GODSMACK Frontman: 'It's Really Important That We Stay In The Moment'

GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna spoke to the WAAF radio station about how he and his bandmates are getting along on the 20th-anniversary of the release of the group's debut album. "Wisdom comes from experience — it comes from living, it comes from just kind of tredging your way through life," he said (see video below). "And for us, we went through, I think, every obstacle that every band has gone through. Maybe some of 'em not quite as excessive with the drugs and the dope and all that stuff, but we certainly had our pockets of really bad drinking problems and some drug stuff or whatever, but the egos and the fighting and all the stuff that usually breaks up a band. But somewhere along the line, we just figured out that it's better to go and get some help and work on these things. And long story short, I think we've gotten over a lot of those mountains that tip a band upside down and they break up over, because no one wants to give in and the egos get in the way and the pride and all that. But we're so far past that now.'

He continued: "It really did come full circle where we're back to enjoying the music and enjoying the moment like we did back in the day when we would jam in the garage with your girlfriends coming over and you're drinking beer and you're sneaking weed behind your parents' back or whatever. And it's that now — we get up there and we really have a good time. We don't really care about the theatrics of the show and all that so much. We do some cool stuff and choreograph some things pyro-wise or whatever, but it's really just about getting out there and playing and having fun and enjoying the moment, because we know… Now some time has gone by, and we don't know how long this will last. And it's really important that we stay in the moment. 'Cause when that new young next band comes along that takes everyone's place… we'll kick their ass too. [Laughs]"

GODSMACK and SHINEDOWN recently unveiled a second North American leg to their co-headlining tour, adding a string of fall dates to the two bands' itineraries after initially hitting the road together in July. The new dates begin on September 21 in Greenville, South Carolina, ending on October 11 in Portland, Oregon. ASKING ALEXANDRIA will take over in the opening slot for LIKE A STORM and RED SUN RISING, who were splitting the summer concerts.

GODSMACK's latest album, "When Legends Rise", was released on April 27. The disc follows up 2014's "1000hp" and is the band's first release through BMG after splitting with its longtime home, Republic/Universal.