Dave Ferris Interview

Dave Ferris is a staff writer for the Cleveland Scene and contributes freelance work to Alternative Press and Decibel. His book Reign In Blood (33 1//3) is out now via Continuum Books.

 

Can you tell me about your writing career so far?

 I’ve been writing full-time, mostly about music, for nine years. Technically, 2008 marks my 23rd year in the metal press – if you want to count my letter Hit Parader published in fall 1985. I graduated with a journalism degree in 1995 and pretty much wiped my ass with it. Then I spent a few years doing different work from suit jobs to bartending.
Went back to school in 1998, then again in 1999. I’ve always been a music guy, and once I went back to school, after years and years of being burned by bad record reviews, I figured I could do the job at least as poorly as most critics. I’ve been writing steady since ’99, and being paid for it since 2001. Mostly about music and entertainment, but I’ve done a few stints for daily newspapers – beat reporting, that kind of stuff.
            My current gig: I work for Cleveland Scene, a weekly newspaper in the metal-heavy city of Cleveland. I’ve been here six years. Until recently, I was clubs editor/de facto assistant music editor. I recently made the leap to staff writer, where I still cover music, but do more feature writing and reporting. I consider myself more a reporter than a critic – not that there’s anything wrong with being a critic. I just try to tell you what’s happening and what artists have to say – as opposed to telling you what I think. I don’t think “my favourite” is synonymous with “the best.” And that’s one of the reasons I interviewed so many people for the book. Of course, I like Reign In Blood. But I think Matt Pike’s opinion carries some weight, too.
            I freelance for Alternative Press, and Decibel was kind enough to run a leftover chapter from the Slayer book.

 

What made you want to write a book on Slayer’s Reign In Blood?

‘Cuz… fuckin’ Slayer, you know? The book is part of Continuum Books’ 33 1/3 series, a pretty prestigious collection of 60 (and growing) books about classic albums, from the Beach Boys to the Beastie Boys. I wanted to be a part of the series, and when I looked down the list, the lack of metal was a glaring omission. And if you’re going to start with one metal album, what better than Reign In Blood?

What’s the best Slayer gig you’ve been to?

The South of Heaven tour was just the most crushing thing I’ve ever witnessed – musically, physically, everything. Goddamn, were they tight. Looking back, it’s hard to imagine that it was four guys making that kind of full-on assault. It in a roller-skating rink, just packed to the gills. Total madness.
            I still can’t believe how loud Slayer’s 2007 tour with Marilyn Manson was. In Cleveland, at least.

 

Did the band cooperate?

 The band did cooperate with the book. I interviewed all of them, in a few different sessions between Summer and Fall of 2007. I also interviewed Rick Rubin, who produced the record – it was his first rock record. Also Andy Wallace, who mixed it, and went on to produce Jeff Buckley and mix Nirvana. Also, the band’s manager. Also, Russell Simmons – the disc was first released on Def Jam. And many more...

Do you know if any of them have read your book yet?

 I’m not sure. They all have copies of the book. And the manager requested more copies, so as far as I can tell, they’re not unhappy with it.

 

How long did it take you to write the book?

 It took about nine months to put together. About six of that was doing research – I conducted about 80 original interviews for the book, in addition to digging up archives, crawling through the internet, etc. Then writing it took about three months. I wound up with a lot more than what fit into the book, basically a short biography of the band. But the assignment was to write a book about the record.

What other bands do you like?

 A lot. I’m a metal guy, but I’m a music person. I never did decide whether I liked Anthrax’s Among The Living or Spreading The Disease better, but I think I’d take Spreading The Disease on a desert island. High On Fire kills. A local band called Fistula, their 2006 EP was my favorite record of that year. I’m not a big tattoo guy, but I’d be comfortable with a tattoo from any of Danzig’s bands or the Dropkick Murphys. I’m always surprised when I realize how much white rap and rap-rock I have. I listened to a lot of John Coltrane and PJ Harvey while writing the book – when I write, I usually need mellow stuff in the background that isn’t too distracting

 

What are you favourite rock books?

 Steven Blush’s American Hardcore is tremendous, a staggering piece of work. The way he talked to everybody who’s anybody for that is amazing, and I admire how he lets people talk and stays out of the way. I hate rock books where you learn more about the author than the band. That said, I think Chuck Klosterman’s Fargo Rock City is great; like Hunter S. Thompson, he’s the one person in a generation who can write about himself and make it about something bigger. Dan LeRoy’s 33 1/3 book about the Beasties’ Paul’s Boutique is superb, also; I think he really set the bar for really getting inside the creation of an album, and making it a lively story.

Do you have any other writing projects lined up?

Just week-to-week stuff at my job – covering the local music scene, writing feature stories, branching out into sports writing a little; it’s a much more disciplined field. I’ll write more books, at least one music one. I'm developing an idea that I'm not sure would work better as a comic book or novel. And I'd like to write a kids' book. Seriously.

 

Interview by Neil Daniels 2008