A Dirty Dozen with ART J. GEEZAR from ART OF SHOCK – September 2023

According to a recent press release: “Hollywood’s ART OF SHOCK — frontman Art Geezar, lead guitarist Nicholas Ertel, bassist Brice Snyder, and drummer Adrian Geezar — recently announced their second album Shine Black Light, out September 8 via Century Media. The album takes a massive step beyond the thrashing intensities already synonymous with the speed-limit-shattering quartet from Dark Angeles. ART OF SHOCK have shared bills over the years with the likes of Trivium, Hirax, and Sacred Reich and the experience only strengthened the band’s live presence, but it was on the road where ART OF SHOCK have become a machine. Now, months before the release of Shine Black Light, the band has already completed two high-profile support slots: the rescheduled Sepultura jaunt in late 2022 and a Southwest and Californian run with machete-wielding death squad Brujeria in March 2023. Shine Black Light is an album born out of chaos and frustration that’s  become the start of a new chapter for ART OF SHOCK. Their fuck-all attitude is finally paying off.” We get frontman Art to discuss new music, influences, and 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

It really depends on the listener. We put immense effort into every track. For those with an appreciation for detail and nuance, there are things to discover. But if you’re just here for some powerful, catchy metal, we’ve got you covered. Regardless of language or musical preference, there’s something for everyone. There are some subtle callbacks to our first album, and numerous connections not only within the music but in the videos as well. Some of these links are overt, while others might require a bit more scrutiny. The current climate often pushes artists to dissect their work. I understand that, but while I’m happy to shed light on certain aspects, I ain’t parting with all my secrets. This album’s got more layers than an onion. And the cool thing is, for all you know, I might be pulling your leg right now.

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

The videos of Queen Live at Wembley stadium in ’86 and Metallica at the Seattle Coliseum in ’89. I remember clearly: seven-year-old me realized there’d be no better way to spend his time on earth than putting sounds together and creating my own universe out of that.

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

Other very important bands and artists in my musical upbringing would be The Beatles, The Stones, Aerosmith, Michael Jackson, and of course, all the underground music that I started discovering as I grew older.

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

Dead or Alive? When it comes to someone no longer with us, I would choose Dimebag Darrell. I would love to witness his process of creating such massive and effervescent landscapes. For someone that’s still alive and kickin’, I would love to write something for Corpsegrinder Fisher. He’s really the most powerful screamer to ever do it; that would be a great challenge and a dream come true for me.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I’m always working on something, but if I’m not, you might find me drinking cheap beer, watching true crime documentaries, and once in a while, playing video games.

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?

This is how I describe it: Not all Rock N’ Roll music is Metal, but all Metal is Rock N’ Roll music. All we’re trying to do is contribute to it and have a lot of fun while at it. No comparison has ever made me cringe. I have certain anxiety issues that will never let me pay attention long enough to upset me. Plus, if I hear or notice something that’s completely off, I usually enjoy it and encourage it. Who am I to tell you anything about your own experience?

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

I’m the grill master, Nick is the mixologist. Once in a while, we might sing a couple of tunes or have a karaoke night, but mostly we eat and drink and say stupid shit.

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

Hanging backstage at an awards show, I’ll never forget the sting of Alice Cooper’s riding crop striking my back, and him repeating in his signature sardonic tone, “Hey Art, are you an artist?” I was momentarily lost for words. Then, as we stepped into his dressing room, he proceeded to introduce me to the first person we bumped into, saying, “Hey Art, meet my friend Slash.” All the while, Lemmy was in the corner, laughing his ass off! To say I was starstruck at that moment would be a bit of an understatement!

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 is that I’ve been lucky enough that what I love became my job, and my job is doing what I love. If I couldn’t do music anymore, I’d love to join a great team of writers, movies or TV, it doesn’t matter. In the end, I’m drawn to creative collaborative efforts in general.

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?

There’s nothing I’m tired of answering. It’s natural that we ask each other the same questions the first time we meet. The next time we see each other, we’ll naturally cover new ground. I enjoy this process. Conversely, I don’t think anybody has ever asked me about my dogs! Their names are Angus and Marlee Moon, and they’re cool as fuck!

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?

No! We all know the rules of time travel! If you change anything in the past, you might radically change the present. I’m happy in the present, enjoying every second of it, good or bad. I’ll be the first to admit that some things could have been done better or better not done at all, but in the end, I regret nothing.

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?

Again, I wouldn’t mess with time travel, but if I could be a fly on the wall without interfering, I would love to see The Beatles working with George Martin on a Sgt. Pepper’s session, any song. I love them all!

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Category: Interviews