Steve Souza is notable for being the singer of Thrash Metal legends Exodus and also being the original singer in Testament. Steve Zetro Souza also sings for American Thrash Metal band Dublin Death Patrol and Tenet. He also sings with Hatriot. Interview October 10, 2013.
Steve Souza Interview
What’s new in the world of Hatriot?
Right now we are in the studio recording our sophomore record, titled “Dawn Of The New Centurion.” We have been busy writing and rehearsing, plus doing a few shows and doing a lot of press to help get the word out. We have been very busy.
How was it recording the upcoming album Dawn Of The New Centurion?
Well, we are recording it as we speak, and are working again with Juan Urteaga handling the production, so it is very comfortable. It is the same studio and same producer that we used on the debut record, “Heroes Of Origin.” Juan makes the studio environment very comfortable and it almost seems like band practice when we are there. The vibe is very relaxed. We just start jamming and he captures it on tape.
Will there be any tour dates to promote Dawn Of The New Centurion?
I certainly hope so! To be honest, we had hoped to be on the road a lot more for the last record and it didn’t quite happen as planned. That’s actually why we started on a second record so soon. I didn’t want to just sit around waiting on a tour to land in our lap. We wanted to keep working, so we wrote a new record. I’m hoping that having two full albums out will help solidify Hatriot in the metal world, and that should lead to more tour opportunities. We want to play everywhere.
Would you say touring now is more relaxed and easier to do?
I think there is a lot more support between the bands these days. We are all helping one another on tour, not trying to compete against each other. Back in the day we tried to out perform the other bands on the bill, but these days I think we all work hard to make a show successful, and a tour successful, not just one band. I don’t think touring is any easier necessarily. It’s still a grind. In many ways it is harder because we don’t have the budget that we had back in the day. There are no five star hotels and we may have to travel by van instead of being in a fancy bus. The economy makes it where we have to get back to basics a little bit, but that is cool. It makes the band play harder. Nobody gets spoiled.
What equipment are you currently endorsing, etc.
Right now the band is using Jackson Guitars. That is it really as far as endorsements. I use a Nady Wireless unit. I’ve been with them for twenty years.
What would be some of the craziest stuff you’ve seen on tour?
You’ll have to wait for the book to get all the details, but let’s just say I have lived the rock n roll star life to its fullest and have seen just about everything on tour. The craziest would probably be one time in Florida we had to stop a show because the barricade broke and a security guard got crushed. His legs got broke and he was damn near paralyzed. They had to haul him out on a stretcher, and he was apologizing to us for interrupting our set!
What were your earliest influences in life?
My earliest influence is probably my dad. He was a tough biker guy and he forced me to toughen up at an early age. There was nothing weak about the guy. Through him I also discovered all my early music influences, bands like UFO, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Ted Nugent, AC/DC etc. He used to buy hard rock records for me when I was a little kid. That’s how I got my first Led Zeppelin Record, as well as many others.
What would be some of your main influences today?
I don’t really have influences from modern bands. I hear some stuff and I like it. I may take an idea from something that I hear, but I don’t think I get influenced to the point where I say “wow, I need to do something like that.” At this point in my career I am very comfortable doing my own thing. I get vocal melodies occasionally from other songs, but i can’t say I have any influences from today. I have been successful doing my own thing and I don’t fuck with the formula much.
What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
Honestly, I love Tears For Fears. I know that sounds strange and I would have been crucified for saying that back in the 80’s, but I love them. Not just the album that broke them (“Songs From The Big Chair”), but I like the “Sowing The Seeds Of Love” record a lot. I wouldn’t be caught dead saying that back in the day, but metal guys like other stuff sometimes. I remember Sean Killian from Vio-lence loving The Cure. I fucking hated that band, so I understand if people are puzzled by the Tears For Fears thing. I get it.
Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
It’s a day long grind. We are usually riding into town for the first part of the day. Afternoon is spent loading in gear and doing a sound check. The early evening will be spent doing some press interviews or maybe a fan meet and greet. After that it is time to do the show. When the show is over and the crowd is gone we still have work to do. We have to load the gear back up, get paid out by the promoter, and usually drive a couple hours to get closer to the next town. There’s not a lot of sleep, and there’s certainly not a lot of time for other activities.
Where do you see music going in 100 years from now?
I don’t really know. That’s a great question. I don’t think metal will ever go away. I think it will continue to get more and more extreme. Hopefully some kids will learn about what we did back in the day, or maybe even find my trading card from the Exodus days! They would be thinking “look at the fucking shoes this guy was wearing!” I’m hoping metal will continue to thrive. I think it will. I’m confident that there will always be new heavy metal bands.
Extra questions with Steve Souza
Life without music would be: Fucking terrible! Just kill me!
Favorite movie: I’d have to say Godfather.
Favorite sport: Professional football. I love my Raiders!
Favorite food : Mexican food
Favorite drink: Kool-aid
Favorite saying: Fuck you!
Favorite car: Jaguar
Favorite book: Right now it is Lemmy’s book – “White Line Fever”
Favorite band: Black Fucking Sabbath! Their new record is fucking amazing!
CD or Vinyl : To listen to I prefer CD, but every record I do I put out on vinyl because that is metal! You can look at the artwork better with a big sleeve and vinyl is cooler to collect. I’m getting older, so I need glasses to see all this cool packaging. That’s why I like vinyl. The packaging is bigger.
Star Wars or Star Trek: Definitely Star Wars.
PC or Mac: Neither. I hate computers. I make my kids do all that shit for me.
Check out Steve Souza and Hatriot online https://www.facebook.com/hatriot