ANTHRAX's CHARLIE BENANTE: We Don't Want Our Opening Bands To Sound Like S**t

During an appearance on episode 12 of "Tour Talk", ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante spoke about the importance of treating opening bands with respect.

"I think a lot of times bands who come into this world, into this business, and they think that it's gonna be this and it's gonna be that," he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "And then they go on tour with a band, and then that band doesn't cater to their every need. Look, sometimes this is how it is on a tour. I mean, we've been on tour opening for bands that, shit, our gear went up there five minutes before doors are opening. So, basically, your whole set is a fucking soundcheck. And then by the time you get to the last song, yeah, you sound good now. And then, of course, you get those people afterwards who come and say, 'Oh, God. You guys sounded like shit.' And it's, like, 'Ah, man.' And, again, sometimes bands that are on tour with us, sometimes they don't get to have a soundcheck because of the show, the day, just everything ran late and you didn't have it. But for the most part, we'll give a band as much time as we can possibly give them to get it together, to get a good sound. 'Cause we don't want them to sound like shit either. It's a whole thing that people are coming to see, so if the opening band sounds like shit, it kind of sets it off in not a good tone."

Benante also offered a piece of advice to up-and-coming hard rock and heavy metal bands looking to break into the music industry. "I would say go out in a van or something like that with the band — and, of course, some crew too," he said. "By the time that tour is done, you're gonna know who is going to make it in the band and who is not gonna make it. And we found that out too. So it's a good learning experience."

Benante's covers album, "Silver Linings", was released on May 14 via Megaforce Records. The 14-track effort features an all-star cast of "who's who" in the thrash, metal, and rock worlds, with all cuts culled from Benante's acclaimed "quarantine jam" video series.

ANTHRAX is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021 with a number of special activities and events. Formed by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker in Queens, New York on July 18, 1981, ANTHRAX was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast and quickly became regarded as a leader in the genre alongside METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH.

Active over the past five decades, ANTHRAX has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, toured the world since 1984 playing thousands of shows, including headlining Madison Square Garden and playing Yankee Stadium with the "Big Four".