Geoff Thorpe of Vicious Rumors Interview
INTERVIEW WITH VICIOUS RUMORS’ GEOFF THORPE
Date: August 12, 2016
Interviewer: Metal Headz Media
IT’S INCREDIBLE TO THINK THAT POWER METAL VETERANS, VICIOUS RUMORS, STARTED ALL THE WAY BACK IN 1979 AND HAVE BEEN SPEARHEADED BY GUITARIST GEOFF THORPE. VICIOUS RUMOURS HAVE ALREADY RELEASED ELEVEN STUDIO ALBUMS AND FOUR LIVE ALBUMS, AND ARE ABOUT TO RELEASE THEIR TWELFTH STUDIO ALBUM ENTITLED ‘CONCUSSION PROTOCOL’ ON AUGUST 26, 2016. SLEAZE ROXX CAUGHT UP WITH VICIOUS RUMORS’ PASSIONATE LEADER GEOFF THORPE TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM AND WHAT FANS CAN EXPECT TOUR WISE FROM VICIOUS RUMORS!
Sleaze Roxx: Vicious Rumors have been around for over 35 years. If someone was to be introduced to this band for the first time, which album would you say they should listen to first and why?
Geoff Thorpe: I’m a real live in the now type of guy! So I would play someone the ‘Concussion Protocol’ album. If they liked it of course, I would suggest our extensive back catalog. ‘Concussion Protocol’ is our 12th studio album. So to me, it’s important to first hear and see the band in the here and now. I would personally recommend ‘Digital Dictator’ as well as our Atlantic albums, ‘Razorback Killers’ and ‘Electric Punishment.’ These albums show all the diversity and power of the band.
Sleaze Roxx: Throughout your career, there has been numerous lineup changes. This would end most bands, so what is it that has kept Vicious Rumors alive and kicking?
Geoff Thorpe: Vicious Rumors runs on fire and passion. I drive the machine forward but it’s a team effort. If you look at any bands that have been together as long or half as long as Vicious Rumors, there’s line up changes. It’s just part of life. Things change. It’s being able to roll with the changes that keeps you going. Metallica, Priest, Sabbath, Maiden, Testament, Death Angel, Megadeth, Iced Earth… the list goes on and on… All have had many line-up changes. ZZTop might be the only one who still have the same guys [laughs]! No apologies, no excuses… We have had a great line-up for the last three years. [I would] love to keep it going. If not, I’ll come up with another one and keep the ball rolling. Life is always changing…. I’m not afraid!
Sleaze Roxx: Your new release ‘Concussion Protocol’ is the debut of vocalist Nick Holleman. What has he added to the group and the songwriting?
Geoff Thorpe: Nick really brings back the melodic and classic feel from the Carl Albert days. He also brings a fresh perspective in. He’s able to be brutal and melodic with great musical style and harmony. It’s been great working together! I write a lot of the lyrics and melody too. We have a very good chemistry.
Sleaze Roxx: What are the aspirations for the lyrics on ‘Concussion Protocol?’
Geoff Thorpe: ‘Concussion Protocol’ tells a story from song one to eleven about the world being destroyed by an asteroid… No religion can stop it. No man can buy his way out of it. It’s a nightmare really about humanity unraveling at the news. The music was so powerful we wanted the cover, lyrics, and a story to match the aggressive but also classic Vicious Rumors feel. We live in the age of disasters. ‘Concussion Protocol’ is the ultimate and last disaster of all time. We destroyed the whole planet!
Sleaze Roxx: What are your touring plans for ‘Concussion Protocol?’
Geoff Thorpe: We’ve confirmed for the Dirkschneider tour in Europe with some headline shows in the middle from October 31 to December 18, 2016. We’ve also been confirmed at Bang Your Head Festival in Germany next summer with Vince Neil doing a special Mötley Crüe set. [We have an] USA tour plans in the works. Don’t be surprised to see Vicious Rumors at 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise again either. It’s gonna be a great year or two of touring.
Sleaze Roxx: For anyone who has not seen your live show, what can we expect to see and hear?
Geoff Thorpe: Vicious Rumors is a live band. We love to throw the energy back and forth with the audience. We play hard to the point of risking our lives at every show! Nick even broke his jaw on a guitar head stalk at a festival two years ago. We play all the classics from our first four albums and the best of our new album. We want every show to be a night of metal that haunts you… A night to never forget! That’s our goal at every show.
Sleaze Roxx: Are you finding that your fans want to hear all your previous work or are they hungry for the new songs?
Geoff Thorpe: We have such a long history everyone has their favorite songs and albums. We just try to give a great show. Most people are very happy with our mix of classic and soon to be classic new songs.
Sleaze Roxx: If you could create your own music festival, which bands would you invite to be part of the event? Would you want to be a fan in the crowd or would you have Vicious Rumors headline the festival?
Geoff Thorpe: The Vicious Festival! Great idea!! We could headline and play different sets and albums [because] we have so much material. I’d love to play with Maiden so they would have to headline the first night [laughs]! I’m old school. I’d go with two days with Saxon, Maiden, Priest, Sabbath, Armored Saint, Vicious Rumors of course [laughs], Sanctuary, Death Angel, Arch Enemy, and many more. I love the festivals, especially in Europe. They know how to do it right.
Sleaze Roxx: What are some of your favorite bands to come out in the last 10 years and why?
Geoff Thorpe: You know, at the moment, I can’t think of one. Old school rules!
Sleaze Roxx: Any last comments that you would like to add about the band or to your fans?
Geoff Thorpe: If you’re gonna do it, do it right. A huge Vicious Rumors thanks to all the fans who support us! We’re nothing without you. See you on tour. Metal on!