A Dirty Dozen with JUAN GARCIA from EVILDEAD – June 2024

According to a recent press release: “American thrash metal band EVILDEAD shares a new single “Subjugated Souls,” from their upcoming studio album Toxic Grace. The track is accompanied by a new music video. In the four years since American thrash metal band EVILDEAD unleashed their comeback album United States Of Anarchy, the world has changed in many respects while EVILDEAD – solid as a rock – has stayed strong and continues to evolve their dynamic style in a controlled yet targeted manner.” We get guitarist Juan 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?

The new EvilDead album is a collection of thrash metal music that we’ve been working on as a band for over two years. There are a lot of killer songs on this record like “F.A.F.O.” which stands for Fuck Around Find Out. “Reverie” is another amazing track with lots of layers of guitars, and one of my favorite songs “Fear Porn” totally kicks ass! The digital and album version of our new album Toxic Grace includes a bonus track “The Death and Resurrection Show” which is our tribute to Killing Joke guitarist Kevin Geordie Walker (R.I.P.). It’s an album that you would probably want to give it a few listens, there’s a lot of stuff happening within the grooves.

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

I would say when I first heard KISS Alive! it inspired me to pick up an musical instrument, also seeing KISS live in concert, and also AC/DC with Bon Scott.

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

Michael Schenker’s guitar playing guided me into a more melodic direction at the time but the moment I heard Judas Priest, Motorhead, and Iron Maiden I was convinced to play heavier music.

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

There’s some great musicians out there I’d like to collaborate with. Rob Halford on an EvilDead track, that would be out of this world, our style of thrash with his amazing vocals would be killer!

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

Going to the beach, we have real nice beaches out on the west coast. Taking a drive up and down the coast and cranking some Pink Floyd and chilling is always a great thing.

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?

I would warn them that our music is heavy, obnoxious, and intense and not to be taken to serious. We tend to gravitate to a thrashier sound. I really don’t pay too much attention to reviews when it comes to art and music creativity.

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?

Cooking? We don’t cook at all, but we will go out to a restaurant, Albert Gonzales our guitarist  will be drinking cold beers, and perhaps Phil our vocalist will join in for a six-pack of beer for sure. Sing-along on an acoustic that would be our bassist Karlos Medina, he will be the first to do that.

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

Probably 40 years ago when I first met Gene Simmons of KISS.

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?

Touring, and traveling is definitely the best part for me of being a musician in my opinion, especially if you have a nice tour bus. My dream job probably I have no clue about that because I’m living my dream.

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’d like them to ask them what’s my favorite guitar, and the answer is the flying V guitar; I also have my own signature model with Schecter guitar, the Juan of the Dead V-1 and it’s my favorite guitar.

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?

We all make missteps, and it’s part of the journey and learning, as far as redo, hmm I don’t if I would do anything over. I’m content that way things are.

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?

Probably Judas Priest – Stained Class recording sessions, as far as why? I don’t know but I can tell you there are lots of magical moments on those recordings for that album.

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Category: Interviews