While not having grown as popular as the “Big Four”, Overkill have been ahead of the thrash metal scene for almost thirty years and there are no signs of them slowing down after their most recent release, Ironbound. Early one Thursday morning, I had the honour of speaking to lead singer and songwriter Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth.
So, Overkill have been around for almost 30 years. What has kept the band going so long and how have you changed?
Methamphetamine (laughs). I think when we were younger, principles of value were formed and from the beginning we've always loved doing this, this is the ultimate thing for us. We're living the dream. I think those values and principles got stronger over time. Love us or hate us, we do what we want to do regardless of public opinion. As music changes and popularity wanes, we've been in the hurricane and our popularity is high. There's no identity crisis, we know who we are.
What was the atmosphere in the metal scene around the time of the Metal Massacre compilations?
We had the track “Death Rider” on Metal Massacre 5 in 1984. We were looking to get signed, and this whole thing is starting to explode. Metallica had released their demos and Kill 'Em All, and everyone realised this is becoming a real exciting scene to be involved in. Did we know what the future held? No. But we knew what the present held and it was the most important thing I've ever done in my life to date. It was a really explosive feel - everyone knew each other. I knew Gary Holt, Dave Mustaine and that whole group and we supported each other and it was wild. We put flyers on windshields and stuff. It was unique because the info travelled by fanzines and newsletters, you never had instant information like with the internet but it grew and grew and it exploded.
Would Bobby Blitz in 1980 have ever dreamed that you and Overkill would come this far?
Oh not a chance (laughs). I never had the long view. I still don't and I attribute that as my input to helping Overkill last. How did i help last? I have a short term view. The good thing is you can always assume that it's your last moment, so you better put everything you have into it because you may never get a moment after this.
How would you describe the sound of Ironbound compared to your other albums?
It's got a great chemistry to it that's obvious as soon as you press play. It's a reinvented past. We reinvented it to made it relevant to the present. This is the short view. If you start talking about what I did in the past it's not as satisfying to me as what I'm doing now. That's always been a personal principle - it has to be valid NOW, and this record certainly is. You don't go into the studio to make an invalid record. When you succeed in it, you're valid in the day and not in the past. It's a reinvention of the past but with present day presentation.
Having been at the head of the thrash metal movement, what do you think about metal sub-genres that derived from thrash, such as black and death metal?
I think it's cool. You've gotta go with the places and explore. I'm always the one to say that even with thrash it should be a young man's game. It's a voice in the dark, the "we're not gonna take it anymore" attitude. It's an unusual happenstance that younger bands are doing stuff like what us and Exodus and Testament were doing in the 80's and 90's. It still has value to this day and that's unique for the younger fan of this kinda stuff to be able to say “Hey this is really new, and this is where it came from.” They end up appreciating the music a lot more.
You and D.D are the only original members of the band left. Do you think each new addition to your lineup over the years has been able to grasp what Overkill is about from your perspective?
In time - for sure. You don't just walk in and grasp it because these are long-founded principles and I think it takes time. Dave grasps it. I think his guitar work in Ironbound really proves it. He's the longest standing guitarist in Overkill so he most certainly grasps it. The other guys get it too. Ron is a wild horse on drums, and I think he is the catalyst to those principles that we talked about.
What is the most important thing you've learned in your musical career?
If you have an original idea, stay with it idea regardless of what other opinions are. Ideas need time to develop and they don't need a public thumbs up prior to that. Don't bend it to what other bands are doing or popular opinion. If you've got something, go with it.
Are you familiar with the new thrash metal bands popping up, and do you like any of them?
Sure! We take them on the road with us and it's a good thing to have the old guard and new guard sharing the stage. With Europe we toured with Suicidal Angels, a Greek thrash. I love Gama Bomb and I think they have a great energy to them. Phil (Byrne – vocalist of Gama Bomb) came over to me and asked me a few questions about performance and I said I didn't invent this stuff, just steal the good shit! (laughs)
Are you looking forward to your first Australian tour?
Yeah, it's been 25 years and there's still new territory to cover. Why didn't we come before? It wasn't economically feasible. But now people are interested, the new release is strong and we're ready to fly. To this point it's 25 years after playing our first shows and tours and you sit back and say “Wow there's new places to go and Australia is one of them.” It's been the highlight on my itinerary for months.
Overkill are playing Australia-wide on the following dates, and any true thrasher will be sure not to miss them:
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