Martien: What did you do after Mustaine decided to leave Megadeth?
David: Initially I did some co-writing and got into artist development with some new, younger artists. That was a great experience because it allowed me to hone my production and songwriting chops in a vibrant new setting. Plus it put me in touch with how the new regime of artists, musicians and the music industry aficionados were operating. Things change pretty quick in the music business and being on top of your game is crucial to your survival. Learning new things about modern tunings, melodies and grooves was musically an inspiring thing for me to walk through. Plus, I think you have to keep improving and growing as a musician or else you can stagnate and just end up repeating yourself over the years and there is no future in that either.
Martien: How did you meet the other guys of F5 and when did you decide to become a band?
David: I met some of them through the production work I was doing back in 2002 as I produced demos for a couple of their former bands. As bands tend to go though, they either broke up or people went their separate ways, which led to us writing songs together and eventually forming F5. It was a very natural course and there was not a pre-conceived idea for a band in anyway.
Martien: Who came up with the ideas for the songs on your debut album?
David: They initially began with me. Steve Conley and Dave Small writing them afterwards. I had a ton of ideas I had composed on guitar over the years and when I brought them into this new setting, with new musicians, they suddenly seemed like they found a home and became F5 songs. So as I said before, I originate most of the ideas but once it gets to Dale Steele for vocal ideas the songs really become a group effort. At that point it is about writing around a singer because that is how the songs really take their shape. You know, around the melodies and not just guitar riffs. In F5 we are lucky because we do riff type metal but always conscious of melody too.
Martien: Which one of you "invented" the name of the band and what does it stand for?
David: Our drummer Dave came up with the name one day when he heard that an F5 is the highest category of storm rating for a tornado on the Fujitsu scale. I guess that is how he viewed our music! For me, I think of it as a force of 5 guys jamming music together. I have been told that on a computer the F5 key is the "refresh" button, which could certainly be applicable in many ways too.
David: I would agree with you, however, it was not intentional for me to go off on a new musical outing but rather a natural progression of letting F5 unfold into its own new thing. There is something liberating about starting a new endeavor, as scary and challenging as that can be at times.
Martien: Does the title refer to your personal "notorious" drugs past?
David: No, it has nothing to do with any of that. It is a title Dave Steele came up with, but for me the real drug for all seasons is music, in this case F5 music!
Martien: Are you involved in any other projects at the moment?
David: I have been invited to play on a ton of records lately, which I do whenever I can. I am a versatile player and I like being challenged to do new things at this point in my life. Plus, most importantly, it is fun to do! The Temple Of Brutality record (www.templeofbrutality.com) should be out this fall on Demolition/Universal. I did another album recently for a group called Killing Machine which should release next year at some point. The Temple record is brutal metal while Killing Machine is more traditional type stuff, sort of an ode to the old school of metal. I have produced a couple of records these past couple of years as well. One is for Warmachine and another for Avian which will both be out on Nightmare Records (www.nightmarerecords.com) later this year. I also put down some bass on the new Soulfly record "Dark Ages", which is due out in September, too.
Martien: So, you really are busy. Is there time for an F5 tour in Europe?
David: Obviously, we would love to play wherever we can, but the logistics of touring will have to dictate at this point in the game.
Martien: So, last question, how is life after Megadeth?
David: It is actually very good!! I have been part of many cool new bands and records recently and there does not seem to be any sign of slowing down now. It is all about moving forward.
Martien: Thanks for your time and lots of success with F5.
David: Thank you.
by Martien Koolen |
Martien: The music of F5 is very different from the music you made with Megadeth, much more modern and direct. Do you agree with that, or what are your feelings about the debut record?