Interview Jo Bench Bolt Thrower

Members: Barry Thomson - Guitar Gavin Ward - Guitar Jo-Anne Bench - Bass Martin Kearns - Drums Karl Willets - Vocals

2/27/06 Interviewer: Josh Thorne

"We don't cancel shows without a good reason and we've only pulled a handful of shows over 20 years, so it was pretty disappointing to read the negative reactions from our so-called fans. I thought they knew us better than that."

When extreme metal is discussed, a great number of bands can be considered influential to the genre...but how many of those bands can stand firmly behind an endless catalog of quality releases and honestly say they've stuck to their guns without ever compromising their integrity? When I ponder this thought, one band continually pops into my subconscious...that band is Bolt Thrower. My allegiance to this British war machine dates back to when I was 13 years old and first heard the Mercenary album. While Metallica's Ride The Lightning might have introduced me to metal in general, Mercenary exposed an entirely new and more extreme style of metal to my young ears and since then, I've never looked back.

While I love Bolt Thrower's catalog, I never expected that any of their releases would move me quite like Mercenary did...that is, until I heard their latest, Those Once Loyal. Combining all of the essential elements I love about the Bolts with a new energy and solid production value, this is the best album of Bolt Thrower's career. I was extremely honored when bassist, Jo Bench, was able to take time out of her busy touring and promotion schedule to say a few words about the Bolt's history, new album, and so much more. I hope you guys and gals enjoy reading this interview as much as I enjoyed conducting it.


Josh: First off Jo, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. How is everything on your side of the world, these days?

Jo: No problem at all. Things are good at the moment. I'm just keeping pretty busy and gearing up for the second leg of the tour.

Josh: Now you just finished up a European tour with Necrophagist and Malevolent Creation. Dave from Malevolent was saying that these were some of the most intense shows he's ever been a part of, as far as the crowds were concerned. Would you agree?

Jo: Yeah definitely! The shows were amazing, the majority were sold out and all the bands on the bill were really great guys. Everyone had a killer time and relished every minute of it. It's pretty wild to be getting that reaction 20 years into our career and I think Malevolent had the same feeling. It was the best tour we have ever done, without a doubt, and I didn't want it to end.

Josh: There was an issue at your cancelled show in Prato, Italy involving the club's electrical system. Care to enlighten?

Jo: Well, I don't wanna go into it too much. All of the bands put a statement about it on their websites which pretty much covered the reasons. Mainly it was due to the really dodgy electricity supply in the club. When our roadie got his 4th electrical shock, we decided enough was enough. We don't cancel shows without a good reason and we've only pulled a handful of shows over 20 years, so it was pretty disappointing to read the negative reactions from our so-called fans. I thought they knew us better than that.

Josh: Speaking of playing shows, my next question is a selfish one. However, I feel inclined to ask it nonetheless. When is Bolt Thrower going to finally see fit to return to to he U.S.?

Jo: If I had a dollar for every time I was asked that, haha! Yeah, I know, a Bolt Thrower U.S. tour is long overdue. We're still waiting to get a decent offer and we'll be there. So far that offer hasn't materialized but we haven't given up on the idea. We just need to give Metal Blade a kick in the ass! And don't worry, you'll be the first to know when something gets sorted!

Josh: Now, moving away from live shows for a moment, let's talk about the new album Those Once Loyal. I can honestly say, without any hesitation, that this is the best Bolt Thrower album yet. When you started playing the songs in the studio and even during rehearsals, were you aware of the beast you had on your hands?

Jo: The songs were changing constantly, even in the studio, so it wasn't until I took it back home and listened to the mastered version that I could finally say "Damn, this is one killer album!" We all worked really hard in the studio and it definitely paid off! We all put in our best performances so far, so we couldn't ask for any more. And as a whole, I agree, I think Those Once Loyal is the best album Bolt Thrower has ever done thus far.

Josh: The production is ace as well. In fact, it's the first time I've ever been able to clearly define your bass-playing on a Bolt Thrower album. Was this one of the original intents when the recording process began?

Jo: That was one of my major gripes. It was a bit of a gamble because our sound has been based on the whole 'wall of guitars', but not necessarily the bass guitar. So we thought if we pushed the bass higher in the mix that we may lose something else. But it worked out great! My bass sound was the best I've ever had and it just complimented the overall sound of the album. We're still learning as far as production goes but yeah, we're all really happy with how it came out. It's something we hope to continue with the next album too.

Josh: Another bonus on this record is the return of Karl Willets on vocals. What convinced Karl to come back to the band, after quite a long hiatus?

Jo: Well, Karl didn't really need convincing. It just so happened that the timing was perfect for him to come back. He was at a point in his life where he was looking for some kind of direction, and when Baz (Barry Thomson, guitars) asked him if he wanted to re-join he just jumped at it. Couldn't have worked out better!

Josh: Would it be safe to say, then, that he's definitely back for good?

Jo: There's no guarantee anyone will stay in the band for good but I really hope he does. He had an absolute blast on the tour, so at this point I think it would take something pretty major for him to leave again.

Josh: Now, you've been with Metal Blade Records for 3 albums now. How do they stack up as opposed to your original label, Earache Records?

Jo: Well, no one is as bad as Earache. But labels are labels. We have our ups and downs with them, but I guess as a whole they're pretty decent.

Josh: Another thing I'd like to touch on, while we're on the subject of Earache, is the recent re-release of the Realm of Chaos album with new artwork, etc. What is the stance of Bolt Thrower on the re-release?

Jo: As usual, we had no say whatsoever on this. The original Games Workshop cover had run it's course and the contract was up with them, so Earache decided to re-release it with a new cover. We mailed them saying we didn't want this to happen, but of course they went ahead anyway. And surprisingly enough it was released at the same time our new album was out. Basically, the usual tactics from Digby.

Josh: Bolt Thrower has been a part of the metal scene for close to 20 years now. That's got to be an incredible achievement for the band, especially considering all of the trials and tribulations you've been through as a unit. What are some things about the current scene today that you like/dislike as opposed to the original extreme metal movement of the late 80's/early 90's?

Jo: Yeah, 20 years! Amazing, who'd have thought? I know I didn't! It's kind of weird because we're doing better now than we have for years, so we're really grateful to still have such loyal fans. It still blows us away. We don't follow the current metal scene and to be honest we never really have. The only thing I miss is the originality. It's too easy to jump straight into a genre these days and a lot of the music all sounds the same, so that's a little disappointing.

Josh: And now the time has come for our Speed Round of Questions! Get ready...Evolution or Creation?

Jo: Creation.

Josh: First thing you do when you get home from a tour?

Jo: Sleep.

Josh: If not music, then what?

Jo: That's not fair. There has to be music!

Josh: What would your bandmates do if not for Bolt Thrower?

Jo:
Baz - Something to do with computers.
Gav - Professional paintball player.
Kearns - F-1 Driver.
Karl - Psychiatrist.
Me? - Not sure. Something to do with music I guess.

Josh: Favorite Song Lyric?

Jo: Of ours? It changes by the day, but today probably "Outgunned, outnumbered, though never outclassed".

Josh: Favorite sports team?

Jo: Just the national teams really. Mainly the English football team.

Josh: What is one thing you are grateful for today?

Jo: That I'm healthy.

Josh: If you could possess one super power, what would it be?

Jo: Hmmm... it would be pretty cool to be invisible, I guess. Or super strong! Or be able to fly. Damn, I'm rubbish at this...

Josh: Which Bolt Thrower song would sum up your life in a nutshell and why?

Jo: Well, they're all about war, so they don't exactly sum up my life! But "No Guts, No Glory" seems like a good life motto.

Josh: Favorite guilty pleasure artist/CD?

Jo: At the moment I'm really into Garbage. Should I be guilty?

Josh: If you could commission a band to do a cover of a Bolt Thrower song, which song would you choose and who would cover it?

Jo: Oooh, good question! I'd really like to hear Rammstein do a Bolt Thrower cover, singing in German obviously! Maybe "The Killchain", or "...For Victory".

Josh: What's underneath your bed?

Jo: My guitar cases!

Josh: Who would you ask these Speed Round Questions to?

Jo: Peter Steele. Don't know why.

Josh: Finally Jo, what legacy do you hope that Bolt Thrower will leave on the face of extreme music?

Jo: I just hope people will remember Bolt Thrower as a consistently good band who kept their word and didn't compromise.

Josh: Any last words?

Jo: Just a massive thanks to all the Bolt Thrower fans around the world. We are really grateful that you've stuck with us over the years and we appreciate it more than we could ever say. Cheers!

Josh: Again, I can't thank you enough for doing this interview. Bolt Thrower was the band that made me an extreme metal fan and throughout the years, you've not let me down! Hope to see you on U.S. soil soon!

Jo: No problem at all, Josh. The interview was great, a real pleasure. Thanks a lot for your kind words, it really means a lot. And yeah, I hope to see you on U.S. soil too! Take it easy!

Josh Thorne

We'd like to thank Josh for submitting this truly wonderful article and to Bolt Thrower!

Related Links

www.boltthrower.com