Interview with Anthony Vasquez

Fueled by Fire are from California and they play old style thrash metal. They signed to Metal Blade and released “Spread the fire” back in the summer. They recently parted ways with their singer Gio. I recently interviewed bass player Anthony Vasquez and got to find out about the band’s vocalist situation and much more.

MM-Tell us a little about how this band formed?
AV-When we first started we were a five piece band which included Sal Zepeda- who started the band with Carlos and another vocalist. So now we have Carlos Gutirrrez - Drummer(he started the band) Ricardo Rangel (Rick for short) he is now our lead Vocalist/ Lead Guitar, And Anthony Vasquez - he's our Bassist.
GIO, WHO WAS OUR MOST RECENT VOCALIST, JUST LEFT THE BAND OCTOBER 11, 2007 SO FUCK HIM. AND NOW WE HAVE RICK TAKING OVER AS VOCALIST AND WE PICKED UP A NEW GUITARIST SMOKES GIO! HIS NAMES CHRIS MONROY, WE CALL HIM "LIL CHRIS". HOPEFULLY YOU GUY'S WILL SEE THIS LINE UP SOON.

MM-Who are your influences?
AV- IRON MAIDEN, SLAYER, VIO-LENCE, EXODUS, ECT.

MM-How is that you came to be influenced by a style of music that really peaked about twenty years ago?
AV-Damn, we don’t know at first we just played heavy metal and then we started playing faster and it felt better so we are what we are now.

MM-How do you manage to get signed by Metal Blade?
AV-Brian Slagel contacted us from our Myspace. It was weird, but bad ass all together.

MM-What has been the response to your album "Spread the fire" so far?
AV-So far what I have been reading its all great some are a bit off they dont know what they are talking about but for the most part its all great news.

MM-Why did you part ways with your singer "Gio"?
AV-Because he's a bitch! He couldnt handle being in a band. He got all pussy whipped. It couldnt be 3 guys and a pussy, right?

MM-How is the search for a new singer going? What are you looking for in a new singer?
AV-We decided to keep it how it is. Rick took over on vocals and we picked up a new kid "lil chris" Smokes Gio in guitaring so everything is all good now!!! RICK SMOKES GIO TOO IN OUR OPINION! He has good range and his timing is perfect. We were trying out a lot of people and Rick kept telling them how to sing certain part's so we asked him if he would step in for a show we had booked and he did great! So we back tearing it up!!!


MM-I noticed that you have a few shows coming up at the end of the year. Any tour plans beyond that or does everything kind of hinge on your vocalist situation at this point?
AV-No not at all we are ready to go! Nothing can stop us! Especially a little bitch right haha. We already got good feedback from our first show with this line up and I’m sure no one will be disappointed. Hope to see you guy's soon.



MM-Have you written any new material?
AV-Yes, we have we got like 5 down and more to come!

MM-Since you are playing a style that was popular so long ago, what are you doing that sets your band apart from previous and current thrash bands?
AV-Well we are very influenced by heavy metal and thrash so we combined what sounds bad ass. it all just has our f-b-f twist.

MM-Is playing this style of music too limiting since so much has been done in thrash metal?
AV- It is but then there isn't we see no limitations in anything.

MM-What current bands are you into?
AV- IRON MAIDEN, TESTAMENT, VIO-LENCE, DEATH, POSSESSED, METALUCIFER.

MM- Pick the one of the following bands that you prefer.
AV-
Slayer or Venom- DAMN...?
Exodus or Testament- Fuck... I would say EXODUS!!!
Dark Angel or Death Angel- DARK ANGEL
Kreator or Sodom- SODOM

MM-Where do you hope to be in three years?
AV-SITTING ON MY ASS BACK STAGE, WAITING TO PLAY A SICK ASS SHOW!!! IN FRONT OF A SHIT LOAD OF PEOPLE!!!

MM-Anything else that you want to sat about your band or your music?
AV-OF COURSE!!!
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR US WE'RE COMING YOUR WAY SOON AND WE'RE GONNA TEAR IT UP MORE THAN EVER!!!
IF YOU DON'T HAVE OUR CD GO OUT AND GET ONE YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!
KEEP THRASHIN!!!!!
F-B-F BASS...ANTHONY VASQUEZ

Thanks to Anthony for doing the interview.
http://www.myspace.com/fueledbyfire