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ANTHRAX's FRANK BELLO: Playing With HELMET 'Made Me A Better Bass Player'

December 16, 2014

Cutter of Envision Radio Networks' "Hangar 19" podcast recently conducted an interview with ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the numerous singer changes that ANTHRAX went through before reuniting with Joey Belladonna in 2010:

Bello: "It was confusing, because it got legal, and when lawyers get involved, dude, they can hold up everything. Lawyers and art can never be put together, because it ruins art, and it holds up art, and it can really leave a bad taste in your mouth. And once we got through all the nonsense and the legalities of it all, it was just us. And at the end of the day we work well together, and the band is a very tight unit. And now, thankfully, this is ANTHRAX, and going forward, I mean, it's all for one. And I just have to say this: there's an itch to go for it, and there's a fire under the ass and fire in the belly to get this shit going. So we're really excited about the future."

On leaving ANTHRAX in 2004 and joining HELMET:

Bello: "There was a time… It's just like a marriage. Sometimes marriages… and hopefully I'll be all right with my marriage. [Laughs] I'm married 16 years now. God forbid! My wife, from day one, she's always been the love of my life. Not to get mushy and stuff, but it just works, and I'm happy with that. So, at the end of the day, I needed a break [from ANTHRAX]. They needed a break from me, I needed a break from them. It was at a time where… it was obvious. So we decided to take a little break from each other. I went to go jam with HELMET for a year and a half of fucking the best fun, man. Dude, I was so drunk and so… Just about a year and a half with the guys I love. Page Hamilton, John Tempesta and Chris Traynor, we had a ball. Great musicians in that group — absolutely great musicians. And you know what?! I think it made me a better bass player. It made me dig in with a pick, and it was a different form of playing for me. And I really enjoyed it. Everything is meant for a reason, but that was a great time in my life."

Interview (audio):

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