Randy Weitzel - ex Flatline
Randy Weitzel - ex Flatline
Randy Weitzel used to be part of Flatline, that promising West Coast Thrash quintet whose “Pave The Way” debut showed how much they could’ve achieved if the band endured. Alas, any musical career is fraught with of pitfalls and Flatline were no exception in the perilous longevity game. Having parted ways with his former band, Randy is now forging ahead and applying himself to new projects. Despite the dearth of fresh material from him due later this year, the guitarist found time for a short chat to tell the world what he’s busy with.
ME: So at what point did you decide to quit Flatline and go back to square one?
Randy: As far as I was concernedFlatline was done. You know, if it was still functioning I wouldn't have moved on.
ME: Is Flatline a dead horse or just on an indefinite hiatus?
Randy: Who knows? It’s really not my place to say, but we gave it Hell. I was sad to see it end but it was ultimately the best decision for me.
ME: You and Travis (Johnson) are together again for American Massacre, which follows where Flatline left off. Who else is gonna round out the new lineup and what release date are we looking at for the debut?
Randy: Travis got his old buddy Lonny Pallisas from Eminent to play drums. Lonny rules, by the way. Our buddy Josh Newell is on bass. Josh played for In This Moment when they first started out and he was in and out of Flatline a few times. We're shooting for the end of the year to get things rolling.
ME: Oh yeah, American Massacre was a name chosen by the fans, right? What other handles were floating around for your new band?
Randy: Yeah, we got everybody online involved in deciding the name. We pitted American Massacre against Pure Devastation, but before that, we had a number of other names in the running as well: Divided in Death, Clear, For the Life of Me.I love that it ended up being American Massacre though.
ME: What kind of first album is American Massacre putting together? Will it be a continuation of the Flatline sound or will it be a whole new beast altogether?
Randy: You got one of the guitarist, the lead singer and one of the bass players from Flatline so... it just might sound a little like Flatline! Hahaha! No, we have some new tricks up our sleeve for sure.
ME: How much work is left before American Massacre is ready to hit the market?
Randy: We have about six songs right now. This project is really new and we all have a busy summer ahead of us, [we have] big plans for the summer so we're taking our time. I’ll be recording my other project 3/13 (Three Thirteen) and Travis is touring Mayhem Fest with In This Moment. We'll pick it all up after that and do the record. We aren’t going to rush it because we want it to be great.
ME: Among the demo samples you sent me, “Vultures And Liars” is my favorite. ME: The lyrics are pretty straightforward too. How many vultures and liars have you personally gone through as a musician?
Randy: Let's just say that it's been a crazy ride so far! Einstein said the definition of insanity is “repeating the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome” so when Travis and I were writing this music we weren’t even really sure if it was a good idea to put another band together. Vultures and Liars comes directly from our experiences in Flatline. We wanted it to motivate others to find the courage to turn something negative into something positive, no matter how much bullshit you have to go through... “One step back, two forward we surpass, and turning hatred to passion premier.”
ME: What other themes and ideas are going on inside American Massacre songs?
Randy: It’s pretty early in the game but I really wanted to inspire people with positive strong themes. Stay strong, weed out your garbage, grow from your experiences and get back to what’s important. In my case, it's the music that's most important.
ME: Was the American Massacre material all written post-Flatline or are they derived from stuff you had composed during your time in the band?
Randy: A couple months ago Travis started sending me lyrics with riff demos that I did for Flatline that were never used. We basically started there and then really started to have fun writing again. Before we knew it we had a batch of song and about a million ideas.
ME: Aside from American Massacre you’ve got another project that’s a departure from your familiar thrash-playing. Tell us all about it.
Randy: I'm currently just about ready to hit the studio to record 3/13, the album I was born to record. This is a back-to-the-roots album that pays homage to hard rock bands that first influenced me and changed my life. If you are a fan of KISS, AC/DC and OZZY you’ll dig this. I'll have some very special guest appearances including drummer Jimmy Shultz (Cerebellion), guitarist Chris Howorth (ITM), plus members of Flatline and musicians from the Los Angeles scene. This is music that we all have a common bond with in one way or another. I just wanted to do something fun and have my bros jam on it. It’s a real trip I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
ME: That’s two new albums in the same year. Are you really a compulsive songwriter and composer or is it necessity that’s driving you these days?
Randy: I always seem to have riffs in my head. I’ll record them right away and before you know it I have a song, then a few songs, then an album. I’m such a big fan of hard rock and heavy metal and it’s all just so ingrained in my soul that ideas basically just manifest themselves.
ME: You’ve also started your own label. What compelled you to handle every aspect of your own product this time around rather than sign up with the dearth of indie labels out there?
Randy: Labels are more like a bank and that is definitely not what I'm doing here. I've always done all the graphics and recordings for my bands and Phantom Republic Music and Design, my recording and graphics company, caters to local musicians here in LA. I've been doing it on and off for years and right now I'm working out some bugs with some new gear recording 3/13 and American Massacre. I'll be looking help out some local bands pretty soon.
ME: Looking back at your relationship with the guitar, how would you describe your unique playing style? Judging by the material I’ve heard on Flatline, I’d say powerful riffs are your forte.
Randy: Cool! Yeah, when I first started playing in the 80's I wanted to be one of those guitar hero guys. But there was a local thrash band that had an opening on bass and I wanted to join them so badly that I put down the guitar for a while. That's when I really learned about song structure and the importance of a powerful riff. I realized that a lot of those shredder guys were great but the songs in general really kind of blew.
ME: What part of being a musician do you enjoy the most: touring, the camaraderie, writing material, or working inside a studio?
Randy: It used to be about hanging out, drinking beer, playing thrash and acting like an idiot but I’ve really had my fill of that. At this point I really want to jam with my friends, make as much music as I can, and get it all recorded.
ME: You’ve been through so much as a musician. What keeps you fighting and what keeps your passion alive?
Randy: I’ve sort of lived with the idea that if I wanted to chase my dream, I mean really chase it, I needed to get out there and prepare to eat some shit. I always knew I wouldn’t let anybody hold me back. I wouldn't settle for being less than the best, and definitely wouldn't become someone I’m not. When things get crazy I always find myself with a guitar in my hands rockin' like I'm supposed to. It's who I am.
ME: Can you introduce the world to your gear? What kind of ‘weapons’ do you have in your musical ‘arsenal’?
Randy: I keep it real simple. Jackson Rhoads, Gibson Explorer, Marshall 800 and a Boss pedal.
ME: Considering all the stuff that’s going on in your professional life at the moment, do you still have time to kick back and watch shows or listen to bands you like?
Randy: I haven't seen a live show in a while but I always have something in the CD player. I just filled up my Mp3 player with every KISS song ever created, even “The Elder.”
ME: I want you to answer this with absolute honesty. What kind of impact do you want to have on American metal?
Randy: I just want to be a part of this genre, whatever it’s called. Hard Rock or Heavy Metal or Thrash. This music is my life and I simply want to contribute and help keep it alive.
ME: Too bad this is all the time we have left for now. Godspeed on all your endeavors. You want to leave us with a quotable quote?
Randy: "Do, or do not. There is no try"-Yoda
ME: So at what point did you decide to quit Flatline and go back to square one?
Randy: As far as I was concernedFlatline was done. You know, if it was still functioning I wouldn't have moved on.
ME: Is Flatline a dead horse or just on an indefinite hiatus?
Randy: Who knows? It’s really not my place to say, but we gave it Hell. I was sad to see it end but it was ultimately the best decision for me.
ME: You and Travis (Johnson) are together again for American Massacre, which follows where Flatline left off. Who else is gonna round out the new lineup and what release date are we looking at for the debut?
Randy: Travis got his old buddy Lonny Pallisas from Eminent to play drums. Lonny rules, by the way. Our buddy Josh Newell is on bass. Josh played for In This Moment when they first started out and he was in and out of Flatline a few times. We're shooting for the end of the year to get things rolling.
ME: Oh yeah, American Massacre was a name chosen by the fans, right? What other handles were floating around for your new band?
Randy: Yeah, we got everybody online involved in deciding the name. We pitted American Massacre against Pure Devastation, but before that, we had a number of other names in the running as well: Divided in Death, Clear, For the Life of Me.I love that it ended up being American Massacre though.
ME: What kind of first album is American Massacre putting together? Will it be a continuation of the Flatline sound or will it be a whole new beast altogether?
Randy: You got one of the guitarist, the lead singer and one of the bass players from Flatline so... it just might sound a little like Flatline! Hahaha! No, we have some new tricks up our sleeve for sure.
ME: How much work is left before American Massacre is ready to hit the market?
Randy: We have about six songs right now. This project is really new and we all have a busy summer ahead of us, [we have] big plans for the summer so we're taking our time. I’ll be recording my other project 3/13 (Three Thirteen) and Travis is touring Mayhem Fest with In This Moment. We'll pick it all up after that and do the record. We aren’t going to rush it because we want it to be great.
ME: Among the demo samples you sent me, “Vultures And Liars” is my favorite. ME: The lyrics are pretty straightforward too. How many vultures and liars have you personally gone through as a musician?
Randy: Let's just say that it's been a crazy ride so far! Einstein said the definition of insanity is “repeating the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome” so when Travis and I were writing this music we weren’t even really sure if it was a good idea to put another band together. Vultures and Liars comes directly from our experiences in Flatline. We wanted it to motivate others to find the courage to turn something negative into something positive, no matter how much bullshit you have to go through... “One step back, two forward we surpass, and turning hatred to passion premier.”
ME: What other themes and ideas are going on inside American Massacre songs?
Randy: It’s pretty early in the game but I really wanted to inspire people with positive strong themes. Stay strong, weed out your garbage, grow from your experiences and get back to what’s important. In my case, it's the music that's most important.
ME: Was the American Massacre material all written post-Flatline or are they derived from stuff you had composed during your time in the band?
Randy: A couple months ago Travis started sending me lyrics with riff demos that I did for Flatline that were never used. We basically started there and then really started to have fun writing again. Before we knew it we had a batch of song and about a million ideas.
ME: Aside from American Massacre you’ve got another project that’s a departure from your familiar thrash-playing. Tell us all about it.
Randy: I'm currently just about ready to hit the studio to record 3/13, the album I was born to record. This is a back-to-the-roots album that pays homage to hard rock bands that first influenced me and changed my life. If you are a fan of KISS, AC/DC and OZZY you’ll dig this. I'll have some very special guest appearances including drummer Jimmy Shultz (Cerebellion), guitarist Chris Howorth (ITM), plus members of Flatline and musicians from the Los Angeles scene. This is music that we all have a common bond with in one way or another. I just wanted to do something fun and have my bros jam on it. It’s a real trip I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
ME: That’s two new albums in the same year. Are you really a compulsive songwriter and composer or is it necessity that’s driving you these days?
Randy: I always seem to have riffs in my head. I’ll record them right away and before you know it I have a song, then a few songs, then an album. I’m such a big fan of hard rock and heavy metal and it’s all just so ingrained in my soul that ideas basically just manifest themselves.
ME: You’ve also started your own label. What compelled you to handle every aspect of your own product this time around rather than sign up with the dearth of indie labels out there?
Randy: Labels are more like a bank and that is definitely not what I'm doing here. I've always done all the graphics and recordings for my bands and Phantom Republic Music and Design, my recording and graphics company, caters to local musicians here in LA. I've been doing it on and off for years and right now I'm working out some bugs with some new gear recording 3/13 and American Massacre. I'll be looking help out some local bands pretty soon.
ME: Looking back at your relationship with the guitar, how would you describe your unique playing style? Judging by the material I’ve heard on Flatline, I’d say powerful riffs are your forte.
Randy: Cool! Yeah, when I first started playing in the 80's I wanted to be one of those guitar hero guys. But there was a local thrash band that had an opening on bass and I wanted to join them so badly that I put down the guitar for a while. That's when I really learned about song structure and the importance of a powerful riff. I realized that a lot of those shredder guys were great but the songs in general really kind of blew.
ME: What part of being a musician do you enjoy the most: touring, the camaraderie, writing material, or working inside a studio?
Randy: It used to be about hanging out, drinking beer, playing thrash and acting like an idiot but I’ve really had my fill of that. At this point I really want to jam with my friends, make as much music as I can, and get it all recorded.
ME: You’ve been through so much as a musician. What keeps you fighting and what keeps your passion alive?
Randy: I’ve sort of lived with the idea that if I wanted to chase my dream, I mean really chase it, I needed to get out there and prepare to eat some shit. I always knew I wouldn’t let anybody hold me back. I wouldn't settle for being less than the best, and definitely wouldn't become someone I’m not. When things get crazy I always find myself with a guitar in my hands rockin' like I'm supposed to. It's who I am.
ME: Can you introduce the world to your gear? What kind of ‘weapons’ do you have in your musical ‘arsenal’?
Randy: I keep it real simple. Jackson Rhoads, Gibson Explorer, Marshall 800 and a Boss pedal.
ME: Considering all the stuff that’s going on in your professional life at the moment, do you still have time to kick back and watch shows or listen to bands you like?
Randy: I haven't seen a live show in a while but I always have something in the CD player. I just filled up my Mp3 player with every KISS song ever created, even “The Elder.”
ME: I want you to answer this with absolute honesty. What kind of impact do you want to have on American metal?
Randy: I just want to be a part of this genre, whatever it’s called. Hard Rock or Heavy Metal or Thrash. This music is my life and I simply want to contribute and help keep it alive.
ME: Too bad this is all the time we have left for now. Godspeed on all your endeavors. You want to leave us with a quotable quote?
Randy: "Do, or do not. There is no try"-Yoda
