Joey Belladonna (Anthrax)

Joey Belladonna is an American singer and drummer, best known as the frontman for thrash metal band Anthrax.  As a member of Anthrax he was nominated for six Grammies.  Anthrax is part of the “The Big Four” thrash metal bands including Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. In this episode we discuss joining Anthrax, his hiatus from the band, his  Journey tribute band Beyond Frontiers, touring with KISS and more!

0:00:00 - Intro
0:00:13 - Cameo & Fans
0:03:20 - Cover Bands & Bible Black
0:05:25 - Joining Anthrax
0:10:21 - First Split with Anthrax
0:12:50 - Relationship with Anthrax Now
0:15:05 - National Anthem, New Music & Tour
0:21:40 - Playing with Different Bands & Genres
0:24:54 - Tour w/ Megadeth, Slayer & Alice In Chains
0:27:15 - Touring with Iron Maiden  & Band Friendships
0:30:10 - Attack of the Killer B's
0:33:10 - Grammies, Best Songs & Covers
0:36:55 - Solo Projects- Joey's Jukebox & Beyond Frontiers
0:39:55 - Songwriting Role , Co-Writes, & Belladonna
0:43:25 - Reflecting Back on Hiatus From Anthrax 
0:46:30 - Returning to Anthrax & Voice Strength
0:48:50 - Playing Different Venue Sizes
0:51:20 - The Big 4, Potential Tours & Tour Pranks
0:54:40 - "Not" Sign, Married with Children & Music Videos
0:57:20 - Differences in Music Business Now & Then
0:58:16 - Scott Ian as a Businessman & His Character
1:01:15 - Anthrax Singer Shuffles & Band Relationships
1:05:15 - Veteran Charities
1:05:50 - Future Plans
1:08:42 - Outro

Joey Belladonna website:
https://www.joeybelladonna.com/

Anthrax website:
https://www.anthrax.com/

Guitars for Vets website:
https://guitars4vets.org/

War Horses for Vets website:
https://www.warhorsesforveterans.org/

Chuck Shute Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ChuckShute

Transcript

Joey Belladonna: 0:13

The other day, I was doing some cameo and I had my earbuds in and went over into another room and did a whole cameo on I went check it and was no sound. So the earplugs, the room were getting nothing. And I was getting nothing in the other room. So it was for nothing.

Chuck Shute: 0:31

How long is it just like a few minutes, right? Or cameo?

Joey Belladonna: 0:35

No, I actually I don't I don't. I spent some time on there. You know? I can't really? Yeah, I don't. I don't say hey, man, happy birthday. And I see if I you know, I'm kind of I go off. Yeah. Yeah. People love it. You know?

Chuck Shute: 0:51

How much is a cameo from you?

Joey Belladonna: 0:53

Oh, nothing like 50 bucks. Oh, that's

Chuck Shute: 0:56

the that's pretty low. Some of them are like a lot, or like 1000 or some 500. And I

Joey Belladonna: 1:02

go more than that. And most people that charge that much more money, but I never thought that anybody would even give a hoot. You know, really? Well, you know, I don't know, you know, it's hard. It's hard to say what people you know, I mean, I get them from all over the world, you know, but

Chuck Shute: 1:17

Yeah, cuz you guys, I mean, have toured all over the world, one of the big four thrash bands. I mean, you guys have played some huge arenas, you must still have a pretty solid fan base.

Joey Belladonna: 1:28

Oh, we do. You know, but as far as kami goes, I never knew, you know, you don't know, it comes from all kinds of I mean, I have people saying, hey, my friends down and out, or he just graduated, or he's got a new job or, you know, help help him recharge his life, you know, whatever. There's, I get kinds of all kinds of requests, you know? Wow, that's really

Chuck Shute: 1:49

cool. So I mean, that's like, kind of a good thing that you're doing with those with the cameos. It's a brightening people's day. I mean, I'm sure you run into that all the time meeting fans.

Joey Belladonna: 1:59

Yeah, I mean, I like I said, I'm a Christian. I have also we're open to, to a lot more than most people might be, you know, instead of having deep burdened I enjoy. It doesn't matter to me.

Chuck Shute: 2:11

Yeah. Does it feel like you're kind of Santa Claus in a way? Like you're just constantly bringing people join me for? If you're a diehard anthrax fan, getting a cameo from you, or a picture or an autograph? I mean, that's like going to make their day?

Joey Belladonna: 2:24

Well, yeah, I certainly find that, that I also don't think about it. So it's just it becomes a little bit more natural that I feel like I'm being a little bit of a celebrity, if you want to call it, you know,

Chuck Shute: 2:37

right? Because I mean, for some of you guys like that are in bands, you don't think that's not really why you got into the band, it's more because you love music, and you love singing and you love the art of singing and making your voice sound better on this song and playing live and the reaction from the audience and all that stuff.

Joey Belladonna: 2:53

Yeah, that's definitely been my thing. I never really, I mean, a lot of it became a little bit too much horsing around, you know, people have played with it, just like Devere felt good when people are not in tour, the real part of the music part of it versus the celebrity crap. I never, I live in a small town. So I mean, I wasn't gonna get a lot of that. I never thought I get a lot of that. And when I did get it, it didn't matter to me. It was just it was part of it.

Chuck Shute: 3:18

So which one anthrax wasn't yours not talking about them when you say the horsing around? Or was that part of it? No,

Joey Belladonna: 3:25

that was a long ago, Anthrax became the first time I really, really felt like I was at a bad that. I mean, I had some bands cover bands that were were doing okay, but a lot of it was just a lot of party, you know? Ah, yeah. Because

Chuck Shute: 3:39

your first band that I that I know of is called Bible black. But you they must have found you from somewhere like a cover band or something.

Joey Belladonna: 3:46

Yeah, right. They did. I actually don't at this point, I still don't remember where I became interested to them, for me to come there. Because I remember taking a bus to Ethica from here, over from swager I'm sorry, it was about maybe two hour bus ride. But we didn't do much with Bible black. So but as far as even that that was, you know, serious bunch of guys, but they were at the point where they didn't really want to continue too much of doing anything. And I kind of came in at a bad time at that. But that was a great band, you know, but early bands as far as that goes, I mean, you know when you're younger, but he's trying to try to get a set together and want to be a band this becomes popular, at least get the play out and and it just never, never materialized that much. You know, I had better luck with a cover band that I had recently over the last, say 15 years or 12 years I had a band and we played a lot and that again was no frills. You know, you're driving the car and everybody was serious to get there but a lot of us is a lot of fun. You know, very, very concerned about the music, but again, it was it was open for jams and you know, whatever we wanted to do, you know, but anthrax yeah I was very serious when I got to there that situation at least but I could see, it kept me, you know aboard being abandoned I'd ever heard of to find myself into a situation where, hey, I could get down with us. I think care. Let's give it a shot. No.

Chuck Shute: 5:17

Yeah, how did so how did they fight because you are in the Bible black but you guys never put out an official record. So did they hear a demo? Or did they see you live with a cover band? Or how did they find you?

Joey Belladonna: 5:29

Through Bible black and then Carl Kennedy, producing the record, he was friends with a lot of people in the area, my name came up. And he said that you should definitely check Joey out. I mean, we really never got to do much with him. But he was really, really good. So So they say, and, and I just got a call out of the blue. As I was still playing some shows local, wherever and all over, we could play and then I got the offer to come up to stir. I mean, I didn't really feel like it was odd is if people are asking me I wasn't looking for anything. Particularly at that time. My father said somebody said Watson off the flyer off his back called anthrax are looking, looking for someone to join the band. And, you know, they needed a singer, and kind of went from there.

Chuck Shute: 6:19

So you did audition, though, because I thought I read that you got the job without even auditioning.

Joey Belladonna: 6:24

I, you know, to me, honestly, I didn't. I don't feel like I mean, obviously, we both were kind of auditioning each other. I don't know if I, you know, answer an ad set. You know, I want to be in your band. I want to audition you try me out. I mean, take call look. I mean, I got the initial call. So I kind of feel it was reversed. I mean, nothing wrong with that. I mean, I just know that I didn't answer an ad out of the, you know, the new times and said, hey, you know, we're looking for a singer. We're a thrash band, you're interested I probably who knows who if I went even even thought about it? I don't know. But no, they, they, they offered they offered to fly me up. And, you know, from one propeller plane to another propeller play from it from Plattsburgh of all places to Ithaca, New York, to small little places. And, and there, they were in the middle of spreading disease. And I just jumped in. And I mean, within a day or so they asked if I wanted to stay, you know, they liked what I was, you know, they're like what I mean, of course, I did some little cover journey stuff, just to throw a curve. And I couldn't think of anything offhand to just warm up to you know, you know, get the mic all ready to go. And I did that. I think that kind of went what.

Chuck Shute: 7:39

But you have that you can have the chops. You can that show that you could hit the high notes and stuff, which was really important, I think in the 80s they really wanted people who could sing

Joey Belladonna: 7:47

Hi. Yeah, I mean, of course, I mean, I also had a lot of versatility. I mean, I was into such different kind of music. And then of course the music they were doing I never even really a Barkat you know, I mean, the best I think I got closest to that was doing like Kansas. And that wasn't that wasn't SAP a Sabbath was close, I guess not really. What about Judas Priest, they were kind of had been, really might be the closest and I didn't do a whole lot of priests even then at that point, I was doing a lot of other stuff, you know, everything you can think of other than that was more classic rock and then metal. So

Chuck Shute: 8:26

when they offer you the job, how does that work? Because that's always something like, I feel like it's a learning experience for people listen to my show, if you're in a band, or just as a business perspective, like, did they offer you a fifth of the band? Like as a as official band member? Or is it more like you were like a hired gun? Singer? No,

Joey Belladonna: 8:44

I wasn't going to be in there be a hired gun. I mean, I had to be a part of that. Or I wasn't going to do it. I mean, I didn't even want to do it. It even to this point, if it wasn't full, full on. I mean, I do a whole lot in that band.

Chuck Shute: 8:57

Okay, sorry. How did you figure that stuff out? Because did you have a manager back then? Or was there somebody that like, looked at the contracts and stuff? Because that sounds really complicated, isn't it? Yeah,

Joey Belladonna: 9:07

I mean, we all sat down and just, you know, put it together that way. And, you know, made it work. I mean, I really didn't have any kind of representation. At that point. I just knew that I needed something that was going to be fair. I mean, I would have shit we first started, excuse my language, but

Chuck Shute: 9:22

no, you can just wear it's fine. It's podcast, that's good thing. Try

Joey Belladonna: 9:25

to be mannerisms. You know, you're talking about, you know, when you're in a band like that, and you're trying to figure out what's going on. And when I first started, we were playing clubs that I had just already played, I'm thinking we're doing anything that may or may not be big enough for me to even continue, but I still again, wanted to have a fairness. I mean, again, I do what I can with this band to make it obviously to to, you know, materialize into a better format and a bigger, better stretch. You know, I think it's is proof that we've worked together well, and then more successful than anything that they might have did prior to me coming or even after? Or while they were doing stuff in the middle? No, no disrespect, but, I mean, I came back after 13 years, and we were right out of the box kind of kicking ass, you know? Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 10:18

So that's always confused me, though. Because when they split with you that first time, like, how does that work? I feel it's interesting that you didn't like sue them or something that I feel like you always see that hear about these lawsuits, like you kind of just let it go. Like, they're like, Okay, you're not in the band anymore. But you guys had just signed a $10 million dollar deal with Elektra. So isn't 2 million of that wouldn't have been yours. If you're a fifth of the band. Like I don't understand how that works.

Joey Belladonna: 10:43

Well, without going into detail and stuff like that. I mean, obviously, we tried to negotiate some stuff, you know, I wasn't forced anybody to beg them to stay. You know what I mean? First off, um, you know, what it's like when you're being ousted for for no reason whatsoever. I mean, it was all back to me, it was just crap. You know, I hate to say it, you know, it's like, try to try to move on and not put bad bad things out there. But it wasn't good. You know, to me, it wasn't, you know, I might just,

Chuck Shute: 11:12

yeah, was confusing, because in no disrespect to John Bush, I think he's great. But it was kind of a lateral move, right? Like, you guys are both your 80s rock singers. He I thought like, oh, maybe they're getting rid of Joey because they want to go in more of a like, I thought they'd get like maybe like a Layne Staley type or something. And they were gonna do a different sound. But they got another guy who, you know, sings in 80s metal bands. So it was kind of a strange move. Unless it was a personality thing or something. I don't really understand it.

Joey Belladonna: 11:37

I mean, they didn't give me any any good. Boy by as you know, at all throughout the all the years, you know, it kind of left me with with really not not a much to I have to fight my way through all that. To me. I didn't see anything that they did. Again, no disrespect. I mean, I didn't see anything really. Oh my God. Now they finally figured it out. Or it's so much better. It was different. I'll give him that. But it wasn't anything that like holy cow, man. Well, he should have done that long time ago. Forget it. I mean, other than somebody going, Hey, he's different. I like kind of like the different twist. But it wasn't to me for the better. We were smoking. Right. versus the time we were we were going mad. I mean, thanks for roll on there. I mean, obviously, you just set it right out the box. I mean, you did this deal. And all sudden, now you're gone. Yeah, it's really wrong. I mean, I'm not a vindictive person, but we tried to work things out, you know, to be able to, to say goodbye just as well enough for him. Okay, you know, I just not into the whole fight of it all. But you know, what, it's an ongoing battle, just as well to try to keep myself at a level of fairness, you know, if I may. Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 12:52

So is it kind of more just a business relationship with the band now?

Joey Belladonna: 12:56

I'm not necessarily you know, I mean, look at you, everything you do in a band, you try to, I want it to be fun. I want to be there every day, wake up each day and not workout, walk on eggshells, and feel like you're really not, you know, people are really not looking at you the right way. I mean, that's kind of stinks. I know, everybody's got their own individual realities. Now, they, they all roll in their own path of success, individually, which I mean, I do my own thing, but I don't, I don't really care, you know, as much like that. But there also is a point in time where like, you know, if you're on the team you want, you know, the other guy to, you know, do his part and feel like he's done a whole lot for you to just as well and helps you carry through. And without being like, Yeah, whatever. You know, it's just part of what we do. I don't want it that way. I Hate it. Hate that part where like, yeah, we must carry on, because the only thing we've got, but we are a band that's tight, and it works great. And why not like find a way figure it out, try to do something that's going along, it'd be long lasting and enjoy what you have and understand that this is a great situation to be in where you got four out of five people that are really capable of doing everything they can do musically and live. It's just, it's quite quite good. I mean, even the new stuff without even really describing it. That's as good as it gets. You know, it really is.

Chuck Shute: 14:25

Yeah, can you not give any details of the new music? No song titles or anything? No,

Joey Belladonna: 14:29

I there's no really reason to get into all that right now. I don't even remember what I do when I'm done. I do it so fast. I see a Seahawks fan playing tonight.

Chuck Shute: 14:39

Oh, yeah. That's right. No, tomorrow I think cowboys Oh yes. I'm

Joey Belladonna: 14:43

sorry. Tomorrow night. Yeah, God knows your Vikings fan right? Yeah, yeah. Oh, god that game the other night. She's just talking about like, need needed game and then they stunk it up. I mean, I hate it. Actually. I'm doing this picking a Cowboys. I'm doing the buffalo cow. cowboys anthem in Buffalo that December 17 I know you're not a fan. But you know, I

Chuck Shute: 15:05

know I saw you did the Seahawks anthem like, that's, that's a really cool thing. How did you get into that doing the anthems? Like, does someone just asked you to do it? Now? It's just like a thing that you do? Yeah. Well,

Joey Belladonna: 15:15

we we would have gotten, you know, people taking care of a friend of ours takes care of it. And, you know, we have people asking me, you know, I got some hockey games coming up, I just did Denver against the chiefs, maybe about I don't know, three weeks ago. But as we were talking, you're asking about a God, I forgot what we owe their titles and songs and stuff like that. Yeah, the new music, you know, the music we do, I do it so fast that I move on to the next song in a day. And by the time I sing the song, and then finish the song, and get up the next day and start a new one, I don't quite even revisit what I did the day before. So I kind of leave it alone, because I don't have time to look back at it. And then once I'm done, then I can start looking back and then you start figuring out what songs you'd like to actually do live or what may work, or maybe the most popular ones that we should be doing. Other net I you know, and then if there's any changes and stuff, and you look back, so you know what I've picked this arrangement, or I like what I'm seeing, and let's add a little bit of more to it look more to it, you know, that kind of thing. But I have to say that it's quite familiar to what you've been hearing lately. That's, that's about the best way I can describe it. I don't I don't, it's too hard to go Yeah, sounds like such and such and such and such. I hate comparing, you know, do you ever get those things on Apples? Like, hey, you're gonna love this band? They sound just like, guys, that's like, no, no, it's it's got some similarities, but it's not even close. So it

Chuck Shute: 16:47

would be a continuation of like, the last two albums, the worship music, which was critically acclaimed, and then for all kings in 2016. Yeah,

Joey Belladonna: 16:54

there's a lot of that there is plenty of that there, if not more, you know, I mean, it's, it's, it's challenging. It's, there's some the songs that I've sang are, are, are really, really in depth, you know, it's so adapted, sometimes I don't like I said, I don't quite remember. Because we put them together so fast, and it has kind of cool and it's spontaneous, but at the same time, you have to get your head around some of them because they're not they're not that cookie cutter kind of straight up. You know, this, this anthrax man.

Chuck Shute: 17:32

Yeah, so for the fans, the longtime fans, this would be something that they'll enjoy.

Joey Belladonna: 17:37

Oh, yeah. I mean, I mean, it's, it's pretty, pretty sharp, you know, there's nothing nothing dull about it. It's really, really fresh. That's one thing about good, good about us. I mean, put records out and you're gonna get something that's pretty good, man. If not awesome, you know, for what Scooby for what anthrax delivers and how we do it, you know, you know, we're not looking for the hit. We're not you know, I mean, yeah, if something stumbles on here, and a company comes the hit of sort of speak so to speak. You know, we don't I don't least I do. I try to find a home run everywhere I go, but some songs are just not there for that. They just don't don't even think about it, just do it, let it happen and then let the fans kind of sponge it up the way they want to take it on, you know,

Chuck Shute: 18:24

well that's actually a good thing for you guys. Because I think in the 80s I don't think yeah, you guys weren't getting songs on the radio as much people were buying the albums though. And now with streaming, it's just it doesn't matter really throw on the radio, you can just get a bunch of downloads for or streams or whatever for the most the best, most popular songs right? You

Joey Belladonna: 18:42

know, it's nothing new to us right at this point. I mean, other like Sirius Radio, maybe I don't know where else you get it. I don't listen to a lot of outside broadcasting for songs and stuff. So it's hard to say where where we actually get our our place if you may.

Chuck Shute: 19:01

Yeah, I mean, one of the streaming I think it was just that's probably a majority of the fans Listen, although I'm assuming that you guys are going to have this new album on vinyl and stuff too because some people really prefer that and that's a good way for you guys to make a little bit more money. But

Joey Belladonna: 19:15

I guess I mean, there's a big demand for the the LPS I mean, I think it's cool it's all you know, I love this out LPS still on it have all that stuff, but at the same time, it's way way different now, right? It's not even not even close.

Chuck Shute: 19:31

Yeah, not as many people are but it's a nice package and I think that kind of stuff is you gotta get creative I would think as a band selling vinyl and merch and special packages and things like that, because you're not making as much off album sales like in the 80s

Joey Belladonna: 19:46

No, of course we we've been pretty good with all that negotiating and actually marketing and and being able to do it properly enough for ourselves to manage you know, to take on what you talked about, you know, that's marketing is what we do. You know, I mean, we try to do that just because it's fun. It's intriguing to see all the new stuff and how people like to collect and do that kind of thing. Like it. And we're fans too, you know?

Chuck Shute: 20:16

Yeah. And then would you I'm assuming you're gonna have some sort of tour. Is that not announced? Yeah. No, you have one show. That's like a festival thing that you're doing at Daytona in February or something, but you don't have a tour lined up? Or you just haven't announced it yet?

Joey Belladonna: 20:29

Oh, there's, there's a lot of should I say? Adventurous ideas?

Chuck Shute: 20:37

Adventurous?

Joey Belladonna: 20:38

I don't know, maybe this I just kind of throw that word out there. I don't know why. Because it's

Chuck Shute: 20:42

like not the typical wouldn't be like with Exodus and Black Label society, different kinds of bands or

Joey Belladonna: 20:47

lineups and stuff. I'm sure there are and I don't even really pay attention to the lineup sometimes because I kind of like, even if we have something come on up, like, Oh, that's right. So as those on the bill and oh, there Oh, actually, they're playing with cool, you know, I just I'm so busy trying to think, Okay, well, I gotta go away for this time. And then means we got to do this. This is an app before I go out. Yeah, there's so much prep, other than actually playing the shows or like the here's the set. Okay. I know the songs. You know, it's interesting while we're going somewhere, because everything on the calendar is about where you're going and when, you know, but yeah, I mean, there'll be there obviously going to be plenty. I mean, once we get going, we could play all the time. I mean, we always used to anyhow, we kind of kick off and it's just like, how much do we all want to go before we take it and we need to take a break for everybody turns into something else? Right?

Chuck Shute: 21:40

Well, so yeah. What is that like playing? Because you guys play with so many different kinds of bands like obviously, the newer like heavy, heavy stuff like Lamb of God, you've played with them. But then before I mean, like when you started, I think one of your first tours with Black Sabbath, and you open for kiss, and then you played with like Whitesnake and an Ozzy and Iron Maiden. And I think he even did shows with guns and roses. I mean, all over the place. What is it like having different kinds of fans of those kinds of bands, and then you're playing for them? Well,

Joey Belladonna: 22:08

that's exciting anyhow. Because you know, when you get an event like that back in the day, even when we used to show up, and they don't even know it was playing. Yeah, it was like special guest. Oh, really? Yeah. I remember like, going to, like, see Jeff back. And I'd be REO Speedwagon would warm up. And I'm like, wow, who are these guys? Yeah. Wow, this is cool. Yeah. I mean, I, you know, back in the day, when they were like, rocking and like, kicking, you know, and you'd like, you don't even know this band, like, Oh, cool. So if we come out at a show like that, when people like I don't ever heard I heard that name anthrax, but what? Well, he's What the hell? Yeah, no. So we do run into kind of an interesting moments when we do some of these shows, maybe like the festivals, but even the festivals are a lot more open. Now. I mean, you could Styx could be on the other side, at stage two, we could be on stage for it, you know, an early or later, you know, and, wow, I can't believe we're playing together. You know, at the same time, we played shows that maybe might not have fit us so well, who knows? You know,

Chuck Shute: 23:07

well, yeah. So like, with Kiss the Crazy Nights tour? That's an interesting pairing. Like how did the kiss fans react to it? Because I imagine you guys kind of blow them what maybe some older fans, you know, kisses little not as heavy as anthrax. So you come out there and just blow them away? Well,

Joey Belladonna: 23:22

they didn't have the makeup on. So there was a different time for them to you know, I mean, for us, it was, I mean, obviously, it was awesome. Just to go out together, especially the guys like Charlie Scott and Frankie. They just, they're like, kiss. I mean, they had their way, you know, they would be on that tour all year round. You know, it's just love their band, you know? And I mean, I enjoy them too. But, I mean, not so much like those guys. Those guys are like, I mean, no everything in from the day one they probably got went to the city and found them come on out Electric Lady, you know, you know, with a scarf on their face or something, you know, but no, I mean, all those tours are great. I enjoyed doing those tours. But obviously sometimes we might be a little bit scary for some of those fans. I don't know, maybe you know, it is sometimes you're just not into this, like whether it be a band like lamb of God and us together. I'm sure that we have a difference of fans in that crowd even though we all went together well, and it was a great, great pairing. You know, and then you get bands like a blacklight black labels, you know, you get or Motorhead those are kind of different crowds to a little bit you know, when you when you get down to it, there's some interesting fans in that crowd. But you know what, you try to pair up with people and make it work on a live setting. You know, it doesn't always have to be the same genre of music. I mean, we took out kings x we had living caller guy, we have Primus and Public Enemy. You know, we've had some different different runs with different bands and they've all been really cool. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 24:54

tell me about that one. I mean, if I had if I had a time machine, this is a concert I'd go back and see it was Slayer. Megadeth you guys and Allison chains was like opening the show. That must have been amazing.

Joey Belladonna: 25:06

Yeah, that was a really great run. I mean, look at those guys. No one even knew where they were. I mean, as the days went out, we started get familiar with our music. And, you know, and everybody started to become friends and stuff wrong for them too. Because let me talk about being in a situation where like, holy cow, I mean, come see the three of us. And then there's this new band, new music, and they're going at it like, you know, early on. So yeah, I mean, it was a great run, um, people talk about that tour all the time, Clash of the Titans, you know,

Chuck Shute: 25:36

did you know at the time, you're like thinking Allison chains, they're going to be huge, or did you think they could have been like a king's X that was critically acclaimed, but never really got that huge success? They deserved? Oh,

Joey Belladonna: 25:47

we all started take taken a liking to him. You know, I mean, they were they were, they were pretty great. You know, if you want to use that word, they were awesome. It's just, you're in the middle of that tour. And your things are going on. We're, we're kind of rotating. We were doing like rotating, headlining and stuff. And all that. So in midst of doing that tour, and then these guys are still on and sometimes you might be in dinner when they're on so early it so there's a lot going on, try to get familiarized with them. But I mean, great for them. I mean, what a turn around for all of us to watch them go whoa, you know,

Chuck Shute: 26:23

yeah, I did, Layne Staley, did he seek you out at all and ask for advice or anything like that? Or did you try to like help them out?

Joey Belladonna: 26:31

You know, I, I'd say that we'd have we'd have a couple of you know, drinks and things and whatever. We're just hanging out and stuff. But I mean, there was the timeframes were really hard to mix up. You know, the day goes on and they're on and you're getting doing some interviews or Kevin dinner and then they get off and then you know, it's just the day went on so much really didn't have I personally didn't get a whole lot of hang, but I did enough to talk with them. But they were in their own little, little camp. You know. It wasn't it wasn't quite like no, I just think they were on their own path. You know, I don't know I didn't get a whole lot of like, Hey, man, what's up? You know, they seem to be fans, I guess. I don't know. Which

Chuck Shute: 27:16

which bands that you've toured with? Did you kind of have more camaraderie? Because I mean, you've done so many shows with Metallica and Slayer and, and all those other bands. Did you make friends with some of these other bow? You guys buddies, you trade vocal tips and things like that?

Joey Belladonna: 27:31

Like maybe I mean, all right out the box. I'm in fact I'll be saying Nico this weekend. I mean, I have to I'm not bragging or anything. I just happened to be doing a show with him at his barbecue. It's a benefit for for kids and stuff. And I was just with Bain and voc and you know, because I had went up and sang with Doro Pesch on our 40th anniversary and Maine was always like, wow, I mean these guys are really the pinnacle of the of the metal for us you know and they were great man good good people the whole thing the whole organization how we flew on their plane with Bruce was the pilot and we went in South America the whole run together I mean nothing tops that so even a band like that and being friends and and just always sticking with with that kind of lineup with those guys. I mean, there's really really hard to top that but yeah, there's quite a quite a few bands have become friends with I mean, I don't want to name a whole lot at this point. We've had many runs together with you know testament and Exodus and you know, God I mean, there's just a boatload of bands and that kind of you know lamb with gods were we all come friends with and I'm just leaving things out that's cool.

Chuck Shute: 28:43

You deplete your top music and shopping business or is it you talk anything but music or is it a little bit of both?

Joey Belladonna: 28:50

It can be anything you know, like Yeah, me and the wife and I we had a move last week you know, we're traveling you know, I got I got a book signing you know, whatever it's there's all kinds of stuff that we're all kind of jumping around with you know, of course when I you know thrown the journey thing and you know when I see people now like hey here you see you got the journey think that was how's that going? It's like you know people are interested in that and you know, so why and it's it's quite quite a diverse genre of music but at the same time I just stick doing stuff like that but you know people ask what you're doing I mean I'm friends with people like in Chicago or vertical horizon you know, like there's so different bands seven gastos guy I like different bands and friends with different bands and doesn't always have to be hard rock you know metal stuff. That's

Chuck Shute: 29:37

cool vertical rise in Chicago. Yeah, I would not have pictured you

Joey Belladonna: 29:41

become you know, the singers and those bands. You know, man

Chuck Shute: 29:45

seven does too though. I had a John Witherspoon. God he is so tight. He said his voice gets stronger as he gets older. I believe him. I think he's so good.

Joey Belladonna: 29:54

I always go up what I'm gonna do face to face, you know that's on the job together. Me Hello, John, awesome. Shalom there.

Chuck Shute: 30:03

Yeah, it's funny because when I was a kid, I think I just started getting the music like 91 or 92. It was like, right before you left anthrax, I think the first anthrax album I bought was actually Attack of the Killer Bees. Like, what do you think about that album? Because there's some songs you don't sing on, obviously. But I mean, some, some that you do, what do you think of that album? Looking back on it?

Joey Belladonna: 30:26

But you know, without even remember what's on that record? At this point, like you said, there's some really fun stuff on there. It's almost like this, like an EP barrage of stuff that it almost doesn't feel like, you know, persistence and spreading. And, you know, among the living and stuff like that, at that one seems like a cool kind of album, like you'd see now like a collective kind of stuff that you might have had in the closet or whatever. And I didn't look at the setlist of what's in that record at this point, you know, so yeah, it's an out album, right. But it's cool as hell because a lot of people bring it up. And it's like, that's, that's really what the core of songs that we're known for. Right. Right.

Chuck Shute: 31:13

But have you ever played you never played many of those live? Did you?

Joey Belladonna: 31:16

I mean, what was our parasite on there? Right? Yeah, that was a cool one. Yeah, I mean, that's a cover song, you know, trying to think what else is out there? I need in front of me. i It's kind of what kind of be on me like what's on that record? To be honest. Yeah, I think it

Chuck Shute: 31:30

will, like bring the noise. And so like, obviously, with Public Enemy, How was that received? By the way? I didn't catch that one. But that was public enemy and Primus and yourselves.

Joey Belladonna: 31:39

Yeah. I mean, that I mean, well, public public enemy is like the main the main thing with that, you know, that's, that's a great package alone, this song and the bands together awesome Public Enemy. But the rest of it, I'm trying to think what else do I do on there that, that you could say, yeah, that's an anthrax man. That's anthrax. Like, I'm just trying to think of like, what else is out there other than like, you know, Madhouse and spreading the disease album entirely, are among living entirely or persist at a time. There's all these songs. And then you go to killer bees. And it's like, Okay, what's this? It's not really doesn't lay out everything that we're really all about. You know, I think it's just different. So

Chuck Shute: 32:21

yeah, it was You're right. It's a I don't even know how many songs that you sing on. I mean,

Joey Belladonna: 32:27

so if you when you get into that, it's like, wow, what a way to be introduced to anthrax. Ya know, you're thinking What's this? You know, and then you kind of skate back and you're like, Oh, okay. Wait, there's a lot of songs here. There's a lot of guy. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 32:41

I love it all though. I liked that stuff. But I also obviously like the ad stuff. I like the newer stuff. It's all

Joey Belladonna: 32:48

that's the crazy part of it all. I mean, it really it's hard to put it in words. You know, there's this such diverse stuff that we kind of threw out and then we aiming at the EP two and then we did you know, Journey Boston Cheap Trick. Rush it AC DC, then Lucy, you know, it's like, wow, I know, we did carry on wayward son. I was like, Okay. I mean, I like it was

Chuck Shute: 33:10

interesting, because then the AC DC song you guys did the cover of TNT that got nominated for a Grammy, which is so interesting. I mean, not that it wasn't good. It was great. But it's just like, I know, you're gonna you're putting your top five rock songs of the year. I mean, your originals, I would think would be more critically acclaimed than a cover was interesting.

Joey Belladonna: 33:30

Hey, who knew that you'd be nominated for a cover? You know? Fun was a big one for me because you know, knowing Ronnie and loving the do stuff and you know I mean that's like to be nominated for that was a treat for me and the band really? You know?

Chuck Shute: 33:49

Is there a song that you could if you could say that this should have been the song that that was nominated or won a Grammy is there one that you would have picked?

Joey Belladonna: 33:58

Hmm, I'd have to look back and see what it was some sort of like Album of the Year or? God there's certain categories you know?

Chuck Shute: 34:10

That what do you think of best song that you guys have ever done that you were so proud of? And maybe it was popular? Maybe it wasn't but you looked at that and you said this should win the Grammy

Joey Belladonna: 34:20

Oh, that's tough, you know, cuz I mean, I didn't even I didn't even think about Grammys until like the word came up for the first time you know, and I lane when you get that it's like okay, well they're open to our stuff to you know, I don't know there's there's heavy thrown outside like are you kidding me? You think that would be a Grammy so it's like who thought any would be you know, I don't know. I say Indians, for instance. I mean, at least they had a chorus and a hook and all this stuff, but I mean, God I wouldn't even have thought about that was a least thing on my mind when we're caught and stuff like that thinking. You know, you're gonna have Yeah, you're just looking for people to listen and have have a chance to have the song. I mean, look at got the time and we were on MTV, and it was like this. The heart 10 They called it and they used to play it a lot. And that was great to be on MTV and have a video on there, you know? Oh, that's

Chuck Shute: 35:17

such a great song. I know. It's a cover, but it's like the way you guys do it. It sounds amazing.

Joey Belladonna: 35:22

Yeah, it's unrecognizable. That's all when you hear for real? Yeah, you made it your own.

Chuck Shute: 35:27

And so did you ever you guys never thought or did you do have you done a journey covered? Because I know you're in that journey interacts,

Joey Belladonna: 35:33

keep on running on the on the anthems. Okay. Yeah. Which was, I remember just saying to Charlie's like, he's we, we ought to do a journey. So I just threw out just for kicks that he goes, if you want to do it, I'm like, yeah, why not? That's up to you guys. You want to learn it and play it. But right now all of it. You know,

Chuck Shute: 35:53

what the journey songs in the cover band? I'm assuming those are more true to the original journey versions? Not like a thrash metal version?

Joey Belladonna: 36:00

No, we did it. We did it justice. I mean, we, you know, we kicked it up. I mean, Charlie threw some double bass in there. And in

Chuck Shute: 36:08

anthrax, I'm saying, but in your new cover band that what is it called Beyond frontiers? That's more of a journey. Tricky, right? Yeah,

Joey Belladonna: 36:14

it's all Yeah, it's straight up. I mean, we do everything in the right key. Everything is, you know, done, like the record, but at the same time, I don't, I don't sit around. And, you know, I mean, I try to get everything as close as possible. But I also want to have some freedom of just having a loose, loose feel to it. Like, where I'm not always worrying about every little part. But I also try to keep it like, because I don't like when people take off and try to, like, you know, I mean, I'll leave it alone. At that point. You know what I mean? Some people kind of play with it a little too much, or that are really careful. You know, and it's like, man, he's just lost all the heart in the field. So I tried to have fun with it. But at the same time, I want to keep it right. Yeah. So that's pretty close.

Chuck Shute: 36:56

That's cool. Yeah, you did that. And then you still have your solo project. Is it? Is it goodbye, Joey Bella, Donna? Or is it just Bella Donna, that's like your solo thing.

Joey Belladonna: 37:05

I haven't done that a longtime me I had material sitting around for a long time with people that have just gone away and not finished stuff. I've been doing my Joey's jukebox, I mean, I have all these recorded stuff that I've done over the last couple three years and I do a to z bands, I mean, a 700 songs that I do, like I do a whole night at Toad or Steely Dan or eagles, or got me on leaving bands out, I got so much stuff, like I do a whole whole night a deal or Sabbath or, I mean, even more journey than I do on my cover band, you know, so I do that now. And I think that these tracks that I've put together and mixed over the last couple of years, and that's a blast effect. I'm doing a corporate party next next week doing that, and I've done a couple already. So that's really fun, I'll just do it four or five hours with me just singing nonstop, and just playing in songs off, left and right, you know, every band, I'll sing it all, you know.

Chuck Shute: 38:05

So is it mostly requests, or just

Joey Belladonna: 38:08

I will take requests, but I just got I got, I don't even like think I just kind of look around? Or if somebody does say something, but I'm sort of like DJing and singing at the same time. But it's the stuff that I do. Without really I mean, if somebody asked me some songs, I don't do, obviously, I'm not going to I'm not going to take that request. You know, somebody slides. Prince number, I don't do it. You know, don't like, you know, I mean, some bands that just, they throw at me, I say, oh, man, I got seven under songs. And you pick the song I band? I don't do you know,

Chuck Shute: 38:42

so and then that's in chief big way. That's another side cover band where you sing and play the drums. And that's the same kind of thing just cover hit songs and things like that. Yeah,

Joey Belladonna: 38:53

I mean, we did pretty much that came to a halt for now. Pretty much. I mean, the journey thing take took, took hold of that whole bit, you know, you know, too many guitar players in and out. And after COVID I guess, you know, we're just kind of pack that up for an hour. You always do boxes, I mean, I can do all that and, and 10 times as much, you know, without being a band, but also just like an entertainer and I've got a great mix as I put together and all these songs that I just kind of crank it out. And it sounds pretty awesome. You know? Yeah, that I'll never ever do ever in my life with any band at all ever. I mean, I pick all the songs. I mean, nobody's going to do a Gino Vannelli with me. Or or an Ambrose's like a set of eagles. You know, I mean, just, I could do Chicago for hours. You know, I mean, I could just do all kinds of stuff that I'll never do with people probably into this lifetime. You know, that's what's so much more fun about it. Right?

Chuck Shute: 39:55

That sounds so do you like more just singing straight up singing and not I know you don't do a lot of Songwriting with Anthrax, like we talked about a little bit your, your Bella Donna project. Did you co write the songs with that one?

Joey Belladonna: 40:07

Well, yeah, I mean all day long. I mean, I could do all this stuff. I mean, Anthrax likes to get a head start on everything that you do. They have a plan, they do it their way. And you know what we're still orchestrating. I mean, I do a lot there. I do a lot while I'm in the wreck doing the record. I mean, there's so much that's going on. You have to help me it's got to come out of my mouth as that I have to kind of navigate a good style, a tone and everything. But yeah, I love writing. I mean, I I'm into I got so many cool tunes, that are just sitting in a can that, again, when people write together, and then they part ways is that finished? Then I'm like, Yeah, what do you want me to do with this? Now I'm not gonna call you up again, three years later, say, hey, I want to use something, you know what, I'll write something else. I'd rather be writing. I love writing. I mean, beyond frontiers may write, you know, we've recorded all the journey stuff. I mean, then there'll be a whole deal thing that's going to be coming on next, it's going to be killer, it's going to be the same band's going to do a whole night of deal. Oh, really, I'll do all rainbow, all Black Sabbath, and I'll solo it's gonna be all deal oriented, it's it's set, it's gonna be killer. And Scott Fisk

Chuck Shute: 41:17

is so big called Beyond frontiers, or you change the name for that to be the same

Joey Belladonna: 41:21

name, it's just gonna be a whole deal theme, and it's gonna make it to multiple nights it is going to is going to be so badass. So

Chuck Shute: 41:28

you have but you have some songs that you've written that you've just never with other people that you didn't release,

Joey Belladonna: 41:34

I got about, I'd say 40 tunes, 35 songs at least. And it's all kinds of interesting. vibes, you know, it's rock, hard rock metal. You know, it's cool. It's not thrashy at all. I mean, there's some ideas there like that. But you know, again, a couple people have written with, it's just, they're just kind of sitting there. You know, obviously, you just can't run away with a song when you did it with so many either and include him, or do it and then change it up. A lot of times you meet new people, hell, why don't we just write something else? Because you play different than this guy and that guy, we're gonna think different, you know what I mean? And not that somebody can't say, oh, man, you got some great songs, I'll play on those could do that. But you still going to have to go back and revisit the other people and, and and see what's up and where they're at. And that's like, you know, what? I don't know. It's just kind of a lot of work. A lot of time spent putting stuff together. And I when I do listen back, and man, what a shame and stuff to sit there and waste. And all the stuff that I put out with Bella data. That's all demos I've ever heard. Yeah, really not record. Those songs, some of the stuff is all done in a day. And we just were not even done with it. I didn't even mix it. I mean, artifacts, those are just calling and I was just banging out songs on the day and a day and eight track is set.

Chuck Shute: 42:56

It's hard to call crook right? Who worked with meatloaf and who was an anthrax, also,

Joey Belladonna: 43:00

two artifacts, artifacts one and two are just us just banging stuff out per day. And you know, by the time we look back at it, we can erode a whole bunch of other stuff. And that came to an end. And then of course, all three. I mean, we're just, I mean, we're winging stuff, because we weren't even done. I mean, I just put it out for the hell of it. Because I didn't want to sit down and I said The hell with it. Maybe I should have now put it out, I guess. But I don't care. That's all right. Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 43:24

So when you when you look back at that time, when you were kind of a hater hiatus from anthrax, and you're doing Bella Donna, why didn't you push the solo career more? Why didn't you where you're getting offers from record labels or management or musicians who wanted to work with you? Or did you like just kind of laying low?

Joey Belladonna: 43:41

I had, I had a, I had a deal with the first one, which, you know, obviously, it was, you know, it was just a cool thing to be able to do it. But at the same time, you know, you have to find the right people to stick it out and do it, you know, do it for a fool, at least. But the even beyond frontiers, I feel like we're a band, you know, we can always, you know, amount to a bigger longevity. I mean, even when I don't see those guys, I mean, literally show up and we'll play and I haven't seen it while they're all in Nashville, you know, and, but normally that that whole band would have just disappeared, like and back in here. And these days where I had stuff together, nobody, you know, I mean, as far as he asked, you know, people wanting to join together. I don't know, I just never went out and put ads out and called a bunch of people. I mean, I'm sure there are people out there man, I wish I would have known or I wish I could have done it. And I could have said the same thing. But you know, goes, you just things just fall and at the same time, I wasn't trying to chase anything in particular. I mean, I'm sure I would love to see you know, a solo thing kind of kick off but there wasn't anything in particular that's a tough, tough run. I mean, Anthrax didn't help me any in any way as far as like, you know, being out for 13 years. They didn't give me any any lift offer. Credit you You know where credit is due? You know, and I'll say it flat out. I mean, there's a lot of evidence of that. Well, yeah. So

Chuck Shute: 45:06

when you look back on that time of the hiatus for 13 years, do you look back on that time as like a happy time that you had a nice break for music? And now you're back? Or do you look back on that time? Was that a sad time were because you weren't really living up to your potential? I feel like your potential is like, you know, fronting a band and touring the world and playing big venues. Not, you know, doing something non music, which I think you did a non music thing. But what is your recollection of that time? Well,

Joey Belladonna: 45:33

you know, you say it. Well, I mean, it's one of those things, you just can't ignore it. Yeah, sure. I mean, try that. Give any of those, you know, try that for 13 years on your own? You know, it's not, it's not the easiest thing. But at the same time, I didn't, I didn't fall flat and say, I give up. I mean, that's, I'm done. You know, you just kind of just play it plays out as it comes. You know, I mean, some people are a lot more aggressive. And some people are not, I mean, unfortunately, yeah, thank you for giving me that, that, that credit of being able to do that, and be able to, you know, it's kind of a last time, you know, and some ways, you know, it's too bad for all of us, we should have been, it should have been together for that time, that shouldn't have been out a low of 13 years of doing nothing. It's kind of weird talking about it. I'm sure nobody wants to hear about it. But it's the truth, you know? Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 46:26

So was it awkward when you first got back with anthrax? Or was it like riding a bike, you're like, Oh, this is just everything's back to normal.

Joey Belladonna: 46:33

You know, what, I, there's nothing different to me, it's all you got to do is you got to be sharp, and be good at what you do. And I don't, I don't really, really think about it so much, you know, obviously, it's personalities. And the the whole band situation is really important to find that commodity and try to see if, if that's going to work versus more so my performances and my singing because I felt like I was really good at what I was doing. I mean, I was fine. When I was in it. I just didn't feel like, if anything I've got I think I've gotten a lot better. I just feel better. I you know, I feel it's just, I worked at it enough, you know, to be good at what I do. And be strong at my, my ability to be a Live Performer and whatever, you know, but again, yeah,

Chuck Shute: 47:32

I was just gonna say, I think you're one of the rare people who, because I see a lot of singers struggle as they get older, being able to hit the high notes and things but I don't see that from you. If you're able to sing Steve Perry. I mean, I can't imagine a harder voice to emulate and you're and you're killing it. And I think is part of that because you know, you don't you don't drink or smoke. Or if you do, it's in moderation. And you're not you know, you take pretty good care of yourself. You're not obese or anything like that. I feel like those things make a difference, or do you just feel like you have really good genes and you got lucky?

Joey Belladonna: 48:03

Well, first of all, I don't party, I don't do anything. So there's no kind of thing. I mean, sure. I'm sure there are people that do do that, and don't have a problem either. But I just don't, it's just what I you know, for me, it's what works for me because I don't want to, you know, but at the same time, I don't know, I just I just think I've been really, really focused on what I do. And I work at it enough to maintain an ability to do it. And I just love the striving of singing songs. You know, I love being in the band thing and, and you know, kicking ass you know, that's, that's the kind of cool thing about it. And it seems to be very vague. But that's, that's really where I'm at, you know? Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 48:47

Do you like playing the because it's such a difference like playing like a festival where there's this massive audience, but they're not really your fans particular, versus playing like an anthrax show or you're headlining in a club. It's smaller, but then those are all anthrax fans, is there a difference? Or just love it all?

Joey Belladonna: 49:04

Well, I mean, I can tell you, I love it all. I mean, even the beyond frontiers, at least sometimes will play you know, a 500 seat or you know, kind of thing and, and there's no barrier I mean, it's a little people, you know, grab your arm while you're singing you know, that we're that close, you know, it's just an it's such a really cool vibe. I mean, I'd like to have seen something not so much myself as in like the attraction of it all but to be at a club and have that kind of that closest, and then of course, the festivals, you know, you get there. It's really exciting because it's such an enormous amount of people and your time is up at this time you get out there and now it's time to just you know, rip through this crowd and do your thing, you know, so it's really there's a certain excitement to that but at the same time the club is just as exciting because it's still you have to get up there and perform so I, I kind of block out the two is in is Then like one's bigger better than the other, that's just the you just have to focus and keep your mind on what you're what you're really out there to do. And then the rest of it just becomes another night. You know,

Chuck Shute: 50:13

it's got to be surreal though some of those festivals are like, when you did the big four, I mean, you must just look out and it's a sea of people, like you can't even see the end of the crowd, right?

Joey Belladonna: 50:23

Yeah. So I mean, my thing is, just don't overdo it. Because people think you got to overdo it, you don't, you got to stay in the same frame, you got to shrink it all down. And to a point where you look out there and just do your thing you don't over, say what singing you don't, I mean, I'm very consistent where I take it today, whether it be small or big, you got to keep a lid on it. And do Just do what you do. And the PA will take you there, you know, just just do your thing. Because the me the stages are bigger, everything is bigger, but at the same time, you have to calm and I that's the first time I kind of put in this, this category, it's just you have to really kind of don't think about it, you know, you because if you really really if you're not consistent and keep pushing, push, push push that also now you kind of be out of your out of frame, you know,

Chuck Shute: 51:11

right? Would you guys do I know Slayer? I don't think they're currently active. But if they got back together or if you guys could figure out somebody else would you do another one of those kind of big four shows or like a tour with Metallica and Megadeth because that or maybe like hot pan? Tara? Step in that would be fun. Right?

Joey Belladonna: 51:29

Well, yeah, I mean name and a lot of cool stuff that could happen, right? Yeah, we're, the phones are open for all stuff. Like, I'm sure that we get offers for stuff that maybe just didn't pan out, you know, tours. I mean, we've had stuff that you know whether we couldn't do it. I mean, I don't even want to go back into the Rolodex of what? You know what we almost have this tour, but we're out on this one. We just got the offer. We can't because of that, or somebody had they got sick, you know, that kind of stuff. Yeah, you put out I'm open to anything, you know, as long as I mean, obviously there's bands that I don't even know who they are sometimes. I remember heard the name and I don't know and if the promoters and agency want to Paris up for whatever reason. I guess that's it. And sometimes it's just you know, might not be my favorite situation and nor we be their favorite. The van has opened up and we don't have to be they don't have to be our fans or our friends. I mean, you are on tour with people and that's going on. What was your trip last night? Are you guys feeling great? Well see, it's a catering, you know, whatever. And so bands are like, Hey, we got our thing. You got your thing, man, um, which is sometimes can be a little weird, you know?

Chuck Shute: 52:39

Right. Yeah. I was at a concert last night. It was the last show of the tour. So they're doing all these pranks on each other. They were flicking guitar picks and changing drinks and it was all this chaos Do you guys have? Those kinds of things happen on tours, or bands play pranks

Joey Belladonna: 52:54

on each other? was the last band you said I can't I didn't catch the band.

Chuck Shute: 52:57

The band last night it was it's a faster pussycat. And then it was a was Jason David, Jason Charles Miller, and of limbo. It was a three package deal thing. And they just had the last show of the tour last night. It was fun.

Joey Belladonna: 53:12

Well, they went they went off and did some fun stuff, right?

Chuck Shute: 53:16

Yeah, there was like it's so like the opening band. They're kind of a newer band of limbo. They open and they dressed in like 80s glam metal is kind of a tribute to faster pussycat. And so it was just comical, though. I mean, it's like over the top, that guy put like a beer in his spandex. And it was pretty funny. And it was they said they didn't do that every night. It was just because of the last night of the tour. So they were kind of clowning on faster. pussycat.

Joey Belladonna: 53:40

Yeah, I mean, obviously, that can be hilarious and fun. And then it also could be a big train wreck. And like, what? Come on dudes, what I mean, you know what I mean? Sometimes, that's why I never really entered too much horsing around, because then all sudden, that, that, that core of like, spontaneous, the playing and, and the tightness of it all becomes a little unraveled. You know, sometimes, so yeah, I mean, whatever. We've done plenty of that, too. I get Yeah, it can be fun. You know?

Chuck Shute: 54:10

If other bands done that to you, then

Joey Belladonna: 54:14

we've had pranks. We've done pranks. I mean, not to get into all the pranks sometimes it's off stage. You know, stays? I don't know.

Chuck Shute: 54:22

I feel like Scott would be that would be kind of his. He seems like he'd be into that kind of stuff. Well, yeah, there

Joey Belladonna: 54:28

were there were four more than I was. I was like, Oh, come on, man. Yeah. Yeah, we've done some crazy stuff. Yeah. It's Didn't you guys clear

Chuck Shute: 54:38

this up? Because I remember when Wayne's World came out and everybody was like, not an anthrax you guys, you guys started the not thing like was that was that Scots thing? Or was it yours? Or do you remember who like came up with that?

Joey Belladonna: 54:51

I'll go with Scott. I mean, without being for sure. You know, but he did say not a lot. So and it came it became our thing. You know, and then all of a sudden, then you start here and people do it. Not that you couldn't use the word not. Right. You said it. It was seemed to be like it carried over. And I can't say for sure, but I, it seems though, I think we were saying it much, much earlier than most people. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 55:18

that's just like little things like that. It's so it's so weird. Just, you know, pop culture like you guys. I think anthrax was a part of pop culture in so many ways. I mean, just from like, you know, you're on the Beavis and Butthead soundtrack. And then, you know, the Married with Children thing. Was that fun to do that? Because that was interesting in that scene, like, you're like on the couch, and you're not singing? I thought that was a little weird. I was like, aren't you the singer? I don't understand that.

Joey Belladonna: 55:43

Well, that, first of all, where they set the song, and the scene, didn't have the singing what's, that's why I ended up grabbing that bottle and try to make myself look useful over there. And I have a bump on my head. We did two live shots on that one. So clean up with a wealth on my head and myself with that bottle. What was that your

Chuck Shute: 56:03

own idea to hit yourself with a bottle or we're supposed

Joey Belladonna: 56:06

to just go wild? You know what? Place and I'm on the couch, and I grabbed the bicep and I have had, yeah, look cool, right? And they look great. It might be a splashing over my head, like, I'm an idiot. But you know, again, myself a ball. But yeah, like, that's the thing with some some anthrax stuff, the way the songs are written. And where they put the scene was, there was no vocal on that. Okay, because I'm taking cat was I supposed to stand their own fake singing. So it was, it was a nice place to be right out of the couch and stay right out of that crazy stuff where their break itself in the house. And, you know, I don't

Chuck Shute: 56:43

want that kind of like music videos to you have to fake saying like, people, I don't know if people know that or not. But it's pretty well known that when you do music video, you have to lip sync the song like 40 times in a row or something right?

Joey Belladonna: 56:54

Flat, and the music is just blasting. And it's just tiring, over and over, over and over. And it's so it's so like, slightly unnatural. You know, and some of the some of the stuff I don't even know what we're doing. When we got there. It's like, well, so you want to I'm gonna what? I'm gonna stand here, and you're gonna do what, you know.

Chuck Shute: 57:14

Is that that was a big part of the promotion back then I think it's still somewhat a part of promotion now. But what do you think the differences are from the 80s, where you're on this big record label, and you have these budgets and all this. And now it's a little bit different. You have more freedom now, right?

Joey Belladonna: 57:30

That's all we have pretty much as much freedoms that we could possibly do. Because let's face it, I mean, made early on, we might have had some stuff that was catching some, someone's ear enough to think that we're definitely an idea to sign and all that, you know, I'm being vague here. But in the end, I think we kind of did what we wanted to do, because I don't think we're in a position to really be told to change so much where we became something that we weren't, you know, so I don't I don't remember having so much rules, but you know, amongst us all, and management and stuff, I think we we tried to pull as much good stuff out as we could and become still valid in the labels eyes. You know what I mean?

Chuck Shute: 58:16

Yeah. So as Scott, you feel like he's a pretty good businessman, like he helped grow the brand of anthrax and do a lot of that kind of business decisions that he kind of take the reins on a lot of that.

Joey Belladonna: 58:29

I don't know if I'm qualified to answer that, to be honest. I don't really, you know. Yeah, I mean, they're sure I'm sure there's plenty to do to go around. You know, it's hard for me to say when I came in all the all the math that went involved to get it going, you know, because there's a lot early on. Yeah. I mean, he was there in the beginning, doing everything. And then, you know, I'm sure enough still still to this day. I mean, he's he has a lot of big input of what's what, what may or may not happen, you know?

Chuck Shute: 59:07

Yeah. Well, that's interesting. Yeah. So when you joined the band before, there was already, I think, an EP and some songs written. And I had the one of the original guitar players on my show, Greg walls, and he says that he co wrote some of those songs, but he didn't get credit. Now, obviously, you don't know you weren't there. But I'm just curious, like, if you had an opinion on that, like a character witness, like, does that sound like something Scott would do? Or is that like, totally out of character for him?

Joey Belladonna: 59:34

I couldn't tell you for it. No, I don't I don't believe we we don't function that way. You know, I think everything is you know, it should be done correctly if there is valid, you know, terms there but at the same time, I think the band itself is very much into what is needed to write great songs and we don't really, I mean, if they hadn't before I Like you said, I couldn't really valid validate that at any way. I don't believe that. Anybody roles that way. But I think we all have input, you know, equally enough to say that, you know, everybody should be getting some credit, you know, for what we do, you know, it doesn't work with one person. That's just it's impossible to do by itself.

Chuck Shute: 1:00:22

Right now, but Scott, I mean, I just, oh, it's got to be tough. I don't want to get in trouble. But yeah, it's gotta be tough. Because in that business, I mean, twice. They just kind of let you go. And then like, they didn't even tell you that it was management. And then I think I heard the second time they let you go. It was you found on the internet. I mean, it's gotta be kind of like, cold. And in some ways with this business, maybe that's just the way it is. Yeah. I

Joey Belladonna: 1:00:44

mean, yeah. I mean, you hear that stuff? I mean, it's all I could tell you without going into crazy detail. Yeah, it just seems right. And, you know, I mean, I don't know what to say every time I say something like it's always this bitter, bitter vibe, but it's the truth. You know, I mean, what else were you supposed to say? I mean, is there a better story? I wish I had one. I don't.

Chuck Shute: 1:01:05

Yeah. Was it awkward, though, when that because it wasn't there. One point, correct me if I'm wrong, wasn't one point when it was you and John Bush together? Singing?

Joey Belladonna: 1:01:15

I must have been weird. Oh, it's totally. I mean, it's blowing your car and getting gas money and all that or crap, doing a song that I remember elicited as temptation. So it was his temptations? I think, I don't know, balls of confusion of all things. Like I said, why not? You know, all come in. But yeah, it was weird. It was strange. You know, it was I mean, it wasn't my favorite idea in the song or just being there, because I'm not in the band still, you know, but aside from that, obviously, that whole thing, I mean, I didn't get that follows me everywhere I go, you know, I'm out of the band would happen. You know, I didn't get any. I didn't get any leg up for that. You know, it still follows me. It's just that's the part. I mean, I can't just shake it away, because it's, it's in fine print.

Chuck Shute: 1:02:05

But how do you feel about I mean, are you still hurt? Or do you carry a resentment or anger towards them for that?

Joey Belladonna: 1:02:12

I don't forget. I can't forget. I mean, well, I mean, I look at I carry on what I've been doing how long I've been in the band now. 1112 13 years now, on top of it, things are good. But you know what? It's like anything else? You know, it's still there. And I don't I mean, I think everybody is trying to be sincere, and hopefully they are sincere. And you know, I don't need a lot of Pat's on the back because I do my thing. And I don't, you know, I also just, it does suck that, you know, that I felt like, I didn't live up to the dream that that was there. You know, it's like, what am I supposed to do? You know, I thought I was doing great. I mean, well, you must,

Chuck Shute: 1:02:57

I think you did live up to the dream, because otherwise they wouldn't have got you back. So that's what I'm saying. I think they made a mistake. And it's like, it'd just be nice if you guys all sat down and said, You know what, we fucked up. Like, we're sorry. But you know, obviously, you're moving on. So we don't need to dredge up the past anymore. But yeah, I just, it's something that like, bugs me, so like, bugs me for you.

Joey Belladonna: 1:03:17

I appreciate you bringing it up. I mean, I know that sometimes when you see this later on the back, excuse me, on the back slide, you go, Oh, here we go. Again, it's like, well, you know what the story is there, there's no, you know, we can't hide from it. It's there, I'm just telling you, we're cruising, we're doing our thing. Everything is is is above and beyond our expectations, right now we still have room to to make it better, and maybe kind of pull it pull it closer to a better thing versus just to be an individual reality, business, you know, job kind of crap. You know, otherwise, it's no fun. You know, it's great. When you go out there you forget it for what an hour and a half, but then you go back to the same old areas, again, all there. You know, I mean, that crap, right? I hate that. But the rest of it, man should be a lot better, you know, a lot better. You know, if you want it to work, you know, I mean, I know when people go to work, they don't care for the people they're working for, and they have to go through it. But you can quit if you want. And I can people say don't go back or why are you there? It's like, Well, why not? I mean, I want the fans to be happy. I think the fans deserve a good band that we were and what we do to make people happy and listen to good, good music that we make. But at the same time I earned it. I shouldn't be able to be there. So why should night but at the same time, I'm still looking for bigger and better options with us to make it better. And that's what I would say, other than sitting there and having a big I'm not vindictive, obviously, it could have a whole lot worse, or it could have been a lot much more unfavorable situation at the end, you know, which I don't live with. like that, like, try not to live that way we try to open up our hearts to, to whatever we can do as a band. You know.

Chuck Shute: 1:05:08

I love it. Yeah, I think you're making great music. I love the side projects that you're doing. It's exciting. And you also work with some charities which I love. I try to promote charities here on my podcast you do the Guitars for Vets? And is it war horses for vets is another one that you support.

Joey Belladonna: 1:05:23

My wife, she's got a hold on all that stuff, though. And I we love doing it. I mean, we have people come to the shows now. And we will constantly help them people that are in need, where they're, you know, really not not doing well. And they need need need friends and, and, and assisting comfort, whatever, you know. So those two organizations, you know, that's

Chuck Shute: 1:05:50

great. Well, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me. And people will look for we look forward to that new anthrax album. It's coming out at some point and then probably a tour of some sort. Maybe something surprises you're telling me that could be lined up here. It's exciting.

Joey Belladonna: 1:06:07

Well, I don't know. Whatever. We want to consider this exciting. Yeah, whatever I'm Yeah, I leave that open to everyone's expectations of what they love. You know what's coming, you know? Yeah, I mean, there's always a lot of room for some good stuff to happen. Yeah, I

Chuck Shute: 1:06:23

love the eclectic stuff. Like I love all the stuff like the bands you've played with almost every band. I'm Primus, Kings X and Living Colour all those ones. And then of course, all the metal ones to Slayer. Megadeth Metallica, I'd love to see some sort of big four tour in the US. Did you guys ever actually tours that in the US? Or was that only overseas?

Joey Belladonna: 1:06:42

No, we only did the Yankee Stadium. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 1:06:46

so never came. Yeah, cuz that would be one thing that would be fun to have a tour in the US. I think that would kill it.

Joey Belladonna: 1:06:52

What's that place called shell or whatever? We did that challenge. Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 1:06:56

That was the big can't afford that. But

Joey Belladonna: 1:06:59

that was where the big four so two in the States? Yeah. to need to do a full tour. Yeah, the rest are overseas. And unfortunately, yeah, it wasn't any. Like a full tour. Yeah, um, it'd be interesting to see if that could ever come come to fruition again. You know, and

Chuck Shute: 1:07:16

come to Arizona. That'd be that's where I am right now. So that would be convenient. Or Vegas. I'll drive to Vegas or LA, I guess.

Joey Belladonna: 1:07:23

Yeah. Definitely. Got to get to Arizona again. I liked. I liked being down there. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 1:07:28

now's a great time to come. It's the weather's perfect. Good place. Where are you now? Where are you located?

Joey Belladonna: 1:07:33

Central New York. Sarah.

Chuck Shute: 1:07:35

Yeah, that's cold in New York. This is a good time to come to Arizona do a show and yeah,

Joey Belladonna: 1:07:39

they got like foot and a half about 40 miles from here yesterday. Oh, yeah. Three or four interests? Yeah, bring

Chuck Shute: 1:07:47

bring you one of your Joey's jukebox or the beyond frontiers are coming in to

Joey Belladonna: 1:07:52

be there. Well, you know, we come down and do it for sure, man.

Chuck Shute: 1:07:57

All right. Awesome. Well, thank you so much, Joey. I appreciate it.

Joey Belladonna: 1:08:00

Good luck tomorrow night and the Seahawks and Dallas. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 1:08:04

good luck to your Vikings. Who are they playing this week?

Joey Belladonna: 1:08:07

You got Cincinnati coming up you this playoff playoff time now you got either win or you don't and you're in trouble. You can start really losing ground. Now. The games live game flow.

Chuck Shute: 1:08:18

Hopefully that quarterback got the bad game out of his system. And now he can step it back up.

Joey Belladonna: 1:08:24

There was some lucky Brett a lot of tip balls and those intersect. We just managed I don't know what that was a weird game, man.

Chuck Shute: 1:08:30

It was a weird game.

Joey Belladonna: 1:08:34

I could take it.

Chuck Shute: 1:08:36

Yeah. All right. Well, have a good one. I'll talk to you later, man. Thanks, left. All right. Bye. Bye. Thank you for taking the time to listen to the full podcast episode. Please help support our guests by following them on social media and purchasing their products whether it be a book, album, film, or other thing. And if you have a few extra dollars, please consider donating it to their favorite charity. If you want to support the show, you can like share and comment on this episode on social media and YouTube. And if you want to go the extra mile you can give us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple podcasts or Google podcasts. Finally, make sure you're subscribed to the Show on YouTube for the video versions and other exclusive content. We appreciate your support. Have a great rest of your day. Shoot for the moon