With a consistently strong fan base, there were few countries this band's recordings reached during the tape trading epoch of the Glorious Times that did not herald them on the most high, and deservedly so. Undeniably inspirational, in arguably influential, once this band of young bloods hit the scene in the mid 1980's, and produced a low budget demo tape called 'Life In Grave' - lives began to change all over the world.
Many people deeply entrenched in the extreme music underground began to investigate 'the other sides of the fence' and this short tape was one of the tools which gave cause for many to break free from the redundant 'heavy metal scene' and/or the repetitious punk rock scenes in their respective locations.
It's been 23 years since Scott Peterson was interviewed for Buttface #1, at that time perhaps their most widely accepted record 'Money Talks' had just been recorded and due for release. We were all expecting great things indeed from this amazingly young and fierce Santa Monica act, and weren't disappointed, until the abrupt end of what was one of the highest ranking influences on extreme music today.
According to Scott, these are the absolute earliest photos of Cryptic Slaughter to have been taken. (courtesy - Scott Peterson)
Treasuring the contact of past days, almost two and a half decades later, we jumped at the opportunity to catch up with Scott again for the primary reasons to just see how life's been for the man and to gain Cryptic Slaughter's inclusion in our possible revised reprint of our book: Glorious Times. What came out of all that are some very special flashbacking moments and the ability to shed some more light on what has been going on for Scott during all these years.
Throughout the interview Scott has also shared some candid personal photos with us, and given a little comment about them too! STOKED!
It is with the utmost pleasure that GT is able to bring you a very recent chat with legendary Cryptic Slaughter drummer and United Shoe Brother: Scott Peterson!
These were the days! Can you even imagine this? Well, if you were one of the lucky one, of course you were there!
It's been 23 years since Scott Peterson was interviewed for Buttface #1, at that time perhaps their most widely accepted record 'Money Talks' had just been recorded and due for release. We were all expecting great things indeed from this amazingly young and fierce Santa Monica act, and weren't disappointed, until the abrupt end of what was one of the highest ranking influences on extreme music today.
Treasuring the contact of past days, almost two and a half decades later, we jumped at the opportunity to catch up with Scott again for the primary reasons to just see how life's been for the man and to gain Cryptic Slaughter's inclusion in our possible revised reprint of our book: Glorious Times. What came out of all that are some very special flashbacking moments and the ability to shed some more light on what has been going on for Scott during all these years.
Throughout the interview Scott has also shared some candid personal photos with us, and given a little comment about them too! STOKED!
It is with the utmost pleasure that GT is able to bring you a very recent chat with legendary Cryptic Slaughter drummer and United Shoe Brother: Scott Peterson!
GT: You were what, 14 years old when you joined CS? How long had you been playing drums up until that point?
SCOTT: I had been playing (serious wise) for maybe 6 months before I joined CS. So once I got in CS I obviously started playing more and practicing more, and just like any instrument, the more you play/practice the better you get. But I've always loved drums and still do to this day, it's the best instrument (in my opinion) in the world!
Above and below: original vinyl 'Convicted'. (photos - Alan Moses)
GT: Did you ever try or consider taking up other instruments besides drums during this formative time?
SCOTT: Well in one band I played samples/keyboards and a little bit of rhythm guitar. I am the bar chord king. But I'm a drummer and that's what I will always be. Even though I love singing/screaming I feel the most comfortable behind the kit banging the shit out of it!
GT: CS broke up in 1988, really not that long after the release of the 3rd record 'Stream Of Consciousness' which we consider as strong an album as the previous 2 musically (not production wise of course). For how long had you continued playing drums from that time period on anyways?
SCOTT: I took a year off from music and drumming after CS broke up, but then I got back to playing drums and being in bands. I still play drums to this day and I will always play drums regardless if I'm in a band or not.
Above and below: original vinyl 'Stream Of Consciousness'. (photos - Alan Moses)
GT: Can you still remember anyone commenting on just how young you were back then? Those early photos were inspirational even in those days of the mid 80's, let alone now 20 odd years have passed.
SCOTT: Our age always comes up as it still does to this day. I think it's rad that by the age of 15 I already had a record contract and was in a band with a 3 other teenagers and we were able to make killer fucking music together. I think our age helped get our name out and make people pay a little more attention to us. Like fuck these 4 kids are making this fucking fast ass music!!!?!?
GT: We recall an interview some time ago you had done when you stated a feeling that you could never go back to playing drums because you couldn't play like you used to any more. Is this still the case Scott?
SCOTT: Well what I meant was that if I was ever going to do a band like the speed of CS that I would have to get back into doing it. Keep in mind, since CS I haven't been in a blast beat type of band. I've played in punk bands and we were fast, but to do a whole set of CS speed songs I would have to get back in shape. I'm not 14 any more ya know!! LOL!!
GT: What of the plans Les was talking to our friend Laurent Ramadier about? Les told him he was working on new CS material which would feature the old line up minus Bill on vocals and minus you on drums...the idea fizzle out or become revised? That was around the time of the Relapse reissues, yet we've heard from you that you all were pretty happy leaving things as they were left back when we were kids, so what's the scoop there?
SCOTT: That's more a question for Les than for me. But when it came about he mentioned to me that he wanted to do new CS songs. but wanted Brian from Wehrmacht to play drums instead of me. I was cool about it and even told him I had no desire to go back in time and try to be in CS again. I'm happy with what we did and I think it should be left there and I know Rob and Bill feel the same way. And I know now that Les feels the same way, I think it was just more of a thought then actually bringing CS back from the dead.
GT: Did you ever record anything after CS closed up shop? Rob went on with Ozzy and Danzig as an example, Les tried to keep CS going with the 4th record Brian did drums on - did you participate in any recordings with different bands, or did you roadie or tech or anything?
SCOTT: I actually recorded 3 records since CS broke up, not at the level Rob is at, but he was actually involved in 2 of the recordings, so that was bad ass. I recorded a record while I was playing samples in a band called "Fear Is Fatal", we were like Soundgarden meets U2. The second band was a NOFX/Bad Religion punk band called "So Abused" and the last band was "Black Monday". We were in the vein of old Social D. and Supersuckers. So Abused and Black Monday aren't together any more, but you can find us on myspace.
"This photo was taken when I played drums for Black Monday. We were a good mixture of old Social D. and old Bad Religion. This was photo was taken at a show at the Key Club, not sure of the date."
-Scott Peterson GT: How long have you been back in touch with various members of the original line up? And what of any of your other friends and contacts from the original days, still up with any of those cronies?
SCOTT: I've been back in touch with the guys since 1991 and we still remain friends till this day. And all our old friends from back in the days I still either talk to or still hang out with. It's great still knowing all these people and seeing how we're all still the same, just older. LOL!!
Above and below: original vinyl 'Money Talks'. (photos - Alan Moses)
GT: You did that killer radio show with Adam Bomb, he had the whole Final Countdown thing going, and those tapes that leaked around are some of the classic peeks into the era. What was that like in general anyways, and do you know whatever happened to him? He seemed like a really killer dude, we know he championed you guys big time too.
SCOTT: I don't know what happen to him, but man he was a killer fucking dude and his show helped soooooooooooooooooooooooooo many bands get known. Every time we were on that show we had a killer time. Even if we weren't on the show we would listen to it or we would just call him and let him know we were coming down. He was always down for CS and like I said, he help get our name out there. I would say besides Katon (Hirax) and Chuck (Death) he was our biggest fan.
"At one of our local dives. What can I say, I love Pabst. My pops used to drink Pabst back in the day, so I guess you can say like father, like son!"
-Scott Peterson
GT: Did you stay in the general area you grew up in Scott or did you move around the US or elsewhere like many of us have done over the years?
GT: Did you stay in the general area you grew up in Scott or did you move around the US or elsewhere like many of us have done over the years?
SCOTT: Yeah I did. I was born and raised in Santa Monica. I love L.A. and I don't think I could live any where else. All my family and friends are here, so why would I leave. But you never know, maybe one day I'll go and retire in good old Austin, Texas. I love that place!
"This photo was taking by my pops of me and Hutch. It's the only picture I have of him where he doesn't look happy. I'm glad I stopped sporting the clean shaven look though."
- Scott Peterson
GT: Most metal haven's are industrialized cities with factory backdrops, cities filled with hard working blue collar people. To outsiders at least, our image of the Northwest is of greenery and lush forests. What about the Northwest made it possible for bands such as Cryptic Slaughter and Wehrmacht to germinate their own special sound?
GT: Most metal haven's are industrialized cities with factory backdrops, cities filled with hard working blue collar people. To outsiders at least, our image of the Northwest is of greenery and lush forests. What about the Northwest made it possible for bands such as Cryptic Slaughter and Wehrmacht to germinate their own special sound?
SCOTT: Well we weren't from the same area as Wehrmacht. They were from Portland and we're from Santa Monica. But growing up near the beach, skating and riding bikes we didn't have much to be pissed off about. We were very lucky to have grown up where we did. I don't think where we lived helped develop our sound, it was the bands we were influenced by that did.
"This picture is when I was playing drums for the hillbilly band "The Ditch Diggers". This photo was taken in good old Las Vegas when we were doing a small tour, as you can see I was having a good time!"
- Scott Peterson
GT: How's the scene changed in your area, from your vantage point and experience, compared to it's hey day?
GT: How's the scene changed in your area, from your vantage point and experience, compared to it's hey day?
SCOTT: The way it has changed in my area is that there is no more scene. I know there's still shows and all, but it's not the same as when we were involved in it. You got to remember we were there when the scene first started, so it was exciting and new. It was a different time back then.
GT: It's certainly about time that you guys are being shown the respect you deserve, even though it's all these years later. What do you think about all this now days anyways, we were all kids then and created our own scene - you were 14 years old man. Good GOD! Yet now there are kids not much older than that now running about with their new CS shirts on and sending in photos of their picture disc reissues hehehe.
SCOTT: I think it's killer that people still remember us and hold such a high regard for us. It's flattering to say the least, but we all appreciate it so much. I'm also glad to see the younger generation being into CS and other bands like Death, Hirax, etc. It has to happen. Our fans from back in the days are now parents so they're turning their kids onto the music they listen to and it's great. Because of that CS and all the other bands will never die!
GT: How do you feel Scott now your are a bit long in the tooth like us? You've still got those youthful pretty boy good looks....hehe.
SCOTT: LOL!!! I feel pretty damn good to tell you the truth, but there's days where I do feel my age.
LONG IN THE TOOTH BUT STILL SNAPPILY DRESSED!
Legends bearing the mark of legends. King Fowley (Deceased) and Tom Stevens (Nokturnel) sexing it up at a recent CS apparel modeling shoot. (photo - Eloisa Stevens)
LONG IN THE TOOTH BUT STILL SNAPPILY DRESSED!
GT: When did you get away from the straight-edge life style you were living back in the old days anyways? Why was that?
SCOTT: I got away from it after CS, though I didn't start drinking till I was 21. I guess you can say that my Swedish, Russian and Irish heritage caught up to me! LOL! I never disliked drinking, it just wasn't something I cared about when I was a teenager and I'm glad that I didn't start drinking until I got older. I still don't do any drugs, the worst I do is drink beer and smoke cigarettes.
(photo - Alyssa Sandoval)
"This was taken by Alyssa on our trip to Santa Barbara. Great town, great time and great wines too!!!" -Scott Peterson
GT: Are you amazed that stuff you did nearly a quarter of a century ago as a kid is still held up in such high esteem by so many?
SCOTT: Yeah I am. I never thought that 20 something years later people would still be talking about us or even care about us, but I'm honored and happy that people do. It's great and I'm thankful for every CS fan out there since day one! It's because of guys like you that people still know who we are! So thank you!
GT: Still active in bands? or in the scene in some way? You've stepped up the web presence of CS's memory, that much is very evident, and as we said there's a good cross section of a fan base making itself known since you have been cool enough to upload photos and so on.
GT: Are you amazed that stuff you did nearly a quarter of a century ago as a kid is still held up in such high esteem by so many?
SCOTT: Yeah I am. I never thought that 20 something years later people would still be talking about us or even care about us, but I'm honored and happy that people do. It's great and I'm thankful for every CS fan out there since day one! It's because of guys like you that people still know who we are! So thank you!
GT: Still active in bands? or in the scene in some way? You've stepped up the web presence of CS's memory, that much is very evident, and as we said there's a good cross section of a fan base making itself known since you have been cool enough to upload photos and so on.
SCOTT: I stopped playing in touring bands in 2005 and stop playing in bands in 2009. I still go to shows and I still playing on recording music. But the days of getting in a van to tour or passing out flyer for shows is over. I'll always be around music no matter what. Well with the CS page it's there because the fan base is still there, which, like I said blows me away! So as long as there CS fans out there I will always make sure you guys know what's going on with us!
(photo - Alyssa Sandoval)
"Alyssa took this picture of me last year when we went to Disneyland. We had to escape for a bit and grab a couple of drinks in downtown Disney."
"Alyssa took this picture of me last year when we went to Disneyland. We had to escape for a bit and grab a couple of drinks in downtown Disney."
- Scott Peterson
GT: What was that last band you were doing vocals for anyway? We know you were up to something and for us having been out of touch with your shenanigans for so long we weren't even sure if you were still alive.
SCOTT: That was a band called "So Abused". I've done 3 tour of duties with those guys. The first 2 where on drums and the last one was with me and the other vocalist Scott. It was killer we had 2 guitar players, 2 singers and we're all jumping and flying around the stage. I'm still friends with those guys even though we're not a band any more.
SO ABUSED (photo - Lora B. of doggiestylephotography)
SCOTT: LOL!!! Yeah I did and still do. When I first met my girl, she said, wait, you're name is Scott Peterson?!?! Well fuck, we're never going fishing together that's for sure! LOL!! But he didn't kill his parents, it was his pregnant wife. What a piece of shit he is! I'm just glad I'm not that dude!
(photo - Alyssa Sandoval)
GT: What was that last band you were doing vocals for anyway? We know you were up to something and for us having been out of touch with your shenanigans for so long we weren't even sure if you were still alive.
SCOTT: That was a band called "So Abused". I've done 3 tour of duties with those guys. The first 2 where on drums and the last one was with me and the other vocalist Scott. It was killer we had 2 guitar players, 2 singers and we're all jumping and flying around the stage. I'm still friends with those guys even though we're not a band any more.
"This is when I was one of two singers and was my third tour of duty with So Abused. It was taken before a show at a place called Liam's Irish Bar in Riverside, Calif.
It was a great band, with a great show and we always had a good time."
It was a great band, with a great show and we always had a good time."
-Scott Peterson
GT: Speaking of that, did you get a lot of shit around the time that guy with your name was on trial for killing his parents? When we heard about that one we both though "not the CS drummer!" hehe. Crazy but true, and we think maybe we're not the only people that thought this either.
SCOTT: LOL!!! Yeah I did and still do. When I first met my girl, she said, wait, you're name is Scott Peterson?!?! Well fuck, we're never going fishing together that's for sure! LOL!! But he didn't kill his parents, it was his pregnant wife. What a piece of shit he is! I'm just glad I'm not that dude!
"Alyssa's Pop and I. It was taken at our "Day Of The Dead" party that we have every year and this was his costume. Fucking great picture!"
-Scott Peterson
GT: Back on the scene thing - any bands that are still active that you really follow with a passion from the pioneering days? Out of curiosity, have you ever heard anything by Geriatric Unit (ex Heresy members and Glorious Times favourite)?
SCOTT: Well of course I still follow Hirax, Wehrmacht, The Accused, Exodus, Slayer and GBH. Can't say that I have ever heard of them, but I will check them out now that you mention them.
GT: What about the young bloods in today's scene, is there anything special to you coming from them? Out of curiosity, have you ever heard or seen Punch from California (another Glorious Times favourite).
SCOTT: Never heard of Punch, but I'll check into them as well. I'm not really into the new bands, the only one that comes to my mind is a band from Oakland called "Saviours". They just played the second stage at Ozzfest and just imagine Black Sabbath meets Exodus, killer band!
(photo - Lora B. of doggiestylephotography)
GT: Back on the scene thing - any bands that are still active that you really follow with a passion from the pioneering days? Out of curiosity, have you ever heard anything by Geriatric Unit (ex Heresy members and Glorious Times favourite)?
SCOTT: Well of course I still follow Hirax, Wehrmacht, The Accused, Exodus, Slayer and GBH. Can't say that I have ever heard of them, but I will check them out now that you mention them.
GT: What about the young bloods in today's scene, is there anything special to you coming from them? Out of curiosity, have you ever heard or seen Punch from California (another Glorious Times favourite).
SCOTT: Never heard of Punch, but I'll check into them as well. I'm not really into the new bands, the only one that comes to my mind is a band from Oakland called "Saviours". They just played the second stage at Ozzfest and just imagine Black Sabbath meets Exodus, killer band!
"This one was taken by my friend Lora B with her dog Booh, Lora took a lot of photos for the band So Abused that I was in."
- Scott Peterson GT: Did little Scotty Peterson, pioneering drummer of age 14 years, ever settle down so to speak, and get hitched or have kids later on in life? We know you are an Uncle and you love that title to death.
SCOTT: LOL!! I gave marriage a shot twice in my 20's but they didn't last because I was too young and never should have gotten married. But what can you do, but learn from it and move on. No kids for me. My girl has a son, so we're waiting for him to have kids and I'll be happy being a grandpa and a step dad. Plus I have close friends with kids along with my girls niece and they all call me Uncle Scotch, so life is good in that area!
(photo - courtesy Scott Peterson)
"This photo was taken by my old roommate when I was living in the valley, we didn't have a pool, so we would fill the hot tub with cold water and sit in there to cool off and have some beers!"
SCOTT: LOL!! I gave marriage a shot twice in my 20's but they didn't last because I was too young and never should have gotten married. But what can you do, but learn from it and move on. No kids for me. My girl has a son, so we're waiting for him to have kids and I'll be happy being a grandpa and a step dad. Plus I have close friends with kids along with my girls niece and they all call me Uncle Scotch, so life is good in that area!
"This photo was taken by my old roommate when I was living in the valley, we didn't have a pool, so we would fill the hot tub with cold water and sit in there to cool off and have some beers!"
- Scott Peterson
GT: What about the other members of CS and any other friends from back in the glorious times? We know Duffy just got married and has a youngin, and Brian Lehfeldt has a son too - it's kinda cool to learn about how life has gone for these people whose music is a huge part of our lives.
SCOTT: Les has a 12 year old son who's killer at skating and playing soccer. Bill has a daughter and is happily married. And Rob is happily married and kicking major ass in OZZY! We're all still friends and we're all still alive and happy!
" This is my family's dog Hutch, he's an amazing, kick ass dog. He's 85 pounds of pure love and my best friend!"
- Scott PetersonTHE FINAL WORD FROM SCOTT PETERSON:
"I think it's awesome that you guys are doing the book! We weren't in the first installment, but will be in the new one and I can't wait to see the book and read it. I'm spreading the word about you guys and your book, I know it's going to be a major success and thanks for including CS in it!!!!"
YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE OTHER BANDS SCOTT HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH POST-CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER RIGHT HERE!
SO ABUSED OFFICIAL MYSPACE
BLACK MONDAY OFFICIAL MYSPACE
and finally, if you'd like to investigate the band Scott said has peaked his interest, here's a link to them too:
SAVIOURS OFFICIAL MYSPACE
*We'd like to thank Uncle Scotch again for the amazing catch up session which we have hoped for, for so dam long, we really appreciate you sharing some great photos with us too. It is the closest thing to sitting and having a couple beers and thumbing through the old photo albums.
Thanks to Bernd Backhaus who innocently aided and abetted this, and to Eloisa Stevens for her magnificent photo of Tom and Kingsleypooh in their crooning attire for all seasons - which never gets outdated. THE ALMIGHTY CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER!
Great interview, rad pics and killer info.
ReplyDeleteI love CS and only wish there was more blogs like this that focused on these rad bands. I'm a thrasher and hate death metal, but this CS interview and the Excel bootleg/blog post are heaps great.
thanks for the great posts. Would love to see more thrash bands featured - Forced Entry, Evil dead, Sacred Reich, Suicidal Tendencies, anything venice related.
But anyway keep up the mad work
Great interview!CS were very influential to me in making music and they were coveted by metalheads and punx alike.
ReplyDeleteHey fellas, we really appreciate the feedback. CS was a major turning point for Alan and set the pace towards a more and more hardcore punk oriented outlook on music - it's great to get people's comments on shared experiences in that regard since CS was and remains such a blistering testament to the GT. We'd like to do more stuff in this field as time permits since we're currently working on revisions to GT's first edition for a possible reprinted alternate version. Who knows what or who'll be next, we're trying to keep the posts as varied and interesting (to us at least) and are quite proud that guys such as yourselves take the time to share your thoughts. Since we are not "death metal" per se, but about the glorious times that culminated in the death era, we have a great deal of room to move amongst styles and bands since we're both great fans of many not particularly one genre or the other. :)
ReplyDelete