Metal Mythos AFTERSHOCK - Interview with Rik Fox (of W.A.S.P. & STEELER)

[@laz4erin]

1st dislike was by Blackie Lawless.

[@DavidAtomic]

The 2nd dislike was by Chris Holmes

[@kjemradio]

@@DavidAtomic 3rd is Yngwie

[@MOE-db8oc]

Spot on guys.

[@WishedUponAVlog]

Anyone who disliked is an idiot ha ha

[@WishedUponAVlog]

Dislikes probs by people who listen to the crap on the radio nowadays lol

[@jasonedwards155]

Rik is a good friend of mine, the man has never lied to me about anything...when I first heard of all the crap that went on with blackie and W.A.S.P. in the early days and how much Mr lawless had rewritten history, I lost so much respect for the band. Rik is a stand up kinda guy who has never really gotten his fair share of the pie in the industry...but then there are whole bands out there that have been the catalyst of great things but never went anywhere huge...Steeler and London immediately spring to mind.

[@YogaArmy]

That is so true!

[@LewNewmark56]

Jason, thanks for your comment. I became friends with Rik back in 1980. He joined a cover band that came to Rumors, a Rock club in Middletown, in Upstate NY. I swear I saw him maybe 2 more times in that band, and then he was in a band called Agressor...and all of a sudden, I was married in 82, and Rik flew out to Cali...I didn't know that, and I actually found him on FB about 3 years ago now, and I check in with him and his wife fairly often to see how they're doing, and what he's got going musically.

[@jasonedwards155]

@@chethammer well, honesty and talent are two separate things. When you have Tony and Randy, two former members saying the exact same thing as Rik, and Chris is writing songs like "two faced mother f*cker" which is about his dealings with Mr lawless...add to that blackie not ever saying anything about it to fully disprove any claims, it tends to be a bit fishy. I am one who can honestly say I have met Tony, Chris, Randy, and a few others who have been in the band, Randy and Chris are also good friends as well....I can honestly say, I get some weird vibes off of blackie, especially if you ask him about Rik face to face, he dodges the question, and looks really nervous while doing it. Chris & Randy are right up front with their reasons or circumstances about their departures....blackie, not so much on any of them. He may be talented but he is very shady when it comes to things like band members. 3 against one, you know who is lying big time.

[@IggyTthunders]

Cirith Ungol springs to my mind. A killer band that inspired a black metal icon (Celtic Frost) that was black hole-heavy doom metal with a one-of-a-kind vocalist singing Lord of the Rings lyrics like the Witch King of Angmar.

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Please get a podcast going RazörFist.

[@McCaffery]

He already does.

[@LogiBear59]

McCaffery what’s it called?

[@berserkshirtbear1271]

It's about the Shadow, the pulp character, called The Shadowcast here on KZbin

[@adrianshephard378]

he needs to go on efap

[@rayprevailer8454]

Razor this was amazing. Do more of this PLEASE.. 51 year old 80's metal guitarist still at it in the studio. While listening to this I was building a guitar Fuzz circuit. Great day!

[@therasslintheatre2960]

1:26:01 Razor, one of these days you must make a Music Mythos explaining this whole topic about Grunge and how it killed everything that was good about rock during the 90's, I feel that's one big essay on it's own

[@luisnunes2010]

Short version. That simplistic crap took all the atention from all the incredible music being made, but yeah, I want it too.

[@deathsheadknight2137]

not to mention the unholy rise of rap

[@luisnunes2010]

@@deathsheadknight2137 That the media pushed...

[@deathsheadknight2137]

@@luisnunes2010 well it certainly wasn't pushed by anyone who believes Jesus was the son of God.

[@luisnunes2010]

@@deathsheadknight2137 Just the contrary, in fact.

[@RolandDeschain1]

Rik Fox REALLY needs to write a book. I bet he has stories for days.

[@paralykeet-]

Had to listen to this one thrice. At first, I thought Rik sounded kindof full of himself. So I checked his shit, he's more legit than legit. The second time, I realized that people used to genuinely treat bass players like shit, especially responsible ones who weren't raping passed out groupies. The third time, after listening to recordings of Rik playing live, I realized that he's much in the same boat as bands like Testament, where he gets a superficial pass; in spite of his ability to turn a room inside out. Learning about Rik has been a fucking treat, and I hope he continues to get exposure- dude thumps the bass without a bunch of thrills, and never drops the ball on harmony vocals- he's an honor to Lemmy's memory.

[@xjbomb4463]

Bottom line .Riks a good person .and he's not Bullshiting .His story is interesting n truthful and deserves due respect.

[@IggyTthunders]

"I call the bass a tool of ignorance." Blackie Lawless (Still love his later work, like 'headless children', 'crimson idol' and 'neon god', but yeah: uh, blackie was a bit of a shit weasel in his 20's.)

[@thealleys]

Met Rik in Texas. He is a good guy.

[@Politov]

I was enjoying the interview, then I opened the video details AND THE WINGED HUSSARS ARRIVED!

[@theg-man4474]

Given Razorfist's affinity for history and heavy metal, it would not surprise me at all that he listens to Sabaton....

[@evanrose96]

But does he like Sabaton?

[@joshuaperrin3910]

I could have sworn he said good things about them at least once or twice. I just hope that's a clue about the next Mythos!

[@mitchelltheawesome1]

@@evanrose96 He digs Sabaton, said the new record was killer.

[@alexiraza]

@@mitchelltheawesome1 which video

[@YogaArmy]

WOW I remember seeing Rik Fox play w/ his band SIN. Wow... that was at Perkins Palace in Pasadena in March 1984 I believe it was on the 16th? I still have the ticket somewhere in the attic. The headliner was Armored Saint, Malice with Odin. Such an AMAZING show... wow.. Perkins was beyond packed. John Bush rode out on stage on a white horse! It was crazy. I remember Rik being really nice (always had a lot of respect for him) as I met him as my friend knew him and the promoter Gina Zamparelli. That was the best club! OMG Everybody played there back in the 80s. It was incredible! GREAT interview Rageaholic love the Metal Mythos series! You Rock! \m/

[@tiffanybarleyrdmsrdcs4534]

Shout out to my dad's & uncles' band . . . Harlow!

[@mezotech5419]

HOLY HELL MAN!!! Good for you! I'd kill to see you snag an interview with Blackie Lawless, Alice Cooper or hell even Rob Halford!

[@SleepBeforeYouThink]

Mezotech Rob Halford interview would be awesome

[@mitchelltheawesome1]

@@SleepBeforeYouThink It would be wise to avoid the Doris Day question.

[@RolandDeschain1]

Blackie and Alice, no chance. Halford is a possibility.

[@EmperorNero]

​@@RolandDeschain1Both Rob and Alice are in Phoenix he very well could get in person interviews for both.

[@IggyTthunders]

​​@@mitchelltheawesome1well, hold on. Bro scored a chat with Graham Bonnet. If he can get an interview with the guy who replaced Dio in Rainbow, Alice is absolutely possible.

[@txmatt2112]

Really enjoyed this After Shock. As a huge WASP fan it was cool to hear. I love Tony’s drumming on the first album so much. You should seek him out too. You do a great job interviewing people. Well prepared and knowledgeable about your subject. In a time where most interviews are shallow and seem to ask the same questions you are ahead of 99% of most interviewers. KFD Razor 🤘🏻🤘🏻!

[@Nissardpertugiu]

You 'll dig even more Tony s drumming on demos

[@rich6867]

This is great. Loved your interview w Graham last year. You do a good job asking the tough questions. Looking forward to it.

[@RedArtistx]

He has so much to say and so many memories. This needs to be a book.

[@acesteele8559]

I can offer up a couple of titles : "In the Proximity of Greatness" - ( How I met & got fired by a ton of musicians who found success) OR "A Bugs Life" (Some Fat Guy Stepped On Me) , OR Rik Fox: How I tiptoed thru a minefield of success, (while maintaining totally anonymous ) without ever having any musical success on my own.

[@daverawks]

One of the best interviews that one heard in a long time that is more than 6 minutes. Keep em coming, Razorfist!

[@Off-Brand_Devin]

My metal fandom doesn't extend much past listening to Razor's Metal Mythos, but this was really interesting. What a career this guy had.

[@rayprevailer8454]

Good god what a head spin this guy went through. That's enough drama for several life times. Fantastic interview. I can appreciate it as I was in my teens in the 80's.

[@sarcastanaut]

What a riveting interview. Thanks Rik and Razor!

[@darkma1ice]

Man razor, I’m not a metal fan, I like some but not enough for the label, but you make a damn good interviewer

[@luisnunes2010]

No substitute for a interviewer that knows the subject.

[@JohnSmith-mx8wp]

@Aldreth Same here. This is very interesting, in a historical sense.

[@johnconnell4503]

Rik fox is a class act.......what a amazing storyteller

[@MrOctober44]

Class act? How many people did he insult or complain about? 😂

[@deadguydan]

Holy crap Rik mentions Warlord! That's pretty cool.

[@deadguydan]

And was in Warlord? I had no clue.

[@Quorthon100]

One by one, to be swords, to be guns...

[@acesteele8559]

@@deadguydan Because he only rehearsed with them less than 3 weeks before getting fired. (a very common thing for him. Repeatedly. )

[@scareviewzombies]

Great interview wasp and Yngwie some of my favorites bands

[@NeonKnight83]

W.A.S.P. fucking slays. Got me into harder rock and metal and there was no turning back. I actually own the moccasin boots Blackie wore in the Wild Child and Blind in Texas videos, and I believe also on The Last Command Tour. Bought them like 20 years ago from the W.A.S.P. site when he was selling old props and clothing from back in the day.

[@johnconnell4503]

Dude your FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT?

[@glenngoren4566]

Thats dope..😎✔️

[@edsnark3781]

Awesome work man, I can't wait for some more metal mythos. I just love metal and rock history and it's cool to see it told in a more real and entertaining way

[@kjemradio]

What an incredible interview! Rik Fox is a legend!

[@harry2361]

I've always wondered how or when the buzzsaw sound effect from Steeler made its way onto the intro sound of the radio show I'd listen to on Saturday nights I think called METALSHOP on LA radio around 1984.

[@richardcurtis1912]

If you don’t know, it’s a single note played on the low e string. Then you turn the speed and intensity knobs on a delay pedal slowly against each other.and then back away from each other. Just try it slowly and you’ll get it. It sounds really wicked through a full stack!

[@joeyskar]

This guy deserves a fucking movie or a Netflix series. It's crazy how much he was constantly getting shit on and the sad reality is this happened to a lot of really bad ass musicians but he's one of the only ones that can tell a true story. At least he had the last laugh in some of the situations.

[@Blizofoz45]

Isn't it an amazing coincidence how Beavis and Butthead fit MTV's agenda so perfectly? It was like they handed Mike Judge a list of bands to support and a list of bands to dispose of.

[@ericbrewer2409]

Greg Chaisson, the bass player he replaced, started Surgical Steel, and also played with Ron Keel.

[@shovelheadseven]

I remember seeing Greg when he played with my friend Joe Holmes in Terrif. Then he went to play with Jake.

[@MrOctober44]

He played in Badlands!

[@AnonByProxy0]

KZbin is broken, I have two thumbs and can only like this once!

[@AusDenBergen]

Most excellent, dude! Thank you for this.

[@PreacherwithoutaPulpit]

Thank you both...

[@LEIFanevret]

Seems a good honest guy! Awesome one of the few honest in the bizz!

[@gallaxy70]

Thanks for keeping WASP on the Scene... Top Great Musicians. Songs.. Continued Fortitude..... Thanks.... Continued Underated Band....Thanks for Golgatha Blackie.....

[@jacksdrums1]

I saw the E. Walker many times in the NJ clubs , Great band , saw them few times with Rik on Bass

[@YogaArmy]

"We're gonna kick Rik out of the band and steal the name. It's a special kind of stupid and that was one of them." Rik Fox Rik rocks! Sadly so many ppl didn't appreciate his contributions... sign of the times in the 80s. Ppl were so stupid in the 80s and so many times it's backfired on them. This is a really great interview and one of the FEW I listened to the end.

[@SkywarpV]

This dude's musical life is just one big series of bad breaks and being shit on lol

[@xjbomb4463]

But he doesn't complain about the shitty way he was treated.

[@screamsfromthegrave3324]

Love Warlord, I didn't know that was how it went down...It would've been great if he stayed and recorded the EP with them.

[@charlesguthrie1844]

Luved the interview ! Great Job Razor \m/

[@ildabaothfrozendevourer2100]

Boom! Great interview guys, thanks a trillion

[@zeppyprimo1013]

Before the video I never even heard of Rik Fox, after the video he became one of my biggest inspirations

[@johnconnell4503]

Me too

[@stephanieu.]

I'm only 18 and I'm a huge fan of W.A.S.P.

[@jdsrcs8061]

What a cool interview Razor!!!! Wow I had forgotten about Sin!!!! They were pretty cool. I loved the video for On The Run, it was one of my favorites. All ski crashes for the entire video!!!🤘🤘🤘

[@WishedUponAVlog]

Amazing as always.

[@bryanvaughn80]

GREAT interview, dude!!!!! you did you homework and it showed!!! keep up the good work!!! let me know if there's a podcast!

[@k-chill8428]

You really should do more of these long-form interviews. They're kind of like the Yin to your Yang of short-form rants.

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

1:32:00 ish great analysis of what really happened to metal in early 90s n emergence of 'grunge'

[@heavymetalmadness666]

It's not often I watch your Metal Mythos , and find some bands I never new about, or forgot about. Then I click to Spotify to check out all of their songs, and add many. God fucking speed Razor.

[@superstraight8402]

He left ss because HE threw the pick at his band mate at hit him and they threw it back and accidentally hit him in the eye? Uh… Rik seems a bit full of himself. I felt it throughout the whole interview (still a great interview by the interviewer). But even if it’s warranted, I’m not saying rik is lying, it’s the attitude he delivers the stories with that puts me off. If everyone you’ve been in any band with ends up disliking you or cutting you out of their life…maybe you’re the problem, rik. Idk.

[@Private_Hoppa]

Greatest interview I’ve ever heard in my life!!!!!

[@holspa]

Nice interviu, a lot of cool info. I was surprised to hear that Malmsteen was already famous before the debut by STEELER came out. Because he said that the club in SAN FRANCISCO was full with people that came to see Malmsteen. How did they knew about him? Thanks for this recording.

[@TheRageaholic]

We mentioned it for a moment in the interview, but a tape of Malmsteen soloing had been circulating in the scene even before he arrived. Mike Varney of Shrapnel records was eager to play it for pretty much anyone.

[@holspa]

@@TheRageaholic Cool, thanks for letting me know, i didnt hear that. Thanksssss for the info.

[@montyjohnson2708]

Yngwie had been featured in one of the guitar mags where Varney reviewed his demo.

[@holspa]

@@montyjohnson2708 Okay. Thanks for the info. That makes sense then, people knew about him because the magazine. Cool.

[@seansantarsieri2984]

You should do a metal mythos about Iced Earth. You have mentioned the band a few times.

[@Sackheadjason13]

Awesome interview. Rik is a really nice guy!

[@kibadubio]

Yes! I’m so excited for this! 😲

[@AoCJohnny]

Great interview. Would live to hear more in this vain.

[@allsystemsgo8678]

Would love an interview with Randy Piper.

[@obodude71]

This changes everything!

[@sleepy_druid1001]

The bass player that got shot in the back I think is Joey Palermo

[@wingedassassin9999]

rik fox? hell yeah. he was with wasp before the first album released right? btw just some thought, i would sacrifice 11 virgins if you'd be able to interview blackie or chris.

[@TheRageaholic]

@@requited2568 A game of DND.

[@wingedassassin9999]

@@TheRageaholic shit. how did you know?

[@DudeInOhio85]

Just go to any twitch thots stream and pick the first 11 guys donating money

[@lubetubeshinoda2535]

Blackie is really distant in a lot of interviews lately so that’s iffy.

[@scareviewzombies]

Chris would probably do interview

[@IanOnTheDL]

As a fellow bassist, this was a fun listen

[@scottanderson4175]

Nobody had a voice like Blackie and he still sounds amazing 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ScammerTrolling]

@@paulcosta5854 and who are you?

[@freaky_j2207]

I have to do my research. The only other aftershock episode I remember is graham bonnet. Love interviews with lesser known dudes who were there at ground level when all the shit went down but never got mainstream press.

[@rustyheckler8766]

Not calling him a liar or anything but he kind of reminds me of that chic who is always in and out of relationships and cannot figure out why, totally oblivious to the fact it may have something to do with themselves. That being said, it does feel he is trying to be honest about what went down.

[@matthewfeduzi4751]

Outstanding interview.

[@theresakaplanamuso6342]

Utterly 😎 cool, I had no clue! I played guitar & drums like decades ago-!!

[@GuitarsZnuff]

Great interview guys!

[@SonicVR12]

Very cool interview

[@Glendoras]

Rik Fox, what a lovely guy!

[@Dokken1975]

This is awesome!!!! You should do one of these on the metal band Banshee!

[@MB-oc1nw]

Not many people have anything good to say about Blackie lawless.

[@stephanieu.]

Blackie Lawless is one of my favorite singers. I'm only 18 and I huge fan of W.A.S.P.

[@MB-oc1nw]

@@stephanieu. Yeah I'm a fan too. I mean people who know him or have worked for him though.

[@DannyGadish]

He may have been a dick. But he was a genius songwriter and lyricist. I put him right up there with Rob Halford and Geoff Tate

[@whome5386]

God Bless ya Rik, I still have a Steeler Cassette, Sad, so many bad people in the industry.

[@VoiceOfGood]

Blackie, Randy, Joey, Ronnie Babajko & Myself, all went out one night to the Rainbow, but on the way there we stopped at a liquor store on Melrose, and Joey grabbed a couple bottles of wine and stuffed them down the sleeves of his leather jacket .. later that night, we nearly had a food fight in Denny's on Sunset near the Hollywood Fwy .. I was there from earliest days of Sister, Circus Circus, London, Baby Jane & what finally became WASP .. I had what I felt was a mutually respectful friendship with Blackie and I was relieved to find out(months after the fact,) that the one night that my girlfriend( at the time,) was too tired/buzzed to drive home, had stayed overnight with him .. Blackie called me the next day and told me that she had stayrd iver but that was all it was .. said that I knew that he wasn't attractedto the kind of girl I was seeing at the time .. she said that nothing happened, just slept over and that was the extent if it .. honestly, most of my experiences in the 80's Sunset Strip days were good Ones .. Memories 🤘

[@vincentgarzoli3197]

Oh yeah! The Glory Days! Good Times for many of us!

[@wickedmountain]

Who was in Baby Jane never heard of that Band ?

[@johnconnell4503]

Dude you need to tell MORE STORIES...and blackie may be a dick but he dont fuck his friends women

[@acesteele8559]

@@wickedmountain Lizzie Grey.

[@seagullpoet]

After 3 minutes - hooked !

[@seagullpoet]

I’d buy a book from him for sure !

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

he mentioned 'the two guitar gods in 80's' : EVH n Yngwie.. but forgot to mention Randy Rhoads.. Most ppl then didnt put Yngwie in that category. He was an afterthought. The 2 gods were EVH n RR. period.

[@stevenr6874]

I'm from LA and grew up on the sunset scene. BAMM magazine was a free mag that promoted shows and unsigned bands.Rik Fox was the coolest looking dude on the scene and Sin always had a full page add.Sin should have been huge right there with Crue,WASP, Great White and Ratt. This guys music and image were ripped off by many who went on to fame and fortune. He deserves his place in metal history and that Sin album needs to see the light of day.

[@AEMachinas]

This is brilliant! Keep this up!

[@paulmessis1985]

Unluckiest man in Rock N Roll, yet still very humble.

[@coachsaldana5708]

The most "famous" guy that never made it. So he saved a life. Was there to help Kiss make it. Had all these bands because of his name. People stole from him. Screwed him over. Never his fault. But history keeps repeating with him. And yet, if not for KZbin most people would have no idea who he is. Crazy life. He compares himself to Jeff Pilson. Huh. 🤔

[@MrOctober44]

If you actually believe everything he says. He's fired from at least three bands but it's never his fault?

[@d_rocka]

An angel retrospective would be so awesome!

[@JunkyardKid]

We’re All Side Players

[@tommccloskey3595]

I can't stop picturing Jim Florentine while listening to Rik.

[@RolandDeschain1]

"What are you, niiiiine!"

[@tommccloskey3595]

@@RolandDeschain1 You're comment makes no sense. Are you Eiiiight?

[@jomofo42]

Great interview!

[@walrusaurelius4801]

Razor, you ought to do a 20-30 min News Roundup sort of thing once a week. I know the market for that stuff is pretty saturated, but it's the sort of thing that would be easy to slot into the lineup and you've clearly got the chops to do it right.

[@IggyTthunders]

He already does with tactical hobo

[@walrusaurelius4801]

@@IggyTthunders He didn't 3 years ago

[@darkstar6909]

Great interview, and I agree the whole grunge scene was anything but organic.

[@jimkalfakis9893]

Rage this was an awesome interview

[@sistermidnight]

Rik was one of the best looking guys on the scene. Any girl would have chosen Rik over Blackie.

[@image30p]

Very interesting. This guy was there from the beginning helping to create some of the bands I enjoy.

[@DudeInOhio85]

Great interview dude.

[@MortarMaggot275]

This poor dude had to deal with so much ridiculous drama. hahahaha

[@heisensperg9264]

Ray Robinson now that's a fighter

[@ScammerTrolling]

I wish you could get Blackie on

[@wavular]

For ALL you young musicians out there in hopeful land. Don't listen. To ANYONE!!! Stick to your own morals and just LISTEN AND WATCH! Keep your morals and learn! Then you can create your own life! Not the one the leeches wish for you as a money generating "product" keep your Faith!

[@joseguerra3456]

When I grow up i wanna be like RIK

[@d_rocka]

Amityville!!! 10 minutes from me! Great interview

[@MaidenLiberty]

Underrated band dude....this is sick

[@johnconnell4503]

I literally have no music talent.. .i grew up 5 uncles who did nothing but music and girls. Listening to rik is like listening to my uncles talk when i go back to new york

[@acesteele8559]

You have lots in common with Rik. Especially the "have no music talent". part

[@jerichothirteen1134]

I wish you were there back in the day bro. Things might have been different.

[@darkma1ice]

You should try to get a Michael sweet interview

[@adrianshephard378]

be a bit awkward with the feminine comments

[@kamikage9420]

Yo RazörFist! I don't know if you've heard of them, but I'm kinda a fan of the demonic Japanese metal band Seikima•II (Pronounced Seikimatsu, it's a Japanese pun or something.). I'd love to see your take on them sometime.

[@Megatron_95]

This is going to be fun