With Rochester metal drummer Mike Waske. He has a 7 year old son, M, so I thought I'd ask him a few questions about being a metal parent.
How did you get into metal?
My first experience being exposed to heavy metal was in 4th grade at an older cousin's house and we were hanging out and they had the radio on and a song came on - "You Can't Kill Rock n Roll" by Ozzy Osbourne. I heard that and went "WOW what the hell is this?" They pulled out some metal albums and played them and as soon as I went home I bugged my parents for a record club membership. I have Ozzy, Judas Priest, AC/DC, and yeah basically from then on up until middle school when I became more serious about metal. Metallica's "Master of Puppets" album launched me into heavier, more thrash metal.
What are you currently working on?
I am the drummer for Orodruin, a traditional doom metal band. We're still working on material, playing shows, that sort of thing. I'm also in Blizaro, a project of John Gallow, the guitar player for Orodruin. It's more of a horror rock group and we're currently in the process of recording an album for Razorback records.
You have a 7 year old son. Is he into metal?
Yeah! He doesn't complain about it, that's for sure. He's been to shows. It's something he thinks is interesting. He bangs his head, and when he comes to shows, throws the horns. It's cute.
So does he think it's cool you are in a band, or are you still lame because you're his dad? I'm not sure if he's at that age yet, he thinks it's cool. I think he thinks John Gallow is cooler than I am- he's pretty close with John. Before practices when we're warming up, M will get on the drums and play with John.
In our class we learned about the PMRC, which tried to censor heavy metal. Metal does contain some explicit language and general goriness. Do you limit what he listens to?
At this age no, as he can't make out the lyrics and can't be bothered reading them. When he does get to the age, no, I won't censor- when he gets to that age, I'll have discussions with him to find out how he feels about it, and basically try to see how it affects him and just help him learn there's tons of ways music expresses itself. And I'd also discuss what's appropriate and not in social situations. I don't wan to limit him. Questionable things like that are about having an open dialogue. You know, it's funny because the PMRC happened right when I was exposed to thrash metal, and they were attacking all the bands I was getting into.
How do you balance work, music, and parenting?
Well, you have to make a choice- either hit the road and make a life of it where you aren't going to do other things, or make it a hobby. Vacations become tours. We are fortunate enough in our groups where it pays for itself- we are able to break even. Unless you are making a decent amount of money, metal is pretty much a hobby. It's important to surround yourself with people who support you.
So would you say it's important for parents to have outside interests?
Yeah, whether it's music, art. . .crocheting! whatever. You have to make alot of sacrifices when you have a family and have children but it's absolutely necessary to keep those passions, have to have some sort of outlet outside family life. My time is music and you know, I want to pass it on to my son.
:) Thanks so much for talking with me Mike!
For more information on Mike's bands, check out:
http://www.myspace.com/orodruin
http://www.myspace.com/jgblizaro
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