Master are one of the pioneers in the Death Metal scene. They have been around for a long time and they has released some albums through Nuclear Blast. After a pause; Master has now released their new album "Faith Is In Season" through Pavement Music. We got in touch with the master in Master; Paul Speckman.
His handwriting is not the best, but I guess this interview make sense.
1. First of all; welcome back with a new album !! How does it feel ?
Incredible satisfying. It’s a long way to the top when you want to Rock’n’Roll !! And by now means have I ever made it to the top !! Yet. Perseverance is my secret. I haven’t and never will give up. Music is and always has been a way of life for myself and many others !
2. Let us take the formalities before we go over to the more meaty questions. When and where was Master started ?? Could you give us a brief biography ??
Master began in 1983. Schmidt, Warcry’s first drummer, quit and after numerous gigs with the band, I left as well. Scmidt and I formed Master in late ’83 and I financed Master’s earliest recordings in late 1984. Deathstrike was also formed in late ’83 and recorded "Fuckin’ Death", my first aggressive demo.
3. As far as I remember; you were involved in bands like Deathstrike, Abonimation and (this might come as a shock) Paul Speckmann Project. All of them released CDs on Nuclear Blast and/or Relapse Records. Please tell us more about these bands and releases.
As for Abonimation, we will release a new EP in April on Metal Age Records in Germany. Abonimation released 2 CDs for Nuclear Blast in the early ’90. Fortunately, we were able to open for Pungent Stench and Master on the "Fleische" tour in 1990.
The Speckman Project was to be the first Master CD, but Nuclear Blast decided it was too commercial and remixed the earlier 1990 recording with the original line up. The Speckman Project was too heavy to throw away !!
4. Over to Master. Please give us a presentation of each of Master’s many releases on Nuclear Blast and/or Relapse Records.
1990; the debut of Master. A very exiting event, after struggling for so many years in Chicago. It was a long difficult wait from the Combat offer of ’84 ‘till this release in ‘89-’90. But, the strong will survive.
On the Seventh Day, Aaron Nickleas, formely of Abonimation, and Jim Martinelli was actually borrowed from a band called Burnt Offering. During the recording, Martinelli left Morrisound Studio due to personal problems. Paul Masdival from Cynic and Death, came in as a temporary replacement. He basically finished the album after endless hours of frustrations for both of us. He is a brilliant guitarist.
Faith is in Season was recorded in Now- Dec 1997 in Kenner LA, a suburb near New Orleans. Keith Falgoot (Crisis, Crowbar, Acid Bath) engineered and co-produced this album with me. Keith recorded the album for $ 1600, but gave us studio time worth more. He even took us into his home for a few days. This album was mixed with a 24 hours straight session !! Scott Burns on the other hand charged us around
$ 20 000 for the Seventh Day, and personally, I like the new CD best.
5. In hindsight; what is your view on these releases compared to your new album ?
The new CD answers this question.
6. As you might have guessed. I am not entirely sure which record label you were signed on. Nuclear Blast or Relapse Records. I am sure you know, so please explain. How did you get in touch with the record label in question ?
Nuclear Blast came first, and Relapse became Nuclear Blast’s second US distributor after the failure of Walk Thru Fire Records in Chicago. Joe Caper from Righteous Pigs and Mitch Harris from Napalm Death were responsible for putting Master, and Abonimation in touch with Nuclear Blast.
7. As far as I remember; you got a horrible bad press here in Europe. I do not know why, but the press was very hateful. How many of the editor’s wives or girlfriends did you sleep with ? What was the reason behind this bad press ?
I slept with and still sleep with everyone’s old lady. Jealousy is always a great motivation for bad press. Nuclear Blast released too much too soon. Money has always been the only motivation for Nuclear Blast.
8. You released a ‘7 on a German record label back in 1996, if I am not mistaken.
Please tell me more about this release.
This was an 8 track cassette recording done at practice for Moonlight Records. Oliver Kraupa (it’s owner -ed) never paid us a dime. He’s just another thief.
9. Excluding this ‘7; what did you do between your last CD on Nuclear Blast/Relapse Records and the new album ?
Toured the US about 10 times, Mexico twice and South & Central America once. Also I’ve been recording and searching for a record contract.
10. How did you get in touch with Pavement Music ?
The publicist Matt Strangeways from a band called Windigo arranged the meeting with label president Mark Nawara.
Nawara offered Master a licensing deal in 1992 as well. Manager Jim Daly refused !! I manage all affairs since 1993.
11. Your new album "Faith Is In Season" was released this summer through Pavement Music. Please tell us more about this album. For example the recording, the lyrics, the writing process and the featured
tracks.
The CD was written over a three year period, along with Johnson and Brady. Gonzales came in late in the process. The CD deals with real life. Faith is at an at time high in the US. People need to have Faith in themselves and fight their own demons. People are surviving on their fate alone in idols and myths of religion icons. The album deals with the ups and downs and the ins and outs of life. Politics and everyday events in America also appear in my musical incarnations. Faith is in season, Re- terrorizer and return to Vietnam (????? -ed) are among my favorites. Songs are written many different ways for myself. There is no set particular process !
12. Was it difficult to re-establish Master in the new Death Metal scene anno 1998 ?
Master never left. Most 1998 releases are regurgitated stuff. Master and Death riffs appear over and over on the latest releases from the new scene.
13. As a veteran, sorry, I mean, THE veteran in the scene; how would you compare the Death Metal scene anno ’90 - ’93 with today’s Death Metal scene ?
There is no comparison.
14. How do you see yours and Master’s position in today’s scene ?
As usual we will we and are again carving our own place in metal history. Everyday has his day and in 1999; Master’s day is coming.
15. What is your political, religious and philosophical views ?
Believe in yourself and you can conquer against all odds. Everyone said your’re finished Speckmann, and here I am again on the rise.
16. Are any members of Master involved in other bands/projects ?
Aaron has returned to Abonimation and Master. We’ll be touring April ‘til July 1999 !
17. Is it any chance that we will see any more releases from Death Strike, Abonimation and Paul Speckman Project ? How about re- releases of these and the old Master albums ?
Abonimation will release the original Demos. Followed by a new EP, April 1st 1999.
18. What are your plans for the coming months and year ?? Any tour plans ??
The tour in the USA begins January 1st 1999.
19. Do you have a merchandise list ??? From what address can the band be contacted ??
Yes, for a list please write to:
Master
PO Box 4546, Mesa
AZ 85211-4546
USA
I also want to thank you for this brilliant interview.