Interview with Tattoo Frank of Premonition

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This is an interview that I did with Tattoo Frank, the front man and vocalist, for Premonition.  It was done 2-2-02

I would like to thank Tattoo Frank, or TF as I call him, for doing this interview!

1.  How long have you been involved with Heavy Metal music?  

Since I was six.  I got the first Black Sabbath album and that pretty much set the pace for the next 30 years.

2.  Do you play any instruments? 

No, but actually I write some of the music.  Can't play a damn thing, but some of the times when I write the lyrics the music is already in my head so I have to transcribe it.                                       

3.  What other bands have you been involved with?  

When I was in high school I sang with Shattered Image for 5 years and other bands that weren't worth a fuck.  I was too loaded for a few years so I got cleaned up and put together Scarred from Chicago - we did originals and an Ozzy/Sabbath tribute, we also put out an e.p.  Then I sang for a band out of the Chicagoland area called The Altar and we also put out an e.p.

4.  When and where was PREMONITION created? 

March of 1997 in Ft Lauderdale, FL

5.  How many albums has the band done? 

Five.  He is Rising, Fame Has a Price, We are Metal, Daily Suicide Live, and Prozac & Razorblades

6.  Tell me about any tours/shows the band has been a part of.  

Shit!  We've opened up for everyone from Quiet Riot, to Thin Lizzy, to Cannibal Corpse.  We've done festivals - we just opened up for Amon Amarth and Diabolic last Sunday.  We've done a shitload of shows!!!

7.  I love the song "WE ARE METAL".  Where did the concept for this song come from?  

I wrote the words and the music sitting at work one day because that's my life and I was fed up with the bullshit I was listening to on the radio!!

8.  Don't hold back on this question.  Tell me how you feel about Corporate Radio. 

It completely fucking sucks!!! With all the corporate cookie cutter bullshit that's going on.  You've got Britney Spears and wigger rock polluting our airwaves.  I have great songs like Didn't Get to Say Goodbye, From a Crayon to a Pistol, Mr Heroin that need to be heard that actually have a fucking message that could maybe change someone's life or view on something, but wont be heard because of the limp bullshit that's going on right now.  FUCK THEM!!!

9.  I know the band has recently gone through some personnel changes.  Tell me about that.  

Well when recording the album Prozac & Razorblades I knew Gorilla and Rich's heads were not in the right place.  It was a very difficult record to make.  We then left for Virginia to play with King Fowley's October 31 band and I knew I couldn't go on the road with these two.  They were too wrapped up in their girlfriends and not the music, so I have them the axe!  Now I have our original drummer - Deth Doug Mirley back on the drums and an old friend of mine for 20 years from the Chicagoland area - Milo.  Together with those two we are some sick motherfuckers!

10.  What would be your idea of the perfect line-up for a METAL FEST?  

Iron Maiden, Manowar, Deceased, Premonition, Iced Earth, Mortician, Venom, Dying Fetus, Necrophagia, and of course Ozzy Osbourne - - it wouldn't get much better than that!

11.  Have you guys ever toured or been overseas? 

No, we are finally playing Germany in June at the Headbangers Festival.  We have a lot of fans over there.  It has been a dream of mine to play there and it's finally coming true.

12.  There are lots of good Heavy Metal bands out there that aren't being recognized.  What advice would you give them?  

Send your shit to anyone & everyone that's true heavy metal and don't be a fucking asshole cuz you never know who you will meet!  Be cool to one another and spread the word as often as you can and when you go on stage - rip their fucking heads off!!!!!

13.  Tell us, the heavy metal fans, what we can do to support heavy metal music.  

Check out bands you've never heard of and as long as they're not wearing a Korn, Slip Knot, or Limp Dipshit shirt buy their stuff - go see them because there might be that one band you've never heard of that will blow your fucking mind.  Check out local magazine's the web - - do what ever you can to keep it alive.

14.  What do you guys like to do for fun when you're not rehearsing or playing gigs? 

Well, we all just go to shows and hang out - have a good time.  We watch movie go out to eat - a lot of shit to do down here in South Florida so we're always hanging somewhere.

15.  Where does the band usually have gigs?  Mostly Florida or do you go to other states? 

We do a lot of national shows here in Florida.  We play Chicago and Virginia often - Michigan - - anywhere we can we go.

16.  How do you feel the band is received when you play gigs?  

Very well.  We are fucking nuts live!!!!  We get the crowds off their asses and make them put their fists in the air.  We've never had a bad response - - ever.  When we go on the place gets fucking nuts!!!

17.  Tell me about the 'club scene' in Florida.  How do they receive heavy metal bands?  

The last couple years have really picked up for metal.  People are finally realizing that metal is the best music and we're getting a lot of shows down here national and local.  It is a tourist state but a lot more people are coming out to shows and we've really had great turnouts the last couple years.

18.  What does PREMONITION, as a band, want to accomplish musically? 

Just to play true heavy metal and to get our music out to true heavy metal fans.  If we make a living at it one day that's fine - if not - we'll continue to make records and keep the heavy metal fire burning.  Hopefully one day we'll get to open up for Iron Maiden or some of the others I've mentioned, but I'll continue to do this till I die. 

19.  Tell me about the new CD you're working on.  

Well, we're not.  We're working in the new members and are undecided whether we will put out a tribute to Iron Maiden e.p. this year or write an e.p. of our own.  We just want to do as many shows as possible this year and it's still early in the year, so we'll see how it goes.

20.  Do you want to say anything to the fans?  The floor is yours! 

Well first of all I'd like to thank you - Neon Blonde - for this interview.  You've been totally cool since I've met you.  To the fans - stay true to what you believe in - no matter what trends will come & go - fuck all of that!!!  Stay true to your hearts, keep the heavy metal flame burning.  Check out our web site for shows, merchandise, and updates.  The power of metal will keep us alive because WE ARE METAL!!!!

Hails to you all!

                     ~ Tattoo Frank

If you would like to contact me for interviews or reviews, email me at the link below and I will get back with you as soon as possible.