Chris Papadjiakou of Greece's Rock Overdose had the chance to talk with Kevin Curran, guitarist of Steel Assassin about the band and not only. Enjoy the interview below:
Rock Overdose: Hello guys, welcome to Rock Overdose! Could you give us a brief history of the band?
K. Curran: Hello! Thank you for having us. We formed in 1983 as a NWOBHM cover band called Assassin. We eventually started writing our own material and changed our name to Steel Assassin a few years later.
We were the only band in Boston playing European metal and opened for the likes of Metallica, Raven & Y&T. After several lineup changes we formed the lineup as it exists today with the exception of John Falzone.
We had the good fortune of John joining us when we re-formed in 2005/2006 to create the War of the Eight Saints album.
Rock Overdose: In 1985 you broke up as a band. Were there any problems, and how did you overcome these?
K. Curran: We experienced many of the same problems other bands had. It was really a combination of problems that caused us to break up. Greg, Phil, Mike and I stayed close as
friends and that is really how we brushed off the dust of the past to start fresh.
Rock Overdose: I understand that a record process is a difficult matter. Your most recent release comes in 2009 with the album "In Hellfire Forged". Are you in the process of a new recording?
K. Curran: Yes, recording was completed a few months ago and we're very excited to release a new batch of songs.
Rock Overdose: If so, could you tell us more on the new album? When will be released?
K. Curran: We are ready to release "WWII - Metal of Honor" on High Roller Records in Germany. It is due out (I believe) last week of April 2012.
Rock Overdose: How do the new songs differ from your last album?
K. Curran: The last album "In Hellfire Forged" was an effort to re-visit our earlier material featuring John on vocals. The new songs, paying tribute to WWII, have a more straightforward
and modern approach than a lot of our past material.
Rock Overdose: Do you prepare for a tour?
K. Curran: We would prepare the same way we do for any show, with intensive rehearsals.
Rock Overdose: Could you tell us about your musical influences?
K. Curran: Where do I begin? Accept, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Saxon, Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Riot, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Judas Priest to name a few!
Rock Overdose: You began your musical career back in the 80s. How did you start? Were you playing mainly covers?
K. Curran: We all started playing in local cover bands. I remember our late friend and former manager Jim Blute (R.I.P.) coming to my house in 1980 with a suitcase full of metal albums from Europe.
Right on top of the pile was the first Iron Maiden record, then Saxon, Angelwitch, Tygers of Pan Tang and many more. That's where it all started.
Rock Overdose: How did you first come in touch with a record label? Did you have any problems finding support from a record company?
K. Curran: Phil has maintained contacts in Europe for the most part, and we worked with High Roller on some of our previous releases. Steffen has been a great advocate of the band.
Rock Overdose: What are the plans for the band now?
K. Curran: We hope that the new record is well received in Europe and plan on getting back there for some shows as soon as possible.
Rock Overdose: That's all guys! The last words are yours
K. Curran: Many thanks for the opportunity for the interview. We will keep the metal fires burning and very much look forward to seeing our European fans again!
For RockOverdose.gr,
Chris Papadjiakou
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