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Fear Factory - Raymond Herrera

23/04/06 || Lord K Philipson

On the 3rd of April, 2006, our beloved forum-member Bluesaint (real name Anna) met up with Fear Factory-drummer Raymond Herrera for a nice chat. We wanna thank her (ok, and fucken Raymond as well) for taking the time to do this for GD, we really appreciate it. Sure we do. Yeah, we do. Somewhat anyways.

Bluesaint: Ok, you guys whining about MySpace as the fucken most silly community to even know about… This is where you find Vicious Art and Dark Funeral, among others. A lot of bands you never heard of but which are, at least, worth a listen, maybe more. Some bands take care of their page themselves, sometimes fans/crew run it.

I’ve always been a drum-fan, and not minding using Fear Factory’s drummer Raymond Herrera as a good example at all. So when I saw his face at MySpace I asked if it was him or a fan running his page… It was Ray himself, chatting with his fans and fellow drummers there. So, since I already had my ticket to their show in Stockholm in my wallet, I asked him if he would consider some questions by mail or live in Stockholm, if GD’s Master/Ruler/Dominator/Commander was interested. Ray said yes and so did K so ‘drumroll’ – my first interview:

Global Domination: Thank you for taking your time to see me and a warm welcome to Sweden! I hope that you’ve had a good start on the European tour. Are you happy with the venues and the fans’ reactions so far?

We’ve been out for 2 weeks and a half and it has been great so far and we’ve had great response from the fans. It’s been about 4 years since we had a tour through Europe. ( Note by Bluesaint: And more than twice as long since they were in Sweden. )

And when it comes to Sweden, did you ever have the time to explore our country a bit? Have you been here on your own?

Many years ago, we were playing at a festival and some of my friends from England were there too, so we drove around a bit. Even if it was during summer, I remember it was still cold here. I can’t remember where in Sweden we were though.

You’ve been touring a lot through the years. Is it as fun as it used to be? And is it harder to make it work, when you have serious relationships, kids, and other things than music on your minds?

Touring was more fun in the beginning when it also included exploring places you had never been, but still… It’s a great job!
And yes, it’s harder to make it work now. We had the tour delayed for personal reasons, but that’s life nowadays.

During Gigantour, after “Archetype”, you started to write for “Transgression”. So of course we’re wondering, are you spending spare time during this tour writing as well?

I have written 3-4 songs for now, but we haven’t really had the time to work them through yet.

Any country you haven’t visited during these travels, but really would like to? Tip: South Africa, they need more metal-visits!

We’ve never been in South Africa, yet, but after European tour we will visit Brazil and some other countries. I’ve been looking forward to do so.

Any country you visited and would prefer not to visit again?

Actually, no country has been that bad. The only country that gives us problems is Canada, but not because of the fans! We always have more problems with their customs than anywhere else in the world. And we’re neighbors…

So, you’ve been out with the new setting of Fear Factory for a couple of years now or so, with Christian on guitar and Byron on bass. Has the changes worked out well, and meant anything for the progress of the band?

It must about 4 years that we’ve been like this and it works out very well. And since Christian has been in the band for many years, it was no problem starting to write music with him instead of Dino. I enjoy that as much or even more. Beside from that, it had no big impact.

Since Swedish is my native language, not English, I’m not sure if there is a word like “multi-creative”. But you’re a drummer and songwriter for FF, making music and sounds for games and soundtracks for movies. What’s the next step? Hanging your secret paintings on the Museum of Modern Art or maybe a
horror- musical on Broadway? Do you have other creative talents (talking about artistic talent here…) that we don’t know about yet?

With the all the things I do already, there’s no time for other projects. Maybe later in life… Touring with Fear Factory until the end of this year, the gaming company and working with some Japanese Anime. I’m also working on a DVD where you can watch me drumming and choose different angles.

Oh, that’s like drum-porn then?

Yes, I guess you could call it that…

You’re a role-model and inspiration for a lot of drummers around the world, with tight fast doublebass and blasting creativity around that foundation. Does it still require a lot of practicing, or is it like riding a bike? When you get the hang of it, you can’t forget it, and spend your days being lazy, drinking beer and laugh at your good choice of instrument instead?

Yeah, it’s hard to forget how to do it, but it takes some endurance so I need to sit down practicing for that reason. That together with the drumming for FF and the other projects is how I keep it going.

Is there any of the tunes in your collection so far, that you enjoy playing live more than others, and any that you wouldn’t, if it wasn’t for the fans?

We only pick songs that we really like, but if I have to choose: the songs from “Demanufacture” and “Archetype” are my favorites and if I had to cancel one song in the set, it would be “Martyr” from “Soul of a New Machine”, but it’s the only tune we play from that album… But we don’t play anything from “Obsolete”. Burton and Christian doesn’t wish to and we’re four in the band so…

Is there anything in your musical life that you’re extremely proud of, and something you regret?

Burton C. Clock. I’m not really the flamboyant guy, but I guess you could say that I’m proud of creating my own style of drumming. A lot of guys nowadays are much faster than I am, but back then, I made something that stands out, so I guess you could say I’m proud of that. Any regrets? Not really. We’ve done a lot of mistakes with Fear Factory during the years, but we’ve learned from them so I can’t say I regret them.

I’ve heard some rumors about Brujeria which says that they have a new drummer. Two choices has appeared, one choice is Pete Sandoval. Do you know more than we other outcasts do, and is it something you can tell us about it, if so?

I haven’t heard anything about it, but if it was Pete it would be really cool.

For a newbie to Fear Factory, is there a particular song, or maybe even, a full album, that shows the real soul of Fear Factory?

It’s hard to choose, but I think I’d go with “540.000 degrees Fahrenheit”, it might be the best song of Fear Factory.

Many people complained about how Fear Factory’s music evolved after “Demanufacture”, but they were happier with the more aggressive “Archetype”, and even enjoyed the mix on “Transgression”. How do you see the next album coming out? Is it more experimental?

There will be no more “Supernovas”. That’s not what the fans wish. There’s been equally good and bad response about “Transgression”, but the next album will be heavy and fast. Back to the basics!

Is it harder to be angry at the world nowadays? Your music has been kind of political through your entire career.

You should really ask Burton about that, since he’s writing all the lyrics and I just write the music. But it goes with the style of Fear Factory. We play aggressive music and then the lyrics can’t be about positive things. ( Note by Bluesaint:: Too many bands write love-songs already, aren’t they? )

Do you have any musical heroes and are they the same as when you started drumming?

Dave Lombardo, Pete Sandoval. Then of course, I must say everyone in U2 and Sting and, because they were first and great at what they do… Death. And yes, these guys inspired me when I started and now most of them are friends to me. It’s pretty strange. Dave Lombardo’s son even has me as his favorite drummer… Funny.

Here’s a listing of the bands which forums are hosted at Global Domination. Have you ever heard of them?

2 Ton Predator: No. Aeon: No. Dark Funeral: No. Entombed: Yes. God Among Insects: No.

Just Burton then, since he had a God Among Insects t-shirt on at some gigs.

He had? Must be cool then.

Gorefest: Yes. Sanctification: Rings a bell. Satariel: No. The Mighty Nimbus: No. The Project Hate MCMXCIX: No, but that’s a really cool name ( Note by The Lord: I love you, Ray ). Vicious Art: No. Vomitory: No.

Byron, dammit! We know, it’s not very metal to gossip, but we love to hear nasty things about other people than ourselves… Did you ever have a fight within the band or between FF and other bands that you we’re on the road with?

Well, the fight between Burton and Dino of course, but everyone knows about that one. But no other fights. When we were on tour with Biohazard, they had the same manager as we did. Fear Factory chose to change manager and Biohazard for some reason took that personal, but no fight really.

What’s the band you enjoyed most hanging out with on tour? And least?

Most, Chimaira. They were into gaming as much as me. Least, well… sometimes you don’t hang with the other bands at all, for no special reasons.

Did you guys ever fight about the same girl? You were teenagers when you started, that must have happened!?

Not really. I have always been into long relationships so it hasn’t happened.

*Have you had any experience from stalkers or scary fans, having what happened to Dimebag in mind?

A couple of females during the years but nothing that bad. ( Note by Bluesaint: He’s not including me there! )

If you went on the tour by bus, would you be able to agree on what music to play in the bus, or would everyone sit there with their own iPod?

I usually watch movies or play games during travels so I don’t know really. But usually the music in the bus is more rock, not much death metal.

We also have a few odd threads at the Global Domination forum, so I’m curious about your opinion on:

Horror movie to recommend:

Haven’t seen it myself, not much into horror, but I’ve heard it should be really disturbing: “Hostile”.

Favorite NHL team:

Must say they Kings then, being from L.A.

Musical allergies:

Guitar solos. But it was never any issues about it, since Dino wasn’t into it either.

Three words that you wish ppl to remember you with, after death. Perhaps on yer headstone:

Creative – Aggressive – Victorious

Christian The Old Wobbler. Since people started to share music on the Internet, I’ve explored at least ten times more music than before, and actually bought maybe 4 times more albums. For smaller bands, it’s a way to get recognized and have their music spread, but what kind of impact do you think it has had for Fear Factory?

I think it hurts established bands more than it gains them. But the record-industries’ response, to increase prices, is totally wrong, and there is no return now. If the bands have some business skills, you can still make a decent living on the music though, beside the records.

And some quickies… Gaming: Console or PC?

Console!

Ozzfest drama: Dickinson or Sharon?

I know Sharon and not Dickinson, but… don’t know. Media likes to blow things out of proportions, I have experienced that myself.

Food: Beef or Chicken?

Must say beef.

Bands: Megadeth or Rammstein?

Rammstein.

Girls: Blondes or Redheads?

I’m a brunette guy, but… redhead then.

Politics: Hillary or Bill?

I have to go with Bill then.

Religion: Heaven or Hell?

Hard, but I will say heaven.

Drinks: San Miguel or Guinness?

I don’t drink!

Metal: Black or Power?

Black. ( Note by The Lord: And never heard of Dark Funeral, as stated above?! )

Comebacks: Judas Priest or Guns n’ Roses?

I have to say Guns n’ Roses then, never been into Judas Priest.

Motor: Cars or Bikes?

I had motorcycle when younger but now I go for cars.

Sports: Basketball or Hockey?

Raymond Herrera: Basketball.

So what is your favorite game at the moment?

“Ghost Recon: Advanced warfighter”.

Anything you think I should have asked but didn’t?

You covered the tour, my drumming, the band and a lot of other stuff, so… no I don’t think so.

Anything else you wish to tell the members/visitors over at Global Domination?

We’re touring until the end of this year and are planning to have a new album out sometime next year so check out our site to stay updated!

The league of extra-ordinary gentlemen. Oh, and an extra question from Wes who also talked to you about an interview: Did something special happened at Corpus Christi, after the gig when you left right after?

Once I flew back home right after the show, and once the band had to leave fast, since it was a long drive to the next venue. We’ve played there a lot of times, but I can’t think of anything beside that.

Thanks from me and the GD-readers for taking all this time for my questions! And another thanks for, with the help from Dougie, getting me a photo-pass so I could have some nice pics from the show too, even though drummers are always too hidden!

Interviews