Rock Overdose and Dimitris Aloras had the chance to talk with bassist/vocalist of the mighty Sacred Reich, Phil Rind, who answered our questions the very next day. Kind and expressive, Phil stated there was no pressure in creating ''Ignorance'' back then, praised manager Gloria Cavalera and old drummer Dave McClain (currently in Machine Head) for their help in the band, acknowledged the Greek audience for staying with the band from the old days and gave a very important message in treating the fans equally, without demanding payment for meeting the fans.
Rock Overdose: This year marks the 30th anniversary from the release of ''Ignorance''. We'd like to know if you expected in the beginning that you'd last that long and which were your dreams when you were starting the band.
Phil Rind: We never thought about being around for a long time. We just wanted to make a record and go on tour. That was the extent of our plan. In fact when I joined the band at the age of 16 my goal was to play in a club. We didn’t look too far into the future.
Rock Overdose: To many people, ''Ignorance'' marks your finest hour to date. Did you have pressure or stress while making it? It was the first album, we all know how much important it is. Are there any stories behind its creation that would be interesting for the fans to know?
Phil Rind: There wasn’t any pressure while making Ignorance. We were completely excited to be making a real record in professional studios with Bill Metoyer who had recorded Hell Awaits. While we were in Los Angeles recording Ignorance we had some time off in the middle and we played our first show outside of Arizona.
We opened for the mighty Dark Angel at the Country Club in Reseda, CA on my 18th birthday. That was a great night. We have been friends with Dark Angel a long time. We opened for them in Phoenix in 1986 before we had a record deal. They are great dudes!
Rock Overdose: Sacred Reich are one of the few cases that while years pass by, their name remains respected and solid. Did you expect such treatment from younger fans that weren't part of the group's success in the past due to their age?
Phil Rind: I figured the fans would be our age and knew us from the 80’s and 90’s. It’s fun to see young thrash fans appreciate us older dudes.
Rock Overdose: The last twenty one years, we haven't seen an album being released from the band. You have strictly remained a live act, is it because of lack of inspiration or you just want to stick to the stuff you already know too well and the fans love?
Phil Rind: I would say both. We haven’t had any new songs and I think a lot of fans want to hear the music that made an impact on them when they were younger. A lot of fans ask for new material so we’ll see what lies ahead for us.
Rock Overdose: I'd like a comment for some people that have helped you a lot, Gloria Cavalera in the first days of the band as your manager and Dave McClain who filled in for Greg. I was lucky to see you in Hellfest 2009 playing with Dave after many years, how did it feel back then?
Phil Rind: Gloria was like our band mom for a long time. She cared about us and looked after us like her kids. She owned a club called the Bootlegger that we used to play all the time. Then Gloria started promoting shows and she would put us on a lot of the bills. When it came time to sign a record contract she was the obvious choice to ask to manage us. It was a great time. We learned a lot together.
Dave really saved our butts. Greg left the band two weeks before our tour with Sepultura in Europe. We didn’t have a lot of time. We auditioned a lot of people. No one was quite right. Finally Dave came in and nailed it. I closed my eyes and it just felt right. We played three songs and he stayed over at Wiley’s house after we jammed. We hired him that night. Dave is a great drummer and a better dude. We owe him a lot. We are very happy for the success he has had in Machine Head. It’s fantastic!
Rock Overdose: Υou started your career in a time where thrash was the hottest stuff around. How easy or difficult it was to become one more great band? Did you notice any kind of competition from other bands back then?
Phil Rind: Coming from Phoenix we just did our thing. We weren’t part of the Bay Area scene or the New York scene. I never felt competition. Except one time. We were opening for Exodus. Our first record Ignorance was out. The promoter of the show had a local Phoenix band he managed. He made us open for them. I was so pissed I wanted to make them look silly playing after us. Years later Gary Holt told me he was nervous to play after us that night because we were so good. I was blown away!
Rock Overdose: You always sounded like you do your own thing, with no need to pose yourselves as rather evil or fast like many did. While growing up, you definitely saw the music industry changing, we'd like to know your thought on it, as it has harmed rather than helping bands in general.
Phil Rind: Things change. There are always positive things, negative things and neutral things. No use complaining about it. All you can do is your best at the moment.
Rock Overdose: You have four children if I remember well, meaning your priorities changed a lot and family is above all of course. How do you find new motives when it comes to Sacred Reich's upcoming gigs and while you're away from your family for a certain period of time?
Phil Rind: As many people know having a family is a big responsibility. It’s nice to be able to be in Sacred Reich as well. In the last 10 years of touring we haven’t been gone too much and have tried to include our families when possible.
Rock Overdose: The Greek fans have stood by your side from your very first days. What do you remember from the gigs in Greece and what should they expect from this specific gig and setlist this time?
Phil Rind: I remember our first show in Greece. It was Athens in 1990. We wondered if anyone we show up to the concert. It was a pretty big place for us. Luckily the Greek fans showed up in force. The show in Thessaloniki the next day was packed too. The Greek fans have always been special to us. I think despite the language difference we understand each other. Since this tour is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Ignorance we will be playing a few more songs from that record.
Rock Overdose: Needless to say, your recent statement ''Everyone is a VIP'' where you'll meet the fans before the show, has become respected and praised from all fans, even the ones not listening to the band. How did we come up with all the VIP crap and payment for just a signature anyway?
Phil Rind: The music industry is changing. It is tougher on bands with streaming and falling record sales. Financial support from record labels is mostly non-existent. Smaller bands need to find new ways to make money. There was never a lot of money to be made being in a band unless you were fortunate to be very successful. Now it is even more difficult. So I understand it to some extent. It’s up to each band to make their own decision.
My personal opinion is I don’t feel right charging people for access. I don’t think people should have special privileges to meet the band just because they have more money. This money for access issue is one of the biggest problems in politics and government. I’d rather not do the same to music. Just my opinion.
Rock Overdose: Which are the plans for the band since there's not gonna be a new album? Do you feel there's enough oil in the Sacred Reich engine, and if or when it comes close to the end, how would you like to be remembered?
Phil Rind: We’ll see what the future holds. I think all of us would like to be remembered in some sort of positive way. Wouldn’t it be nice if when we are gone our memory would bring a smile?
Rock Overdose: Thank you so much for your time in answering our questions, it was a personal honor and privilege to be able to have this conversation to you. You've always been inspirational for my generation, last words belong to you!
Phil Rind: Thank you so much. The privilege is always ours. Without the support of the people there would be no Sacred Reich. See you all soon!
https://youtu.be/lOg4bDlZyAA
For Rock Overdose
Dimitris Aloras
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