Interview with Six Feet Under lead singer Chris Barnes

Recently vocalist and Sic Feet Under frontman Chris Barnes spoke with me about their new CD Graveyard Classics 3. This release is a collection of tunes that inspired the band and includes songs from groups as varied as Twisted Sister and Slayer. This is the newest release from the “God Fathers” of Death Metal and here is what Chris has to say.

How are you doing Chris?
Chris: Doing well.

Now that your new CD, Graveyard Classics 3 is now complete. How do you feel about it and are you satisfied with the outcome?
Chris: Yeah I am.

All right, there is a wide range of cover tunes on this disc, everything from Twisted Sister to Slayer. How did you go about selecting the songs to include?
Chris: We all dig the same type of music so that is where we went with it.

Are there any plans for a fourth in the series?
Chris: I am not sure yet. We might do another one.

You produced this record yourself. Do you find it difficult taking on the role of producer as well as being the vocalist?
Chris: I have been producing my own stuff for a while now so it is pretty easy.

When you guys are in the studio do you decide on a suitable tone fairly quickly or do you tweak tones obsessively?
Chris: We pretty much have our own sound down now and we just have a few minor tweaks here and there.

What are some of your favorite tracks off of the record?
Chris: I like them all and I do not really have any favorites.

Do you think Six Feet Under is getting more respect now than they you were ten or fifteen years ago?
Chris: I don’t know. I don’t really pay attention to any of that shit. I just do what I do and hopefully we will continue to have fun with it.

When you compare the early days of Death Metal to the scene today how do you feel things have changed for better or for worse?
Chris: I don’t know. I don’t really look at things like that. It is not what I am interested in so I don’t really focus on it.

You guys are known for touring quite a bit. Do you find that the rigors of touring are taking more of a toll?
Chris: Not really, I am used to it.

Along those same lines all that passion you play with must be tough on you physically. How do you prepare for a tour especially when you are going out on the road for a long time?
Chris: You just have to pace yourself and not get too crazy and get of track. When you are out on the road you need to make sure you play good shows and make sure you take care of yourself. The show comes first.

How much roadwork do you have planned for 2010?
Chris: Yeah we have a bunch of tours lining up. We are going to be touring Europe quite a bit. We will be doing festivals and headlining shows. We are going to be hitting it pretty hard over in Europe.

You mentioned touring Europe do you have any plans to tour the states as well?
Chris: No, not really. I don’t have any plans for doing a US tour. We are going to hold off on that and just concentrate on Europe for now. That is where our major fan base is right now so we are just going to focus on shows over there.

Having already achieved a considerable amount of success with Six Feet Under is there anything left that you would like to accomplish?
Chris: I never really think about anything like that.

You guys have been at this a long time. Can you offer any advice to younger musicians who are just starting out?
Chris: Get out while you can.

I know this CD was just released but are there any plans to release a new studio album of original material?
Chris: Yeah we will be doing another record probably towards the end of the year.

Any closing words?
Chris: I just want to thank you for the interview and hope everyone enjoys the record.