Life is tough, so bite your nails and listen to Black Label

Zakk Wylde: Hello!

Wikimetal (Daniel Dystyler): Hi, can I speak to Mr. Zakk Wylde, please?

ZW: This is Zakk.

W (DD): Hi Zakk, how are you? This is Daniel from Wikimetal in Brazil, how are you?

ZW: Hey! How's it going, man?

W (DD): Very well. It's great to have you back on the show, we're honored. And I'd like to thank you for everything you've done for rock and heavy metal these past few years. It's a great honor to have you on our show, so on behalf of all Brazilian headbangers, welcome to Wikimetal.

ZW: Oh, thank you, man. Thanks for having me.

W (DD): Excellent. Let's start with that… I've always felt that Black Label is not just a band, but a real family. And that's not just in terms of fan behavior, but also everyone who works for Black Label has this very close relationship. Can you talk a little about that?

ZW: Yeah, it's like… It's like The Grateful Dead on steroids. You know, it's a giant family, we really support each other, and everyone likes each other right away, you know. You can be hanging out with a guy you just met, and you know, years later he's your best man, you know? Because he's your friend. So yeah, it's definitely bigger than a band, you know? It's a mentality, it's like "SDMF," Strength, Determination, Merciless Forever. Life is hard, so bite your nails and listen to Black Label. So, you know, the whole Black Label thing, the mentality of it is: you gotta have grit, and life is a mountain, and you gotta go around it, get over it, go under it, go through it or blow it up. But you gotta get to the other side, you can't give up. There's no giving up in Black Label, and that's it.

To be part of Black Label you need to know how to play an instrument, and you can't be a jerk

W (DD): That's great, that's great. And speaking of this relationship you guys have, do you remember the first time you spoke to Nick Catanese and how you two met?

ZW: Oh, yeah, we met through the internet. We were doing "Book of Shadows," and I needed someone to play guitar with me. And I contacted Nick, and I traveled to meet him, and you know, he had the two qualities you need to be part of Black Label: you need to know how to play an instrument, and you can't be a jerk. And he is a jerk, but I still like him.

W (DD): That's great, that's great, Zakk. And speaking of the "Book of Shadows Tour," could you share some memories of that experience? You playing with Nick... Do you think we can dream of seeing that in Brazil someday?

ZW: I mean, it's like… I made the album between… When we were doing “Ozzmosis,” and a lot of the group was just hanging out, so that's how it came about, but… You know, we're talking about doing the “Un-Blackened” DVD sometime in January, so that's what we're talking about doing next. And that's it for now with… But yeah, we're talking about doing “Un-Blackened,” which I don't enjoy as much as doing the heavier stuff, listening to Sabbath, Ministry, or whatever… Dimebag, you know… I love listening to Neil Young, Elton John, The Eagles, Crowded House… All that stuff, you know?

W (DD): Yes, that's great. And since you mentioned so many great bands and many heavy metal bands, we have a classic question on our show that we ask all our guests, which is, imagine you're listening to your iPod on shuffle, or you're listening to a rock station while you're driving your car, or whatever. And suddenly, a song starts playing that makes you lose your mind and start headbanging immediately, no matter where you are, you can't stop, you can't contain yourself. What song would that be, so we can listen to it now on the show?

ZW: Ah, what would make you drive the car off a cliff? Yeah, play "The Rover" by Led Zeppelin. I saw the movie last night, play Zeppelin.

I don't know what we're going to do today. What mountain are we going to climb? What are we going to achieve today? That's the Black Label mentality

W (DD): Very well, and what do you think of the film?

ZW: I thought it was great! I mean, everything is… You know, the Beatles, Sabbath, Zeppelin, the Stones, Pink Floyd, all those great bands… It's incredible what they achieved, because they are the architects of good music, you know? For me, seeing Zeppelin, or anything by Zeppelin, is amazing, you know?

W (DD): I think I heard Nick Catanese say that, back in the day, when you guys were starting out… Not back in the day, but a few years ago, when you were rehearsing, you'd start in the middle of the afternoon and wouldn't want to stop, you'd go until, like, three, four, five in the morning. Does that still happen?

ZW: I mean, it's like this… Actually, I don't drink anymore, so I go to sleep before then. I'm even waking up at 3 AM! But yeah, I used to go to bed at 5 AM, and now I wake up at 5 AM. But just the other day… When we get together to rehearse, we go until we can't anymore, so it's always a lot of fun.

W (DD): Very good, very good. And looking back, during these almost 15 years on the road with Black Label, what would you consider your greatest achievements or the highlights you'll never forget? What comes to mind when you think about your career…

ZW: Ah, the coolest thing is that our Black Label family keeps growing, so it's… You know, every time we release a new album, it brings optimism, like when you wake up in the morning, and it's a new day, it's like, “I don't know what we're going to do today. What mountain are we going to climb? What are we going to achieve today?” So you know… That's the Black Label mentality, that's the whole thing… On tour, like I said, it's our second family, so you see people you know, it's really great to see everyone. So, you know, today we're going to Halifax, here in Canada, we're going to have a good time, and we were in St. John's the night before, so I think the cool thing about the present is what tomorrow will bring, you know? And yeah, it's definitely amazing… You know, Black Label has been together for 14 years, and now to be celebrating our fifteenth anniversary is… You know, you look back at everything we've been through, all the fun, so I'm looking forward to having a little more of that, you know?

W (DD): Zakk, could you choose a song that you guys wrote or recorded that you're really proud of, so we can listen to it now?

ZW: Ah, if we're going to talk about the new album, obviously, I really like "Overlord".

Treat this like your job because it is your job, it's your baby, and it's your band.”

W (DD): We're almost at the end of our conversation here, but before I let you go, could you talk a little about the launch of your book? I know you released a book this year, am I right?

ZW: Oh yes, yes, “Bringing Metal to the Children”!

W (DD): It's not yet available in Brazil, but I read that it's very... Lots of funny stories from your career, right?

ZW: Oh yeah, from when I was starting out, from before Ozzy until now, a lot of nonsense. You know, just you and me sitting in a bar, hanging out, you know, laughing our heads off, and you'd say, "Zakk, you're going to write a book someday," you know that? That's how it came about.

W (DD): That's great. I hope it gets translated into Portuguese soon. Before we finish, what kind of advice would you give to a kid who's thinking about starting a band or beginning to play guitar now?

ZW: Ah, any young person starting a band, or anything, knows, obviously, number one: play the music you love, not the music other people think you should play. Play what interests you, and if you like it, and the band likes it too, and that's what you want to do for the rest of your life, then treat it like your job, you know? Because it's your job, it's your baby, and it's your band, you know? And learn about the business side too, because that's equally important. The music is the most important thing… And if you like what you do, embrace it, make it your own, you know? Because it's about the band succeeding, so that way you can create music and make a living doing it. So, you know, treat your band like it's your job and love it.

W (DD): Very good, very good. That's great, Zakk. I'm sure we'll have sold-out shows in November here in Brazil. You're always welcome back to Brazil, and I hope we can meet. Could you just leave one last message for the Wikimetal and Black Label fans who are listening, and invite them to the shows?

ZW: Hey everyone, how's it going? This is Zakk Wylde, and I'm speaking to the Brazilian Black Label fans. I can't wait to see you all, so save some space for me, keep breathing Black Label, and God bless you.

W (DD): That's great. Thank you so much, Zakk, it was an honor to speak with you.

ZW: See you in a bit, man.

W (DD): Sure. Bye.

ZW: Bye.

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