A Dirty Dozen with MIKE TAYLOR from RABID FLESH EATERS – April 2020

According to a recent press release: “Texas speed metal stalwarts RABID FLESH EATERS have revealed a new video for the song “The Fall,” from their quartet’s latest album, R.F.E. “The Fall” was produced by Cyclonus Video, the company responsible for the recently released “Lycanthrope” video, taken from RABID FLESH EATERS’ Reign of Terror album. Watch the campy video for the classic track, which was produced by Mike Scaccia (Rigor Mortis, Ministry) and also features a solo by the late guitarist. After over 30 years of a brotherhood founded on the searing fire of classic metal bands like Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Slayer, and Rigor Mortis, the aggressive foaming at the mouth sonic assault of the RABID FLESH EATERS is more relentless than ever. R.F.E.’s eight vicious new tracks are stronger and achieve heavier, faster heights than anything they’ve released before. With developed dynamics, extreme tightness, and a heart pounding impact, this band has clearly evolved since their last album, 2016’s Reign of Terror.” We get guitarist Mike to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

The latest Rabid Flesh Eaters release is a self-titled album called R.F.E.  People might not notice that there is a lot going on in the stereo field (like different guitar solos panned left and right and things flying around). You really need to listen on headphones to get the full experience.   In addition to Bruce Corbitt (Rigor Mortis / Warbeast) singing on the title track, there are a few covers of Rigor Mortis songs, which we hope will inspire others to dig into the Rigor Mortis back catalog.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’ve been into music and the guitar from a very young age.  There was always some kind of music playing in the background in our home.  Members of the family would encourage me to play their favorite tunes. My dad was into classical music, while my uncle always wanted to hear “The Marine Corps Hymn,” and other members of the family would request everything from Gospel music, to folk tunes, and rock songs like Elvis’ version of “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

When I first heard Jimi Hendrix on the radio, I was so blown away that my musical direction was forever bent in a harder, heavier, faster, and more challenging direction.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Slayer, Mike Scaccia, and Uli Jon Roth.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

German guitarist Michael Shenker would be great to work with.  It would be an incredible experience and possibly turn into a serious lesson to help pursue and develop a better legato technique on the fret board.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

The Rabid Flesh Eaters sound is true Texas style thrash/speed metal. “Why so serious?”

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

John Hill (Bass Guitar) is the one competent cook in the band. I am always the bartender. Ricky Wilson (Vocals) is always the first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a Texas Red Dirt country sing along session.

8. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

In 1992, at the Concrete Foundations Forum convention in Las Angeles, I spotted Lemmy from Motörhead in the hotel bar.  He was signing autographs on promo pictures.   When I finally worked up the courage to talk to him, instead of asking for an autograph, I offered to buy him a drink, and he said, “Yeah Mate”.  He insisted that I sit down next to him and we talked and laughed about all kinds of things.  Eventually, after numerous drinks, I did also ask him for an autograph.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is bringing songs to life (like monsters).  It keeps me sane.  If I could no longer play, and still had my sanity, I think producing other artists would be a dream job.  Capturing the sound of a band without altering it, is an amazing and challenging thing.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted an interviewer to ask first, “Can I buy you a drink?”  There aren’t any questions that I’m tired of answering.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I wouldn’t change anything.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath.  They were one of the biggest influences on me, and in my opinion, they were the biggest single influence on nearly all genres of metal (past and present).

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Category: Interviews