the projects I do and I bring in other musicians to work on my projects which are film based projects. But the only thing I want now as a musician is a new black 1962 Everly Brothers Gibson acoustic guitar with the double pickguard and star inlays…

While the band stayed in Australia, Ultimate Guitar writer Joe Matera sat down with Biffy Clyro singer and guitarist Simon Neil to talk the new album, touring and music business. Read an exclusive excerpt below:

What have been some of the most important lessons you have learned from being in this business?

Image credit: news.bbc.co.uk

The one lesson we learned the most was to just believe in yourself. Just because someone thinks you’re crap doesn’t mean you are crap. And like wise, just because some one thinks you’re amazing doesn’t mean you’re amazing. It’s really about the belief in yourself.

We’ve always had a focus and a drive. We were lucky that we had a start where people didn’t like our band for years and we made small records on indie records. And if we didn’t have the belief in ourselves, we still wouldn’t be doing it. If we were doing this to make money or to meet tons of girls we would have given up after about a year. For us it’s really about the thrill of making music.

What have been some of the most memorable experiences in the band’s career thus far?

There have been quite a few. I guess on a basic level when we got to meet The Rolling Stones that was a real pinch yourself moment. And that was because they are a band that really shaped rock and roll from day one. I probably prefer The Beatles slightly more musically than The Stones, but they have done a lot. That was a moment we’ll never forget, and also having Josh Homme play guitar on the record. He is such an amazing songwriter and guitarist.

Read the rest of the interview on UG next week.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Paul Vernon

Ultimate Guitar’s Joe Matera recently called Dean DeLeo to discuss the new release, and his thoughts on the music industry. Read a brief excerpt below, and check the full interview when it’s posted on UG next week.

Having now clocked up twenty years in the music business, what are some of the important lessons you’ve learned?

It is all about what comes with age. I like to think that not just another year passes but a little wisdom comes under your belt. I have become a little more aware of the business aspect of things because musically, it is really easy as it’s a great place to go dip your mind in and have a fun time doing.

But I am much more aware these days of where things are at for me on the business end of things. And that is fucking important. It is really important because I feel we’ve been fortunate that we have this ability to make records and have for twenty years.

So to me, the most important thing or lesson I’ve learned in this business is about being aware.

Read few exclusive excerpts from Amy Kelly’s UG interview before it goes live in full next week:

Do you feel any pressure from your label at this point in your career?

The label doesn’t really pressure us per se verbally. With the industry as fickle as it is, you kind of put that pressure on yourself. Executives, bands, and record stores – everybody is dropping like flies. Here today, gone tomorrow. You’ve got to keep being viable and give enough reasons for your record label to keep invested with the band and keep invested in you as well.

In buying the record or buying the single from iTunes and buying concert tickets, that’s keeping your shit going. I used to get really caught up with where we were on Billboard and how many records we had sold and where the single was and how much MTV was playing us. Honestly, I don’t even look at that. I have no idea where the single is. I have no idea how much they are playing our video. As long as I wake up and play a show and people are there and they know the words to the song and they’re having a good time and we get to do this for a living, then I’m happy.

I’m extremely happy that we can do that. Success isn’t the charts anymore. As long as I can keep doing this for a living, I’m extremely happy.

Photo credit: Chad Martel

What would you suggest for the business side? Do you think that touring as much as possible is still a viable approach to marketing?

That may work for some people. I don’t know. I really think that’s a complete waste of time, going to all these cities where people don’t know who you are. You go to a bar and play for 10, 15 people that are there for the drink specials. Maybe if you’re really good, then there will be 30 people. I’ve heard that. It never worked for me! I was always like, “Why did I take off work and spend money to go play at some show.”

I think nowadays it’s completely different. There is so much you can do on your own now. That’s what you have to do now as a band because no label has money to spend on breaking in an artist. The more you can do on your own as far as your MySpace, your Facebook, and your YouTube or your merch, the more you can do on your own and the less of a risk you are to a label, the better chance you have of getting it. The chance of a major label picking you up and wanting to spend a gazillion dollars on you are slim to none. Unfortunately that’s the way it is. Buy a van. If you make enough money, buy a van and the label doesn’t have to worry about it. Anything you can do on your own is going to give you more bargaining power with the label.

I will post the link to a full interview when it’s up, great read.

Asked by Joe, What has been the most important lesson you have learned from being in the music business?, Lu said:

Photo credit: Kentaro Murai

That there is no music business now, but the only thing I have learned is to not trust anything that has got to do with the business and only just play with your friends and connect to the people who you really share a passionate interest with music. Also keep your mind open and never dismiss anyone, never condemn anyone and never think you know everything.

Always keep your ideas open and go and see as much music as possible. And don’t clam up because if you become despondent and depressed, you will clam up.

And if you think you are really successful and are the bees’ knees and there is no one else better than you, you are going to clam up too and you are going to stop absorbing and stop connecting. And either of those two things are your nemesis. You have to stay calm and stay open. That is my advice.

This part is what I like: don’t ever stop absorbing and never stop connecting.

Read the full interview when it’s up on UG tomorrow here, and don’t forget to enter our latest giveaway for a chance to win 1,2,3’s colored Confetti 7″ vinyl for simply “liking” the Dotted Music Facebook page. It’s really simple.

For those musicians who are wanting to break into the industry, do you have any business advice?

Clint Lowery

The whole landscape of marketing is a lot different than when Sevendust first started. It’s got its pros and cons. The great thing is that anyone can get exposure through the Internet. There are so many avenues and so many ways to get yourself out there.

If you have the music to back it up, sometimes it just takes a small seed of promotion to get out there. If you have the music and the whole package to back that up, you plant that seed and it’s going to grow. If you have something that people want to hear and want to see, they are going to come and see it and buy it. They’ll spread the word. People want to be the first people to tell other people about this cool new band.

If you have the goods, you’ll do good. If you have an average band that relies on the smoke and the mirrors, you’re only going to go so far. If you have a real niche and something that’s new and liberating, people are going to get it.

If you have an average band, you’re going to get average results.

Read the full Amy Kelly‘s interview with Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery when it’s up on UG later this month.

When asked by Joe Matera, how important the musician thinks is touring these days with the way the whole internet and downloading issue has affected the industry in general, Nick said:

Photo credit: Rudy De Doncker

Selective touring is the name of the game now so it is not about how much touring but about when you do tours, to do more thorough tours.

Do every country and every big city and do them as well as you can so you don’t have to keep on going through them as often. The cost of touring has gone up immensely because of fuel costs and because everyone has increased their fees for everything from airlines to backline companies.

So it is much more expensive to tour today. And for us, because Tim has a family now and Phil is married, we don’t want to go out longer than we need to. On the flipside though, touring has been how we’ve been able to do this band since the early days, by touring as hard as we have in the past. It is what we have to do to make our living from this.

My point is that concerts are as important to musicinas as ever (even more than ever), but the approach is becoming different – especially for the relatevely smaller bands.

You can read the original interview at this location.

Reader’s Wives

Do you study how the music industry works? You seem to have a lot more knowledge about the music industry than some other musicians.

Yeah. I kind of made it my business. When I was younger and was doing the acoustic stuff, I had something musical to contribute, but didn’t really know where to start. I just got out among the conventions, and as a manager myself. At the time I did that, the whole digital thing was breaking, which everybody knows has turned the music industry on its head. But what I came away with as an artist was that I really need to know what I’m doing in a business sense. There’s no point in being good at music, and being no good or not knowledgeable about the business side.

We have a manager now as I said, but it’s still good for an artist to be knowledgeable enough to be able to talk to their manager on that level. I think most artists think that way now, but for some reason, they don’t want to be seen as boring to know a little bit about it, but I see it as exciting. It’s exciting to think that you can own everything, and still make great music. There’s something finally very punk rock about that; punk rock was a burst of energy, but it was supported by a major label system. What we have now is as good a burst of energy, but we can own it all.

Watch the Reader’s Wives video for “Victor’s Mother Juliet“: