To be quite honest, the front man of this band, Lance Ozanix, changed my life. Many years ago when I was doing a print ‘zine it was through Lance that I got a first hand look at the scene from someone who was there at the very beginning, not to mention that the music his band was producing held something that no other band has displayed since. I can’t explain it, but an essence of FUCK YOU that is different than every other METAL band surrounds the many epic tales this band has crafted since the mid 80’s. Of course, another facet of the band is Lance’ on stage performance of projectile green vomit that has been a staple for many many years. I wish I could share the phone conversations we’ve had over the years…oh the fucking memories! Here’s a new interview with Lance in which he talks about the current SKITZO release on Open Grave Records ‘five point containment’, as well as a host of other topics going back to the early daze of the thrash legends…
[Editor's Note: I just left Lance's responses the way he typed them, because I am lazy.]
Shane: Its been quite awhile since we’ve talked Lance. It was back in the late 90’s, some dark times followed you back then as far as the loss of your friend/bandmate and the whole Columbine fiasco. As you look back at that time what are your thoughts? You got some great music out of those times!
Lance: WELL, AFTER ALL THOSE WERE DARK DAYS. TODAY ITS DARK TOO. GETTING OLDER, LOSING FRIENDS. FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ALL BUT EXTINCT. JUST THE OTHER DAY A COUSIN OF MINE “JON” HUNG HIM SELF….DARK DAYS ARE STILL UPON US AND WE ALL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEM, I DO WITH MUSIC.
Shane: After all these years what keeps you motivated to keep SKITZO going?
Lance: ITS LIKE A SPIRIT TEASING ME TO KEEP GOING…EVERY TIME I HAVE A THOUGHT OF GIVING UP-I GET AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE DOWN MY SPINE LIKE A MONKEY IN THE ROLLER MUSIC BOX COLLECTING CASH FROM CURIOUS WATCHERS.
Shane: SKITZO was originally called VENOM in the very early 1980’s. Talk about that and what led to the name change.
Lance: I WAS IN A IMPORT RECORD STORE AND SAW VENOM WAS ALREADY TAKEN, SO AFTER USING THAT NAME LOCALLY FOR A YEAR I CHANGED IT. BUT CAN U SEE ME GOING TO COURT AGAINST CRONOS??? HAHA!
Shane: You’ve been a part of the legendary Bay Area Metal Scene since its inception. How has the roller coaster ride of the scene over the years affected SKITZO.
Lance: WELL IN THE 90S THERE WAS NO SCENE…BUT THE 80S OF COURSE RULES, AND 2000s AND MORE ARE GETTING A LITTLE BETTER…BUT IT AINT MUCH OF A ROLLER COASTER RIDE AFTER 1988. ITS KINDA A PUSSY FEST. SOME KIDS DONT REALLY KNOW HOW TO TRULY THRASH OR CLOCK-WISE MOSH OR SKANK, ITS BEEN A KUNG FU FIGHTING RIP ROARING CLOSE FISTED BRAWL…THATS NOT WHATS ITS ABOUT- AND SLAM DANCING TODAY AIN’T THE SAME AS IN THE 80s EITHER.
Shane: Horror movies obviously influence many parts of SKITZO. Are they still a big part of your life? Is a sequel to HOLY MOLY in the works?
Lance: NO SEQUEL, BUT I DO SEE SOME NEW FILMS IN THE FUTURE. MAYBE WITH ROB ZOMBIE.
Shane: I recently read that Rob Flynn (Machine Head) left VIO-LENCE back in the day because of gang members threatening to shoot the band onstage at a show at The Omni. Do you remember any shit like that?
Lance: MY BEST OMNI EXPERIENCE?? THIS IS HEAVY…IT WAS AN HOUR BEFORE SHOW TIME, WERE OPENING FOR DEATH ANGEL & BLIND ILLUSION, SO IM 19 YRS OLD, SITTING OUT ON THE CURB IN OAKLAND AND I LOOK DOWN ON THE STREET PAVEMENT AND SEE A “SEVERED MANS PENIS” WITH ANTS ALL OVER IT…NO BLOOD, JUST A CUT OFF DICK IN THE STREET. I LOOKED AT IT IN DEEP THOUGHT FOR 20 MIN…AND TRULY WONDERED WHAT KIND OF WORLD I REALLY LIVE IN.
Shane: I’m sure you’ve had your share of threats. Do you take them anymore serious in light of what happened to Dimebag?
Lance: NO, I’M ACTUALLY OK WITH GETTING KILLED ON STAGE…ITS RIGHT WERE I WANNA BE WHEN I DIE. I ENVY DIME. I BET IF HE WAS TO DIE ALL OVER AGAIN…HE WOULD DO THE SAME. I PITY DEATH’S LIKE GG ALLIN, CUZ HE REALLY WANTED TO GO OUT WITH A BANG AND DIED LIKE A ROCK STAR OVERDOSE….NOT MY WAY OF GOING OUT. KNOWING MY BAD LUCK…I WILL PROBABLY DIE OF CHOKING ON VOMIT OR SOMETHING REALLY CLOSE TO THAT AND A COLLECTIVE RUMBLE OF 1000s OF PEOPLE SAYING “I TOLD YOU SO”…SO I WILL HAVE TO ETCH THAT ON MY STONE!
Shane: Do you ever visit Cliff Burton’s grave?
Lance: NO, HE IS IN THE EAST BAY…MAYBE I’LL HAVE TO CALL JIM MARTIN (EX-FNM) AND GO UP THERE. HE TOLD ME WHERE IT WAS AWHILE AGO.
Shane: You recently spent some time in the hospital. What the hell happened? And are you better?
Lance: FUCK THOSE DOCTORS…TELLING ME TO QUIT PUKING…PAY MY BILLS DOCTOR BUTCHER AND EAT MY SHIT. TAKE THAT SCALPEL AND RUN IT ACCROSS YOUR NUTS YOU FRUIT-CAKE K.K.K. WHITE MASKED BASTARDS.
Shane: Do you still regularly PUKE onstage?
Lance: HELL YES, I GOT TO PROVE MORE THAN EVER NOW TO ALL THESE YOUNG METAL ACTS COMING OUT WHO’S THE MOTHER-FUCKING MASTER.
Shane: You have been on all kinds of TV shows (Springer, Ripleys Believe it or Not, Judge Judy, etc.) Do you see yourself doing anymore of that anytime soon? What are your thoughts now as you look back at all of the stuff you did on TV?
Lance: TV MONEY IS GOOD, TOURING MONEY IS BAD. BUT TOURING MAKES YOU LOOK GOOD, TV MAKES YOU LOOK BAD. TAKE THE BAD WITH THE GOOD AND CONTINUE TO ROCK~AND IF I OFFEND SOMEONE…SHOVE THE TV REMOTE UP YOUR ASS.
Shane: You were friends with Paul Baloff of EXODUS. How did his passing affect your view on life in a HEAVY METAL BAND?
Lance: I HEARD THE HORRIBLE NEWS FROM MERCENARY SEVEN’S SHREDDING GUITAR PLAYER, AND I CALLED JOE HUSTON, AND IT WAS A SOMBER VOID DEAD HEARTS MOMENT, SAD TIMES. I GOT OUT MY FRIENDSHIP BRACELET FROM PAUL HE GAVE ME IN 88 AND SOME PHOTOS, HE & I REALLY BECAME GOOD FRIENDS & WORKING TEAM AFTER HIS SPLIT W/ EXODUS. HE IS MY ALL TIME FAVE THRASH METAL FRONTMAN, DAYS BEFORE HE DIED, ‘TALES FROM THE PIT’ FILM CREW WAS GONNA HAVE ME & PAUL DESTROY A HOUSE FOR THE VIDEO. I MISS PAUL ALOT. I WISH HIM WELL…AND THINK OF HIM DAILY.
Shane: Do you have any stories involving Paul you would like to share? I remember you guys were gonna host a new edition of the legendary ‘TALES FROM THE PIT’.
SEE ABOVE.
Shane: Do you every perform ‘maggie maggot’ live?
Lance: ONLY IN COFFEE HOUSES. WHEN I’M OFF TIME W/ SKITZO AND TAKE OUT MY ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND FREAK HIPPY TEA TOTTALERS OUT.
Shane: How do you feel about the rise of the new THRASH bands that are obviously influenced by the bay area bands of the 80’s (SHADOWS FALL, TRIVIUM, DIECAST, etc.)?
Lance: NAAA, TRY THESE BANDS OUT…HATCHET, DEVASTATOR, DEKAPITATOR, FOG OF WAR…
Shane: How’s Chuck Billy from TESTAMENT doing?
Lance: GOOD NOW…SEE HIS NEW PROJECT, IT KILLS… DUBLIN DEATH PATROL. OR D.D.P.
Shane: Since you guys have been around forever and have played with every type/style of band talk about some of your worst overall shows as well as some of the best over the years.
Lance: WORST WAS IN 1985, WE GOT BOO’D OFF STAGE CUZ WE SUCKED. THEN I PUKED AND PEOPLE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO THEN…BUT CHEERED…AND WE LIVED TO TELL IT. THE BEST TIMES ARE TOO MANY TO WRITE BUT ALOT OF THE TOURS W/ KEN SPRINGER, OR MENTORS TOURS, RECENTLY 2002 ANGRY WHITE MALE TOUR WAS COOL…REUNION W/ MY OLD BAND MATE KELLY GILLIS. TODAY’S SHOWS WITH NATE CLARK & NOAH ARE DOING REALLY WELL, IN SUPPORT OF OUR NEW CD ON OPEN GRAVE RECORDS CALLED “FIVE POINT CONTAINMENT”.
I understand THE MENTORS are back together and your playing some shows with them?
Lance: YES, IT WAS WILD, AND THE COPS GOT CALLED IN CUZ THEY BROUGHT A STRIPPER W/ THEM ON STAGE TO AN ALL AGES CROWD…
Shane: How did you hook up with OPEN GRAVE RECORDS?
Lance: JOHN HAZELTINE, THE METAL DEN, DID THE KILLER HOOK UP…THANKS TO HIM…WE ARE ON!
Shane: Tell us about the new SKITZO album.
Lanec: IT WAS RECORDED AS “HEAVY SHIT”. 12 SONGS. THEN WE SENT IT TO OPEN GRAVE, AND THE DEAL WAS DONE…BEFORE A GOOD MIX & MASTERING. TO ME IT’S A GREAT RECORD THAT HAS CAPTURED THAT OLD 80s STYLE OF METAL. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF IT. IT’S NOW AVAILABLE IN STORES EVERYWHERE… BEST BUY, BORDERS, TARGET.
Shane: There are some LEGENDARY (Jeff Becerra (POSSESSED), Phil Demel (VIO-LENCE & MACHINE HEAD), Sickie (THE MENTORS), John Marshall (METAL CHURCH/BLIND ILLUSION) people on this album. Tell us about all of them and how the hell you got all of ‘em to play on this record.
Lance: WELL, WE’VE ALL BEEN FRIENDS, SO I JUST ASKED IF TIME PERMITTED THEM, IT WAS A COOL PARTY FOR THEM TOO…
Shane: How is Jeff Becerra from POSSESSED doing?
Lance: HE IS ROCKING THE HELL RIGHT NOW, HES GOT A NEW KILLER BAND FROM LA, DOING POSSESSED SONGS…AND ORIGINAL ONES TOO. FIND HIM ON MYSPACE, IT KILLS.
Shane: Toby ‘RAGE’ Wright was involved in the new album. How did he become involved and did he have any stories or something we might not know about the time he spent working with METALLICA?
Lance: HE DID THE IMPORTANT FINALIZING OF MASTERING & PRODUCING THE TOP NOTCH SOUND W/ HIS EXPERIENCED EAR & DIY ATTITUDE AND GREAT FORCE OF METAL & PUNK & HARDCORE. HE GOT ‘FIVE POINT CONTAINMENT’ SOUNDING LIKE A GIGANTIC 80s METAL ICON ROCK WALL OF SONIC BOOM.
Shane: Say a few words about each track.
Lance: CURSE OF THE PHOENIX is the 1st song, its about many place we play in the north bay, alot of the clubs have names like PHOENIX, RAVEN, OLD CROW, and I just wanted to pay homage to the places we rocked over the years…not to mention the phoenix is cursed. GAG LIKE A MAGGOT…was all about things that make us sick. METALLIC TYRANTS (a fucking KILLER track! –ed.) was written around the death of dime bag…so we salute to him w/ JEFF BECERRA on vocals & JOHN MARSHALL on leads. Other songs I’d like to mention are BREEDING THE DISEASE is my bassist NASTY NATE’s from his old band P.C.P., one of my fave local groups…brutalist of them all. CRIMSON EXECUTIONER…some of the beginning riffs were given to me by COREY REYNOLDS who is SCOTT REYNOLD’s little bother who shreds on guitar…VENGEANCE IS MINE of course is a BLIND ILLUSION cover. Mark told me to record all the blind ill all I want…
Shane: Greatest horror film ever and why?
Lance: ‘DAWN OF THE DEAD’ 1978 BECAUSE I WATCHED IT 446 TIMES.
Shane: What horror director do you feel is the most innovative?
Lance: JACK HARRIS, ROMERO, RAY KELLOGG, and the ‘28 weeks later’ guy.
Shane: I know you dig the brilliance of the 70’s/80’s slashers but what do think of the other eras/styles of horror…both older and the latest?
Lance: ‘GRINDHOUSE’ BEST NEW MOVIE…’28 WEEKS LATER’ ALSO AWESOME, I WAS SURPRISED WITH ‘SLITHER’, ‘FEAST’, ‘THE HOST’… ALL TERRIFIC. I LOVE OLD ‘HAMMER’, OLD MEXICAN HORROR, 50’s GIANT BUGS, AND ‘MEN IN RUBBER SUITS’ HORROR TOO.
Shane: What scares, or emotionally moves you the most in a horror film?
Lance: SPIRIT POSSESSIONS, EXORCISM, GHOSTS, ‘THE GRUDGE’ & ‘THE CELL’ DID A MIND FUCK ON ME AND I ALMOST RAN OUT THE THEATER EXIT DOOR….
Shane: How often do you watch a horror movie?
Lance: EVERY NIGHT IF I CAN!
Shane: What type of “monster” do you dig the most in a movie? Zombie/demon/vampire/werewolfe/demented retard stalker, etc.?
Lance: ZOMBIES AND WEREWOLVES ARE MY 2 FAVES.
Shane: Do you read any horror novels or books in general?
Lance: HORROR MAGAZINES AND WEB HORROR SITES LIKE THIS ONE!!!
Shane: Most classic scene of all time in any horror movie?
Lance: LINDA BLAIR SCENES AND ‘THE THING’ 1982 TRANSFORMING, THE HOWLING, AND ‘CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS’ (ZOMBIES POPPING UP OUTTA GRAVES…)
Alright my friend, thanks yet again for the interview…the floor is now open, say anything you wish.
WELL, I MUST SAY SHANE THANK YOU FOR THE MOST UNDYING SUPPORT over the decades and the awesome fan page for SKITZO, soon we must meet and show you the bay area or if & when SKITZO tours again…show me your world… thanks again~Lance Ozanix.
myspace.com/skitzo667
WWW.SKITZO.BIZ
WWW.LANCEOZANIX.COM
WWW.OPENGRAVERECORDS.COM
hotline 707-433-N.U.T.S.
myspace.com/greenvomit
Read all of Shane’s Music Reviews in our Music section.
