ROCKET Interviews Derrick Green of SEPULTURA

ROCKET: Where were you born and raised?

DERRICK: I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.

ROCKET: You live in Brazil now though, correct?

DERRICK: Yes, actually for the last seventeen years.

ROCKET: Do you recall your first rock concert that you attended?



DERRICK: Yeah, my first rock concert was David Lee Roth.

ROCKET: Cool! That must of been a helluva concert.

DERRICK: Yeah, it was pretty insane. I was a big fan of Van Halen… and it was when DLR became a big success on his own going solo.

ROCKET: When did you first realize you wanted to be a singer?

DERRICK: At like 14 or 15.



ROCKET: Let’s talk about SEPULTURA’s new album titled “The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart”, which was released last year in October via Nuclear Blast Records. It really kicks ass! Who produced it?

DERRICK: Ross Robinson. He was great. Ross had worked with the band before on the Roots album. So I was really excited to work with Ross. He’s really determined and driven, you know? It was really mind blowing and inspirational to work with him.

ROCKET: I understand the album was inspired by Fritz Lang’s classic 1927 movie “Metropolis”. But it’s not another concept album, right?



DERRICK: No, it’s not. The album is based on many different things…

ROCKET: How has the band’s relationship been going with your record label Nuclear Blast?

DERRICK: It’s been fantastic. Definitely one of the best relationships I’ve been part of. They are completely supportive and open. They are easy to communicate with. And we are really happy to be able to work together.

ROCKET: That’s great to hear. On a side note, this coming December marks ten years since the late great PANTERA guitarist DIMEBAG DARRELL was murdered on the stage. You did some shows with him, right? I was wondering if you had a favorite memory of DIME that you could share?

DERRICK: Yes, definitely. When I joined the band and was new to the band… you know, he was really encouraging. He was just really a positive person. So I just remember him being with me on the bus one time and saying “Go out there and kick ass!” He was really inspirational and an incredible person.

ROCKET: Thanks for sharing that memory. Okay, swiching gears. I wanted to ask, How do you get warmed up before a show?

DERRICK: I never drink before a show, never any alcohol before. No drinking and just doing vocal warmups. You know, (Laughs) I like to take a nap before a show usually. (Laughs) It’s kinda funny but I like to envision the show as it is going to happen.

ROCKET: That’s really interesting. How do you wind down after a show?

DERRICK: A lot of the time I am with the rest of the band and crew on the bus or hanging in the dressing room afterward. It’s not like we get super tired or anything. We have been doing this for a lot of years.

ROCKET: What are some of your hobbies or interests when you have off time?

DERRICK: Watching a lot of movies. But I am working on a book of photography… the layout, and figuring how to distribute it… umm.. and I will definitely handle the writing as well. Plan on having that out at the beginning of next year.

ROCKET: Alright, what are some of the upcoming tours for SEPULTURA people need to watchout for?

DERRICK: South Africa, then New Zealand and Australia and we will be doing a bunch of shows in Brazil.. South America, then we will make our way to the states next year in the Spring.

ROCKET: I will make sure to get out to one of the shows when you come to America, brother! Thanks very much for rocking this interview out with me. It’s an honor. Best of luck with your music. Any last words for the fans?

DERRICK: Thanks, Rocket! Thanks to everyone for the support!! I really appreciate it.

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