Scott Shelby – An Xperience Interview

Scott Shelby – An Xperience Interview – by Trenton James K.

There are a few names that are associated with the Texas thrash metal scene. Scott Shelby, the “Thrash Master,” is a larger-than-life lead guitarist slamming stages and crushing heads since his start in the 1980s with his Texas-based band, Gammacide. He’s also destroyed tympanic membranes with his other bands, Hammer Witch, Rotting Corpse, Null & Void, and Texas Metal Alliance, which would later become Warbeast. Shelby is known for his intricate, toxic-embraced solos and larger-than-life stage presence. If anyone knows anything about raging, high-speed thrash metal, it’s Scott Shelby.

RRX: Gammacide had a busy schedule for the month of March, playing at the Haltom Theater on March 13 and the Hell’s Heroes Fest on March 21. How did you and the rest of the band prepare for the long-awaited return of Gammacide, and what can the fans expect?

SS: The fans can expect a grand performance, the whole band is admiring that none of us have worked so dedicated and hard at a project as Gammacide’s return ever !!

We have done some reunion shows in the past that were great at times, but we did not focus like we are now! And the time was not as right as it is now with the resurgence of old school thrash, like it is now with the young and the older audience … so we are bringing our A game 100 percent …

RRX: Does Gammacide plan on writing new material in the future?

SS: We have not discussed that yet; just working on getting our act together as best possible to bring back what we delivered many years ago. And if offers continue, that is the main focus to do for the fans and promoters.

RRX: What was the influence on bringing Gammacide back for another run?

SS: I had been on an unplanned leave from band activity. I’d had enough of not being who I am and started word of reforming Warbeast. Next thing, another legendary band from Arlington, Texas – Rotting Corpse – called me up and wanted to do gigs. So that started up. Next, I got approached by promoter Christian Larson who does Hell’s Heroes, and he asked if I would be interested in bringing Gammacide to the fest,

So I contacted the guys and got a positive response, except Jamey Milford (the original drummer) could not make the call. So of course I call my drummer Joey Gonzalez to fill the big shoes and my bass player Alan Bovee, both from Warbeast, And we have the band: Scott Shelby, Rick Perry, Varnum Ponville (the original guys), and my two from Warbeast!!

Funny thing is it is the exact lineup of Warbeast’s first lineup minus the singer. So it has worked out very organically …

RRX: What is your fondest memory of Bruce Corbitt? What would you say to him if he was with you today?

SS: Fondest memories of Bruce were how good we worked together. We did not always see eye to eye on things, but when we put our heads together and performed together, it was always magic and almost flawless. We always knew without even saying, so we kicked ass together on stage !

If I could say something to him now, it would be I miss the connection we had without words. We could go take over a venue and put on a top-notch show together. It is so missed, and people would eat it up in this new era of thrash metal resurgence. And – I love you brother!!

RRX: Why the name change from Warbeast to Beast of War? Can we expect a different approach to songwriting with the name change, or is Beast of War a direct extension of Warbeast?

SS: unfortunately and strangely, it was upon request by Bruce not to continue on Warbeast without him, so to respect his wishes and his family, we did not….

When I decided to revive the project, I went back to the original name I put in the voting pot (Beast of War), which as you can see is just a slight twist of Warbeast …

So now we have an open door to do whatever we want to the old songs and a fresh new approach to the songwriting and everything about it, which we are excited about. I have a hand-picked lineup that I believe in and expect big results, and we will be redoing some upgraded old material on some recordings, too.

We will begin the writing process this spring and are stoked to get out and show off what we have put together!

RRX: As for your guitar work that spans a few decades, what influenced your shredding style to become one of the most notable thrash players of our time?

SS: I appreciate the acknowledgment! I grew up in the old times before the internet in the same town as Dimebag, and back then, I learned from listening to records and going to concerts (as did Dime). And you either got it, or you didn’t. I was self-taught and did my best to figure songs out as a kid, and then I would see my idols play in concert and compare what I did to what they did …

When I was 17, I saw Yngwie Malmsteen in a small club, walked out, and said there is no use in trying anymore. But I did not give up (lol)!

RRX: What equipment do you use? Does it differ between bands?

SS: Using Mesa/Boogie all the way now, on all the bands. I recently went to them and am just really happy with the easy path to a good tone and quality, I don’t see myself experimenting with any other amps anytime soon …

RRX: What direction do you see heavy metal going in the next 30 years?

SS: See, it goes up and down in its own genre. I’ve seen where it was hard rock, then heavy metal, then thrash, then death metal and nu metal, and so on and so on. They each have their rise and fall as generations come and go, but I don’t ever see metal going away. Just going from what’s in the mood for this 5-6 years to the next 5-6 years.

RRX: If you could go back and give your younger self some advice what would you tell a young Scott Shelby?

SS: I would say focus more on the goal I want to achieve and don’t let drugs and partying disillusion the goal by thinking that’s part of it.n I don’t really know how it is for a young man nowadays with these things, but in my generation, it was prevalent, and I did have some trials and tribulations from that period …

RRX: I elaborated before that your career spans a few decades. Any Interesting stories you would like to share?

SS: With such a span of decades, there are so many, but I cherished touring with Philip Anselmo so much. At many shows, I would come out of backstage in a wrestling mask, gorilla suits, who knows what. And as for both of our love for combat sports and pro wrestling, we would fight each other unscripted and do some classic wrestling moves, even some fake blood. I would have the advantage, but he would win in the end, and it was just hilarious! But I have wondered what the audience was thinking. Like, what the f**k was that (lol)?!

RRX: What advice would you give to the young guitar player trying to develop his own style/ sound?

SS: I would say research everything you can, ‘cause nowadays you can. Learn some different styles than the genre you want to play, ‘cause you can. Incorporate the different stuff, make it your own, and stand out more …

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