When the subject of the early days of thrash metal music comes up, the number of truly influential bands can be counted on one hand: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth — and Anthrax. From 1984-91, Anthrax infected the metal scene with singer Joey Belladonna, Scott Ian (rhythm guitar), Dan Spitz (lead guitar), Charlie Benante (drums) and Frankie Bello (bass). Following the pioneering Clash of the Titans tour in 1991 that featured Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer and an up-and-coming opening band named Alice in Chains, Anthrax parted with Belladonna in favor of former Armored Saint vocalist John Bush. Belladonna released solo material before rejoining Anthrax for a 2005-06 reunion tour

Anthrax sold more than 8 million records with Belladonna, spawning classics such as “Caught in a Mosh,” “Indians” and a cover of Trust's “Anti-social.”

Belladonna has resumed his solo efforts and will headline Fiestapalooza at Rosedale Park as part of his Never Look Back tour. He promises to perform solo and Anthrax material ..... but he doesn't claim responsibility for any headbanging injuries that may result. He spoke with 210SA from California:
 

How challenging is it to have your solo music accepted by the masses that will always know you as the singer of one of metal's heaviest and most influential acts?

It's nice to get everything off the ground. I'm always linked to the things I've done, and that comes with it, but it's nice to move on. Things are much more straight-up now.

How would you describe the differences between your solo music and Anthrax?

The vocals are not as busy. It's more varied in different ways. I'm not sure how to describe it. It's more relaxing.

You did the reunion tour and a live album (Alive 2) in 2005. Why not stay with Anthrax after that tour and make a new album?

They wanted to do baby steps. I didn't anticipate anything. We had 18 months. There were no plans, and no one made anything defined. Everybody's agendas lined up in different ways. I didn't think there needed to be a change (in singers in 1993) in the first place. There's no reason why it shouldn't have flown and continued to take off.

How are your current musicians different than playing with Anthrax?

It was kind of (Anthrax's) band to start. Overall, it's more collective now. Anthrax was more business-oriented. Everyone had different agendas.

Favorite tour or Anthrax moment?

Most of the big tours we did — Iron Maiden, Kiss, Ozzy, Judas Priest. There was even one show we did with Bon Jovi. Those kind of tours were pretty awesome overall.

When you look back over the years, do you feel Anthrax received its just due and respect in terms of where it fit into the metal scene?

Oh, yeah, we got plenty of praise. I have no complaints.

I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you that in 1988, while in high school, four of my friends and I won $200 in a lip-sync contest at a dance club. We did “I'm the Man” and beat out two guys doing Guns N' Roses' “Sweet Child O' Mine” and two guys dancing to Kool and the Gang's “Emergency.”

We've all been there with the lip-sync contests. (Awkward pause.) That's cool.

Jay Nanda | 210SA contributor