MIKE CHLASCIAK: 'ROB HALFORD Was One Of The Most Professional People I Have Ever Met'

Former HALFORD and current PAINMUSEUM/TESTAMENT guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak recently spoke to the Ferrante's Power Equipment web site about his time playing with JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford and the formation of his new project, among other topics. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

Ferrante's Power Equipment: What have you learned from playing with the Metal God Rob Halford?

"Metal" Mike Chlasciak: "Too many things to even mention. Many of them I probably will not even understand in the near future. Playing with HALFORD was the best thing that could have ever happen to me, my career and my personal growth. I guess the bottom line is to really do everything with all that you've got, and that great things sometimes can not be rushed. I also realized that after you sell over 30 million records the world doesn't give you a free license to become as asshole, as Rob was one of the most professional people I have ever met. After my time with HALFORD, I seriously feel that I'm prepared to take on anything this business will offer. I have been through a lot in that band, from highest of highs to lowest of lows and after the smoke has cleared and the backstabbers, shit talkers and non-believers stopped talking, I'm still standing here."

Ferrante's Power Equipment: Was it challenging to be touring, recording, and composing with HALFORD and simultaneously writing your own CD?

"Metal" Mike Chlasciak: "At times, yes, for sure. It's that ability of juggling a few things at the same time. I did not want to throw things together last minute just to get the album done. I needed to do this with integrity and I did not want time to dedicate how the album will sound. If this 'Metal for Life' was not ready, I would still be working on it. But man, were we ever ready to finally get this thing released, ha."

Ferrante's Power Equipment: Do you plan on touring with PAINMUSEUM?

"Metal" Mike Chlasciak: "Absolutely. I really feel this band is too good for people not to see it live. PAINMUSEUM played a handful of shows and festivals in the U.S. and Canada to an incredible response. After my guitar clinic tour this November, we might do selected U.S. dates. There are offers for Japan in January and Europe in the early part of 2005. Some of that will depend on our [European] label, Demolition Records, and other variables. But no doubt this band will play live. I personally find it very freeing, because this band is something I can call my own and I do as I please, basically."

Read "Metal" Mike Chlasciak's entire interview with Ferrante's Power Equipment (which also includes a few quotes from PAINMUSEUM singer Tim Clayborne) at this location.