Him and Arnold, I don't know who has bigger cheekbones

It would have been a treat to read that manifesto for the Slasher's character from "Cobra", the document which Brian Thompson created for himself while preparing for the role, to immerse himself in the character - too bad that it was probably thrown out decades ago... At any rate, Mr Thompson gave the Slasher's character genuine depth. Yes, the original script's iteration of "Abaddon" - the character who became the Slasher - may have been, ahem, paper-thin on paper, but Brian Thompson gave him a dimension. Multiple dimensions, actually. When I saw "Cobra" as a young boy, I remember creating the Slasher's story in my mind immediately upon the first viewing. And I still remember it - it was the story of a kid who was born damaged, and did not know it. Neither did the other kids - but they gradually began realizing how different he was, and so did he. When local boys would chase a cat and throw sticks at it, this kid would be with them, but if a stick actually hit the cat and hurt it, the other kids would feel bad. Not this kid - he would feel nothing, except for the briefest moment of satisfaction. As time went by, the other kids would see the strange difference in him; they would not understand, but they would instinctively know enough to shun him. His alienation increased, his frustration grew, his bitterness turned to hatred... until, one day, he stumbled across the idea of Darwinism and had an epiphany: there was, he thought, nothing wrong with him - it was everyone else around him who had been wrong. He was the apex predator, the next stage of evolution - and they were the past, and his prey. And there his distorted inspiration began... That was my young self's imaginary background for the Slasher - the story of a damaged mind who found real concepts and grotesquely twisted them, until they fit his delusions. And yes, I was in the 0.000000001% of the kids who would watch the film and actually think these details up afterwards, but it was only Mr Thompson's immortal performance that galvanized me to do that. It was Mr Thompson who turned a flat page of paper into a three-dimensional sculpture.

@rikkithrash all the best on the single debut - 80s 🤘🏽🤘🏽

Quick fact if you didn't know. At the end of rear view mirror you can hear Dave throw his drum sticks out of frustration from all the attempts it took in the studio. That attempt was the one they put on the vs record.

Can people please stop telling Dave A. to move on. He is allowed to talk about his time in the band without people shitting on his legacy. It is beyond irrelevant that 30 years has passed. He deserves credit and just due. People who tell him to move on absolutely suck.

I'm sure many here would like to hear more history about the film Cobra, next time you do an interview, stop at the film a little longer.

I never gave Geoff Tate the permission to write about me!

When the news hit my phone about the CEO Brian Thompson being killed I thought they were talking about this guy, I was like Damn Man!!!! I mean I know he's never been a star or the greatest actor but I've either liked or loved him in most of his roles and while he can't top Arnold, I get the feeling had he played the Terminator he'd be one of my all time favorite actors like Arnold is, I mean if anyone thinks he wouldn't have been at least solid in that role you probably haven't seen him as the Alien Bounty Hunter in X Files though I know that role was over a decade later I still really think he would've been at the very least a Good Terminator(I know that's basically an oxymoron though Arnold showed it was possible 7 years later in the Immortal Terminator 2)...thinking about the CEO though reminds me of that scene in the first movie where Sarah's friend shows her the news report of the other Sarah Connor being killed, I'm curious if he thought about that scene when he first found out the CEO Brian Thompson was killed like "could someone be out for me next?"

Brilliant 🤟🏽

seems like Zinny was the reasonable one in the band.

Born in 1971 here. Italian born and raised. I've been to the States just once in 1994. Man, this guy Nikki's image hits me deeply

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That aside I agree and can relate to having a nostaliga for the 80's though i was born in the 90s. My theory is the fact my parents did, so I was exposed too ALOT of 80's media. Both musically and tv/movies.

Thank You I was wondering who that mad detention teacher from HFT was. She did a good job looking absolutely fierce!

RIKKIIIIII!!!!

I love Dave’s drumming and he was by far their best drummer but dude it’s been 30 years. Move on.

hmmm there best stuff from that period?? and probably same stuff get the most radio air play??? MC is a great drummer for SG.. PJ too... but its not the 90's and that magic

I love these guys. They were so young and so good ❤

He was great in cobra, the film actually needed more screen time from him. He should feel proud of that movie because he stole the entire show. I think im right in saying he didnt even get an invite to the Premiere when it came out

I was just listening to this and it watching. I thought Dave Rubin was the host. Sounds a lot like him.

Adrian Vandenberg is 6' 6"

"...Everything is a bonus"- and all based on passion. Music, project and art of Billy Morrison. This interview too. Thanks to You both.

I saw Kix in Oklahoma in 2013 or so opening for Whitesnake. The left side of the room was rude and the whole side refused to respond to Steve. I was so mad because he was so good, and such a powerful frontman. I was embarrassed for my state. I was actually really only familiar with Don't Close Your Eyes from them, but Steve made me check out more. He was just fantastic.

Do the Europe Prisoners In Paradise album interview...

I was 18 years old in 1985.That decade was pure magic.

Thank you, Dave A, for sharing you talent with us. God bless 🙏

The Night Slasher in Cobra is one of the most terrifying performances ever filmed. It was pure evil and visceral energy. Even Brian's physique was on point being jacked AF and sub 10% bodyfat. As far as TV roles, the ones he did I liked the most were Nicholas Remy in Werewolf and Eddie Fiori in Kindred : The Embraced. Both shows were short-lived on FOX, but he was awesome in them.

Is there an e-mail address for Brian, or could you pass this along to him? For years I've been trying to figure out how to put together a feature film based on the PBS documentary called "The Big Burn". My original idea was that the star should be Clint Eastwood, but Clint is now 90-something, and I'm thinking the starring role of Ed Pulaski would be a perfect fit for Brian. (Maybe Clint could be persuaded to make the film and direct it?) The PBS documentary is fantastic on its own, but it never really brings the Pulaski character to life, particularly his heroic leadership saving the lives of a dozen fire-fighters who were forced into a cave by the Big Burn Fire itself, and survived because Pulaski made them stay in the cave (at gunpoint). If you check out the documentary, I suspect you'll agree this is a feature film begging to be made. BTW, I live in Portland Oregon, just an easy hop down the pike from Brian. (I'm a 70-something !;)

I was born in 2000, however I heavily relate to this guy in all aspects besides the fact I can't play an instrument. Sly is also my favorite actor, always has been. Life is all about doing what you enjoy and I can tell this guy does just that

So you played with Vivian Campbell in Whitesnake

You are lucky to have known the best guitarist of all time, Randy Rhodes, no question in my mind

You and quiet Riot was one of the best concerts I ever seen in 1984 in Bangor Maine, you blew my mind as the best bass player out there

I don't remember seeing Brian in Terminator, but vividly I remember encountering him in X-files. I was amazed: "How the hell did they get Arnold to do an X-Files episode?!? Fantastic to see and hear the real guy.

So this guy wants others to act like a man, but he is the one who cowards up with a letter when he quits a band? He deserved to be fired from Pearl Jam. This dude write no songs. Tooo bad, I did like his drumming. Too bad his ego keeps screwing him.

Love CG. I grew up in Florida and they were the local boys done good. Love the “weirdness” of some of their songs. Happy to see them back.

Rikki Rules ! 🤘🏻

Warren DeMartini didn't marry into the Mars candy family. That's a stupid myth that someone added to his Wikipedia page years ago with no substantiation and has been taken down. DeMartini did grow up in an upper-middle class family because his father was a doctor in Chicago and later San Diego.

The guy in the hat looks like Don Dokken

I WISH I COULD GET PHIL TO SING ON MY NEW RECORD...HIS VOICE WOULD BE PERFECT IT IS MORE HEAVIER ROCK THAN GUNS THOUGH AND HE IS THE SAME AGE AS ME.

I think the songwriting on Cellar is better than on Invasion. It's very innovative.

This guy sounds like a complete lurker who always got lucky. But it's usual for these types of people to make us believe this way that they almost didn't interfere in the slighest with their luck! Complete mind trickery!! haha! They use this technique to avoid spilling their true means of success!😋 But i understand why Ratt didn't like him. I wouldn't, too

The nugget about who retrived the infamous RVM snare drum....priceless moment

I graduated high school in 1980. Joined my first road band in 1982. It truly was an amazing time for rock and roll.

Love Dave he was the best with PJ for me. He is so down to earth a real deal guy . Thing back when he rose with the band was a crazy time in music so much darkness to come. He was very respectful to the other band mates about not focusing on personal demons and drug use in the band. It was so great for him to share and bring light about Axl and how pressures with the business was putting him in a horrible place about letting Axl fall down to get Slash back I agree it would have been btr to let Axl to develop his own band and music it would have been interesting. Looking forward to see what Dave comes up with Cheers Dave . Great interview.

Rikki is the man, love this dude! They should a movie about a guy that's stuck in the 80s but doesn't know it, starting Rikki Thrash

I would like someone to ask Brian about other films he has done, for example, Jason and the Argonauts or his role in Nightwish (1989).😊

No way he cited Michael Anthony as an inspiration

Nostalgia is a sweet pill to swallow, cause ohh my god the 80 had it's dark side too......

It was the New Jersey tour . I saw them in 89. Its a slip up he said .

I have not read any comments yet other than Dave's. I'll just say this: when I think of the feeling of listening to the early PJ music, I can't imagine anyone else other than Dave Abbruzzese. It's pretty apparent that the reason for this is his genuine and authentic vibe. Thanks Dave for the experience!!!

One hell of a drummer. Vs. and Vitalogy still my go to PJ albums. To this day.