REVEREND Guitarist: DAVID WAYNE 'Wanted Us To Keep Going'

Alternative-Zine.com recently conducted the first interview with REVEREND guitarist Davey Lee since vocalist David Wayne's (ex-METAL CHURCH) death. A couple of excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow:

Alternative-Zine.com: What is the story behind David Wayne's brother trying out for the [REVEREND] vocalist position?

Davey Lee: "After David passed away, we kept in touch with his family assisting them with funeral arrangements and sharing stories about the metal master, David Wayne. I was talking with Dennis in reference to post-funeral matters and during the conversation I asked him what the family's opinion was on us continuing with REVEREND at David's request, of course after a period of mourning. Dennis was quiet, which I respected, then he scared the hell out of me and said, 'Fuck yeah!' Dennis also told us some fascinating stories of him traveling with David Wayne on a couple of METAL CHURCH tours during the 1980s. According to Dennis, David would tell him, 'If anything happens to me, you go out there for me!'"

Alternative-Zine.com: How did you hear about [David's] passing, and what were your thoughts upon hearing about that?

Davey Lee: "I was driving in my car when his girlfriend called me and told me she found him dead, I could not believe what I was hearing, I was in shock. When it finally sunk in I was very torn and angry. He was only 47 years old! How could he be taken? We had so many unfulfilled dreams yet to realize. Later a friend told me that the good Lord had taken him because whatever the master plan was he had completed it. Soon after thinking about it this, I accepted the fact and relived all the good times we had. This gave me closure to my closest friend and brother's death."

Alternative-Zine.com: How and why did you guys decide on forging on?

Davey Lee: "The night before our first show as DAVID WAYNE'S METAL CHURCH, David called us together for a band meeting. It was so different then any meeting we had ever had. During this meeting he thanked all of us for sticking by him all these years and gave us documents stating that in the event of his death his wishes were for us to continue and keep his memory alive. He signed over all the rights to REVEREND and gave us a detailed pecking order, or as he called it chain of command,' of who was in charge and what he wanted us to do. We questioned him on why he was doing this when he kept telling us he was getting better. Little did we know, this was our last band meeting with him. He died two months later. We truly believe he knew he didn't have long and wanted us to keep going. We are doing just that.

"We have been highly criticized for continuing on as REVEREND, but we don't care! We will do as David asked and whoever has a problem with...well, all I can say is, TOO DAMN BAD!"

Read the entire interview at Alternative-Zine.com.