Anthrax, who needs no introduction has been destroying the music scene since they released their first album Fistful of Metal in 1984 and have never stopped through over three decades of genre deifying, boundary destroying, and mosh-pit inducing music.

Anthrax is gearing up to embark on round 2 of the KillThrax tour with KillSwitch Engage and Havok  Why do a tour sequel? Scott Ian, the band’s iconic guitarist said “‘Evil Dead II.’  ‘Dawn of the Dead.’  ‘The Godfather:Part 2.’  ‘The Empire Strikes Back.’  All sequels that are better than the original.  Add ‘KillThrax II’ to that list.  Back by popular demand, Killthrax is coming at ya again my friends.”  — Scott Ian, Anthrax

On the heals of the Kings Among Scotland  DVD release, Empire Extreme got the opportunity to talk with bassist Frank Bello about the new tour with and just talk about life and being in such a huge and influential band as Anthrax.

Empire: How you doing today?
Frank: I’m ok. I just got done doing a school meeting for my son. It’s out of the rock realm, but we’re all still human and still have to do that normal stuff.

Empire: How about this East Coast weather?
Frank: I’ll just talk a minute on this. This forecasters… It must be nice to be wrong and still get paid. Every time they say 3-6 inches, I know 8-12 inches is coming. The other day I had a frozen pipe. I’m not good with that stuff.

Empire: You already for KillThrax2?
Frank: Shit Yeah. I’ve been just jamming. I’ve been off for 2 months which is odd for Anthrax. I’m itching to start playing again. We are road dogs and play for the fans. We are doing it again since the first one went so well. Killswitch are great guys and good friends of ours. Its just good times with them, and putting Havok on the tour it’s like a great total package.

Empire: The album For All Kings came our almost a year ago. How has the response been?
Frank: it’s been good. Look, I never take anything for granted and we have been blessed with Anthrax. Since we did the Big Four Tour, it’s been even more insane. We have a lot of young fans who found out about Anthrax on that tour. Since then we haven’t stopped. People are saying that it’s our best record ever after 30 years of putting out records. That’s just amazing to me. We are really psyched about seeing what’s in the future. Our fan base all over the world is from eleven years old to sixty. You got the young kids moshing and the older fans chilling in the back and vise versa. It’s a big span and have to contributed that to the Big Four Tour is pretty special.

Empire: I know you’ve been dabbling in the acting community and I remember you guys doing the Married with Children episode way back. Care to talk about that?
Frank: Ya that was great, and a long time ago. I studied theater for over 20 years here in NY. Sometimes when I’m off tour I’ll dive into a local play. It’s something that I’ve always liked doing. It’s not about the fame game. I like creating a character. I did this film a few years back called Greetings from Tim Buckley and this film Best Man In The Dark it was fun. It’s just a fun thing to do outside of the music.

Empire: I know Scott played a walker on The Walking Dead any chance you get on the show?
Frank: I would like a regular role. I would love a speaking role on that. I would love that talk to them and hook me up. (Laughs)

Empire: Has there been any bands that you’ve played with throughout your career that you’ve been star struck by?
Frank: Yeah, we have been blessed to have played with many great bands. We did a tour with Kiss and being able to watch them from the side of the stage every night. Iron Maiden who showed us the ropes and how to be a great band and how to be great to other people.

Empire: Is there any band you haven’t had the chance to play with that you would like to?
Frank: Yes. AC/DC straight out. My dream would be for Anthrax to open up for them. That’s the one band we not the chance to play with.

Empire: I ask this a lot, it’s sorta my staple questions, If you could bring back any musician from the dead who would it be?
Frank: Would love Malcom Young back so he can write out some more great AC/DC songs. That one hurt. John Lennon also. Eric Carr from Kiss. Dimebag Darrell, he’s always been like the 6th Anthrax member. I would put him down as my number one.

Empire: Anything you want to say to the fans before we wrap this up?
Frank: I just want to thank the fans. Thanks for staying with us and the loyalty. And loving the new music and coming out and supporting us.

Confirmed dates for KillThrax II :

JANUARY
25   MTelus, Montreal, QC
26   London Music Hall, London, ON
27   Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg, PA
28   The National, Richmond, VA
30   Jannus Live, Tampa, FL
31   The Fillmore Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

FEBRUARY

2   Eagles Ballroom Club Stage, Milwaukee, WI
3   Egyptian Room at Old National Centre, Indianapolis, IN
5   Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN
6   Iron City, Birmingham, AL
8   The Pavilion at Concrete Street, Corpus Christi, TX
9   Lonestar Pavilion, Lubbock, TX
10  The Criterion, Oklahoma City, OK
11  El Rey Theater, Albuquerque, NM
13  House of Blues, San Diego, CA
14  House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
16  Revolution Concert House, Boise, ID
17  Knitting Factory Concert House, Spokane, WA
19  The Ranch, Edmonton, AB
20  Bowes Event Center at Revolution Place, Grande Prairie, AB
21  MacEwan Hall, Calgary, AB
23  Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg, MB
24  Skyway Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
25  Anthem @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Sioux City, IA
27  Th Forge, Joliet, IL

MARCH
1   Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
2   Dome Arena, Rochester, NY
3   The Palladium, Worcester, MA
4   State Theater, Portland, ME

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Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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