Frank had been in Anthrax since 1985. In the mid 90s, unhappy with how their major label handled things while the record companies fell apart around them, they went independent. His point: touring is how Anthrax built its audience, and that's still the plan. Headlining Mayhem's second stage was about winning over kids who knew the name but had never seen the band.
On downloading, he understands it but wants songwriters paid, since that's how musicians feed their families. The record companies, he says, haven't caught up, and nobody has found the balance yet.
For new bands it's harder: no MTV, never any radio for this kind of music, record deals that cover recording and little else. Get a lawyer before you sign, write songs that sound like you, and stay hungry.
Persistence and patience.
Frank Bello, Anthrax
You got to be hungry and you got to stay hungry.
Frank Bello, Anthrax
What to take from it: Read the contract with a lawyer, then outwork everyone on the road.
Quotes are from the interview audio, trimmed for filler words only.
