ROCKET Interviews Eric Meyer of ORPHANED TO HATRED

Brickbath guitarist Eric Meyer joined up with ORPHANED TO HATRED in 2007, featuring Ex-MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza (and Brandon McBride on vocals), having recorded on the band’s self-released EP entitled “War Plow”.

THE METAL DEN’s Randy “Rocket” Cody has conducted an exclusive interview with Eric Meyer for TMD’s loyal and devoted following of DEN HEADZ worldwide!

Rocket: Where were you born and raised?

Eric: I was born in San Diego, CA where I’ve spent most of my life, however, I did live in East Texas for a while as well as Northern, CA.

Rocket: Do you come from a big family?

Eric: Not really, I have one blood brother and three half brothers by definition, all of which are younger. We are all very close and I’d do anything in the world for them.

Rocket: What first drew you to playing music?

Eric: Actually, my Dad’s a guitar player so I’ve always been drawn to the guitar.

Rocket: When exactly did you first start playing the guitar?

Eric: My parents told me that they gave me a toy guitar for my 2nd birthday and I guess I wouldn’t play with anything else, they said I carried that thing around for years. I was messing with the thing my whole life but I really started getting serious somewhere around the age of 12. I started my first band at the age of 14 called “Witch”. I still have tapes of that shit believe it or not!

Rocket: Did you ever take any formal guitar lessons?

Eric: I never took any formal lessons. My Dad and the guys he jammed with would show me shit every now and again and they’d make me sit in when they played but for the most part I’m completely self taught.

Rocket: Who are some of your biggest playing influences of past and present?

Eric: My first real guitar heroes were Edward Van Halen and Tony Iommi, quickly followed by Glen Tipton and KK Downing. After that, I really got into George Lynch for a while, then it was Yngwie, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, etc… I really got into Dime around the VDOP era.

Rocket: What kind of guitars are you playing live and in the studio?

Eric: I’ve been endorsed by Dean guitars for a few years now and I F’n love ‘em, man!! I remember being a teenager and seeing those things in Circus magazine. I always wanted one but never was able to get one so actualy owning several and being endorsed by them is the coolest thing ever!

Rocket: What kind of amp rigs?

Eric: Man I’ve been through ‘em all! I’ve had the Marshall’s, Mesa’s, Peavey’s, Carvin’s, Line 6′s, all the rack pre-amps, etc… But I’ve had these old Randall RG100 es heads since I was a kid and I always end up going back to e’m, they just F’n rock man, you can’t beat that tone.

Rocket: Orphaned To Hatred is working on a full length follow-up to 2007′s War Plow EP. What can fans expect with the new stuff?

Eric: We’ve been busting our ass on the new shit, man. We’re diving into some heavier more intricate shit, good and heavy, but also something you can sink your teeth into. I think everybodys gonna dig it.

Rocket: As I’m told, OTH will be touring after the new record drops. Who are some of the current metal bands out there that you’d like to share the stage with?

Eric: Shit, that’s a good question. The ones that come to mind are Lamb Of God, Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, Hellyeah, Metallica, etc… There’s probably a ton that I’m forgetting but I’d be happy with any sucessfull tour.

Rocket: It’s been 4 years since Dime was taken away from the metal world. What did Dimebag Darrell’s playing in Pantera mean to you personally?

Eric: Well, the guys a F’n legend, man. He created some of the greatest metal riffs of all time!! Like I said earlier, I got into his playing somewhere around VDOP and always enjoyed his shit but when I finally got to meet him and hang out I realized he was much more than a guitar player he was a great human being. I miss the dude every day, man.

Rocket: Are you comfortable with the ‘Pantera groove metal’ label being attached to OTH?

Eric: Hell, if anybody is comparing you to one of the greatest metal bands of all time I think that’s a pretty damn good thing.

Rocket: With all the metal albums released in the past couple years, which one was your favorite?

Eric: I dug the special edition release of “The Blackened” by Machine Head, those guys F’n level, man.

Rocket: OTH remains an unsigned band. Who are some of the labels out there that you think would be a good fit for this band and why?

Eric: I don’t know, I’d love to get hooked up with Roadrunner or someone like that but labels aren’t doing so well right now… maybe we’ll just do it ourselves.

Rocket: Who do you think are the most overrated metal bands of today?

Eric: You’re putting me on the spot here. I think any band that has made their mark in this day of age deserves credit, man. It’s really hard to get people to buy into a new product and if you can get them to… then the more power to you.

Rocket: What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to a kid starting out with a guitar and the rock n roll dream?

Eric: Pick a new career. This one will suck the life out of you, hahaha. Nah, I’d tell them practice till your fingers bleed and then practice some more, and take every opportunity you get. You never know who’s going to be at a show or who knows someone that can help further your career!!

Rocket: Thanks very much for taking time out to do this interview. Best of luck with it all. Go ahead and give a shout-out to your biggest supporters.

Eric: Thanks for listening, Rocket. I jut want to thank all of the fans that have supported me throughout my career, you guys rock!!!

http://www.myspace.com/orphanedtohatred

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