TOMMY VICTOR

25 years of chaos and rock'n'roll

DANZIG

-Let's talk about DANZIG for a while. How did it happen that you've reunited with Glenn again? Did your relationships has changed after the hiatus?
We keep appreciating one another as the years passed. He has all that old school knowledge that I just referred to. We can totally relate to one another. He's brilliant. I've told him many times that if I was available I'd be honored to play for DANZIG at any time. So Todd couldn’t do it this year so he called and I said hell yes!


-Last year you've participipated in "Blackest of the Black" tour how would you describe the chemistry between band's members and the tour generally? I must admit that "8" was a big disappointment for me, so I really can't wait to hear new stuff that will make me bow before DANZIG's majesty again ;)
I'm sorry I really like "Circle Of Snakes". The tour was amazing. It was one of the best tours I ever did.It was fun. Everyone got a long and it was very pro. I love playing with Johnny now that Zing is involved. Zing is one of the coolest dudes around.

-DANZIG is currently working on a new album. How would you describe the progress of the creating process and the atmosphere of new songs?
Well it's obvoiusly Glenn's baby. There's still a lot of work to be done for sure. But I can tell you that Glenn is in tip top shape and his voice sounds better than it has in many years. You’re talking to the wrong person because I consider him a great songwriter and lyricist.

-In one of the interviews Glenn said that the force which led him to start his music career was his hate for everybody. How would you describe your motivation that accompanied you years ago when you decided to play guitar?
Yes its similar. Ha! Glenn is just a committed alpha type. He really likes people and is very friendly and respectful . I'm way more moody and tempermental than he is.

OTHER PROJECTS

-Few years ago you've worked with Trent Reznor on the project called TAPEWORM. I know that there was some bad blood after that. Was it most disappointing or maybe painful experience in your musical career? Btw. I've read that some stuff from that sessions was used on MARYLIN MANSON's album is that true?
I don't know for sure. People say nothing was used, other than my guitar rig. It just sucks laying down a bunch of ideas in someone’s computer then getting the "thanks, I'll call you later" thing.

-When talkin' 'bout your connections with MANSON. You were involved in the recordings of "Antichrist Superstar". I've read that you've recorded some stuff for that record but you were told that your parts were scrapped. But in one of the interviews you've said that you’re were fucked up at that time and you really don't even remember & there's been a couple of records that you've worked on like that. So it means that it's possible that your work was included on that album? Btw what were the other records that you're talkin 'bout?
I was doing shitty little sessions here and there for beer money. I don't know. Its the past, I really don't care anymore.

-You've also cooperated with Rob Zombie. When we put his name on the list together with: Glenn, Trent and Al we've got an unordinary team here. They all seem to be very independent artists and strong individuals. Please tell us what is a recipe to survive with such an artists a and not to go crazy;)? Btw which one of those guys would you call the most dominant one?
I think they are all pretty similar. They have strongwills, know what they want and won't stop until they get it. I'm not like that. I question everything too much. I don't feel getting what I want is worth the trouble that much, even if I ever knew what I want!

-You've worked with majors in the past. Now you're on the independent label. I guess that it makes things more relaxed. There's no constant pressure for selling a lot of albums and having a ballad but on the other side some budget limitations may be also stressful. Am I right?
Hey you’re dealing with Al Jourgensen here(13th Planet records). If I gave him something "commercial" he'd hate it and laugh his ass off.

-In one of the interviews I've read that you and Dimebag Darrell were friends. Unfortunately he's gone and truly missed by many people and I'm sure you, too. But he's not the only one who didn't have a chance to finish his work. If you had to name the musicians that you really regret that they've passed away too early, who would it be and why? I guess that Paul Raven for sure will be one of them...
Yeah Raven And I were scheduled to do more music together.I still regret the fact that Ted, Raven,and I never got to do another PRONG record.

-Do you follow the modern music scene. Do you have any favourites among the young bands? Did you know that swedish death metal band GRAVE covered your song "Rude Awakening"?
I havent heard GRAVE. I don't follow a lot But I heard BRING ME THE HORIZON and I think they are unbelievable. Thats the best band I’ve heard in a while.

-MINISTRY has written a song for CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS ice hockey team. Are you hockey or other sports' fan? Do you practice any sports in the time between your musical activity?
I'm a huge sports fan and that makes a lot of other musicians angry because they hate athletes usually. Johnny Kelly is a massive Rangers fan(NY Hockey team) and Al is a massive Black Hawks fan but other than him I know little musicians who are as fanatical as I am. I don't follow hockey that much though. Baseball is my main passion as well as being a very participant fan of the NY Jets American football club. But when I have free time you can see me at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles much of the time.I grew up on the schoolyard courts in NYC playing basketball but I'm lousy, that's why I started playing rock music maybe ‘cos I'm a a mediocre athlete.

-Professional wrestler Justin Credible used the song "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" as his entrance song in (the original) ECW. The band Grinspoon also covered the song for Credible's entrance music. Maybe here in Europe we're too stupid, but could you explain what's exciting in watching steroid bred men pretending hat they're really fighting?
I don't know. Glenn Danzig is an afficianado of pro wrestling. I used to be way into it when I was a kid. I thought it was cool then. It was inderground. Now I don't pay any attention to it much. It's just a lot of fun ,notmuch substounce.

-And last... but definitely not least. When can we expect MINISTRY's reunion and tell us please that it's impossible, because we know that in this business the rule "never say never" is one of the basics. Even LED ZEPPELIN did it ;). Btw how do you imagine such a resurrection, do you think that we may rather expect some live shows - incl. summer open airs for example - than a new record?
No. Please draw your attention to PRONG. It keeps going regardless of popularity!

www.prongmusic.com

CV:
Real name: Tommy Victor
Born: New York City
Years active: 1984 - present
Function: vocal, guitar, bass guitar
Associated: PRONG, DANZIG, MINISTRY

Discography:

with PRONG:
Primitive Origins (1987)
Force Fed (1988)
Beg to Differ (1990)
Prove You Wrong (1991)
Cleansing (1994)
Rude Awakening (1996)
100% Live (2002)
Scorpio Rising (2003)
The Vault (2005) DVD
Power of the Damager (2007)

with MINISTRY:
Rio Grande Blood (2006)
Rio Grande Dub (2007)
The Last Sucker (2007)
Cover Up (2008)
Adios... Puta Madres (2009) live

with DANZIG
Circle of the Snakes (2004)