TorrentiaL RIFF Interviews GREG MINIER

Hi guys!
here is an interview i did with Greg Minier from the Crucified/Applehead
Check it out here

Very cool!

Very cool!

I was a big fan of the Crucified. 

Greg is a very talented multi-instrumentalist. He made that first Minier EP playing everything. He did it before Dave Grohl was known for it (and recently Wolfgang Van Halen).

Just because he was on a small Christian label and not under the spotlight of the mainstream industry, his music and accomplishments were overlooked and basically unknown to most rock music fans.

I listened to the whole interview. A lot of history was covered (minus the private personal info). 

That said, I disagree with Greg’s opinion about the sound quality of the first Crucified album. It was meant to be raw and unpolished. It’s old school crossover thrash (and I love the Slayer influence). But I get it… his taste has drastically changed over the years.

He’s also a bit self-deprecating regarding his ability on guitar. But I rather that than a egomaniac! 

I hope this new classic metal influenced Applehead record leads to one last Crucifed project. Maybe a killer EP!

A band name like "Annihilator" sells better than "The Jeff Waters Project".  That's just the way the thrash buying public behaves.

Probably one of the biggest reasons his solo album didn't take off as much as it should have.

Also the lack of live shows and a follow-up.

Temple of Blood wrote:A band name like "Annihilator" sells better than "The Jeff Waters Project".  That's just the way the thrash buying public behaves.

Probably one of the biggest reasons his solo album didn't take off as much as it should have.

Also the lack of live shows and a follow-up.

Well he definitely couldn’t label his solo EP a “Crucified” release. I think most of his fans were aware of his project… but it didn’t have the same collaborative magic as the actual Crucified band. The riffs were solid and the vocals were good too, but most fans want the real deal. Mark Salomon had a certain voice and style, and Jim Chaffin is a very respected and influential drummer (within the Christian heavy music underground). 

Indeed, fans are stuck on frivolous things like (what name is on the album). There are few exceptions… Ozzy and Dio did very well on their own as solo artists. Even Dave Mustaine would have way less album sells if he went solo and ditched the Megadeth moniker. 

You are also correct about the lack of live shows from Minier. Heck, even the Crucified didn’t tour that much! If you noticed, Ted and Tourniquet have never toured much either. Just a few select shows “mini tours” and festival appearances. Part of that is because the small Christian labels didn’t have the money to support the touring.

I think MINIER had potential beyond just trying to appeal to some subset of The Crucified fans.

Good point about Christian metal band touring.

If the Minier release had bass, I think it would have done a lot better. THat being said, I wore the heck out of it.

I loved Applehead, and played that think til the mouse showed up on the tape. My wife played a sample of his new stuff that he posted on Facebook, and I'm on the fence. It definitely isn't old school Applehead.

Thanks for posting, i watched the other night, was very interesting. Applehead Meaning was a tape i thrashed back in the 90's, looking forward to the new album. If you watch the interview through to the end there's something cool there.