Thorn

From Dallas, Texas, the band Thorn were active from mid-eighties (86), to early nineties (93), their demo tape, Moonlight Terror, was recently re-release on cd by Lost Realm Records, with some live extra tracks. We had a chat with their lead singer Kevin Dell Greer, to know a little bit more about them.

Q. - So tell me Kevin, how did your interest in heavy metal music start?

Kevin - I actually went to college for opera. I knew that rock vocalists had a tendency to lose their voice at an early age, due to overstress and incorrect singing technique, so I decided to go into opera to make sure my voice lasted. When I originally began singing, I was into Hendrix, The Beatles, and The Who. I started on drums at 15 years of age and switched to vocals at 18 years of age. My father was an original 50’s rocker and I just carried on the tradition. My interest in heavy metal began in 1975 when I first heard Black Sabbath’s first album. I was 13. When I heard “The Wizard”, it got me into song writing and playing the harmonica. Early Judas Priest, Ronnie James Dio, UFO and The Scorpions were early influences as well. Back then, we just called it rock and roll. The term “heavy metal” wasn’t used much.

Q. - What other bands did you play before Thorn?

Kevin – Before Thorn, I was in Disillusion, The Flying Kazoo Band (with a Hell’s Angels biker, named Moon Rat), Manticora, and Heart Attacker.

Q. - What were your main influences at the beginning of Thorn?

Kevin – Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Ronnie James Dio.

Q. - At this time did you play some covers too, or was it only your own songs?

Kevin – At first, Thorn, was an all original band. That got us our following. We eventually started to play covers, so as to get the lucrative shows. In the mid 80’s you could get a gig playing 3 nights in a row. You played three 45 minute sets on Thursday, and four 45 minute sets on Friday and Saturday. The pay was very good in those days, but you worked your ass off for it!! By the way, we covered everything from AC/DC to Zeppelin. Very versatile band.

Q. - Did you play around Dallas, and the rest of Texas or was it hard for a heavy metal band to be booked in the area?

Kevin – We played throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Texas Metal was at it’s infancy at the time and we were testing the waters, so to say. Some places were very receptive, and others, not so much. It was definitely an experiment every night. The early days of Texas Metal were spent in dark, grimy roadhouses and roughneck biker bars. We saw our fair share of stabbings and beatings. The band had to be as tough as the patrons.

Q. - The demo tape came up in 1987, tell us a bit how it was received by the Texas metal community? Did you try to approach some labels at that time?

Kevin – The 6 song E.P. was very well received in the Dallas area. It was fresh stuff. We were putting out material at the same time as a young Pantera was. As well as Rigor Mortis and Gammacide. All of these bands played together at different times. Thorn was very happy for our Metal brother’s early success. We landed a hit song on the local radio stations, with “Street Fighter”. It had been included in an earlier album compilation called, “Metal Cruelty”. The subsequent write up about our offering led to it’s being put in rotation on various radio stations around Texas. That’s when we decided to make our own album. We hired the best entertainment lawyer and shopped it around. We showcased for all the big labels. Dallas Metal was hot!! But the Dallas music scene is also very fickle. Along came Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians (friends of mine, by the way), and Dallas Metal fell to the wayside. Overnight. Suddenly you couldn’t get a call back from a label. They loved our sound, but it wasn’t what they were after anymore. Cest la vie.

Q. - Does the fact of not being signed a record deal lead to the end of the band? Were you working on new material before you broke up?

Kevin – Lack of a record deal didn’t help. But we were troopers. We wrote many more new songs for a full-length album. I wish I had copies of some of them, but they were all worked out live. I do have videos of the songs but have yet to release them. Maybe someday.

Q. - What do you think that lacked to Thorn to have a successful career?

Kevin – I would have to say the fickleness of the business…..Metal one day….soft pop the next. It was fun while it lasted.

Q. - Did you stay in touch with each other over the years?

Kevin – As a matter of fact, Thorn had a reunion show 3 years ago. All of the original members. Eric Wiethorn, Kephen Hanks, Danny White, Mark Aiken and myself. Fantastic turnout!! Kephen Hanks and myself were recently hooked up in a tribute to Tesla. Unfortunately, Randy Quick, guitar player extraordinaire, passed away about 4 years ago. We all stay in touch to this day.

Q. - Are you happy with the edition made by Lost Realm Records for Moonlight Terror? Is it like a dream come true?

Kevin – It was very nice to hear the old db’s on the tape bumped up a few notches….brought out some stuff I hadn’t heard before. To think that people were interested 30 years on was heartening. It was bold new steps at the time.

Q. - It surprises you that "Moonlight Terror" still has so much acceptation these days?

Kevin – It’s early Texas Metal….it took a while to wrap my head around the fact that people are still interested. I can dig it now.

Q. - Next move, you've been in Strangers for a while, and recorded the album Next Time Around, how did that happen?

Kevin – Strangers were born from the ashes of Thorn. I still had a lot to share musically. It was a natural progression. Strangers plied their craft for 10 years. A Strangers song is always in my head. We never broke up. Just drifted apart.

Q. - Are "Strangers" still active, or you're only working with "Bezel" these days?

Kevin – Strangers does a reunion concert every 3 years. Very big shows. As a matter of fact, the original Strangers is planning a reunion this year. All original players, except for C.J. Sullinger. He is an accomplished New World guitarist at this time. Our bassist, Glenn Malicki played with Omen and Phantom-X for a number of years. We are all still very close. A lot of miles under that band. My main efforts are put towards Bezel these days. The best musicians I have ever played with. We have our second album coming out this year. We have had the honor of playing with Michael Schenker, Kings X, Lynch Mob, Queensryche, Pat Travers and many more.

Q. - In your opinion what are the main differences between the eighties and the reality of today? Do you keep an eye to the metal scene of today?

Kevin – Good question. Musicians in the eighties worked very hard. We didn’t have computers, so we had to network personally. At least by phone. Land based lines, mind you. We had to be on top of our craft, as well as on top of our interacting social skills. We were old school song and dance people. Many a band flyer on a car, or in a club, was placed there by a band member. You couldn’t be lazy. You couldn’t be late. You HAD to do your homework from an album or cassette. You WORKED YOUR BUTT OFF.

Q. - Anything more you want to say, to end up this interview?

Kevin – I suggest you check out Bezel on Amazon, Youtube, Facebook.ITunes, or wherever we may roam…..STAY HARD !!!!

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!