AGENT STEEL & EVILDEAD

JUAN GARCIA

Agent Steel, the masters of metal brought their brand of speed metal with alien and science-fiction topics to the world and they rapidly gain popularity. Today Agent Steel is remembered as a cult band and one of the most talented metal band that ever walked this earth and beyond. With otherworldly classics like Skeptics Apocalypse and Unstoppable Force the Agents of Steel became legends.

Recently the band reunited and released their first album since the eighties, titled "Omega Conspiracy". But Juan Garcia's legacy didn't end there, he also handles the guitar in a band called EvilDead. Juan recorded and released three underground gems with EvilDead back in the days. The debut EP Rise Above, Annihilation of Civilization and The Underworld. Our co-worker Mr. Thrash has spoken to axeman Juan Garcia about Agent Steel's reunion, the early days in Agent Steel and his time in EvilDead.

Hello Juan Garcia. It´s a pleasure to interview such a legend. Can You do a brief introduction of yourself for the readers?

Greetings! I am one of the guitarist from the Los Angeles based speed metal band AGENT STEEL. I have been playing guitar and writing songs for sometime now. I enjoy all types of Metal music. I enjoy science fiction movies and art.

What was the reason for reuniting Agent Steel? I must say that it was like a metalheads biggest dream to hear that you guys where playing together again.

Bernie Versailles called me one day after he toured with FATES WARNING throughout Europe and told me that there were lots of metal fans asking about AGENT STEEL. Ironically, then the Wacken Open Air Festival staff contacted us inquiring for us to perform in Germany and then kick started our reunion journey.

How has the response been for the ”Omega Conspiracy” album?

The response has been for the most part very positive. Old school fans are happy to see us reunite.

Omega Conspiracy

I downloaded some new songs from your forthcoming album. And I must say that it´s really heavy stuff. I liked the song ”Earth under lucifer”. What has been your influence for this album?

Our influence has been retracing our metal roots and just being ourselves, and writing and arranging AGENT STEEL music; real simple actually. I think on Omega Conspiracy we tried harder than we really had to. With the new record "Order of the illuminati" it's been easier for us to just kick ass.

When can we be expecting your new album ” Order of the Illuminati ” to be out in Europe?

June, 2003 through Scarlet Records. You can visit their website for more updates www.scarletrecords.it

Are you going touring in Europe this year, any festivals in plans?

Yes, we are touring in October with EXODUS - NUCLEAR ASSAULT - BEHEMOTH - CARNAL FORGE - CALLENISH CIRCLE - OCCULT and of course AGENT STEEL. The tour is called "bonded by metal over Europe 2003" to get all the latest tour dates you can visit www.agentsteelonline.com (the tour is in the process of being booked) there will be 25 live shows.

It would be cool if you did a live DVD with old and new live shows. You must have alot of great material for that?

we have some live material that we filmed live at the whisky here in los angeles that will eventually make it to a DVD along with whatever footage we get from our european, 2003 tour...we will probably release a DVD next year.

Can you explain the rumors about the rights for the name Agent Steel, Was there any problems with your old singer?

There was some problems with vocalist John Cyriis but they have been worked out. I would also like to say he has a fantastic new band called STELLAR SEED. Check out their website at www.stellarseed.com

It´s really great that your older Agent Steel albums was re-released for some years ago. Where you involved in these releases?

was involved very little, the rights were purchased by Century Media from our old label Combat/Relativity which is now owned by Sony.

I must say that I just love Evil Dead, why didn´t you do another album after the ”From the depths of the underworld”?

At the time, we decided to let Evil Dead rest in peace. We recorded two fantastic studio LPs and an live Ep. We had lots of fun in Evil Dead, but it was time to let things rest and move on.

Live... From the Depths of the Underworld

How was it to tour with Evil Dead, did your record label offer you any proper tour?

Yes, SPV was very supportive of Evil Dead. We did a good tour with LAAZ ROCKIT co-supporting through Germany and Netherlands, Austria, etc…

Do you have any Evil Dead recordings that you haven´t released? Any treasures you want to share?

Not really it was all recorded.

How old where you when you started to play guitar, and/or what inspired you to play guitar?

I was 16 when I first started playing guitar. When I heard Edward Van Halen and Ace Frehley I freaked out how good they were and then I discovered Michael Schenker and I was really blown away! KISS and IRON MAIDEN really inspired me, same with the NWOBHM bands from the U.K..

Do you have any favorite guitarist? Someone your really admire for their skills?

Glenn Tipton and KK Downing from Judas Priest, Dave Murray from Iron Maiden. Michael Schenker (MSG and UFO). Uli Jon Roth from early Scorpions is amazing!

What are your influences while creating music?

Watching old sci-fi movies and plugging in to my amplifier with a cold Heineken in hand.

What's the highlight of your career?

Like to believe I haven't reached the highlight just yet. I think when this new record is released and we tour Europe it should create a new standard of Metal.

What do you think of the thrash/speed metal scene today? In Europe thrash/speed is really big.

I like the scene, there are some really great bands from Europe and some from America. The scene is always evolving and reinventing itself.

Of all the albums you've made, which one is your favourite?

Skeptics Apocalypse - AGENT STEEL

Any last words to our readers?

Thanks for the support. Check out www.agentsteelonline.com for updates and hope to see you all on tour through Europe. Keep Metal Real!!!!!

Good luck with the new Agent Steel album, and thank YOU for taking time to do this small interview for Ruuth's Inn-thrash metal webzine!

You are welcome!

By/ Mr.Thrash

(19-03/2003)