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By Jym Harris
JYM HARRIS:
So what exactly prompted the re-formation of Hirax?
KATON DEPENA:
We have been receiving mail from all over the world, especially in Europe, South America and, Japan. We have really die-hard fans. It is because of the fans that Hirax has reformed. We can't wait to tour in 2001 after the new record comes out. The title will be El Diablo Negro. It will be the best record Hirax has recorded to date.
JYM HARRIS:
And this is the ORIGINAL line-up that recorded "Raging Violence"?
KATON DEPENA:
Yes, it is the 1985 original line up featuring: Katon W DePena vocals, Gary Monardo bass, Johnny Tabares drums and Scott Owen guitar. We're all still alive and still love extreme hard music. Fifteen years later the original line up reforms!
JYM HARRIS:
As I recall, the Metal Massacre version of 'Bomb Of Death' differed from the album version. What's up with that?
KATON DEPENA:
The metal massacre version is different than the one on Raging violence. The version on Metal Massacre 6 is the original. We recorded a different version for Raging violence because Bombs of Death was a very popular song in our live set. It still is to this day. It's probably the first song to go international for Hirax besides Destruction and Terror, which was on the first Earache Records release, Anglican Scrape Attic compilation flexi disc (very rare).
JYM HARRIS:
Now, the Hirax logo is still immediately recognizable after all these years. Tom Gabriel Warrior from Apollyon Sun (then in Celtic Frost) designed that, right? How did that happen?
KATON DEPENA:
Yes...it is the same logo that Tom G Warrior did, but it's been modified a bit for 2000. Tom G Warrior has been a friend of Hirax for years. We have a lot of respect for him. He was supportive of Hirax before we became anything. He's been with us since the beginning. We still support whatever music he plays to this day. He's part of our family.
JYM HARRIS:
With the new material, will Hirax be doing some traditional old school thrash stuff or are you gonna try for more of a modern approach?
KATON DEPENA:
The new recordings will be similar to 80s Hirax style but we are way better musicians now. It's been over fifteen years; we can actually play our instruments now. Our song writing is a hell of a lot better. It will be very heavy, and still very fast. We haven't mellowed out. In fact...we're a better band now than we ever were. We also know we have a lot of fans out there and we don't want to let them down. The new record will blow everybody away.
JYM HARRIS:
So what about the new scene... What are some of your likes and dislikes of the 90's? Be specific!
KATON DEPENA:
Anybody who knows us as people, the band Hirax has never given into trends, and never will. We don't have to. We don't listen to any of that new alternative metal shit because it sucks. We're a big part of the underground and to be quite honest with you we'd rather stay in the underground and rot than put out wimpy metal music like a lot of the newer bands. I don't mention the band's names because they don't deserve the press. We would rather play with bands who we respect, such as: Napalm Death, Anvil, Deceased, DRI, Spazz, Anal Cunt, Death, SIGH from Japan, Paul Diano ex Iron Maiden vocalist. Too many bands to name...there are a lot of bands we like. Even back when we started out,...even the styles of music which were very popular (like Satanic metal, Venom, Slayer and Merciful Fate) we liked a lot of those bands, but we never gave in to try and be like them. I think even now more today a band like Hirax has to do their own thing and start our own movement. We're who we are, accept it or die.
JYM HARRIS:
As much as we'd like to, we can't avoid this one. I'm sure you're sick of answering this, but did you have to deal with a lot of racist bullshit in the 80's scene?
KATON DEPENA:
I never really thought about it. I'm sure it existed, but I never let that shit bother me. Plus, I'm not your typical black man. My father was in the Navy for 30 years, so I've been around a lot of different people all my life. I love people of all backgrounds. Racism is completely for idiots. If a person doesn't like somebody because of the way they look or the color of their skin they are obviously a dick head.
JYM HARRIS:
So what's been going on since the break-up? I know you and Ron McGovney (yeah, yeah, Metallica...blah blah blah...fuck them) had a band called Phantasm for a while, but what about later? It's been a long ass time!
KATON DEPENA:
I was in Phantasm, with Ron McGovney after Hirax starting in 1987. After that I worked in the record company industry for a lot of years ...right up until Hirax reformed in 2000. Sooner or later we are going to release the Hirax demo with a live concert from Phoenix, Arizona 1987. This is one of the projects in the works along with the Hirax home video tape complete with live footage and interviews from 1985-now.
JYM HARRIS:
Well, what are the plans for Hirax now? A new album, a tour, what?
KATON DEPENA:
I have written some new material. The name of the album is El Diablo Negro. This record is going to be a monster. That is why we are calling it El Diablo Negro. Some of the new song titles are: Ruined, South Central is Burning, the title track El Diablo Negro, Slit your Wrists, the Khmer Rouge. That's just some examples of what I've been working on. We are writing at least 20 songs to pick from for the new album. We are working really hard on this record because we want it to be a masterpiece. There will be no filler tracks. It will be a kick ass album from beginning to end. Out of respect for our fans we are working very hard on the new album. This record will be a masterpiece. Yes, we plan to tour America, Japan, South America and Europe starting in 2001. We're looking forward to touring all these countries. The amazing thing about Hirax is that we never toured outside of California (except AZ). There are a lot of people that have been waiting years to see us live. Get ready...the wait's almost over!
JYM HARRIS:
Any last comments?
KATON DEPENA:
Thanks for all the support! You guys are die-hard fans. Hirax really appreciates it! We will see you on tour. If you need any Hirax merchandise contact www.Hirax.org or contact the band at eldiablo@blackdevilrecords.com we have Hirax t-shirts now in all sizes. Money orders/ checks to Katon W DePena.
* Black Devil Records * PO Box 1474 * Cypress, CA * USA
With each Hirax t-shirt order, you get two free Hirax stickers included.
Thanks again! Hope to see you on tour soon.
Copyright 2000, BallBuster, The Official Int'l Underground Hard Music Report |
The 80's Hardcore/Metal band HIRAX is back together!!! I recently interviewed singer Katon W. DePena about it, and this is what he had to say...
