Danzig upset over lack of metal at ‘That Shit’ the Grammys

In March, Danzig announced a number of spring 2022 tour dates across the United States with Cradle of Filth, Tiger Army and Crobot which will include a full performance of their Lucifuge album slated for May 7th at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
As the final guest on Full Metal Jackie’s weekend radio show, Glenn Danzig himself gave details of the tour, including what it takes to pick bands and artists for the accompany on the road. The Misfits legend also shared his thoughts on musical institutions such as the Grammys, noting that they don’t give heavy metal bands the attention they deserve.
“You don’t really see it represented in this shit they call the Grammys,” Danzig said, “There’s so many people that you know, musically and creatively disenfranchised by the whole system. It’s that’s why you have bands that will go on tour and play places that would normally be for pop bands, these bands don’t get any coverage or recognition, but they still sell out big theaters and arenas.
The tour kicks off May 5 at the Grand Sierra Theater in Reno, Nevada.
Read the full interview below.
Great news, there is going to be an American tour in Danzig in the spring. There will also be Cradle of Filth and Crobot for the ride. Glenn, creativity and self-expression are ingrained traits, what sparked that urge as a child to explore your imagination in tangible ways?
Uh, I don’t really know. You know, you just want to be creative and then you want to bring it to the world, I guess, I don’t know. I mostly think back then most of us didn’t feel like we were represented in the kind of music and stuff we liked so we all started doing what we liked , as opposed to what was stuck in your throat by some radio station or magazine or something, so we just created our own thing that we liked.
There’s a series of shows coming up, including one where you’re going to play all of Danzig Lucifuge album. Although you don’t usually seem nostalgic for your own music, what is unique about this album and these songs in particular?
So many different things. Of course, it was the first album that really broke the Top 50 for us, so the label took notice. We started playing in bigger venues and getting worldwide recognition, but I think it’s just that something touched the rebellion of the record at the time. It was all hair bands, you know, that’s what was played and we were like the antithesis of that.
Are you looking forward to playing the entire disc of this show?
Yeah, we did it last year for Psycho Las Vegas and people loved it, so we got an offer to do it in Ontario, California. Toyota Arena prepared a very good invoice, so we accepted and said yes. It’s an excellent range. Danzig does the Lucifuge album, but you have Tiger Army and Cradle of Filth which, I knew Dani [Filth] for a while and we wanted to do shows together here in the US other than the festival situation so eventually it’s gonna happen. And Crobot and an opener called Necrofier who will be showing.
A very cool lineup as usual, you always have a hand in choosing the bands you’re a fan of.
[I select] bands that I’m a fan of and think people should hear too.
I remember at the time nobody wanted to take us out and it was for many different reasons. They were scared – sometimes they were scared of our audience, and that came directly from [the artists’] management. They would say ‘We’re scared of your audience’ or ‘We’re scared of what you say and what you do’ so I make it a point to try to release some really good bands and bands that I think people should hear or that I would like to be on the same stage that I enjoy.
Danzig, the band gave you the opportunity to play with different musicians. Musically and personally, what do you like about the people who will be performing with you on this next set of dates?
tommy [Victor] has to be one of my favorite guitarists of all time. It’s so easy to work with Tommy. And Steve [Zing] I’ve known him since I was a kid, so it’s easy to work with everyone.
Danzig, “Blood and Tears” – Live in Los Angeles in 2018
There’s a tendency to label Danzig, Samhain and Misfits as iconic. Does this stature make you feel accomplished or is it uncomfortable?
I never really think about it. I just do what I do and hope people enjoy it and if they don’t then that sense of individual accomplishment is really what I’m looking for.
So you’re finally doing it for yourself?
I do it for myself, but I also do it for people who are looking for something like what I do that they can’t find anywhere else. So it goes back to the old punk stuff we used to do for people who don’t really understand [recognition]. I still think heavy metal, or whatever you call it, really doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. That’s what I think. You don’t really see it represented in this shit they call the Grammys. You can tell them I said it.
There are so many people who are musically and creatively disenfranchised by the whole system. That’s why you have bands that go on tour and play places that you know would normally be reserved for pop bands. These groups get no coverage or recognition, but they still sell out big theaters and arenas.
Between music, movies, and comics, you never seem idle. Apart from the upcoming concerts, what other projects are you focusing on at the moment?
We have a couple of new comics and art books coming out (UNKNOWN, 8:08) and I’m currently working on four movie scripts. We still take horseman of death In the vampire house in theaters across the country.
i think i will do it Danzig sings Elvis shows again this summer between everything I do in the fall.
Danzig, “Always on My Mind” (Elvis Presley cover)
I’ll ask you until we’re not here to talk about it, but I’ve always come back and gone “Hey, looking at your youth, your anger and your rebellion, do you still feel like this today Glen?
Yes.
Are you still angry?
Yeah, I’m still pissed off about so many things I see. But, I think now, I’m not as crazy as maybe I was then. I’m more temperate.
Thanks to Glenn Danzig for the interview. Pick up your copy of “Danzig Sings Elvis” here and head to his website for tickets and tour information. Follow Danzig on Facebook, Twitter and Spotify and find out where you can hear Full Metal Jackie’s weekend radio show here.
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