AGE OF EVIL performed live December 12th 2009 at Old World Brewery in Phoenix AZ. Mauler and The J got an opportunity to sit down with the band and ask them a few questions about themselves, their music, and what we can look forward to from AGE OF EVIL.
[Age Of Evil is; Jeremy Goldberg - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar; Jordan Ziff - Lead Guitars, Vocals; Jacob Goldberg - Bass, Vocals; Garrett Ziff - Drums, Vocals]
Mauler: First just want to say what a pleasure it is to meet you guys, and thank you for taking a few minutes to answer some questions for us.
Mauler: So what influenced you to play METAL? Let’s face it. There are easier roads to fame, so why sink your teeth into this brand of music?
Garrett: We started off doing classic rock then got more into punk. Then we started listening to Metal and it has the same attitude as punk but the musicianship is better.
Jacob: From there we went to OZZFEST and saw Iron Maiden and that kinda changed everything.
Garrett: Iron Maiden was really what got us into Metal.
Jacob: After we started going more in the 80’s direction and listening to bands we’d never heard of we were like Holy Shit! What are we missing out on? So our sound is a blend of the stuff we were listening to before the 80’s stuff and into the 80’s stuff. You can hear a really strong modern influence and the 80’s influence.
The J: It’s funny that you mention Iron Maiden. Ever since Mauler listened to the EP “Get Dead” he talks about Maiden and other bands like them, but Iron Maiden is who he keeps coming back to. Not necessarily as an out right comparison, but as a clear influence.
Garret: Yeah. Before OZZFEST I didn’t even listen to them a lot, but then I see these guys in their 40’s and 50’s running all over the stage, and I was like that’s what I want to be doing.
Jacob: That’s what really grabbed us by the balls, and since then we really haven’t listened to anything that’s come out before like 1991. Pretty much anything from the 60’s to the early 90’s is what we listen to. We don’t sound like any other bands out right now because we don’t listen to them. How are we going to get influenced by a new band since we don’t really care what they’re doing? It’s like out of sight out of mind. If we don’t know what’s going on we can stick to what we’re doing.
Jordan: We don’t listen to the radio or anything like that, and if we do it’s like a classic rock station like KUPD.
Mauler: So when do you think we can expect some new music from AGE OF EVIL?
Jeremy: First we’re going to release a few singles before a full album.
Mauler: No power ballads right guys?
Jeremy: Not power ballads. There are some slower songs using piano and violins, but not power ballads. Nothing that’s going to sound like Poison or anything.
Garrett: Come on we gotta get our pussy some how!
Mauler: I know everybody has made a big deal out of your ages, but every one of us who ever got started playing started when we were teenagers. So what are you doing to make sure your still around in 20 or 30 years? What is it that’s going to give you guys’ longevity in the music business?
Garrett: Because we have a passion for what we’re doing.
The band as a whole is in agreement with Garrett that it’s definitely their passion for the music they are making.
Jacob: What we’re doing is trying to revive some of the music that’s been lost. If more bands catch on to it there could be a whole resurgence that could give us that longevity.
Mauler: You can definitely see that wave moving closer. It’s almost like an underground movement again.
The J: The old guard is even getting more attention right now having they’re CD’s out there again.
Garrett: It’s like the old school metal and rock and roll is making a comeback. We’re doing anything we can to support that.
Jordan: Yeah all the pop shit Needs to “GET DEAD”!
Mauler: The endorsement from Marty Friedman… How did that happen for the band?
Jeremy: We were recording ‘LIVING A SICK DREAM’ so we met with our producer, and he had done some work with him. He asked Marty if he would be interested in playing on one of the songs. Marty said “send me the track and I’ll play on it”.
Jacob: The song was supposed to be like a straight up 80’s anthem, but what Marty did was just really twisted it and made it all fucked up. He really did an amazing job with it.
Garrett: He did an awesome job with it. He really brought an eerie kind of vibe to it. We thought he was going to do the main solo, but ended up playing on the whole track.
Jacob: We didn’t ask him to do any endorsement or anything, but he thought it would be nice to write some words about us, so we put it on the album. It’s like, it’s been really nice to, you know, hear that from Marty fucking Friedman!
Mauler: That’s definitely giving ya’ll the Atta boy! Like here’s the brass ring. You guys go and take off with it.
Jordan: He was a huge influence on me in terms of my playing.
Garrett: Just the fact that he agreed to play on one of our songs made us feel pretty accomplished.
Mauler: The live tracks on the EP “Get Dead” really knocked me out. Are you finding it easy to translate that live vibe onto a recording?
Garrett: Now it is!
Jordan: Not when we recorded “Living a Sick Dream.” We weren’t sure of ourselves, and we were like little kids and all nervous.
Jacob: That album we did on analog it had a truly 80’s style to it. It was all four of us sitting in a room. We did it on tape. So like you had three tracks and that was it. So, I mean it was like pretty hard for us being as young as we were to be thrown into that kind of environment, but now that we’re older and more mature.
The J: (laughing as he says it) You’ve seen the world!
Jacob: Yeah I’m pretty old now being 18 and all. I’m almost ready to settle down and have some kids (the entire band had to laugh at that one).
Jordan: We’re not settling down till we’re like Dead!
Mauler: Well guys, all of us here at Little Rat Bastard were so impressed by the “GET DEAD” EP, and I’m glad I got the opportunity to write a review for ya’ll. We’re behind AGE OF EVIL 100%. Once again thanks for sitting down to talk with us for a minute. We hope to have the opportunity to continue the conversation sometime in the future.
Age Of Evil guarantees more touring, and new music coming our way in 2010.
Immediately following this interview we had the opportunity to see the band play a short set of old and new tracks. AGE OF EVIL are powerhouse live performers. All the time the guys spent in Europe honing their craft has really paid off. They’re still a young band, but the comfort level on stage was really impressive. I can’t begin to tell you how much I look forward to seeing AGE OF EVIL grow,mature and become the force in Heavy Metal they are destined to become. All of us here at Little Rat Bastard can’t thank Jeremy, Jordan, Jacob,and Garret enough for taking the time to sit down and talk to us for a few minutes. We hope for the opportunity to continue the conversation any time the guys have something new to tell the world. We’d also like to thank Chip and all the guys parents for their hospitality. I’d also like to thank the band personally for creating music so original that inspires me to want to write about it. Once again, a big thanks to the AGE OF EVIL family. You keep making the music and we will be here to write about it.
Nuff Said…
[Note: Maulermithel has reviewed Age Of Evil - Get Dead EP and loved it, go check it out now, or just scroll down & buy it from iTunes]
From left; Jordan Ziff, Jeremy Goldberg, The J, Maulermithel, Jacob Goldberg, and Garrett Ziff
Age Of Evil – Get Dead EP
Track listing:
- Cruel Intentions
- Get Dead
- Slave To The Grind
- Originally by: Skid Row - The Hellion/Electric Eye
- Originally by: Judas Priest - Eye For An Eye (live)
- Glimpse Of Light (live)
November 17, 2009 – Evil Eye Entertainment
Official Site / MySpace / Facebook / Twitter
Get It Now: iTunes / Amazon (CD) / Amazon (MP3)
Related posts:
- Age Of Evil Announce Support for Hail’s US Tour
AGE OF EVIL TO SUPPORT UPCOMING FIRST-EVER U.S. SHOWS BY HEAVY METAL SUPERGROUP, HAIL!... - Age Of Evil – Living a Sick Dream
"Living a Sick Dream" is a must have for every Metal-Head on the planet... - Age Of Evil Kicked Ass in Phoenix Last Night
Age Of Evil Tore Up the Old World Brewery and Little Rat Bastard was there to bare witness... - AGE OF EVIL – LIVE in PHOENIX, AZ 12.12.09
Age Of Evil 12/12/2009 8:45pm - Old World Brewery- 201 W. Lone Cactus Drive Phoenix, Arizona 85027... - Age of Evil – Get Dead EP
Every man, woman, and child prepare for the coming of AGE OF EVIL!...
Jeff M. grew up in southern Alabama where he was a minority in his community for his open beliefs and love of Hard Rock & Metal. In his twenties, Jeff left the confines of his hometown and toured the southern United States as a drummer in a rock band. It was at this time that he began to develop his passion for beer & boiled peanuts. A passion that, along with his love of music would help to shape into the man he is today.
In the battle between "The Road" and the love of his woman, his woman prevailed. So he married his sweetheart, packed his hellfire red Ford Ranger, and made his way to the Arizona desert, where still resided today.
Jeff, formerly Maulermithel, began writing reviews and interviews for Little Rat Bastard in the fall of 2009 and has become one our primary regular contributors. Powered by Rooster Booster energy drink & his desire to rock he puts his opinions out there for the our readers consideration month after month. 
This interview rocks!! Great Job!!