Chris Barnes (Six Feet Under)
March 2007
A very uninteresting interview with the either stoned or drunk (or both) band leader of Six Feet Under.
You have released a box set of 4 CDs and a DVD in 2005. Was it the label's idea to come out with that?
Actually it was the band’s idea to do it. Since it was our 10th Anniversary, we wanted to release something that would accomplish all of our work and everyone seemed to like it. We had a lot of good material on there like songs from the bands entire career and a bunch of cool videos, so everyone seemed to like it. I had a lot of good feedback from the fans.
How did you compile the songs for this release?
We picked what we thought was the most important stuff for the box set. We put out a lot of rarities on there as well, so pretty much everything we ever done was released by now.
The new Six Feet Under album is in the stores very son. What can the kids expect?
They can expect the usual. A kickass Six Feet Under CD. 10 new songs are in the Six Feet Under style.
How does it compare to the previous stuff?
Like all our music. It’s hard to me to critique our music. I like everything we do. It’s a good CD, man! I really enjoy it. We just write. We have our style. We all are very comfortable with our writing style. We don’t think about things too much, we just put new songs together. It’s just a very comfortable situation when we get into the writing process.
How long it took to write all the songs this time?
It took a couple of weeks to write the songs and we were in the studio for three months or so. We just did the writing the way we always do. We feel very comfortable with our writing, so there’s no reason to change.
The album takes off with the song “Doomsday”. What will be our doomsday like?
I think it’s pretty self explain it. (Laughs) Doomsday is pretty much the end of all things. Hopefully it’ll be a beginning of things too.
What would you be doing that moment?
I’d be smoking a big fat joint, man!
How did you end up naming the album “Commandment”?
I just felt that it was a very powerful word that could be interpreted in many different ways. And I thought it was interesting to call the record like that.
The album contains 10 songs. Can we say that the 10 commandments of death metal?
Nah, I wouldn’t say so, but it’s however you wanna look at it.
Can you tell me about the themes you deal in your lyrics?
I think that’s interpreted by the listener and the reader whoever is reading the lyrics. It’s about each person to interpret it the way they want. I don’ t wanna give too much away.
How do you see yourself as a lyricist over the years?
I think I’ve written down some pretty interesting stories and I can see me to do things the same way I always have.
Do you have a favourite song on the album?
I don’t have a favourite. I like them all.
What song do you think could work out the best on stage?
Not sure. We haven’t played any of the songs live yet. We haven’t started rehearsing for a concert tour yet. As soon as we’re doing that we’ll know what songs we’re gonna play.
Do you find it hard to compile a setlist when you are preparing for a tour?
We just pick the songs we like to play. We just choose the songs we enjoy playing for each tour. We have a lot of songs to pick from but we just pick the ones we enjoy playing and just do it like that.
Is there any song that you don’t enjoy playing live anymore but the fans ask for it?
No, if we don’t enjoy something we wouldn’t play it.
Last year you have cancelled the X-Mass Festival Tour. What happened?
We had scheduled time in the studio and it was very important for us to get in the studio and record the new album.
Btw, did you have a good time in the studio?
Yeah, it was a good session. We had a good time together. It was fine. It was me producing the album again just as I did with our last 4-5 records.
How do you see your development as a producer?
I always look forward and never look behind me. I just try to take one step at a time and do the best I can with the music. I just try my best.
What are your touring plans for 2007?
Well, we haven’t had really time yet to set anything up. I’m sure we’re going to do a tour of Europe and a tour of the States after the record’s released.
Are there any bands you’d like to go out and tour with?
No, I don’t care about opening bands. They are really not too important to me. I don’t care about who opens up the show for us as long as we’re on stage.
You seem to have a very stable line-up since Steve joined and that’s not very usual. What could be the secret?
We’re just friends and get along very well and we enjoy writing music together.
You are on Metal Blade since the beginning of your career. How is it working out for you?
Metal Blade is great. There’s not a better record label out there. They are best in business and I’m really happy for working for them for so long.
Never even thought about changing labels?
Nope. I hope to finish my career with Metal Blade as well.
What was the best and worst period of your career?
I’ve always had great times no matter it was hard time or good times. I’ve enjoyed every minute of my career.