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Warrior
von gl anno 2004

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WARRIOR - UNSEEN FORCES

Joe Floyd is a veteran in the Los Angeles Music Scene, the band FURY formed in 1982 in L.A., later changed their name to WARRIOR and recorded their 1985 all time classic "Fighting For The Earth". Before that you could see members of RATT going to WARRIOR shows! Take the old RATT EP with 6 songs from 1983 (!) out of your Vinyl Collection, Joe Floyd even has a name-check there, that's 21 years ago! So you know why big stars like Warren De Martini or Bob Daisley go in and out of his studio, where he produced dozens of bands. And sometimes he finds the time to continue the career of his own band WARRIOR ...

Warrior in 2004
Joe, your 4th album is now out in the US 2 months+ and just came out here, how have the reactions been so far, are you satisfied, is it what you have expected?
We've got so much great press on this album in America and in Europe, its very gratifying because these record means a lot to us.

The 2004 album 'The Wars Of Gods and Men'
Obviously it was very hard to replace Rob Rock (and Parry also), of course you do have another excellent singer now in your band, how did the contact to Marc Storace (who is from Malta, and lives in Switzerland now I believe?) come together?
Warren (Croyle) and Marc met in Switzerland by chance and got to talking, they really hit it off and the next thing you know Warren was sharing songs with Marc and it all came together quite naturally. It wasn't so much a decision as it really felt right and when Marc came to LA, we rehearsed and it was just kicking ass, its like a whole new dimension of Marc that he needed to get out.

The 2001 album 'The Code Of Life'
Would you agree Marc changed his style of singing a lot (as compared to KROKUS) which makes for an interesting change, but on some occasions it's Thrash Metal in contrast to the Melodic Power Metal on the last record.
I think he just did what the songs asked for. He has a great range and artistic capability with his writing and vocals that a lot of people don't realize.

Storace laid down his contributions to the album last summer and described the experience a short time later as "a journey through some of my innermost emotions" (this is what your press-release says). After you were a little reluctant in our last interview for "The Code Of Life" would you this time speak out a little more, so what was that about or is that strict personal stuff?
Well, there's not much to it, that's what we do: make records and we try to really push ourselves to make it interesting and compelling and of course try to explore the mysterious areas of life that many would not dare not travel. Just read the lyrics and you will be transported.

How well known is the band KROKUS nowadays in the US, do a lot of people know they have regained a high standard here since Marc's return and even before (I saw them at Bang Your Head 2000 and it was excellent!) or are they forgotten, how did their U.S. tour between March and April 2004 go and how many fans do they draw over there?
Krokus has been gone for a while in the states but not forgotten by any means, they have sold 8 million (!) or more records in the states and still have a lot of fans. Their Live album with all their hits comes out on Reality Entertainment this June and there will be a tour. They haven't come out as of yet though. I think its the perfect time, because we need the real rock and metal to come back and they can still kick ass like no-ones business on the same par as Van Halen who is also touring the states this year.

The track "Mars" on your new record is my favorite song on the disc and creates a very special environment and atmosphere (unfortunately ends too soon) - I recognize the little chants in the background (kinda reminds me on what you did on "The Endless Beginning"). Has a little "Screaming In The Night" / Krokus touch, would you agree? Big compliment, can you tell something to this song please.
I found that song on a napkin that Marc and Warren were scribbling on when in the Pub and took it back to the studio and wrote the music in about 5 minutes. When Marc and Warren returned Warren starting marking it all up and then gave it to Marc who sang it right then and there. Its a heavy song about what it would be like to be banished to Mars, never to see your family or the earth again. It's also about the enemy within and the way that people can fight against themselves in the struggle to understand what the point is to all the madness that is suffocating the Planet. Mars is also the god of war, so as is typical with Warrior it means different things to different people and yes ... It's true that grown man have cried listening to that song which is really a poem.

The 1998 album 'Ancient Future'
Were you angry or mad or any reason for the heaviest WARRIOR album in history, on some parts it can be compared to SLAYER (Don't get me wrong I like it, but I hope you won't be insulted when I say personally I liked the last album better. Yes, I know a song like "Retribution" could be on the new one, it's just you were never more aggressive than now.)
I really don't get angry or mad I just roll with what's going on and with Warrior we all love to Rock and I man Rock Hard so sometimes you need to add other things to the pallete, you know what I mean? Also, Warrior is on the radio with Buck Cherry, AC/DC and other stuff right now which blows my mind. People like "Never Live Your Life Again" a lot it seems.

The singer is not the only line-up change, you have a new bassist, and you are now the only guitar player (Mike Miller guested on 4 tracks) so what happened to Mick Perez and Simon Oliver? And if you play live do you have to invite a second guitar player as a guest or do you handle all the guitar alone (which I think on some older songs is hardly possible?)
Simon moved to New Zealand for a while and Rob was always coming by checking on the status, so we knew he wanted to be in the band. We played our first gig with him at the Troubador and Rob was awesome, also its was great to have a new feel in the Bass area as I played most of the guitar myself. Mick is busy writing for other artists and moved further away so it got difficult to hook up, but I think the current line up is one of the best ever. Mike Miller is a great player and we had done the Godhead record together a while back so that was real natural for him to help out, we spent a lot of hours doing some killer guitars on the Evolver record together and we get along fantastically.

The album's first single is "Do It Now", I was positively surprised to hear it one night when I tuned into the internet radio KNAC.com, could you succeed something in the US in Rock Radio with that song?
Who knows, we don't really pay attention because the whole music business is such bullshit these days but I certainly don't mind hearing our songs on the radio.

The 1985 debut album 'Fighting For The Earth'
When someone reads the lyrics to all four WARRIOR records, there is common theme, basically meaning things are not like we see them, and to look behind the schedule of disinformation but the lyrics are always very abstract and mysteriously formed. So would you please be willing to share some thinking behind the lyrics of "Salvation" or "Naked Aggression" - is that your way to show you are against this senseless occupation in Iraq - is that an Anti-War Song? Its very hard to get it, you know, for foreign ears anyway? Are you worried to speak out directly against the politics the US are doing now so you code your opinion (and people who read very interested can get it anyway!) But when after this a song like "Love Above All" - see also "Learn To Love" on "Ancient Future" - finishes the record, I knew you were not like other bands, some of them supporting violence.
Many people are numb to the violence that surrounds them and or the henious machines of control that crush people daily. We just write about subjects that interest us and sometimes that comes out in a song like "Naked Aggression", which is about the primal urge and why religions have been trying to suppress aspects of the human psyche in order to pursue their agenda. Mostly, we like to let the songs do the talking.

Joe, now I have some criticism, maybe you don't wanna hear it. But WARRIOR only played one show in Germany (Wacken 1998, and were asked to play on the second day, but the singer didn't wanna do it!!). So when I asked you in 2001 how realistic it is, that you guys come over for a tour, you said "It's very realistic" - reactions to "The Code Of Life" were very good, all reviews have been good. So why has it never happened (besides the 9-11 scenario which I know affected the whole touring of US-bands for some time, but a lot of smaller bands came over a lot after that)?
That's one of the reasons Perry's not in the band anymore, but enough about that. 9-11 took the life out of a lot of things and touring for "The Code Of Life" was totally taken off the table in light of that event.

So of course the logical question will be, is it possible you will play some shows here in our country with the singer already here, or is WARRIOR a (studio) project and you will concentrate on your busy schedule as a producer on dozen of other band's records?
We're always ready if the situation makes sense and we have the time, We'll see what happens with Marc's schedule, I'll keep you posted though.

Who is the biggest "Hypocrite" (Song on new album) for you?
Anyone who has nothing better to do than say bullshit about others.

You were involved about two years back in the World War III record "When God Turned Away" with Mandy Lion and were also credited as the only guitar player there, were there any live shows you did with that band?
Not with myself but WWIII is very actively gigging and Mony is the guitar player.

How does the current debate of downloading influence your work in your own studio as a producer, do you get less projects to do, or maybe have to change you rates for the bands you produce, or are you guys at Silver Cloud studios booked out weeks/months in advance?
We operate on our own terms and really don't pay much attention to the outside world other than keeping up on anything that effects our business. The download thing is inevitable, Reality became partners with the Digital Rights Agency way ahead of the curve knowing that. Marcy Playgrounds new album, MP3, was top twenty on Itunes for several weeks as a result. We produce our own product 85% of your time but have certain artists that we always make time for as well, so yes, we are typically booked into the future.

Is Reality Entertainment yours and Warren Croyle's label? Can you explain the very long delay in those two records: Silver Mountain also, came out here in August 2002, and in the US in early 2004, about 16 months later?
As you know, the European market has been very shaky and its hard to maintain the right distribution and marketing vehicles. Even though it might look a little staggered from the European perspective, Reality puts out one to two very hot releases a month and is very prominent in the US possibly more so than in Europe. I can tell you the label has many great surprises coming for Europe and the US. For the record, Silver Cloud and Reality are all part of the same thing, Reality Entertainment the label. Godhead, Marcy Playground, Warrior, WWIII, Krokus, Sybreed, Lyzanxia, Freakhouse and many more are all on Reality Entertainment, the label. There are several key people involved with Reality, Warren and myself included.

What are the upcoming artists you are going to work with / produce?
God Lives Underwater, Body Count, Slim Boy, Chocolate Rockets are a few names we are working on.

Is there any band / artist you never wanna work with again in your life?
Yes, but they are all dead.

Those were the days ...
You have been in Germany a couple of times by now, what do you find the most strange thing over here, what made you wonder here?
Why the rock is so much more alive and true than anywhere else, Germany has the best fans.

In a recent "Metal Sludge" interview, your business partner in your studio Warren Croyle was described by a musician like this: "Drinks like a fish" - does he realise he has to live with that reputation now, since Metal Sludge is a very popular site!? (even here in Germany!)
That actually makes me laugh because he couldn't care less what anybody thinks. Warren makes great records and is an amazing being. I think he's part human! That says it all. If an artist is lucky enough to work with Warren one on one, they will never be the same!

Speaking about Metal Sludge, which band should give it up and call it a day?
I really haven't a clue - my favorite "new" band is the Darkness, they rock!!

Joe, thank you once again for another interesting interview and most of all your time writing all the answers down between your busy schedule in the studio, keep up the good work, good luck, hopefully we have your band over here in Europe some day ...
I want to thank you for your interesting questions and support, Georg. I'd like to say that The German Fans are the best in the World! Thanks for your support.

photo from the
There you go, when I got that, I thought "Oh well ..." -> I forgot some interesting questions, what's with Roy Z, who actually was a WARRIOR member for ANCIENT FUTURE and also played on that / Joe's still friends with old drummer from Warrior who changed sex from a man into a woman and then the new bootlegs for the 1985 record resurfacing now, but the good thing is there will always be another interview ...




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