London May: To name just a few influences (and I'm not implying that that I could actually play half of this stuff) : Keith Moon (i.e the Who's "Quadrophenia"), Topper Headon (i.e. The Clash's "Give 'em Enough Rope"), Chuck Biscuits (i.e. D.O.A.'s "Something Better Change"), Bill Stevenson (i.e. Black Flag's "Slip It In"), John Bonham (i.e. Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti"), Phil Rudd (i.e. AC/DC's "Highway to Hell"), Martin Atkins (i.e. PIL's "Flowers Of Romance")... the list could go on forever...Anyone who's interested in slamming drumming should check out these monsters!
CM: Besides playing the drums you also play bass. When Glenn Danzig did the Samhain reunion tour in '99 you played bass on the "Initium" and "Unholy Passion" portion of the show while Steve Zing played drums, and then switched to drums for the "November Coming Fire" portion of the set. Did you ever play bass before those shows? Or were you thrust into that spot, having to learn all those songs, for the tour?
LM: I had been playing guitar in a few bands prior to the '99 tour so it wasn't too much of a stretch to pick up the bass at that point. I also actually tried out on guitar too when Damien dropped out--but it was harder than it looks so thankfully Todd Youth stepped in! But I really hadn't drummed much in a while so I had to get back up to speed fairly quick. Now it's just the opposite for the 2011 re-boot, I've been playing drums steadily since those '99 gigs but I haven't picked up the bass in forever. Ha! I'm a bit rusty but it's coming back to me…all that down strumming is a work out!
CM: About ten years ago you were part of a "supergroup", as it were, called Son Of Sam and did a great album called "Songs From The Earth". How did you guy's get together? And did you ever do any low key live gigs?
LM: Thanks man, I'm really proud of that album. Todd had some Samhain type songs he had written after the '99 reunion tour . He asked me and Steve and Davey to help him out. It started as just a 7 " for a planned 7th House fan club release but that progressed to a full length when Nitro records (AFI's label) heard of the collaboration. Todd and I worked out the songs and recorded little cassette instrumental demos at my house and then we mailed them to Steve and Davey. But it was a one way process-- and we never heard Davey or Steve's parts before we went into the recording studio. We just crossed our fingers and hoped it would turn out decent in the end. So a few weeks later we all got together in LA over a long weekend and put all our individual pieces together and it all gelled surprisingly well. Todd and I were also very involved with our own full time bands at that time (him in Danzig, me in Tiger Army) so we both invited members from those bands to participate to spice up the record and also to keep a communal spirit between all the parties. Fortunately it all came out pretty spirited and organic sounding, a rare occurrence especially since before and during the recording process we NEVER EVER all played or rehearsed in the same room together. I just tracked my drums one afternoon and then was asked to come back 2 days later for back up vocals--and that was the FIRST time that I had EVER heard Davey's parts (vocals, melodies, and lyrics) over the music. I was really blown away. He's a total pro and a great writer. We tried to plan some gigs afterwards but it was too complicated with everyone's busy/conflicting schedules. Would have been rad....
CM: With all the bands you played in over the years, Reptile House, Samhain, Tiger Army etc, you must have toured the world. Where are some of you favorite places to play live?
LM: I'm pretty easy going and am happy to play any place that'll have me! But seriously, after 30 years I'm most enthused about the off beat and unusual--the weirder and wilder the better! I played on a boat on the river Seine, a crazy bottle smashing club in Mexicali, a cover band bar in Mongolia, a skate park/concert hall in Havana, a jam space in Giza……the list goes on..and I loved every exotic/dangerous minute.
CM: When Metallica did their "Guitar Hero" game a couple of years ago, the Samhain track "Mother Of Mercy" was featured on the game with you original drum recording. Do you feel that Samhain has gotten a little more attention from a new generation who may never have heard of the band before this particular video game?
LM: Yeah--it didn't make me rich but I definitely got fewer confused stares when I mentioned Samhain after that game came out! I'm sure it helped keep the band name alive somewhat since the records have been out of print for so long. But most importantly to me was that it really stoked my son out who was really big into video games at the time. Mega thanks to Metallica for championing Samhain for so many years--I'm a big fan of their's as well.
CM: Since being on tour with Glenn in '99 and now, as well as Glenn's help with the Son Of Sam album, is there any chance of you recording with him in the near future?
LM: Well there's always a chance...
CM: After this tour, what's next for London May? Any new recordings coming up in the new year?
LM: Travel, adventure, charity, music….that's what I'm into and I'm always looking and open to opportunities to do more. Seems like I'm always busy with multiple projects at once and new stuff is always coming up. Fortunately/Unfortunately I say yes to most everything! At the moment I'm in a 2 man "Harp-core" band called "Oogly Boogly" and I'm also jamming with PHILM's Gerry Nestler. It would also be great to do more shows/recordings with my buddy Chris Pontius. I recently did some cool movie and TV stuff and would like to do more. Oh, and a worldwide Danzig Legacy tour in 2012 would be nice…but I'm getting ahead of myself…
CM: Is there a website you wanna plug, where us fans get get news on your next musical venture?
LM: I've found it's easiest and quickest for me to simply update myFacebook and Twitter page with all my current band stuff and gigs,etc. So if they are interested just send em there.
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