BAND: Opiate For The Masses
INTERVIEWER: Rob Pratt (Rob@bandvibe.com)
INTERVIEWEES: Chris "Seven" Antonopoulos
DATE OF INTERVIEW: 2.15.07

BAND MEMBERS:
Ron Underwood - Vocals
Jim Kaufman - Guitars/Synthesizers/Programming
Ryan Head - Bass
Chris "Seven" Antonopoulos - Drums

BV: First off thank you for taking time to do this interview.
Chris: No Problem, thanks for the interest.

BV: How did you get started in music?
Chris: Well, I started playing snare in middle school band and high school band. I spent a lot of time in 'the garage' at my parent's house. From 12 - 16. I would just play with headphones to whatever bands I was into. Around that time I moved out on my own and started working as a drum tech with a couple bands. I learned a lot with Dead Horse from Houston. That was my first taste of life on the road. I continued practicing and working as a bartender until around 21. At that point I joined a rockabilly band called Lone Star Trio. We did a lot of touring and released a record. After a couple years we reformed as a straight ahead rock band called Strap. In 98 I joined a rap/rock band called Hellaficd Funk Crew. There I met and played with Bob Zilla. We worked with Mudrock and were the only band to have an offer from Universal records pulled in the 11th hour due to our singers drug use. Bob and I played with Vanilla Ice from 01 - 03 when I joined Opiate and he joined Damage Plan.

BV: How did you become part of Opiate For The Masses?
Chris: We had mutual friends and I was a fan of the band already. The guys had seen me play with a side project Dino Cazares and I were doing. Also with Ice. We had a meeting, hit it off and everything fell into place.

BV: Some have yet to "experience" Opiate For The Masses. I call it that because it is truly one of the greatest shows on earth. What is it like to play in such a high octane band?
Chris: Its amazing to see all of us give every ounce of energy and passion on stage. It really is insane, I know everybody says ' oh this band is awesome' or whatever. But, unless you see and feel it for yourself you have no idea. That being said, I always push myself to take the four of us to the next level of performance.

BV: Your stage presence is unlike most drummers in any type of music. How did you come up with it?
Chris: As far as that goes, I grew up digging alot of 80s glam rock players. At this point, It comes very naturally, I try not to overt think everything. When I first started I would try incorporate moves I saw in kung fu movies or movements I would use in baseball pratice. Basically try to make every motion fluid and artistic in some way. Without being contrived. I also have a very specific mind set on stage. Im really in another world. Its something just under the surface: angry, sharp, and very intense.

BV: In January I was looking through several drum magazines and in every one of them there was an ad for you including a 2 page poster ad in Revolver Magazine for PDP drums. (other ads include Alchemy Cymbals, and Vic Firth Drumsticks). That's a true testament to your rising popularity. How does it feel to see your face in these magazines with these great products?
Chris:Of course it feels great. Those are the things I dreamed about when I was a kid. It feels really good to know my companys truly belive in me. I credit that with having great relationships with all these folks. My reps are real friends I talk to all the time and spend time with. For example, I have played the same sticks for 17 years. Obviously before I had an endorsement. I also want to mention HeadFirst custom kick drum heads. I have an ad with them coming out in a couple months.

BV: How did the Revolting Cocks (side project with Al Jourgensen of Ministry) gig come about?
Chris: The first tour I did with Opiate was with Ministry. We became friends on that tour. When Al went to put the revco lineup togrther he wanted my wife Anna to play bass. So, it just made sense. I had a blast on that tour.

BV: Who are some of the drummers that influenced you?
Chris: It all starts with Terry Bozzio. I saw Shannon larkin play when I was 14. He has a huge influnce on me for sure. I guess style wise I fall into the Jamie Miller, Morgan Rose, Roy Mayorga gang. Growing up I was really into Tommy Lee, Tommy Aldridge. Randy Castillo. And Dave Lombardo.

BV: Where are your favorite cities to play?
Chris:Vancouver Canada is really fun. Dallas because its my home town. Norfolk Virginia. Because the venue is so cool, The Norva. Chicago Illinois, house of blues is really cool. Las vegas house of blues, for obvious reasons.

BV: Who are some of your favorite bands?
Chris: Growing up; Motley Crue, Sabbath, Slayer. Pantera, Exhorder, Ministry. As far as new stuff. I really dig Messuggah, Korn, Mudvaine, Rammstein. Deftones.

BV: Your new album "Manifesto" is due out soon. How is it different from the debut disc "the Spore"?
Chris: Well, the drum tracks were already finished when I joined the band. So, this is my first record with me playing. I think we really matured as players and as a band on this record. We also wrote and tracked this one at our own pace, to get everything just right. Kaufman and Underwood have come a long way and really matured as songwriters as well.

BV: What was it like working with Ulrich Wild? (Ulrich Wild has also produced Slipknot and the Deftones)
Chris: Ulrich is fucking awesome. He came in with a lot of ideas and helped us pull everything together to fulfill our vision of this record. Ulrich and I had a lot of fun tracking and he really knows how to get the best performance out of us. I feel lucky being able to work with a producer who I respect and whos work I dig so much.

BV: What is the plan for touring in support of "Manifesto"?
Chris:The plan is to be out on tour for at least a year and a half. As far as who we'll be out with, we have tons of options and ya'll will have some details very soon.

BV: I imagine it isn't easy to tour on the Vans Warped tour considering the fast pace it moves in. Is it easy to tour when its high paced like that?
Chris: Well, I wouldn't say the fast pace is hard, as much as doing a tour where the aren't many metal bands. You wont see us on that tour again. We really do thrive on the road. We are just that kind if band. We love touring and interacting with the fans.

BV: Will there be an OFM dvd coming any time soon?
Chris: We are always video taping shows and all the crazy shit that goes down on the road. I could see something being put together after the Manifesto tour cycle.

BV: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Chris: Thanks for the interview and we had a blast hanging with you.

For more official information on Opiate For The Masses, please log onto:
www.opiateforthemasses.com
www.myspace.com/opiateforthemasses