Chaotik Webzine; issue #5 (Feb-March '97)
There was a rumor that SADUS split-up some time ago... Luckily that's not true; the band is back stronger than ever and preparing a new CD (on Mascot records) and a tour. Steve DiGiorgio himself (maybe the best metal music bassist) kindly answered to our questions. Hello Steve! Some time ago we heard that SADUS split up, and that you would concentrate on your side project DARK HALL. Now you are back in the band, and you have a new deal with MASCOT RECORDS. Can you explain us what happened exactly?
Well, I reached a point where I was frustrated with ideas for something different. I just needed an outlet to vent these pent up ideas. I got with my long time friend and musical partner, Flamp Sorvari who is really proficient on the sax and flute. After a drummer and guitarist were solidified, we started doing things like playing out in the city (San Francisco) and recording here and there, live and studio. Accually, I've had this musical project functioning for several years, since '91 or '92. But I believe that in late '94 early '95,I decided to make my "project" a more full time band.Well, with several scarry details aside, lets just say that once a metal musician, always one. The Sadus guys never broke up or anything. They kept on writing material, it was just a long period of inactivity. When I leftto persue my own thing, it was on friendly terms with Sadus. So coincidentally,they needed me back in the band and I needed to jam with them again. So here we are. In '94, I recorded a demo with Jon and Darren. When I was away,they got the interest from the Dutch label, Mascot Records. We signed the contract this year and as of now (Dec '96), we are on the verge of entering the studio to record our fourth album.
You aren't anymore with Roadrunner records. Why? Do you feel that arelatively small but worthy underground label as MASCOT RECS is betterfor SADUS?
I guess they didnt feel we sold up to their expectations. But we feel that they didnt make our material availible enough to our fans and potential fans. So it wass a no-win situation. We are glad to be rid of that headache.I admit that Mascot is a much smaller label, but it feels much more personable and friendly. There is no pressure for us to do anything against our wishes.And admittedly, at this stage in our careers, we have different expectations.Mascot should do just fine.
You're working on your new CD. Can you tell us what we should expect?
Every time we try to change the typical Sadus sound, we end up sounding the same. So this time we are just trying to perfect our sound that we've developed through the years. Thats not to say that we aren't approaching some new and different sounds for our much varied line-up for the new album.I think that there will be something for all listeners, the classic Sadus aggression, with some new unexplored territories.
You're also releasing a compilation album with tracks from allthree previous albums. Why?
Bassically to make availible what is not to be found otherwise. In our mail, we receive lots of requests for our first three albums. Well, we can't get these just as anybody. So through our new label, we're able to get this stuff released again. Believe it or not, there is a lot of people who haven't heard our older songs that really want to. Incidentally, this compilationalbum is going to be called, "Chronicles Of Chaos".
Being on an underground label means less promotion and less money totour. Doesn't it bother you?
Well, yes and no. We dont have the capability to leave for as long as we did in the past. But accually having a label located in centralized Europe,provides us with easy access to our strongest fan areas.
You have been part of the DEATH adventure. What did it bring to youand do you think it has been a good "advertisement" for SADUS?
Yes, obviously Death has a much bigger fan base than Sadus. Being exposed to such a large amount of people generated interest from them to hear where I came from. So I think that Sadus benifitted from a little extra exposure. But as you know the music is quite different, so its not like all the Death fans instantly became Sadus fans.The best part for me was playing with so many different talented and cool musicians. I really became aware of a different level of performance working with people from around the world with such a varied skill level and their backgrounds.
Unfortunately I didn't listen to the tape of DARK HALL. Can you tellus something about it please? What will be DARK HALL's future?
Its just an instrumental project band I put together as I stated before.I never got around to making anything official to get out for people to hear.Here and there, I would send out some sort of recording that we would be working on at the time. So there is tapes out there, there are people who have heard the stuff. Next year I plan on putting much more time intogetting something out that is quality. I really want people to hear the songs I have in my head recently, its really odd stuff.
I'm not a musician but I find your bass performance (live and instudio) highly enjoyable and impressive. Some words for your approach ofthis often underestimated instrument?
Well thank you kindly for the compliments. Its good to know that someone takes the time to listen to what you so called an overlooked instrument.When I was youger and really being influenced, the bass players that I was listening to, pushed me to emulate that up front, sometimes obnoxious style.Its sad to hear all these albums being released with the bass inaudible.Any instrument for that matter, that is washed in the sound, is a sad thing. The fusion style that we play in Dark Hall is developed by all the instruments providing a compatible yet individual approach to each song.Everyones part is vital to how the song gets its character. I also believe that the way the bass should be played is relative to how the drummer affects the song. In my past, I've played with some pretty talented drummers.They pushed me musically to fill the spectrum with things that wouldn't normally beconceived by me. I'm into interesting music, I guess thats why I try to make my music as interesting as I can.
What are the bass players that influenced and inspired you the most?
There are so many. I guess in the early days: Charles Meeks, Geezer Butler,Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, Dave Pegg, Steve Harris, Chip Jackson,Stanley Clarke. These days I've found some guys like: Gary Willis, Steve Baliey,Bunny Brunell, Les Claypool, John Myung. There are plenty more non-bass players who have a huge influence on me, but I wont get into anotherlengthy list.
Besides metal and (possibly) jazz, what other music do you listen to?
I have a huge variety of stuff to listen to at home. I hate to say that listen to almost anything...but its almost true! Rap and country are definitely not allowed! Other than that, the boundaries that people set in catagorizing styles of music are bassically invisible to me. Sometimes I guess I annoy people with how weird the stuff I listen to is.
As a veteran of the underground metal scene, what do you think about it nowadays?
Its definitely changing. Maybe for the worst. I know that here in the bay area, it used to be strong, maybe the strongest in the world. But now it seems very weak. I know there is still a lot of people that go to shows,I just haven't figured out which ones yet. Some of the veteran bands are still sticking with it, and they still have their loyal following. But new bands that are emerging with an old style are really struggling. I'm concerned for Sadus, if the friends we made along the way will still be there.
What do you think of internet and the other new technologies? Arethere any plans for an official SADUS web site or a CD-Rom release?
I think its great. Its the sign of the times. Every day it gets bigger and better. I do plan on having the all important web site. But if anyone wants updates by our new label you can look at:http://www.globalxs.nl/home/m/mascot.Thats pretty minimal for now, but in the near future we'll get a cool one of our own. As far as CD-Rom...who knows? Nothing planned right now, but you know how fast things change these days.
Steve, it's been a pleaure to ask you these questions. Do you haveanything to add or any message to CHAOTIK WEBZINE's readers?
Its been a while since we've been in the mix. Some of you wont even know who Sadus is. I know that all we represent these days is our new songs.We're working hard on getting a great sound, I think that there is enough variety on the new offering to please a good number of our old faithful's, as well as our potential new fans. I hope everyone who is reading this will get a hold of us when the new album is out and let us know what they think of it. Thanks to you,Nahitfol,for showing interest and feeling confident that other people care about this too. Take care, and brutal listening!! ,Steve Di Giorgio( DarkHall@aol.com ),POBOX 4401, Antioch CA, 94531 USA
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