The Necrosexual speaks with Traitor's Joe Rado (drums and vocals), Greg Lundmark (rhythm guitar and vocals) and Brian Mikus (lead guitar and vocals) in this interview below. Crank it up!
Brian: First I must state it is great to be interviewed by the most electrifying man in corpse entertainment. The process was really a culmination of the material written until this point with a few songs written to complete the album. Production wise we knew we wanted to do it right and take our time and do it as one studio with Dan Kishbaugh behind the console. Dan retired from recording and mixing so we enlisted my former coworker AJ Montesano to do the mix. We did it completely analog so it gave the album so production value that you won’t find on you average protool’d to death album.
Joe: We originally planned on having some songs on this album on our tape release but we were not happy with how we performed them so we chose to withhold them and continue developing them. Probably half of the album was written in 2017/18 but we’ve found things work best when we then have ample time to play them live. It’s one thing to write a song in a jam space but harnessing that live show energy really helps you find out what works and what doesn’t.
Greg: I agree with everything that Joe said. I would just add that the writing and recording process that lead to this album was a lot of trial and error. I’m glad to say that we’ve found what works for us as a group in each of those aspects. This is only the beginning though.
Tell me about your favorite thrash and speed metal influences?
Joe: Slayer and Judas Priest for sure, and GWAR is always my go to. GWAR for their creativity, Slayer
for Dave’s pure chops and Priest for their killer riffs.
Greg: For speed and thrash, I’d say Anthrax, Motörhead, Testament, and I’ll give an honorable mention to Seduce’s self-titled first album.
Brian: Exciter, Razor, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Suicidal Tendencies, Nuclear Assault, Hirax, Slayer, Destruction, Sodom, Kreator. Really all the Bay Area and big 4.
Who are your heavy metal heroes?
Joe: Dave Lombardo, Brad Roberts and Dave Brockie, Trivett Wingo, Charlie Benante, Nick Menza, Joey Jordison
Greg: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath.
Brian: As far as a heavy metal hero I would have to say Dan Lilker. He was there from early thrash days with Anthrax and totally could have sold out and road the trends and waves. Instead he stuck to what was true and underground and then did Nuclear Assault. Again hit the reset button and got in early with the Grindcore stuff with Brutal Truth. For a guy who could likely have been a millionaire but instead chose artistic integrity and keeping it true slugging it out in clubs I have a lot of respect for him. Also Dio and Ritchie Blackmore.
According to Metal Archives there are 11 other bands named "Traitor" and at least one that is currently active in Europe. Has this been a problem? What made you stick to your guns with the band name?
Joe: It can be difficult at times to really make sure that people can find YOU online but we’ve made a pretty good dent so to speak over the last few years. We’ve been building the brand for a long time, so a rebrand would be pretty extreme work. I think being in the US helps us a lot and I’ve seen quite a few people specifically say they prefer us which is cool. I think it helps that our sound is also more unique than “just another thrash band”.
Brian: When we started it is was just and one other. Our record label had mentioned that as well to us. As the great macho man Randy Savage said “The cream always rises to the top!”
Greg: It hasn’t posed a problem as of yet, but I imagine that it could come up down the road. We’ve stuck to the band name because there is some meaning behind it for us.
You recently came off a tour - what were some of the highlights you had one the road?
Joe: We were lucky to start off with really good shows in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago and our good luck held through the tour. We met a lot of cool people and didn’t run into any trouble. Honestly putting all of the planning and prep in that we did and having it go off without a hitch (mostly) was one of the biggest wins for me.
Brian: Highlights would definitely be sharing the stage with Roadkiller from Philly and a lot of really other great bands. Also playing with Wraith on a Monday in Chicago and it being a total major ranger was very cool.
Greg: The highlight for me was the overwhelming support from the other bands, the venue owners, the promoters, and the fans.
How has the Philadelphia area shaped your sound and attitude?
Joe: Philly is a tough place to play. Tastes can be fickle and fleeting and you have to fight for every inch. I think we have a certain chip on our shoulders because it can be so trendy here, it made us stick to what we love and not get sucked into being a trendy band that only lasts for a demo.
Greg: There are plenty of bands here in Philly that we show love and support for. Many of them are friends of ours. The one thing that I’ve taken away from it all is to stay focused on the music, and create art that is unapologetically us.
Brian: Well half the band lives in Delaware and that’s where the goofy Gwar and Slipknot stuff comes from for sure. But also the blow up Wilmington and establishment society. The Philly stuff would just be the stick to your guns uncompromising speed metal sound. It is a crazy city and the music I feel reflects it a times. Also my insistence on wearing tight black jeans and bullet belts.
7. What's one your favorite tunes off the new album and why?
Brian: I’m a big fan of "Antietam" I feel like the lyrics and the way it comes together with the music is very powerful. Also Luxury was great for me because Greg Daddy challenged me to write something not in the keys of E or A minor and it was rewarding so I chose D minor the saddest of all keys. Also the harmony solo is badass
Joe: "Take Över" kind of represents my answer to the previous question. It’s about not being a trendy sell out and putting your tunes first, letting your sound be your brand.
Greg: "Zed" packs a punch and incorporates a lot of elements into a three and a half minute song. I think it’s a good representation of our sound.
Tell me about one of your most memorable concert experiences, good, bad or otherwise?
Joe: The most memorable for me will always be thrash shows at JRs around 2008/2009. Social media wasn’t huge yet, I had to surf Philly Metal to find out who was playing when and there was no real way for me to check out bands. It was purely an organic experience and I was very new to Philly so every show was an adventure, but seeing those shows made me want to learn the drums and start a band.
Brian: For me it would be with my shitty punk band Rubbish. I noticed a warm sensation on my leg and then discovered I was being urinated on by none other than Rob Shit the singer of Philly punk legends Bucket Flush. A close tie would also be with Rubbish when we played with Oh Shit They’re Going to Kill us at Beaumont Warehouse. I was blowing up fireworks for the most show and smashed a bottle and cut my chest open and was later on stabbed on stage with a sliced up beer can by infamous punker Matt Bones.
Greg: We opened for Grim Reaper a few years ago, and we sound checked with Mercyful Fate’s “Evil”. The guys in Grim Reaper actually came to the front of the stage to watch us because they love Mercyful Fate. I got to have some beers and talk with their guitarist, Richie Yeates, after the show. He was very kind. He told me he loved our music and wanted to follow us on social media. Really great guy.
What's the most hellacious heavy metal hangover you ever received?
Joe: I haven’t had a hangover in almost 10 years so I will go with a bang over. Our first weekend tour, driving back from Virginia to Philly, back to Newark DE, dropping off the rental van, grabbing 3 hours of sleep and then going to work until 11 PM. That was my first taste of what this lifestyle is all about.
Greg: We opened up for Havok back in 2013. I hung out and partied until the wee hours of the morning at Joe’s old apartment afterward. I sobered up, drove to work, and slept for a few hours in my car before clocking in.
Brian: Can’t remember the exact details of the night prior but I remember being hungover the following day into the hours of 5-6 p.m. I was working at guitar center at the time and was vomiting out front of the building as the store opened. For the remainder of the day it was basically sell a guitar then puke in the bathroom repeat.
Thank you TRAITORs for going one on one with the GRIM-1. What would you like to say to the metal freaks in closing?
Brian: Stay tuned for more music and live shows. Or label has us on the hook for another 2 albums so keep your eyes peeled. And European bookers and festivals hit us up! And keep listening to the most electrifying man in corpse entertainment.
Joe: Check out the album on our bandcamp (traitorphl.bandcamp.com) and if you dig it throw us a follow on the socials and come see us at our next show!
Listen to Traitor at their bandcamp, and keep it grim!
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