BËEHLER (Eng.)
– First off, thanks for answering to our questions. Tell us a bit how are you currently feeling after the release of your first album as just BËEHLER.
Thanks for the interview, and the kind compliments for Beehler and my past. I’m pretty excited about the album. I’m really happy with the album and it’s the way I wanted to come back.
– Explain us how was the songwriting process for “Messages to the Dead”.
We wrote the album over 3 years. I always write one on one with either Sean or Scott. Al Johnson was involved in the songwriting as well. For the first time, the lyrics are all true stories about people in my life and in the past. It was a very emotional album to write.
– I have had the chance of listening to the album and buying the red vinyl version, and it has honestly impressed me its aggressiveness; is this the exact way how you wanted it to sound?
I love the way the album sounds. It was meant to be very aggressive. That’s exactly how I wanted to come back. I just want to get heavier and more aggressive.
– On the album we can find influences from both traditional Metal and Speed Thrash or even Doom. What does the album deal with? Is there a link between all the songs surrounding the album’s name?
The album is more on the dark side, that’s where the Doom comes from. I wanted it to be a journey through Metal. It’s called “Messages To The Dead” as a dedication to my late brother who was a huge part of Exciter. This album was his dream but he never got to hear it.
– The cover artwork is just fantastic, quite at the style of from Black Metal bands from the 80’s, honest and simple but powerful. Who did come up with the idea and who crafted it?
We love the cover too, an artist friend of ours, Richard Morrisette came up with the idea. He did a great job.
– And about the band that you have, tell us a bit who are they and how did they hook up with you.
The band I have now we got together around 1999. Scott Walsh (also my Brother-In-Law) and I started Beehler together with Al Johnson and Sean Brophy. I grew up with Sean’s Family. Our new bass player Brian Stephenson, is also a Family friend so it’s cool to play with friends and not just going through the motions.
– Is unavoidable talking with Dan Bëehler and not to talk about your past and everything you have given to the Metal world. Explain us how did your career into the Metal scene start and how did you start singing and playing drums.
I grew up playing drums in the 70’s always craving the heaviest form that was around tat the time. Exciter was formed in 1979, my biggest influences were the new wave of heavy metal. In 79’ John and Al used to sing and they weren’t really great singers, and one day I sang at rehearsal, I think it was an old ACDC song. The roadies freaked out and said ‘you’re the singer’, and that was the end of my Neil Peart career.
– Without any doubt, EXCITER was some kind of springboard for you. On my eyes is one of the best bands and with the biggest attitude I have ever listened to. How was that 80’s period with EXCITER like?
Thanks for the compliments. From day one we have always strived to be as heavy as we can be. The 80’s were a very special time, it’s had to describe, I guess you just had to be there. I’m glad to be a pioneer of it.
– Even today EXCITER is considered an underground band, but bands as METALLICA or ANTHRAX took a huge influence from them for their earlier works. Are you nowadays conscious, and looking backwards, you were pioneers and a really important band?
Yes, unfortunately everybody went off to make it big except for Exciter. I am constantly meeting people that we influenced, like Phil Anselmo, Sebastian Bach, etc.
– What happened with the 1992’s reunion? Why did it not work and why did you leave the band?
The early 90’s was not good for smaller metal bands, grunge was huge. It sucked because Al didn’t come back, it was just John and I and the production of the album ‘Kill after Kill’ sucked and nobody was coming out to the shows.
– Are you updated on what a EXCITER are currently doing? Are you still in contact with Ricci?
I hear about John all of the time, I wish them all the best but I don’t talk to him. His band are really nice guys.
– Coming back to these present days and to your new effort; how are the BEEHLER live shows going to be? Have you planned playing the whole album or will you mix them up with some EXCITER classics?
We are working on doing live shows right now, hopefully some festivals in the summer and go back to Brazil at some point. We will always mix in old Exciter into the set.
– About tours and the general live situation; how are things going for your immediate-future?
Just working on doing some live shows now and writing new material for the next album.
– And on a view to long term plans; is BEEHLER a steady band to keep on releasing albums? Do you have any other things in mind?
We will take Beehler as far as we can as long as I can keep drumming and singing, it’s great that there is still a lot of old Exciter and new Beehler fans out there.
– That’s all from our side, has been a pleasure interviewing a living legend whom I admire a lot. And wish you the best and hope to see you someday.
Thank you so much for remembering me and checking out Beehler. Anything else you need just let me know. Long Live the Loud!
