Hard Talk

Nasty Savage Are Back with a Vengeance!

by Jonathan Mariante

Nasty Savage terrorized the underground metal scene of the 80s with their violent style of classic heavy metal and even more violent stage show! They've been out of action for a while but have now returned with a brand new album called "Psycho Psycho". Just when you thought it was safe...Nasty Savage returns! I recently had the chance to interview wildman vocalist Nasty Ronnie, and we discussed all things Nasty and Savage.

Ball-Buster: "Psycho Psycho" is Nasty Savage's first album in almost 15 years! Why such a long break? What did you do during the band's "down time"?

Nasty Ronnie: I lived life and have two wonderful children and a great wife Debbie who was with me even before NS formed, in '83; A new home, started my own business, "Born To Ride", a biker TV show I produce here in Florida. This week is my 441st episode going on nine years. So I have had time to deal with human factors, betrayal systems, and pretty much the anguish we all live with in the ups and down of reality.

BB: Are you pleased with how "Psycho Psycho" turned out?

NR: Yes, we are happy but never satisfied because I feel and know that you can always do better, a record is only a moment captured in time. As a body of work I feel it has a lot to offer fans from the past and fans of out future.

BB: Nasty Savage has been around for almost 20 years! Looking back, do you have any favorite memories? Did you ever think that the band would still be going in 20 years time?

NR: Well, I never thought I would have that chance again, listen to the silence, can you hear the sound between the words, give me new birth, put me back upon this earth..."Psycho Psycho". Looking back, getting signed to do Metal Massacre #6 and a full album of our own in '85 with Metal Blade after the demo was out only a short time was great. WWIII Metal Fest '86 in Canada with Possessed, Voi Vod, Celtic Frost, and Destruction, '88 Blitzkrieg Tour in Europe including the Metal Battle Poland, South America down in Brazil '89, 60 shows in 65 days with Sick Of It All & DRI in 1990 and that was it; over, done, and gone, NS RIP. 8 years later 1998, back from the dead, Band Your Head Germany, and 5 more years and 2004 PSYCHO PSYCHO!!!!!

BB: Are there any concert/touring plans in the works?

NR: I think you can count on it but we need to network the state of metal in the USA to an all new outrageous level! If we come to your town don't miss Nasty Savage!!!!!!!!

BB: I understand Nasty Savage played at the third Classic Metal Festival last year. How did that go? Did you enjoy it?

NR: It was awesome! The band kicked ass! It was good to be back freaking out people again on stage with my TV sets, in the show on a trip under the lights on the stage, it was also very cool to see first hand how roots in the industry from the past also demands respect. I felt the crowd could have been larger.

BB: I know you were once a professional wrestler. Do you still do it? What do you think of the wrestling scene today? The WWE has become a huge phenomenon, it's bigger than ever these days! Do you think it's become too commercialized?

NR: No, it's not too commercial. It's a big show and really the only show in wrestling to work for, it's the top! I don't really wrestle too much these days but from time to time I may run/promote a show or something. It never leaves your blood and I would love for the WWE to use the song "Psycho Psycho" for a wrestler going out to the ring! And I would love to work for them also.

BB: Wrestling star Chris Jericho sang some backup on "Psycho Psycho". That's VERY cool! Tell us about that-How did you get him to do it? What was he like to work with? Did you enjoy the experience of working with him? He also has his own band, Fozzy. Have you heard them?

NR: Fozzy is great! They have a nice guitar sound, Chris has a magnificent voice and is a very good front man! A friend of mine knew him and told me has was a real NS fan and he wanted to meet me so we met for dinner one night and he talked about NS for about a half hour and proved to be a real fan from the 80s. I had a lot of respect for him also because he is such a true professional at what he does. So a few years later when "Psycho Psycho" was coming together, I gave him a call to see if he was interested in recording something on our CD. He said it would be an honor and the rest is history.

BB: Nasty Savage hails form Florida. What's the metal scene there like these days?

NR: Well you have to create a scene sometimes, it's not like the past. It's kind of slim and none.

BB: How has your relationship with Crook'd Records been? They've reissued some of your albums. Will all of Nasty Savage's albums ever see the light of day again?

NR: It seems like Metal Blade has us tied up on the first three records. Crook'd Records is the only reason we are here today! The are true to metal and it's pumping in their blood!!! Without them NS would NEVER have had this CD! People need to support them because they are true and great for heavy metal! I really can't say enough about how much respect I have for them. I would do anything to keep them going. Check out their website and buy something NOW!!! http://www.crookdrecords.com

BB: Your early work was released on Metal Blade. What kind of experience did you have working with them?

NR: They wanted to sign us for 7 years and 7 records; we turned that offer down and went for only one with an option. I think if we would have taken the 7 deal, things would have been much different for our future. Instead we rotted away and got screwed every time we turned around. There is still today a mystery about NS and Metal Blade USA. I wonder what is going on....?

BB: What inspires Nasty Savage's song lyrics?

NR: Life, reality, people, and how we treat each other. It's real emotions that build up kind of like short stories about different topics of life, They are filled with passion and feelings from our heart. Can you hear the sound between the words? Search them out, find your own answers.

BB: I've heard you smash TVs on stage! Where did you get the idea to do that? Wendy O. Williams used to do the same thing. Did you ever do any shows with her back in the day? I ask because Wendy O. and NS appear to be on the same page, in terms of music, image, and attitude.

NR: Wendy was someone who got my attention with over the top action and a show of shock. I liked that. She did her TVs with a sledgehammer, I smash them on my chest and take it a few steps deeper. We became friends and she was very real, it was sad to see her go. I think when you see NS, it's something that you will never forget so when we come to your town get your ass out there and see a real PSYCHO PSYCHO on stage!!!!!

BB: Where does Nasty Savage go from here, now that you've finally got a new album out after a long hiatus? What does the future hold for the band?

NR: The future is NASTY SAVAGE- Open the gates of the infernal empire or we will bust them down!!! Check out the new CD, you can get it at Crook'd's website. Also sign our guest book. Let us know what you think or where you want to see us go. NS is ready for anything so look the F_CK OUT!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!! Keep supporting metal!