The Uber Rock Interview: Joey Vera (Armored Saint)
Written by Lindsey Appleton
Sunday, 12 February 2017 04:00
Los Angeles thrashers Armored Saint are a fairly unique entity in the world of music, and not just heavy metal, in that, apart from the tragically early death of founding guitarist Dave Prichard, they have enjoyed a stable line-up since their formation back in 1982.
The band are just about to release their second live album, ‘Carpe Noctum’, followed by a short run of dates on this side of the Atlantic. I caught up with bassist Joey Vera to take about these matters, and started by asking how they found the experience of funding the album through the PledgeMusic process:
It was great. It’s basically a form of a fan club. It provides unique packages that are not available anywhere else and at the same time helps us promote our new record.
It sounds like it is working well for both bands and fans.
Yea it is.
How did you come up with the name ‘Carpe Noctum’ for the new live album?
I wanted something that would evoke going out at night to see a live concert. I also liked the idea of using a title in Latin.
How is the album being received by your fans?
Very well. It seems to be a good representation of our live experience.
Who did the artwork for the album and does it have any meaning or have any significant relation to any of the songs off the album?
Art was designed by Mike D from Killswitch Engaged. We discussed some basic stuff and I let him run with it. We then hired him to do all the layouts also.
It has been 28 years since the last Armored Saint live album ‘Saints Will Conquer’, how does the new live album differ from this?
Well, we’re a different band now. But our energy is still pretty high. This recording just sounds better and the full picture is more how we are in our current live setting.
The band has had a major upheaval with the death of founding member Dave Prichard who passed in 1990 from leukaemia, are you guys OK talking about this?
Sure.
As someone who has family who play in bands, I know that, as a band, you all become like family to one another, how does a band overcome something such as this?
You just do it. Deal with it. Learn. Make adjustments if needed. Move on.
How did you go about recruiting Jeff [Duncan] after Dave passed, and how quickly did Jeff [Duncan] settle into the band?
Jeff was actually in the band in 1989 for a while. So after Dave passed and after mulling over what to do next, it seemed only natural to bring back Phil Sandoval and Jeff Duncan. The two who had played with Dave in the past.
Back in the early days the band got be around giants in the music industry such as Metallica. Looking back, what was that like?
Not to sound like a prick, but back in the day, we were all coming up as equal peers. There were no giants yet from that pack. In our early days, we did play with some giants though: Priest, Aerosmith, Scorpions, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper. It was unreal. But early on we also had the pleasure of playing with Metallica and becoming friends with them. Little did any of us know one day they would become the giants they are now.
What have you got lined up for the rest of the year
UK dates in March then some US Midwest dates in May. That’s about it yet.
Any message for your fans before you hit the UK for those shows?
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting this band for so long. We cannot do any of this without you!
‘Carpe Noctum’ is released on Friday 24 February.
Armored Saint play the following dates in the UK and Ireland next month:
Monday 20 March – Dublin, Voodoo Lounge
Tuesday 21 March – Belfast, Limelight 2
Thursday 23 March – Pwllheli, Hammerfest
Friday 24 March – Rebellion, Manchester
Saturday 25 March – Birmingham, O2 Academy 3