Rick Hunolt (ex Exodus, DieHumane)

Rick Hunolt is a musician most known for playing guitar in the thrash metal band Exodus. He has a new project called DieHumane with former Type O Negative drummer Sal Abruscato. We discuss the new project and the old days in Exodus including opening for Red Hot Chili Peppers, touring with Pantera, and more! Lots of great insight into the music business and life from Rick!

0:00:00 - Intro
0:00:43 - Last Name Pronunciation
0:01:32 - DieHumane Formation
0:04:12 - Being Accessible to People
0:07:19 - New DieHumane Single & Musical Style
0:10:31 - Label, Management & Playing Live
0:13:39 - Singer Garret West & Tour Plans
0:16:55 - Mike Patton, Jim Martin & Faith No More
0:18:10 - Touring With Dio's Black Sabbath
0:20:07 - Opening for R.H.C.P.
0:21:13 - Bonded By Blood & Joining Exodus
0:25:22 - Les Claypool & Blind Illusion
0:26:26 - Bonded By Blood Accolades
0:27:17 - Tour with Venom & Slayer
0:30:32 - Pleasures of Flesh & Sylvia Massy
0:32:10 - Dynamo Festival
0:33:32 - Fabulous Disaster & Impact is Imminent
0:35:15 - Drummer John Tempesta & Easy to Work With
0:37:17 - Respect, Relationship with Exodus & Future Touring Plans
0:40:16 - Getting Sober, Rock Bottom, Homelessness & Purpose
0:46:35 - Guitarists & Rick's Strengths
0:48:45 - Force of Habit Album
0:51:40 - Another Lesson In Violence
0:52:40 - Touring with Pantera & New Pantera Tour
0:55:36 - New Metal Bands & Musicians
0:58:21 - Getting Along in a Band, Ego & Staying Grounded
1:02:25 - New DieHumane Album & Pre-Order
1:03:35 - St. Jude's Children's Hospital
1:04:22 - Podcasting & Bad Interviews
1:06:21 - Insight in Music Business
1:08:00 - Outro

DieHumane Album Pre-Order:
https://wurmgroup.com/collections/diehumane

St. Jude's Children's Hospital website:
https://www.stjude.org/

Chuck Shute website:
https://chuckshute.com/

Transcript

Chuck Shute: 0:00

Hey guys stick around because today on the show we have former Exodus guitarist Rick Hinault. Rip joined Exodus after guitarist Kirk Hammett left for Metallica. And with Exodus Exodus he toured with anthrax Slayer, Pantera and tons of others and although Exodus isn't one of the big four thrash metal bands, many consider them to be in the top five and we're going to discuss a lot of Rex time and Exodus plus his new project die humane with the ex drummer of type of negative All this and more coming right up all right, well, first thing I got to make sure I say your name, right, because I think people think it's Rick huddled, but it's Rick hewn alt right.

Rick Hunolt: 0:50

Echo. Yeah. How do you know that?

Chuck Shute: 0:51

I just heard you do another interviews. Have you had a crack some people?

Rick Hunolt: 0:56

Everybody says huddle. And it's gotten to the point where I don't even I don't even correct him anymore. Oh, really? Well, you know, I mean, whatever.

Chuck Shute: 1:05

Yeah. Now it's like, Don McLean. You know, the guy wrote American Pie. I think a lot of people think it's Don McLean. But it's on McLain, but it looks like McLean so it is confusing.

Rick Hunolt: 1:15

No, it is I need to put one of those little one of those little use over the you you know what I mean?

Chuck Shute: 1:20

Yeah, like the Motley Crew kind of thing. Right? Yeah. So you got a new band together. Now? What is it called? Die humane? Is that correct? Yep. Perfect. Yeah, tell me about this. Because it's got the drummer of a there was a typo negative in life of agony and is currently in a pill. A pale horse named Death.

Rick Hunolt: 1:43

Yeah, that's his. That's his main band besides die humane, that he, he doesn't play drums for the band, he actually plays guitar and sings and writes all the music. Quite a challenge guy, man. So yeah, um, I, let's see about a year and a half ago. I was when I wasn't even trying to think about getting in a band. Really, to tell you the truth. I just work in you know, on taking care of my kids. And I get a call from a dear friend of mine, Steve Escovedo from skin lab. I've known him forever is one of my dearest friends. And he's, we started talking he goes, dude, I know these guys from Texas that are looking for a guitar player, but they don't want. They don't want a shred guitar player, they want more of a bluesy type. Guy, you know what I mean? Lessons more type guy and I'm like, Well, dude, I could do that. Um, why don't you send me some music. So he sends them over. And honestly, I didn't even I didn't even start listening to it till probably about like three weeks after that. And one day, I'm just sitting there. And I say, Hey, let me check this out. So I put it on. And I was like, I started listening to it. And I'm like, geez, this is crazy. Because there was a lot going on. Like, it was it was heavy at times, but 10 times, it wasn't heavy at all. It's like, sometimes it's not even metal at all. It's like, you know, there's not even distorted guitars anywhere. And some of the songs um, and I was like, There's keys and horns and violin, and vocals, man, this kid can sing wrote, um, and I started listening to it. And after a week or so, I just, I fell in love with the music man. I really did. And I was just, I was like, so I get a hold of Josh, one of the songwriters the bass player, who does all the video stuff, he's, he's actually a cinematographer. And I started talking to him and we just, we just got along really, really well managed to me in a bad situation. That's like one of the most important things because I've been doing it for so dang long. That if you can't get along with these guys do it. It's just a waste of time, bro. You know, I mean, it's never ever ever going to work ever

Chuck Shute: 4:11

you get do you get sent a lot of music like hey, listen to this, listen to my demo, try to produce my demo be in this band.

Rick Hunolt: 4:19

I do but more so than produce, I get asked to do a lot of lead guitar work. You know what I mean? And at this point, right now, I just I'm too busy. I just can't do it. But I have done it. You know, I did. I did a solo last last roadman six months ago on the new heat and album. Obviously just one of the new extra this album. Yeah, but some, you know, most of the thing I really like is when I'm I'm really accessible to the people out there. You know, I mean, and make sure that because I really love them and without them there's no music, you know, I mean, it's like they're they're the the bottom line. So When these kids, these youngsters send me music, and I just love to, like, give them direction, you know, in my honest opinion, you know, I mean, but that's why they're asking, you know, so I'm like, and I don't sugarcoat anything, you know, I'm honest, and not brutally honest, I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings or discourage anybody, but I do want to be honest, and like, let them know what's up, you know, I mean, because it's a brutal business. And, you know, I'm, I just I like, telling the youngsters which way to go, I like giving them direction. You know, I mean, that makes me feel good.

Chuck Shute: 5:37

No, that's cool. So that you got an offer to join this band? Have you had offers to join other bands or to fill in or things like that? Has there been things you've had to turn down?

Rick Hunolt: 5:47

Yeah, honestly, like, last summer. I actually had a good friend of mine steal demo was gonna go he for violence, right? He's ex machine head. He's he lives in Dublin, like, three hours away from we're all from the Bay Area, you know, I mean, it's a pretty neat filming. So I got a call from them. And Phil was going to go do some lamb of God. Music, he was going to go tour with that Lamb of God and fill in for one of those guys. And then they asked me to do the European tour violence. And I was just like, man, at this point, right now, I just really don't have the time. You know, because it takes a lot, it takes this thrash metal like that it's not easy to play. Um, so it takes about a month to prepare, you know, to really learn the music like to be able to, to do big shows, like on a big festival stage. And I'm just like, Man, I just don't have the time. I couldn't give it the time it deserves you know, so I had to I had to pass that down. And I've got some other offers from people. I really can't mention, but yeah, I mean, sometimes I do. Yeah, you know, but I'm happy where I'm at now. But the music that we're playing is, it's just so different. You know, I played thrash for four years, bro. So and, okay, so I'll tell you, but like, right before the single was released on the last two months, I'm like, in my brain goes starts traveling. And so I'm getting pretty nervous about the release of the first single. Just because I'm really, really care about what people think you know what I mean? It means a lot to me. That might be stupid or not, but it's just us. But, uh, so a couple of months before that, the new single release, oh, my god, man and the Thrash guys. You know, are the fans gonna like it? Or they're gonna think it's horrible what's gonna happen, you know, because it's got keys and all these different different elements and layers, you know, and it's, it's not thrash. This is not. And I'm like, Well, that's the commitment I made. I love the music. Thomas can stand and stand by me. And dude. I mean, the response has been unbelievable. It's been, I mean, literally the day it came out. I sat there on the phone, like almost all day reading the comments just because I was like, freaking. And I literally honestly, I read too, too. bad comments. That's it, too. And I was just, I'm really really happy. Just couldn't be any happier.

Chuck Shute: 8:30

That's awesome. Yeah, so the new singles called oblivion. And, you know, it says like, showcases the eclectic Doom laden sound. Which it's they say I can't remember I got this must have been like a an article or something. And it says a wide ranging influences including typo Celtic, Celtic Frost Pink Floyd in a perfect circle. I'm like, now yeah, that's, I hear a lot of those kinds of it's a dark doom. But you're right, there's keys. And there's breaks where it's not metal, but then it gets heavy. So and I think that's what makes it cooler. Because it was just heavy. The whole time that almost gets can get boring sometimes. But this kind of takes you back to take a break, and then dies right back in.

Rick Hunolt: 9:09

Yeah. So you know, I mean, really, honestly, this music is all about layers and emotions. And, and, yeah, we're not trying to be heavy just for heavy sake. You know what I mean? Because we're all we're all. All of our roots are in heavy metal. You know what I mean? But there's others. There's other parts, you know, that we're all really, really diverse. We're all multi instrumentalist. We can all pretty much play everything. You know, so that helps a lot. It just every talent in his band is just insane. And we're all we're all we all have. We all just we just want to be do something different. But that's all you know. That's all. I think. And from the response that we've gotten so far, I think that the people are ready for different honestly, you know, heavy music is having me music but you can only, you know, you can only go so far with it really? In a lot of aspects. I will always be thrash, you know, my heart is, you know, and who's to say, but I'm not going to start a thrash band tomorrow. Who knows? You know if you know if it's if the right people came together Hell yeah, let's go. The right now I'm just really digging the direction that we're going in. It's just we got four more singles and release until the album comes out May 5. And everything's going good right now.

Chuck Shute: 10:31

Yeah, so and this is not just like, you're not releasing this independently, you're working with a label, and a management to the management from the singer Cole chamber.

Rick Hunolt: 10:41

Yes, sir. Jessica Farah and Anastasia, have been awesome. They stepped up. They stepped up because they love the music, you know, I mean, and they know that they're taking a chance with the two. No one knows what it's going to do. But we all love the music. So that's basically where we stand right now. You know, who knows? You know, we don't know. So I'm just taking it day by day and see what happens and just keep doing what we love to do. That's all. Jazz has been very helpful. He's behind us. 100% and worm group. I don't know if you're familiar. It's a really, really small independent label. Owned by orange wild who does? It's got a lot of history with Cantera and White Zombie and Rob Zombie and static X and some pretty big names. You know, I mean, he's an amazing producer, but he is just phenomenal. He made this record sounds so huge, bro.

Chuck Shute: 11:38

Did you have to send your tracks in or you guys weren't able to get together and record it?

Rick Hunolt: 11:43

I actually flew to his studio in Hollywood, and get all my lead tracks, you know? Excuse me in three days. And then, but other than that, that's the only time that we actually got together. Yep.

Chuck Shute: 11:58

Okay, so then, would you? I mean, you said that you had to turn down other tours. So would you be able to tour for this band or?

Rick Hunolt: 12:04

Oh, yeah, absolutely. 100% Yep, yep.

Chuck Shute: 12:07

Okay, oh, your schedule change or this is just like this is enough that it's like you'll make it work.

Rick Hunolt: 12:12

No, I'll make it work for this because my I have visions for this music live. That's that's pretty, pretty huge. You know if we can I mean, the music the potentials there put it though. It's I feel that I think live in a live setting with a little bit of creativity and some production. It can be like a show, you know, more like a like a more more than a concert but a show. You know what I mean? There's so much time with the violins in the keyboards and in the sax is so many dynamics are awesome, you know, can be really well done.

Chuck Shute: 12:52

How would you play that stuff? Why I know that two of the guys are multi entered into instrumentalists. So they could they play those instruments? Or would some of it have to be recorded pre recorded or

Rick Hunolt: 13:03

no backing tracks? There's no real instruments, but everybody on the album is all real.

Chuck Shute: 13:08

Right? But to do it live, could you me? You can't have a foreign orchestra live.

Rick Hunolt: 13:12

Nobody knows it's gonna be sax violin. That's it. Okay. And then we Greg's our keyboards. He's an actual full member, so Okay, awesome. The full five full members are actually for me, Sal, Garrett vocals Josh bass and Greg keyboards. So we've got on violence and sex on hold for rehearsals. You know what I mean?

Chuck Shute: 13:38

Okay, where did you find Garrett? I know he was in some band called a nova Skyway, which I've not heard of them. I just listened to him right now a little bit to get a feel for but like, yeah, he's, he's that was a real fine because he's a great vocalist.

Rick Hunolt: 13:52

Yeah, he's, he's young, too. But he's actually they found me, you know, him. And Josh had already been doing this project for like, close to a year him and Josh and Greg. And they were just looking for a guitar player. And the rest is history. So Garrett is actually teaches, teaches English in high school. So he's, he's really, really an interest. He's got a degree in creative writing. And he's really incredible. And he plays guitar, too. And he's just an amazing singer. Well,

Chuck Shute: 14:26

yeah. So would you try to do like a headlining club tour? Are you going to try to get on to one of these other tours, like an open up? And if so, which bands would you want to open up for?

Rick Hunolt: 14:37

That's a crazy question. So that's that's exactly what's in the talks right now. I'm not sure we're in a position to do a headlining tour as of yet. I think that we should get in getting some clubs and and get our feet wet. You know what I'm saying? And see what happens. I think that um, so Okay, This is the craziest thing because our management basically has a metal bands you know, I mean most of their most of their acts are pretty heavy bands. So cranial infill ginger Wednesday 13th All these bands, Exodus is actually is managed by death now. So my personal feelings is I really don't think that our band should be touring with a thrash band. You know what I mean? I just don't think it fits. Um, I could be wrong. I don't know. But that's just the way I'm feeling right now. So in a perfect world, bro. I'd like to go out with bands like oppa Mr. Bumble, Nine Inch Nails would be like, you know, I mean, that's thinking big. We're thinking big.

Chuck Shute: 15:53

Yeah, well, I was gonna say like a Mike Patton, some of his projects. I feel like this is along the same lines as that stuff. So,

Rick Hunolt: 16:01

Garrett, our singer is heavily influenced by that. And the kinds of genius he's a little genius. And he's in so many bands and he's got so many branches to the Mike Patton tree, you know what I mean? It's insane. And his influence our our shoots are insane. Love to go out bungle or anything. He's got anything to do with I would love to go out. But you know, there's a lot of bands out there that are like heavy and not heavy. Like there's just a ton of bands out there. We could go out with. We'll see Primus if you get on to. You know what I mean? Something something like that.

Chuck Shute: 16:42

Yeah, perfect circle. I feel like that's kind of got that same.

Rick Hunolt: 16:46

Perfect Circle would be. Wow. I mean, yeah. We get a call from there guys. Go we're going. Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 16:54

That's really cool. Have you ever come Have you ever had crossed paths with Mike Patton?

Rick Hunolt: 16:59

No, I never have his drummer. A whole bunch. used to hang out with Jim Martin. guitar player from Fillmore. He's Mike Patton is from. He's from humble, like, way up north for me. Okay. And I've never I've never actually met like that. Nope.

Chuck Shute: 17:17

You said Jim Martin. I always I love that guy. Like everybody. He was such a fan favorite. I know. He lost faith. No more what happened to him though he didn't start another band that I know of. He kind of disappeared.

Rick Hunolt: 17:28

He is a fan favorite. You want to know something about Jim Martin? If he's a fan, you know what I mean? No, he is and I am. I'm a fan. I consider myself to be a fan. You know, I mean, he's, you know, a big time. You know, I'm as much of a fan as I am a musician, period. That's it. I just love, love it off. And Jim Martin went on to do some stuff. I'm not really sure what he's doing now. I think I've seen some threads on the internet that he might be doing something new. That fake no more actually might be doing a reunion thing. And thinking oh, shocking. I mean, whatever.

Unknown: 18:04

Now it'd be cool. I would definitely see that. Yeah. Jim Barnes about after. Yeah. Well, you

Chuck Shute: 18:09

must have had so many stories like that people that you've worked with over the years and 40 plus years of thrash metal. Yeah. Then

Rick Hunolt: 18:19

goes way back when we've almost almost played with everybody but the only people that we we played with Metallica a couple of times in the Bay Area, but they never never played with them again. But we've played with a lot of bands. Sabbath was probably one of the biggest bands we did 30 shows with do recipes broke. Sabbath Black Sabbath would do now. 32 shows like was so

Chuck Shute: 18:49

cool to meet Tony Iommi, like it must have been he must have been one of your heroes.

Rick Hunolt: 18:53

Oh my God. Are you kidding? Him? He wasn't um it was it was like, Yeah, we're like, wow, we're sitting. We're watching Black Sabbath every night hanging out backstage with Ronnie was the one that came out and actually hung out with us a lot. You know, I mean, he was like, something else that guy was so nice. They were all really really nice but but Ronnie was the one that really went out of his way to come hang out with us.

Chuck Shute: 19:20

That's that's really cool. Yeah, that's definitely a bucket list item to be able to say toured with them.

Rick Hunolt: 19:25

Oh, yeah. Right. That's that's pretty killer. Awesome. But yeah, when we did the very first headbangers ball with Anthrax, that was incredible. That was like in the early early 90s. That was the biggest that was for us back then. We were just like, wow, we're going to open the very first headbangers ball tour. That was insane and for Thrash. That's pretty much like when when thrash kind of broke out, you know what I mean? Was Was that tour? No, it was big. So fun. We had great time. Anthrax, you love those guys.

Chuck Shute: 20:00

Did you guys do I don't know if you remember this but supposedly you guys opened a show for Red Hot Chili Peppers. What like 1990 course I

Rick Hunolt: 20:07

remember that was a huge show that was home in the bay. That was like literally a mile away from my house. It was a Harry J Kaiser with Red Hot Chili Peppers man that was insane. flew me plays bass rig during soundcheck because I played some Funk Bass and I was like, sweet man, and he played he was so cool. They were all really cool. And, you know, people to this day, and he got on a flyer, dude, that's the craziest billing it ever. It was the craziest bill but it was sold out. And it wasn't. It was incredible.

Chuck Shute: 20:40

Yeah. What venue? Was it? How many people it was it was a big venue?

Rick Hunolt: 20:44

Yeah, it was Henry J. Kaiser. I want to say like, well, they use the full cuz sometimes they cut the hitter J Kaiser in half. So it was a full theater or whatever auditorium. I'm gonna say like, 7000. Okay. Yeah, it was big. It was really big. I gotta admit, we crushed it. I'm not sure it was killer.

Chuck Shute: 21:09

That's really cool. Did you see recently a couple of days ago, they were talking to Charlie Benante. And he was there asking them like, what was your favorite thrash record? And he said, bonded by blood? Yep, yep. Yep. Number one thrash record like he thinks the best.

Rick Hunolt: 21:24

Well, Charlie is a great friend of ours. We've known him for. Honestly, we've known anthrax. Maybe longer than we've known anybody except for Metallica. And we grew up in Metallica. You know, I mean, in the Bay Area when they came up. So we hung out, we were all really good friends. Charlie, um, you know, I could say the same thing about the first anthrax album. You know, it's funny, because you compare the East Coast and the West Coast. And we were all doing this almost crazy. Punk rock music, but we all had long hair. And we were metal, you know, but we were playing this really aggressive style of music. And try it for free trying to say that that's that's, that's pretty incredible for him say that. I mean,

Chuck Shute: 22:12

it was kind of like a new music, right? Like when you joined because I think you had seen the band play before you joined Exodus. Because you don't know Kirk from Metallica was the original guitarist, and then you replaced him. But you saw the band play. And it kind of blew me away because you had never heard music like that. Because this was like brand new music pretty much.

Rick Hunolt: 22:31

It was it was brand new, and there wasn't even a name for it. You know, we were calling it back then. We'll call it speed metal. Right. So and on the East Coast. They were they were calling it? It was the moss. You know what I mean? Everything mosh pit, you know, and it was like, we just call it the pit here in the Bay Area. Um, but it's crazy how on both sides of the country we're all playing. It's really aggressive music. And then with the tape traders and how it how it grew. Yeah. So to answer the question, yeah. So the first time I saw it, I was like, because I grew up with Van Halen, AC DC, Judas Priest, you know, now I was into that. I was like, I don't know how I was 17 years old. And I got a call from our den manager, Adam, because he was a really dear friend of mine from Berkeley. And he goes, you know, they needed to borrow some gear, some cabinets. And I was like, Sure. Um, so, long story short, I show up and I'm watching his band. I'm going Holy crap. This is crazy music. I was like, wow, this is January, punk rock. Right. So. And then I got a call about a week later that he wanted to jam with Gary. I'm like, What am I got to lose? Why not? You know, I mean, I was 17. No band. I spent most of my adolescence I Well, that was probably 18. So I spent, I bought my first guitar when I was 16. sat in my room for a couple of years and never left, never went to parties never did anything, just played guitar for a couple, three years, and then I joined Exodus. And that was it.

Chuck Shute: 24:12

That is so crazy. I was looking at the timeline, because I know you started out on piano. And then you traded the piano for the guitars removed or something and like a piano wouldn't fit, say like, Oh, I'm getting guitar. So you only play guitar for three years. And you're already joining one of the big which would become later, you know, not at the time that but it would become one of the biggest thrash bands of all time. Did they get other people or like, Were you just that talented that even three years of experience?

Rick Hunolt: 24:37

Wasn't that? Well. It's like when I Okay, so when I joined Exodus, they were basically pretty much on the same level as musicianship as I was, you know. From that point on, we continue to learn and played so much all the time. Literally, you know, because we just all grew roomed together that was meant honestly, that none that you bring it up. My brain has told me this. Yeah, that's probably one of the reasons why actually, the spectrum was really, really special is because we were all growing on our individual music instruments at the same time. Together, you know what I mean? So that's yeah, that's that's, that's crazy to think about that.

Chuck Shute: 25:20

Yeah. And did you? Wait, did you play with a band with Les Claypool? Or? No, that's

Unknown: 25:27

Tom did

Rick Hunolt: 25:29

know. That was well, okay, so he made it you may have sat in with blind illusion. For a little while back then,

Chuck Shute: 25:41

you guys did shows together with blind illusion access. Yeah. Back

Rick Hunolt: 25:45

in the day, like, like, early 80s. You know what I mean? That's what before I was even in Exodus blind illusion with Larry the lawn from possess now in Primus. Les Claypool, um, obviously Primus and Mark Biederman, the guitar player for blind illusion was in was in blind illusion with with those guys. So. Yeah. Blind illusion. The blind illusion with Mark has been together since early 80s. I mean, really soon? Almost. Probably longer than exodus has been together. Huh.

Chuck Shute: 26:21

Crazy. Yeah, that first album. So you said that I think you said 80% of it was already written by the time that you had joined. But I mean, they're still talking about like I said, Charlie, bananas. They just called it one of the best albums and then it got a shout out

Unknown: 26:34

and limb for that. So awesome. Yeah. And then it got

Chuck Shute: 26:37

a shot. Do you see it got a shout out and Cobra Kai, one of the characters mentioned it.

Rick Hunolt: 26:43

Yeah, that was funny. And Rolling

Chuck Shute: 26:45

Stone said it was the 45th on their album, a little their list of 100 greatest metal albums of all time. And that's huge.

Rick Hunolt: 26:54

Huge series. Yeah, you didn't know about that one Stone Magazine,

Chuck Shute: 26:58

Rolling Stone ranked bonded by blood as the 45th on their list of the 100 greatest metal Albums of All Time. Crazy.

Rick Hunolt: 27:04

Oh, I got to get that issue. Well, I That's insane. Yeah, no, that Chuck? Yeah. Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 27:11

That's just so cool that you're the you're a part of that. And then so then you guys did the tour with with venom and Slayer. That like that was sounds like it was kind of like a lot of hygiene. So you guys are so young. And

Rick Hunolt: 27:23

let me tell you, I got a trade show. Okay. I joined the band, we start doing shows locally in the Bay Area. And this is way before the internet. This is way before this was even maybe before CDs, bro. So listen. So the way that this music got around the planet was there's a very, very small group of guys and Lars Ulrich from Metallica was one of these guys. And he was like up there. Lars had a huge was a huge but I mean, Ron Cortana, Sam, Chris, Lars Ulrich. Some other cats, these guys would take wood, they would trade cassette tapes of these old demos. And they'd send them to each other all over the world. You know, I mean, couple of guys in the UK, some people back east, you know, I mean, Florida, you know, and this is the way that that our scene, our genre of music was born without these cats, who knows what would have happened, you know what I mean? You know, and this is, before Slayer even became came up to the to the to the barrier. So, as we started doing gigs, and then we got a call from these guys. Because there was a buzz about the music from bonded by blood. That was like rippling across the United States. You know what I mean? So we got a call from these guys, Todd and Ken, from New York, who started a label called toward records and they said, Yo, we want to we want to put your record out, you know, and we're young. We're like, what? 1819 years old? We're like, hell yeah, hell yeah, let's do it. Long story short, so they got they got worldwide distribution from important records and which was cool. So we did a deal with them, and went into the studio, recorded the album, started doing most more shows, and then we got a call. You guys want to be you guys want to do this European sort of event and we're like, holy smokes. Are you kidding? We're gonna go to Europe and play play venom. You know what I mean? So we're like little kids in a candy store. But we had our own bus. We flew to we flew to to to to Europe. We're playing these big venues with venom and and Slayer. And we were just like, Little kids in a candy store. People run it up to the bus. Let me have one of your pigs. And we're just looking at you and like what? You all it was like, it was like it was living a dream, bro. It was like, I'm so blessed. Honestly, it's so true. I mean, we didn't make no money. But we got to we got to experience the Rock and Roll dream. You know what I mean? And to me that is priceless. For real?

Chuck Shute: 30:27

No, that's really cool. Yeah, you know, it's interesting. And then so you go on to make the second album, the pleasant pleasures of flesh. Realize that was mixed by Sylvia Massey, who would go on to produce tulle and all these other great bands, like, did you have any interactions with her? I just find it interesting, because I think at the time that's like really progressive to have a female mix an album, I don't think there was a lot of women in that field or their

Rick Hunolt: 30:51

CO she, Sylvia, um, I think she she co mixed and CO engineered that record. But this is before anybody knew who Sylvia was. Sure, yeah. Yeah. And she, she blew up, bro. You know, five years later, she's doing like, big huge stuff. You know, I'm saying, and that was awesome. And Mark susac, too. And this is like, okay, so pleasures of the flesh was right. When the digital, I think it was right when the digital era was was was was happening. And so we decided to try to do the drums, digital, and analog. So we could have, we ran into some problems. Let me just put it down with Tom played to pass in the samples couldn't keep up with his kick drums. And we had to do a whole bunch of stuff over. And politics got involved. And it was the big leg and was supposed to come out in a year and didn't come out for two years. And that was that was our MO You know, we were supposed to release albums and they would always be late. It was kind of chaotic. It came out.

Chuck Shute: 32:04

Yeah. And then you did. That's when he did another tour with anthrax. Do you remember the you must remember this show? The Dynamo festival? 30,000 was that the biggest show you've ever done? 30,000 people at that

Rick Hunolt: 32:15

point? No, not not. Now, at that point. It was like

Chuck Shute: 32:21

that's crazy.

Rick Hunolt: 32:21

That was the biggest show we had played today for sure. No question. And that was Dynamo was run by a guy a friend of ours. Andre, who is famous in Holland. And my guy gotta give a shout out to our Holland people out there. Those guys had. I have so much love for actually within treated so well. And honestly everybody has but we have a lot of we have a lot of history with Deaf people. Um, and so yeah, that was just the biggest thing and we're just like, kids. I mean, imagine that's pretty crazy. You know, and playing a festival on a big stage like that is a lot different to play in a club. You know, it's I find it I find it to be more difficult because it's outside and the stages are so huge. And if you don't get the proper mix, you can't hear nothing and it's just it's really crazy. You don't get no soundcheck. You know, it's just up there setup, everything's set up for you. You know, you just get up there and play and that's it. So it can be difficult at times.

Chuck Shute: 33:30

Ya know, for sure. So then I think it's fabulous disasters out when you guys that album was the one that kind of launched you with MTV, right? Because you had the toxic waltz on MTV. And then you did the MTV tour and all that stuff.

Rick Hunolt: 33:42

Yeah, I mean to this date, Exodus is probably no, that's probably the biggest the anthem, you know what I mean? The toxic wallet, which is a great song and people love it. You know, to this day, they're playing it. Safe second encore every show, you know, I mean, so you know. Yeah, that song. That's the biggest song pretty much. People know. I think cool. Probably the best the best selling album to date. Which one? Fabulous disaster. I couldn't. Yeah, a number of it. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 34:12

no. And then and then the next one impact is imminent. See, I was too young. I'm like discovering all this stuff later. Because I didn't really get into metal to like 92 but there's a video on YouTube. For me the song impact is imminent. I can't it's got to be like a fake video though. Or something right? You guys didn't. Did you make a video for that song?

Rick Hunolt: 34:33

No, we never made a video for impact. Where did you see that?

Chuck Shute: 34:37

Have you seen that one? It's like It's like these people driving there's a car crash. It's really graphic. It's kind of cool. But I feel like it's they took it out of a movie or something like that.

Rick Hunolt: 34:45

Is it a video? Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 34:48

But you guys aren't in it. It's just like a plot and a story. It's it's kind of interesting now that they put that together with that song.

Rick Hunolt: 34:55

Is it like a word or something? Maybe? What? Is it like a lyric video I've never seen But I've never seen it.

Chuck Shute: 35:00

Yeah, I'll send it to you afterwards. It's just kind of interesting. Yeah. It's kind of a cool video, but I was like, this clearly wasn't made in 1990. But yeah, so just had to ask you about that. And that album is interesting, too, because then you had John tempesta on drums right?

Rick Hunolt: 35:14

Yep. Who now plays for the cult? John's play with testament. Rob's on zombie White Zombie clutch. Um, he's gone on to play with everybody and their mom and you want to know why

Chuck Shute: 35:27

not? That's exactly what I want to know. Why is this guy so good? Like what makes him such a great drummer?

Rick Hunolt: 35:36

I see. Johnny is like a dear friend of mine, bro. And I love the guy with all my heart. He the thing with Johnny tempesta, bro, is he not only is the most fantastic solid, high energy, incredible drummer, he is just the best human being you could ever find. And that that is why he gets so much work is because when you work with Johnny, you can't help but love to do it. He's just just he's like the friendliest. I don't think there's a bad bone in his body ever. You know? I mean, he's just, he's just a fabulous human being bro. That's all there is to it. And that's why I'm convinced that's why he's gotten so much work just because not only is he an awesome drummer, he's just the best dude. You know, I'm saying

Chuck Shute: 36:19

no, but that's what I hear those stories when I interview musicians like like Rudy sarzo is another one who he'll tell me like, because I was like, dude, you've been in so many bands, like you're all you're with Ozzy with quiet riot. And he says it's like, well, I got to, you know, part of it is can you play the instrument? Obviously, that's a huge piece of it. But the other thing is like, you got to be likable. And you got to be professional, like, You got to be on time. They can't worry about you. If you're you know, if you're on drugs, or if you're drinking too much you fall off stage, like,

Rick Hunolt: 36:45

you know, what I said in the beginning of the interview, it's like when when you guys if you guys can't get along? You know what I mean? If you can't put your egos in your pocket for half a second, then stop wasting your time, bro. It's not gonna happen. I'm telling you, you know, and I tell this to the younger bands. I like it's so important for you guys to be able to get along first and foremost. And then you can play start playing some music. Just be friends. You know what I mean? It's so important without it. This is not going to happen. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 37:17

I mean, there needs to be a respect because like, honor

Rick Hunolt: 37:20

percent, that's the word right there. Bottom line, right there. That's That's what, that's what me and Gary had for 30 years is like, honestly, dude, me and Gary. I was an extra this for 30 years. Me and Gary never had one argument. Never. Wow. Remember when us? I mean, we had disagreements, but we would never argue you know, and that we just there was so much respect going on there. And to this day is like my brother, you know, I mean, all of

Unknown: 37:49

you. That's, that's super cool. Yeah,

Rick Hunolt: 37:51

we loved we loved hanging out. That's all there is to it. We loved playing music together, period. I mean, we went through our we went we had issues. We went through our you know, our our drugs, things and alcohol and everybody did in the band. But we all we're all here to talk about it. You know, I mean?

Chuck Shute: 38:09

Yeah, well, yeah, thank thankfully, you were able to get cleaned up and stuff. So you weren't you don't want to rejoin Exodus, like now that you're clean? I mean, you could you could obviously do it if you want it, but you don't have any interest in that or?

Rick Hunolt: 38:20

Well, you know, there's, there's talks about doing some bonnet by blood stuff later on, you know, they're doing great. I'm doing my thing. You know, I, you know, if we wanted to do if they wanted to do a tour, and play some of the old shoes, I would be on board for sure. You don't mean? Joining us again. I don't know. You know, Lee is a great guitar player and a really, really good friend of mine, you know, to me, that a lot of the fans want to see three guitars, like like Iron Maiden, you know what I mean? Okay, do whatever, you know. But, uh, you know, they're happy. They're doing great. I'm doing great. So we'll just leave it like that and see what happens in the future. You know, I mean,

Chuck Shute: 39:02

yeah, would you? I mean, could you make, or do you want to make, I mean, I'm assuming your goal would be to make die humane, like, a full time thing. But as of right now, I'd probably be more of like, a part time kind of thing.

Rick Hunolt: 39:14

Well, it's gonna grow into a full time thing. We'll just see what happens. You know, I mean, I mean, that's how that's how it works. Um, um, let's see, I think me and Sal are the oldest guys in the band. So everybody's, you know, everybody really wants this to happen. So if we get if the right things happen, and we get the right offers, it's this will be a full time project for sure. Okay, that's what I want. I mean, my kids are grown up. You know, I I left Exodus for one to get my head together. And number two to take care of my kids. You know, I was never home bro. I wasn't making no money with the band at the time. You You know, we were touring a lot, but I was coming home broke it was, you know, things were tough back then. And now they're even tougher. So we'll see what happens. You know, I mean,

Chuck Shute: 40:11

how did yeah, I was curious like that part because I mean, congrats, I think you have how many years of sobriety now 13. How did you do that, though, because that's got to be one of the hardest things to do, especially at that point after being in a band for so long, and just living that lifestyle to do basically an entire one ad and go totally sober.

Rick Hunolt: 40:34

It was no one when they say rock bottom. That's no joke. I hit rock bottom is either it was either get my head together, or go to prison and Bro, that's it, period. Or die. That's it. So I got in some trouble. I found myself in jail. Call my dad. I said, dude, bail me out, please. I'm going to a program. So long story short, I got into a program stayed there for six months, and never looked back.

Chuck Shute: 41:12

That's amazing. Because usually it takes like multiple times.

Rick Hunolt: 41:16

I know. But I had I got kids when I got you know. And I had had to stop doing what I was doing.

Chuck Shute: 41:23

You wanted to make a change. It wasn't somebody say, hey, you need to sober up. And you're saying no, screw you. You're saying I want to get clean?

Rick Hunolt: 41:30

No, I had to Yeah, I want you more than anything in the whole world. I want to, I want to walk away from this, this life right here that I'm living, or so living with it. You know, I want to walk away from this life turn around and just let everything and anything that's got to do with that life meeting the people, places and things. That's, you know, all of that. I gotta let it go. All of you. That means friends that I had been friends with for many, many years. If you if you're not if you're still using I can't I can't do it, bro. I can't do it. So I honestly I left the Barrett. I left the Bay Area. So I changed everything. Everything.

Chuck Shute: 42:13

Do you think is that the only way for people to get clean? Because I know like at one point you were homeless? Like I mean, you literally were rock bottom. And we have that seems to be a big issue in the country right now we have people are homeless or people who are addicted to drugs. And the drugs just take over. Like how do we solve as someone who's been in that position? How can we solve this problem? Is it just something where they have to decide it themselves? Okay.

Rick Hunolt: 42:37

So when you're when you're that deep in that life, bro, you lose touch with who you are, number one, it's not about me, it's about the high, it's about going out, it's about that whole lifestyle you get so you get so wrapped up in that evil life that you lose touch with everything family friends, like, you know, so my thought is that, especially with the homeless, and the mentally ill, and the drugs, these people they need purpose, you know, they need to find and with purpose, you slowly once you have a little purpose in your life, you can you can find some self love, you know what I mean? Some, some, some self love and that's where that's where it all the bottom line is you have to start loving yourself again. And then you can then you can get some some strength, you know, and some some power and then you can walk with your head up. And when you've talked to people, you can talk to him, You look him in the eye, you know and but until then that's what's problem. I'm telling you these people that are they need some purpose they need first of all, of course they want to have to want to get clean. But it's a slow process. It's a slow process. It's I went to NA for years, you know, after after I've gone to rehab just to just to stay in touch, you know and feel like I was doing something that's give me some purpose. You know what I mean? So yeah, it helped. I want I wanted to change so it's a big problem out there with drugs but in the homeless people and then if it's so sad, and when I go back to the Bay Area, because I live like up in the mountains. I go back there. Oh my god, I can't even go there anymore. It's just it's so it's gotten so bad. Where do you live Chuck?

Chuck Shute: 44:38

I'm in Scottsdale, Arizona. So I have we haven't have some people actually have some homeless people in Scottsdale, but it's really bad like in parts of Phoenix. And if I just drive I'm like right on the edge of Phoenix. So if I just drive a little bit west I'll start to see the encampments and things and people on the streets. It's really sad.

Rick Hunolt: 44:58

What's even worse there. because you're so close to the border, and that's right where the dope is coming straight to Phoenix boom. Yeah, you know what I mean? And then it's just oh my god, you

Chuck Shute: 45:09

know, the blues I guess they call it I don't know if you ever got it that might have been your, your thing, but they call it the blues. It's like smoking blues that these fentanyl pills that they they smoke and like, I had a guy on my channel, who I had a guy on my show who does a YouTube channel and he just interviews all these kids that are out there on the streets. And they all it's all the same story. It's called

Rick Hunolt: 45:30

Life in the streets or something like that. Yeah, there's a few of them. Yeah, I watch it. And it's, it's heartbreaking. It is. But I'm glad that guy's doing that because he needs to bring some awareness to this stuff. Dude. It most of those kids are like runaways from different states. You know, like barely 25 years old, bro. Yeah, you know what I mean? Just walk in the streets. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 45:54

but see, that's what's so cool about your story is that, to me, it's like so inspiring. I mean, I'm not a I never got addicted to drugs or anything. But I'm just saying for other people. Like I would hope that that would inspire others. Like that you did it. And now you're back. And it's I'm so glad they're happy and healthy. And you're making this new music. And I think the greatest is yet to come for you. I know. Kirk was an exodus and he joined Metallica. Gary was an exodus and he joined Slayer. I think your big thing is coming. I think I think you were an excess. And now you're maybe this is it? Or maybe it's something else. But I think you have something else big coming for you. I think

Rick Hunolt: 46:28

I appreciate that. Chuck from a that means so much. We'll see. You know, I've never been one thing I learned in this business, bro. And with all the love that we get as musicians or whatever. And for one, I'm Listen, guitar players, you know, I could do? I turn on Instagram, and I watch these kids playing these guitars there. And they're so freakin good. And I'm like, I can't do that. I cannot. You know, and I'm not even kidding. I can not do that. So, it's like, it's like, almost discouraging, but you know, I use it as a tool to like, you know, okay, I'm just gonna concentrate it what I think I do good. And just and just go with that, you know, or else. I'm just gonna lose it. So we'll see. What were you What were you? There was something I wanted to say to you to the comment you make? Um,

Unknown: 47:26

what do you say best is yet to come? I don't know.

Rick Hunolt: 47:30

Before that, yeah. Well, we'll see. And I appreciate that compliment. And that's

Chuck Shute: 47:35

when you say you're going to focus on what you do best. Like, what do you think as a guitarist? What do you do best? I mean, because you must be able to play fast you plan an exodus, that speed has got to be a part of your strength.

Rick Hunolt: 47:49

It's not at this point in the game, it's just not so when you if you listen to the solo and oblivion, some of it at the end of fast, but the more the things that I'm I like myself personally, is the slower more melodic, feeling like Gilmore's that type stuff from Pink Floyd, you know, that's more of the route that I go. No, so I mean, back in the day when I was 1920 21 We played fast blistering. The music was insanely fast, but nowadays I'm just I gravitate to like more of the Neil Sean Eddie Van Halen. Michael Schenker Gilmore type of stuff you know the more slower more melodic more feel stuff. Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 48:37

Do you like to you're fit you're a fan of the blues I'm assuming too Right?

Rick Hunolt: 48:40

Yeah, for sure. That's my style was more blues than anything

Chuck Shute: 48:44

Yeah, cuz like so the song Good Day to Die off force a habit. Now you co wrote that song? Did you co wrote the opening the cool like bluesy opening of that song?

Rick Hunolt: 48:53

Absolutely. Yeah, I play all the laps all the steel slide guitar. Yeah, for sure.

Chuck Shute: 48:57

That's cool. Yeah. I like when bands kind of mix it up. That's what I don't know. I don't other fans are not a fan of that album. That was actually the first Exodus album that I bought as a kid. And that because it was like 9293 When I was starting to get into metal, and I think I saw Thorin on my side thorn in my side on MTV. And I was like, Oh, that's a cool song. And I bought the whole album. And so I liked that album. What is your thoughts on that one? Because there is it's a little bit of a different feel on that when he didn't use the Exodus logo on the cover and

Rick Hunolt: 49:25

yeah, so the album um, and I just want to get this straight. We did not change for the for the for the for the label, or nothing that was just a natural progression of song. Everybody did um, we it wasn't like we wrote thorn in my side to be more clear like let's let's write a commercial song. And that's not how I got it all. It was just so you know, you get you get influences from all the music that you listen to and that surrounds you, right? Like to the grind and that was grind grind your shoes back And, like, I don't know, I think maybe sibling similar subliminally, it might have inspired me and Gary to write some of that stuff. I don't know. But just it was a natural progression. You know, I like I love that. I think it's awesome. Um, a lot of people like the hard thrash Ed's don't like that, um, as much as it doesn't get to love, like, say a fabulous or impact will get.

Chuck Shute: 50:26

Yeah, no, I like that. Well, that was that was my first introduction to Exodus and then then I went back and listen to the other stuff. But yeah, I like that one. I think you're right. It was like the timing and the progression of the band. I think it still was Exodus. I think it was still heavy. But you know, it was a little bit a little bit of a departure. Maybe too much for some fans, but not for me. I

Unknown: 50:46

loved it. Yeah, me too.

Chuck Shute: 50:48

And that was around the time that was when you did that tour with Black Sabbath with deal on vocals. I thought I read it. Tell me if this was true, though. I don't know if you guys are on these shows. But was there a time when deal was sick or something and Rob Hallford came in and subbed some shows.

Rick Hunolt: 51:04

Not on that tour, but I heard I heard the same thing. Europe

Chuck Shute: 51:08

Okay, so you weren't there?

Rick Hunolt: 51:11

Um, deals and deals phenomenon that to a row he didn't miss a note. I swear, watching that little guy. sing those songs. And that's honestly my favorite era Sabbath is the Deal era. Heaven and Hell yeah. Yeah. Love it. But this it's all about the songs for me in a mob rules and having hills. That's my favorite. That's my favorite savage. For sure.

Chuck Shute: 51:36

Yeah. So you guys broke up for a few years. And then you, you got back together. And you brought Paul back in? And then tell me what happened to this, this live album? Because I heard there was a video shot of this, but the video was never released because of some sort of financial thing. Is there any chance that would be released? Now?

Rick Hunolt: 51:55

I know. That's a good question. I'm not sure I'm, I'm sure there would be a chance that I actually talked to Gary about that. Um, that album is a lot of people consider that album, like one of the one of the best thrash live albums ever, ever recorded. I only only because Paul is such a class. Paul is such a maniac. I mean, if you've listened to the album, and you listen to the things he says in between songs, guys, a comedian, he literally he is so funny, and so passionate about what he's doing. And that's what makes it so funny because he means that some of the stuff he says is just over the top because it's so funny.

Chuck Shute: 52:37

Ya know, that is, like, you guys turn with Panthera to like they seem pretty funny in the videos that I've seen. I'm like, oh, man, that'd be so fun to just like hang out with Pentair back in the day. Like they seem crazy.

Rick Hunolt: 52:50

Yeah, it was we and honestly, they were crazy. And then we then we were crazy and we got together and it was crazy. For real. Tour with Pantera Okay, so I'll tell you a little story about tour about care. So it was us and suicidal and Panthera the Pantera didn't join a tour until about two shows into it two shows into the tour. So we had already been we had already done couple shows was was suicidal and then they were going to join the tour. And then we were going to flip flop with Panthera who supports suicidal right. So and at this time none of us had ever even heard of Panthera you know that given they had their their albums out but we had never heard of Panthera um. And so Panthera shows up. And I want to say the show was in Minneapolis at Studio One at Prince's club. And Panthera shows up and they're setting up for soundcheck and me and Gary were in the back of the club hanging out just talking and and dime dime plugs in his guitar and starts playing and me and Gary looked at each other as holy crap. This dude is insane. And we were like, Oh my God, listen to this do play. And we became really, really dear friends with all of hantera. And it was amazing to watch, like from that tour to how they blew up. You know what I mean? Because I don't know why but Panthera just blew up. You know, they kind of left us in the dust bro. But um, they were it was it was fun to watch. You know and Panjshir and Diane was just the most incredible guitar player. Unbelievable.

Chuck Shute: 54:44

Yeah. That's amazing. That's called a why I see. I think it's cool that they're doing the reunion that they have the family's blessings and I mean, they got Charlie on drums and Zach on guitar, get better replacements and I think it'd be cool just to hear those songs again because I'm a fan. I want to hear those songs played live.

Rick Hunolt: 55:02

That's exactly why they're doing it. Yeah, that's exactly why they're doing it. You know, there's money involved. But of course there is but who cares? Honestly, if you talk to Jack or you talk to Charlie, they're doing it because they want to play the songs and they think Have you seen the crowds and Chile and South America?

Chuck Shute: 55:19

No, is it crazy?

Rick Hunolt: 55:20

Oh, get him on YouTube and in to their insane crowds. I mean, as far as your I can see that people are just jumping up and down. It's ridiculous. I love it. It's ridiculous.

Chuck Shute: 55:34

That's so cool. And then I hopefully you know, they can some bring some new metal bands up and we can keep metal going. Because I feel it's weird. Like, there's all these big old metal bands like, you know, the Motley Crue stadium tour is like huge. But there's so many good young bands that I want, you know, people to discover to it. And of course, your new Bandai humain is going to be hopefully really big as well. And so hopefully, you can get on some of these tours.

Rick Hunolt: 55:58

Yeah, and that's a good point. You know what I mean? Um, there's, like I said, Dude, it's so many incredible guitar players and musicians that are coming up right now. And they, they need, they need a platform. You know what I mean? I mean, sure, YouTube, and is a good platform, but they need live, they need to play live, they need to be a band, they need to play live, they need to practice, they need to go and do shows, you know what I mean? And they need, they need a platform, they need to go there. First of all, they need clubs to play in the Bay Area, that's kind of a that's kind of a there. We were really lucky Exodus and went back and then we had all these different clubs that we were playing, they're gone. They're gone. You know, all of the stones are gone on, he's gone. Wolfgang's is gone. All these clubs are gone. You know, we have the cornerstone in Berkeley. That's a new club that people are playing at. But um, it's hard. It's hard for the kids coming up now.

Chuck Shute: 57:05

Yeah, no, definitely. But there's just in some ways, it's easier because anybody can put a song on Spotify and YouTube and whatnot, but at the same time, anybody can do that. So it's just this flooded market, where you're trying to find out, you know, find the good stuff, and it's sometimes hard to find these good

Rick Hunolt: 57:24

bands. You if you go to the live circuit, um, the bands that are actually out there doing shows, you know, a lot of these these Instagram guys, and these YouTubers are not doing shows, you know, they do they play guitar on Instagram, you know, I mean, yeah, you don't see those guys doing shows with the band, you know, I mean, it's a big difference, bro. Um, not to not to say anything bad about those guys are incredible guitar players. But you know, not maybe they don't even want to be in a band. Maybe they want yeah. Because, you know, that's their, that's their, that's their call.

Chuck Shute: 58:01

No, that's true. I've, I've interviewed some of those people that and now some of them have made the transition. And some of them are in the middle of making the transition. But you're right, there's a big difference. And they'll even admit that the plane in your bedroom and playing on a stage, it's totally a different ballgame.

Rick Hunolt: 58:17

Like I said, from the beginning, being able to get a look, find some guys that you get along with, because of course, you know, rockers, there's a lot of egos involved, but I'm not gonna lie. You know, and it's, it's all about going through and finding the right guys that you can, you can take that you can just be in a room with. It's like being married to Five Guys. Literally, it is. It's no joke. And like I said, if you can't get along, don't even waste your time.

Chuck Shute: 58:46

I know, I people always say like, Why can't this band or that band? Why can't they just squash their differences and just get it together and tour and I mean, I try to put myself in the shoes of some of these people. And it's like, I mean, there's people that I can't stand for more than five minutes. I can't imagine having to tour with this person and being a bus with them. I mean, it would be really tough.

Rick Hunolt: 59:09

You know, the human psyche is really, really incredible thing, you know? Okay, so like when you're in a band like this, and you're at a level in a certain band, and people like are constantly telling you how good you are. You know what I mean? Man, you're so good, dude. Awesome, but honestly, dude, it's like, there's certain individuals that start believing that you know what I mean? And it gets to their head, bro. Honestly, I'm not gonna lie. It just happens. You know? They start believing the hype, you know what I'm saying? So, you know, I get it wrote, um, I was never that guy. Um, but there are people that are that guy, you know, and it's, you know,

Chuck Shute: 59:55

it ends up being detrimental to them though because everything you do was perfect. And then you don't need anybody, like you don't need a co writer to help you write the songs or someone to help you produce it. And you're writing 100% You're producing a percent. And maybe it's really not that good. But everybody's telling you it is, then, I mean, eventually reality hopefully hits for these people, and they make a change. But you're right, though, if everyone's just telling you everything's great. You'll just keep making crap. I mean, but

Rick Hunolt: 1:00:23

yeah, it but it starts, you know, you start believing the hype, you know, it starts going in your head, and your ego gets inflated, and you walk around, literally being not a very good person, you know what I'm saying? Um, and in this, maybe back in the day was different, but in this rock and roll world right now in a rock and roll business right now. Nobody wants to work with a bad person.

Chuck Shute: 1:00:50

Yeah, no, we won't say who they are. Because I got accused of being clickbaity. So I'm not going to ask you who it is. Let me just say, I don't want to get anybody in trouble. But I get it. There's people out there that are like that. And I'm sure you know, we could figure it, we could guess who they are. Like, I mean, I know just from doing these interviews, like there's certain names that come up a lot. And so, yes, the way it goes, but I'm sure that's any business, not just

Rick Hunolt: 1:01:12

a club, of course, you know, we're going to money when there's ego involved, bro. You know, it's just some people, some people take it better than others. That's all there is to it. And some people are nice, and some people aren't. You know what I mean? That's all How

Chuck Shute: 1:01:28

do you personally stay grounded? Do you think that's just your personality? Yeah. Or

Rick Hunolt: 1:01:34

just my personality? I'm, I'm all about I'm drama free as far as I just can't stand confrontation, bro. I don't like to argue with people. I don't I want to be why it's a waste of time. I mean, that politics and all this other shit. I used to be heavily into conspiracy theory stuff, and I had to get away from that. So it was just driving me crazy, bro. You know? Politics, all that stuff. Dude. I don't have time for it anymore. I'm 60 years old LeBron, like, you know, I'm almost going to be 60 years old. So I just don't have time for all that negative shit anymore. I just don't know.

Chuck Shute: 1:02:12

That's cool. Well, you got the new band. I hope that everything goes out. Really well for that. And again, the singles out now oblivion. When does the full album come out? It's available on May 5, I think it says right. May 5,

Rick Hunolt: 1:02:26

we reached we released a some more singles in a chain every every five weeks. And then after that the, because that's the new way. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, the day we record now. There'll be a release date and the arms out? You know, it's not like anymore. With social media and the algorithms and all that sort of stuff. It's all about releasing singles and the timing. And then you release a certain amount of singles. And then the album drops, you know, it makes sense because it gives us it gives the ammo album cycle a little bit long longevity. I mean, it gives you time to promote more, it makes sense. You know what I mean? In this day and age it does.

Chuck Shute: 1:03:11

Yeah, and then people can pre order the out the full album. Now. They preorder it they get like a vinyl CD, or what formats is it on?

Rick Hunolt: 1:03:19

All of it? We have it all. It's on worm group, W. W urm. Group. Go to worm group and check it out. You can

Chuck Shute: 1:03:29

Okay, I'll put that I'll put that link in the show notes. And then I always end up promoting a charity as our charity that you've worked with, or one that you want to promote if people have a few bucks extra after they buy your album of course.

Rick Hunolt: 1:03:41

100 100% So, Danny, Danny, Danny Thomas, what's the name of that hospital for kids? Um, St. Jude's? Yes. Let's let's go St. Jude. Okay. Yeah, I've

Chuck Shute: 1:03:56

promoted them several times. So that's a great charity that helps kids. I think we can all get behind that. It's like you said, there's like a lot of politics and stuff going on. I try to do something here at the end that just brings everybody together. Hey, we can all agree. St. Jude's good stuff will tell kids so you're doing a lot of great work out there with your music and entertaining people. I think that's important brings people together with the music. So hopefully you do some shows. And maybe I can catch one a fear coming through Phoenix.

Rick Hunolt: 1:04:23

If we play anywhere in Arizona. I'm going to be calling you buddy.

Unknown: 1:04:29

Okay, sounds good.

Rick Hunolt: 1:04:30

I would love to have you to show the awesome It'd be my honor. Cheers. Yeah, I

Chuck Shute: 1:04:35

want to see live that sounds amazing.

Rick Hunolt: 1:04:38

And you're sober. I really, you do some really good work on your podcast. You got a lot of big names coming through there. And then so what number you have now 230 something or

Chuck Shute: 1:04:48

no, this is like three something I don't know. 315 or something like Yeah,

Rick Hunolt: 1:04:53

awesome. So if you haven't fun. Yeah, yeah, it's

Chuck Shute: 1:04:57

uh, sometimes I get accused of click Baader, I hit a bad interview, but it's funny that the bad interviews like I had a Doyle from the misfits. And it was just a disaster. And people love that interview. They loved that it was a terrible interview, and it just went shit. They think it's hilarious. So sometimes if I do a bad one that gets more attention,

Rick Hunolt: 1:05:16

let me get up. So what? What made what constitutes a short interview?

Chuck Shute: 1:05:22

When they don't when they get mad at you, or they don't like your questions, or they don't, they don't answer your questions like, listen to my Doyle interview. I mean, it's only like, 15 minutes or something. He doesn't answer any of my questions. Like, he's just like, angry that he's like that in every interview, I guess I thought I was cocky. And I thought I could win him over. And I thought I was gonna work really hard. I did all this prep. I you know, I was like, I'm gonna I'm gonna get a good interview of that. And I was terrible. So,

Rick Hunolt: 1:05:47

really? Yeah. Holy cow. That's insane. So gonna say them, and you did your homework. Yeah, you know, what's up, dude. So, and it's not easy to do that. You have to really dig in and, and look around and read. And you know what I mean? Yeah, it's a job, you know? Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 1:06:04

No, it definitely is, I just don't get paid. But it's a lot of work. But it's but it's fun. I enjoy it. And, and hopefully, you know, other people enjoy it, then that's like the ultimate. So it's probably the same for music, like, you love making it. It's so fun. And then when other people enjoy it, that's like the ultimate Hi.

Rick Hunolt: 1:06:19

Hey, anybody at my level? See that? It's another thing is the fans think that we all are rich. You know, we're not right. No, I

Unknown: 1:06:28

know. We're not rich, extra. This

Rick Hunolt: 1:06:29

is not rich. We own homes. That's about it, period. That's it. You know, I

Chuck Shute: 1:06:35

mean, but you get to make music. And for a while, that was like your full career, you got to make music and travel the world. And that's pretty cool. There's a lot of people that would love to be

Rick Hunolt: 1:06:44

are you kidding? consider myself blessed. Like I said, guitar players are like, there's so many good guitar players that will never ever be able to do that. And that just breaks my heart. So I'm out here trying to try to find these guys that want to go I want to help them, you know, help them on their ways. It's giving them good advice, you know, because good advice is at a certain point in your career. It's something that I didn't have back then, you know, I mean, we didn't really have that, you know, because we just didn't so we made mistakes. We you know, we might we may have six, that's all. Oh,

Chuck Shute: 1:07:21

what's the advice that you wish that you had when you were younger that you didn't

Rick Hunolt: 1:07:25

get a lawyer? Don't sign any stupid. Don't sign any stupid pieces of paper that you don't know exactly what that shit says, bro. Period. Be as humble as you possibly can be. And be be be a nice human being. That's it.

Chuck Shute: 1:07:45

I love it. That's perfect. All right. Well, thanks so much for doing this. Rick, anything else you want to promote?

Rick Hunolt: 1:07:51

Want to say thank you for having me on your show, bro. And I appreciate it. I love all the people out there. I love you.

Chuck Shute: 1:07:56

Okay, thanks, Rick. I'll talk to you later.

Unknown: 1:07:58

Thank you, Chuck. Okay, bye

Chuck Shute: 1:07:59

bye. Well, that was a really fun interview with Rick. My thanks again to him for taking the time to come on the show. Check out his new band die humane and make sure to follow his band and Rick on social media. And as always, your likes, comments and shares. Help us both out on social media and YouTube for this interview or any videos done by his band. If you really want to go all out and help me out with the show. You can write a review of the podcast on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen. I appreciate all your support. Have a great rest of your day and shoot for the moon.