First of all, we'd like to thank Peter for taking time out to answer some question about himself, the label and the new vinyl version of M.I.A.
TWM: Thanks for the interview, Peter. Can you tell us about yourself?
PD: I will be 40 years old this summer and started being a metal fan in 1984, and the magic is still alive. I had a little time-out in the 90's but now Metal is more important than ever before. On the other hand, I am a quite normal family dad with a little daughter and in my job I work as the head librarian of a little university here in Germany's Black Forest...something that fits together with Metal record collecting and cataloguing stuff. I know many old Metalheads who are librarians or book dealers.
TWM: Can you tell us about FILS DU METAL Records?
PD: I got the idea for FILS DU METAL RECORDS in 2003 when I discovered the CD "Beyond The Romance" (from 1991) from the French band, JUMPER LACE. I was so overwhelmed by it that I looked for the band and found it. The result was that I got to know that JUMPER LACE had recorded a second studio album that never saw the daylight. Actually something exactly like THRUSTER's "M.I.A.".
This second album of JUMPER LACE was more of a melodic one, but I personally loved it. When starting this first release on CD I learned that you can only release something that you love and where you get the feeling that this music is you. I cannot describe it but it is 100% idealism. So I checked it out: what will it cost and how do I handle it? The first releases were really exciting and you learn a lot about releasing music. But after the years you get more professional; although I have to say it is still a young label and still think it is idealism, isn't it?
TWM: Who are some other bands that have releases on FILS DU METAL?
PD: Most of the following releases were on vinyl. I am no real friend of CDs. I grew up with vinyl and vinyl will never lose its magic for me. CDs are ok for playing in a car or at a party but otherwise: No! Same for mp3, the worst invention since guns, bombs and alcohol. Ok, back to the label: All the stuff is from the 80's or the beginning of the 90's when metal was still something real and not the over-produced crap you can buy nowadays, although I have to admit: different generations, different attitudes and tastes.
So far, I have released:
JUMPER LACE - "The Last Jump" CD (music from 1992 and demos stuff from the 80's)
VIXEN - "French Warriors" (pre-Jumper Lace demos from 1985-1987)
GRAVEN IMAGE - "People In Hell Still Want Ice Water" LP (80's US Metal)
HOLSTER- same LP (French Metal demo from the 80's)
DEATH DEALER - same 2-LP (killer Canadian Metal from 1983-1987)
DAMOCLES- same LP (French Metal from the 80's)
and to come
THRUSTER - "M.I.A." LP (US Metal from 1986-1987)
All those were limited to 500 hand-numbered copies; except the VIXEN LP, which was really limited to only 300 copies and the CD, which was pressed with 1000 copies.
TWM: Why do you release vinyl records instead of CDs or MP3s?
PD: The vinyl thing is something very personal. Now, everyone buys an old record player and collects records like stamps, especially here in Germany where you have one of the biggest Metal markets on earth; if not the biggest. You can even buy the vinyl records in the big stores for some years now. In the 90's and the beginning of the 21th century, no one wanted vinyl, but each generation needs its revival, check the TV shows, the clothes etc. That is how evolution works.
I even started buying CDs at the end of the 80's when they were ultra expensive and still special but, honestly, they never caught me. A vinyl record, the cover and inlay (insert) is a piece of art put together; although for sure the music is the most important thing. I really concentrate on vinyl and, if possible, wanna do vinyl only releases. The JUMPER LACE CD was an exception as it was recorded by the band to get a CD as final product.
TWM: How did you first hear about THRUSTER?
PD: I know THRUSTER as I am a maniac record collector and I knew the "Back in Time" 7" single from a friend in Switzerland who had it in his collection. That was about 5 years ago. One day I got it in my hands and was caught by this piece of real 80's US Metal. Then one day I found an entry of RUSS' on an internet forum and discovered the THRUSTER website and so it all started. I ordered the M.I.A. CD-R (and that was a big step: imagine me, the man who does not like CDs, buying a CD-R! But I knew that M.I.A. is something special).
TWM: What do you like about the band’s music?
PD: THRUSTER is, without exaggeration or currying favor, US metal in it's most pure form. The wonderfully clear, sometimes high-pitched but mostly mid-range vocals, unbelievable rhythm and lead guitars and definitely great song writing. Definitely one step beyond Metal's rough start in the early 80's. Especially on "M.I.A"...the helicopter, gunfire and marching effects mixed in on the song, "M.I.A." or the chorus in the band hymn, "THRUSTER", sung by all. It's hard to explain but it's just a perfect mix that's one step ahead of too modern Metal but still old school enough. Also, the diversity of speed is important. For example, "Enemy Below" starts like a Speed or Thrash Metal track...but it isn't at all. It caught me when listening to it the first time. It's one tough piece on one hand and so full of diversity on the other.
The lyrics I discovered later and this also impressed me.
TWM: Can you tell us about the M.I.A. album?
PD: The "M.I.A." album will be released in a vinyl edition of 500 copies. Of the 500, there will be 100 collector's copies with the original "Back In Time / Excellorater" single enclosed. The 100 copies will be on colored vinyl...probably gray. All copies will be hand-numbered and include an inlay (insert) with the song lyrics and some live pics of the band as a background.
TWM: Where can people buy the album?
PD: You can buy it on the THRUSTER website (thrusterrocks.com) or from major European distributors like High Roller Records, Battlecry, Metaleros, Metalizer, HBFR etc.. Or you can also get it directly from me at: peterdaub@arcor.de...especially if you want one of the collector's edition with the single included.
TWM: Are there any other U.S band’s music you would like to release?
PD: I have one other project but I don't know if it will come through. It would be a double live album from IRON CROSS (Florida), one of my favorite US Metal bands. It would also have a single of unreleased tracks that they just dug out. But they are well known, and have already re-released a lot of stuff on OPM Records as well as a CD on Battlecry Records.
After the THRUSTER LP I will take time out for almost a year (I think). Family life takes a lot of time and, for me, it's very important not to put out one record each month. If I did, I think motivation would drop and I'd be afraid that I wouldn't feel the magic anymore...it would be a sell-out of my soul. This music is something special for me personally and I don't want to change this.
