HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT:
The pioneering “Thrash Metal” band named, Stone Vengeance
An original Black Rock's Musician's Lexicon (via Ogun Prime)
interview featuring founder and lead guitarist/singer Michael Coffey
BRML:
When did the band form?
MC:
The band started in 1977, and was originally called “The Dreamers”.
BRML:
How would you describe your initial sound?
MC:
I started it is a ROCK BAND. As we evolved we got harder and Heavier. We predated terms like Heavy Metal and Thrash. In the very early days, we always tried to play as hard, loud, and fast as we
could.
BRML:
How did other other people describe your sound?
MC:
Hard Rock, ROCK, High energy Rock.
BRML:
Not Acid?
MC:
Some people would suggest that, but I didn't think so.
BRML:
Who are some of your influences?
MC:
There were so many. I'd hate to leave people out!
BRML:
We'll just narrow it to a dozen or so.
MC:
Some of the popular Hard Rock groups of the time, that I heard on the Radio or saw on Television. Names that come to mind “...Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Y&T, AC/DC, Rush, Boston, Deep Purple and many more...”. Some earlier influences were; “... CHUCK BERRY, LITTLE RICHARD, JIMI HENDRIX, Rolling Stones, The Doors, JAMES BROWN, THE JACKSON 5...”. When it comes to singers, it was SAM COOKE! He's one the greatest ever!
BRML:
I concur about Sam Cooke. The Jackson 5 is interesting to note.
MC:
Yes, they were a major influence on playing, stage presence, and style. The Bell Bottoms that I wear...to this day...were a direct result of their influence. Seeing “Black” teenagers playing at that level was inspiring!
BRML:
What about Sly Stone, a fellow Bay area citizen?
MC:
Of course. I told you I didn't want to leave anyone out. {Laughs}
BRML:
The current iteration of the band is basically the original line-up, correct?
MC:
I changed the band's name to STONE VENGEANCE in 1978, ANTHONY STARKS was one of the first to join me when he was around 11 years old! He was already studying Bass. He's an incredibly gifted Bassist.
MC:
Darren Tompkins joined in 1983, and the line-up has remained unchanged.
BRML:
When did you record your first demo?
MC:
Around 1982. We used a Boom box and recorded a demo we called “Rehearsal demo cassette”.
MC:
We played live and paused between songs to emulate professional recordings.
BRML:
Fascinating. How did you distribute it?
MC:
Among others, we shared it with a place called the “Record Vault”( a renown San Francisco Heavy Metal Spot at the time).
BRML:
Record Vault sold your demos?
MC:
Yes . They really helped us out! I love them. We didn't get any royalties. We were just excited about getting our name and music out there. We sold hundreds...into the thousands...of copies of our cassettes in the Mail. I had to get a PO BOX because so many letters were coming to my parents house in the 1980's.
BRML:
Where else was your music played at that time?
MC:
Additionally, well known personality KUSF DJ Ron Quintana was the very first person to play us on the radio. He was also owner of Metal Mania Magazine, and contributing editor of other magazines including Aardschok America magazine.
MC:
We played all kinds of shows and festivals. Juneteenth, Punk show, Metal show, where ever we could.
MC:
We played what we had always played and our sound fit into what became know as Thrash.
BRML:
A lot of bands were being signed in the SF area during that early to middle 1980's.
MC:
An important show we participated in was Eastern Front Live at Ruthie's Inn. Wes Robinson, who many didn't know was “Black”{ethnically} and a major promoter of Punk and Heavy Metal . He recorded that show in 1985 and announced a compilation album...featuring a song from every band that played the 3 day festival...would be released. He promised to have it out quickly, but delayed it for over a year. The good thing was that it created a buzz. People were eager to get it. Compilations helped gives us recognition along with word of mouth and or demos.
BRML:
You made another demo in 1986.
MC:
In 1986 we made a professional EP cassette. Cream of the crop distributed the cassette between 1986-1987.
MC:
Around this time so called “Christian Metal” Fans...we predated that term....became associated with Stone Vengeance. They traded our tapes and talked about our music. We never called ourselves “Christian”. We just followed the tradition of “Black” Blues Rock and Rollers. Some of the basic subjects you talked about were sex, God, and the Devil. We were approached by some “Christian Metal” music executives and representatives. We ultimately rejected their offers because they demanded that we have a pastor or reverend “vouch” for us. “What a joke.”.
MC:
We also can't deny the bigotry we experienced when representatives who heard our demos would ask
for a Bio and photo of the band. We would put together a professional package...including the pictures...send them, and they would freeze on us. Eventually, I posted up postcard pictures and would just send that as reply. a quick Sucker repellent, as not to waste too much money.
BRML:
Stone Vengeance hasn't necessarily gotten the recognition it merits, but it's longevity is undeniable. What do you want to see for the band's future and it's legacy?
MC:
We take pride in the ownership of music and equipment. My mother was a huge supporter and positive motivation factor for playing music. Her death took a toll, and I've slowly been searching for other sources of motivation. We still have great joy for playing live in places like Europe and the USA. We appreciate the continued support of dedicated followers and new listeners.
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