In a candid interview with “Reckless” Rexx Ruger of Pod Scum, Shadows Fall and former Overkill drummer Jason Bittner delved into the motivations behind
forming his newest band, Class 7, and elaborated on his exit from Overkill after being with the band for 7 and a half years — explaining his causes with outstanding transparency.
“If I am being frank, the impetus, for me, was my dissatisfaction with my function in Overkill,” Bittner revealed, (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “I hadn’t been blissful within the band for, like, two f***ing years. It wasn’t a shock that I give up. I might been dissatisfied for a very long time, however I am a group participant. I do not like to depart issues. I really like the fellows personally. So I simply sort of hung in there, however I used to be not blissful the place I used to be career-wise, as an example, throughout the confines of that band. I wasn’t a band member. And that is the primary factor for me to maintain doing this at this level in my life. That is why for Shadows Fall to be again collectively, I am a 20 % owner-member. I am concerned within the selections. I simply do not get advised what’s occurring. I hate that. I am a Capricorn. I can not cope with that shit.”
Bittner elaborated on his desire for collaboration and possession within the bands he joins. Reflecting on his profession, he famous that Overkill was a uncommon occasion the place he was merely a session member quite than a stakeholder within the artistic and operational points.
“For my complete profession, for essentially the most half, even like again to the early days, all of the bands both I fashioned or I used to be instrumental in getting the fellows collectively, or it was at all times only a one-for-all, all-for-one factor. Overkill was the one band I’ve ever performed in the place I used to be a employed gun. The one exception was Anthrax, however I used to be solely a touring member with Anthrax, and with Prong — solely touring. That is a special animal than being, quote-unquote, within the band. Even once I was in Flotsam And Jetsam, I used to be a 20 % member-owner. I used to be concerned within the selections. So seven and a half years of that was a very long time for me.”
“My complete profession, I had my ears at all times to the grindstone and I am at all times simply within the combine to know what is going on on, like, ‘Oh, hey, somebody’s searching for one thing.’ Not that I need to be a ship jumper or something, however I’ve had plenty of downtime on my fingers within the final variety of years. So something I can play on, play with, be part of, I am gung-ho to do. However for some time with Overkill, I wasn’t like that anymore. I am, like, ‘All proper, that is cool. I am not searching for anything.; However after some time, I used to be, like, ‘All proper, I would like one other outlet,'” Bittner defined.
“For some time it was positive, however I wanted to make myself accessible for the bands that I am a member of. That is actually what it’s. I could not be tied to Overkill anymore to be their drummer and solely their drummer and ‘that is the schedule for the yr and it’s important to work in no matter you do on this.’ Uh-uh,” he added.
“I do know Blabbermouth is gonna take this and run the unsuitable manner with what I am making an attempt to speak about,” Bittner sarcastically stated. “My level: I really like the fellows, I used to be a group participant, I wasn’t leaving, however I used to be dissatisfied and I used to be searching for one thing else.”
Regardless of his exit from Overkill, Bittner emphasised there have been no laborious emotions among the many members, recounting a latest encounter the place he was warmly acquired by his former bandmates.
“Like I stated, there is not any animosity. I simply went and noticed all people final Friday. Overkill simply performed in my yard Friday evening. I went, and I knocked on the bus, Blitz opened the door: ‘Hey, you coming tonight?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘All proper. Come on in.’ Offers me an enormous hug, like I knew he would. I gave his girlfriend a hug. I stated good day to a few crew folks that I knew. I went inside and gave all people a hug. D.D. got here up, and slapped me on the again. It is bought nothing to do with our private lives. It is only a enterprise factor.”
As for Class 7, the mission represents not solely a contemporary artistic outlet but additionally a possibility to strike a stability between touring commitments and monetary sustainability. Evaluating his present endeavors together with his time in Overkill, Bittner remarked, “I do know that the persons are already typing away, ‘Sure, however Shadows Fall would not tour the best way that Overkill did,’ blah blah blah blah. Sure, true — very true. However keep in mind, I’ve one other band, Class 7. Between the 2, we’ll be working simply as a lot. But additionally, the factor to remember right here, too, is I can play 5 exhibits with Shadows Fall and make more cash than taking part in 30 with Overkill.”
With Class 7 and Shadows Fall now being his predominant focus, appears Bittner is raring to maneuver ahead.
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