Felix Griffin of Blunt Force Trauma – Ex: D.R.I

Interview with Felix Griffin of Blunt Force Trauma (ex: D.R.I) By: Noel Smart

 

 

 

SDM: Why did you leave D.R.I. in 1990?

Felix:  Because our management was ripping everyone off.

 

SDM: Do you still keep in contact with Spike Cassidy and do you know how he is doing with his fight against cancer?

Felix:  Yes, I spoke with him about two weeks ago, he is in remission, living in the Seattle area with his family.

 

SDM: What’s it like to know that you were part of a band who are considered the fathers of crossover thrash metal?

Felix:  I'm truly grateful for all the people that listen to DRI and to be a part of the band at that time.

 

SDM: Tell us more about your current band “Blunt Force Trauma” and the record scheduled for release this month?

Felix:   The album is very raw and spontaneous.  We only get to practice once or twice a week.  So the album came out pretty live- I definetly like it  We have a new bass player that adds a new personality twist to the band.

 

SDM: How do you view the current movement of thrash metal compared to 1985-1990 when it was rampant?

Felix:  I think it's still really big now- there was only a few catagories but a lot of different styles then and now there are several.  But the music is pretty much the same.

 

SDM: What does it feel like to influence such a huge status band like Slayer?

Felix: Back then, nobody was huge— but it definetly gave us the opportunity to have a broader audience.

 

SDM: What do you think of Slayer’s album “Undisputed Attitude” and specifically D.R.I’S song “Violent Pacification”?

Felix:  I heard it and thought it was great.

 

SDM: D.R.I.’S Live at the Olympic video in 1986? What was that experience like for you?

Felix:  that whole period of time was hardcore.  Playing shows of that magnitude it was really right before big business got involved with thrash and hardcore.

 

SDM: What are your thoughts of the re-releases “Thrash Zone” and “4 of a kind”?

Felix:  Well it depends on who released them.  You have to remember that Rotten Records was stolen from Spike Cassidy.  So anything bought with that label on it is no good to me.  Beer City Records and DRI.com and the only legitimate ones.

 

SDM: What are your thoughts on the D.R.I song “No Sense” which supposedly contained one of the first elements of the blast beat?

Felix:  I love that whole first album.

 

 

 

SDM: Did you write any of the drums for the album “Definition” which was released in 1992? (two years after you left) Why such a long gap in the band’s discography?

Felix:  according to that era of our wonderful record company- drums could never be written or copywrited.  

 

SDM: How did you find playing such long set lists with D.R.I.?

Felix:  it really wasn't as long as people think, at the time there were a lot of song titles- but the song wasn't that long.  About an hour wouldn't be that bad.

 

SDM: Where you a fan of previous D.R.I drummer “Eric Brecht”?

Felix:  Yes.

 

SDM: What was it like shooting the videos for Suit & Tie Guy and Beneath the Wheel?

Felix:  At the time it was like a dream come true, but as I look back, and for all the fans that grew up listening to DRI, I wish I could have done it a little bit different.

 

SDM: Do you still have bass drum head’s with D.R.I.’S under construction Thrash Zone signs on them?

Felix:  No, but I still have the ones from live at the Ritz.

 

SDM: Do you still have that Red, White, and blue baseball cap?

Felix:  No, lost that one a long time ago.

 

SDM: What was it like playing the classic “Nursing Home Blue’s” with that great double pass in it? (Editors note: This song reminds me a lot of Canada’s thrash legends Sacrafice’s “Re-animation”?)

Felix:  It was the first song that I could play double bass all the way through- coming from a punk background you always had a single kick – so the double bass was totally new to me

 

SDM: Tell us about your time in the band “Roger’s Porn Collection” from Austin Texas?

Felix:  Well Pat Roach that had a hard core band called the Dimwits from LA is a friend of mine, and asked me if I would start a punk band with him.  So I decided to do it after not playing for about 3 years.  And the band members are all people that I grew up with in Austin.

 

SDM: What else can we look forward to from you this year?

Felix:  I am going to record and play some shows with a band called Condemend Unit from Austin, also will be coming out a double album with Blunt Force Trauma, Condemend Unit, and several other bands and all profits will go to cancer, aids, and hep C patients.