Metal Mike Chlasciak of HALFORD

Head of Artist Relations, Evan Skopp, spends some time with Metal Mike backstage at Ozzfest 2010.

How’s Ozzfest been going so far? Any stories?

MM: Ozzfest is incredible! I mean there is so much talent all in one day. You get Zakk’s BLS, The Metal God, Motley Crue and Ozzy. It’s a headbanger’s paradise to be very honest. As far as stories, man… we are working on some for sure. As far as the Halford band, we are not very good sleepers. We stay out pretty late.
In what ways have your playing style and musical interests evolved over the years?
MM: I really took care to clean up my mind and focus on being in control of my guitar playing. I always had a lot of raw energy that was exciting and I thought of how I can take that all in and funnel it into something more controllable. I still wanted to retain the excitement, the element of not being to expect what I was going to play next. I think I’m getting better at it. Some of the control comes from pretty much touring the world a few times over in the last 10 years; but also some from, you know, just staying healthy and focusing on what you want to accomplish.
My musical interests are pretty much the same as they were few years ago. I really long for quality and for something new and exciting. I have little patience for copycat artists. I like singers, Tina Turner or Mariah Carey; but obviously my heart belongs to Heavy Metal.
Describe your introduction to Seymour Duncan pickups and stompboxes.

MM: I have followed my ears to be honest. I heard some guitars that had Seymour Duncans in them and really liked the way they sounded. I think a perfect pickup should amplify the sound that is in your hands foremost and also of the guitar. It should not sound like a distortion box and should not hide the subtle little things. Seymour Duncans delivers all these qualities and to top it off, the pickups are really well made. I’ve spilled beer and sweated buckets on my guitars and here they are: still going. I have not tried any Duncan stompboxes, but hey-there’s always the new beginning, right?

Are all of your Jacksons set up the same or are some set up for a certain feel or tone?
MM: They are all very similar. All my guitars play very very similar. Tones come out of the guitars themselves, not necessarily as far as I set them up. I do spend a few good minutes upon getting a new guitar on moving the pickups up and down by their screws. This gives me right amount of sustain-to-tone that is needed based on my playing and the rest of the gear that I am using. This varies for each guitar. But, this is what I love about my Jacksons – they are a perfect match to Duncans. They work together very nicely. I am a big fan of the SH4 JB model in the bridge.
What are your favorite songs to perform live?
MM: “Golgotha” and “Locked & Loaded” from Halford. I like the heavy, fast stuff. I have been working on my solo record called The Metalworker and the album will have some absolute rippers to play live. I have a good feeling about the tracks on that. Some titles are “Don’t Shoot The Crown,” “Hell No,” and “On Leather Wings.” I like to feel the adrenaline. I need to hear the double bass kick drum and my guitars with a good crunchy tone that sounds like 10 dogs barking right in your face… To me, it’s Metal nirvana.
What new projects do you have in the works?
MM: Well, in October we will be releasing a new studio album from HALFORD called Made of Metal which will be followed by an arena tour with another well known act. Then right at the beginning on next year, I’ll be releasing my solo record The Metalworker which I’ll promote as much as I can through live shows and guitar clinic tours. Stay in touch www.MetalMike.net
Make sure to catch OZZY OSBOURNE – MOTLEY CRUE – HALFORD & more at Ozzfest!
8.14.2010 – San Manuel Amphitheater, Devore, CA
8.17.2010 – First Midwest Bank Amphitheater, Tinley Park, IL
8.19.2010 – First Niagara Pavilion, Burgettstown, PA
8.21.2010 – Comcast Theater, Hartford, CT
8.22.2010 – Susquehanna Bank Center, Camnden, NJ
8.24.2010 – Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA