Mike Coffey, from the S.F. Bay area metal legends Stone Vengeance, was kind enough to write to us about how he enjoyed our site. So, of course, I seized the opportunity to request an interview! These guys have been around forever and have shared the stage with some of the best in the biz.
Enjoy…
D-Day: Are there any new albums, EP’s, demos, etc. coming out or recently out that you would like to discuss?
Mike: Yes, ROB PRESTON at DOOMED PLANET RECORDS recently released a limited edition vinyl recording of some of our music from 1985-1987, called "here lies STONE VENGEANCE". Also we will have a LIVE, RAW and UNCUT! DVD available at this years MILWAUKEE METALFEST, JULY 30th & 31st 2004. We will play on SAT the 31st.
D-Day: What tours or festivals do you have lined up?
Mike: The MILWAUKEE METALFEST is the only show we have lined up right now, because the band and I or trying to slow down on shows, so that we can record a new CD.
D-Day: I see you were at the Sun -N- Steel festival. How did that go?
Mike: We had a great time! We played the pre-party the day before. METALFEST co-promoter ROB GROHL grabbed me after our performance and took me to meet IRON MAIDENS DENNIS STRATTON! We hugged about four or five times. He was saying to me how much he loved us and I was telling him How much he and MAIDEN influeced me! JUDAS PRIEST first singer ALAN ATKINS came backstage to meet us, he said he was blown away and that we should come to EUROPE and perform. The next day at the "SUN N STEEL METALFEST" We met our heroes RAVEN!!! When we were onstage, I looked over to my left and RAVEN's JOHN GALLAGHER look at me HARD and gave us two big thumbs up! I think he really liked the fact that we were representing the OLD SCHOOL! Let me say this... RAVEN STILL KICKS ASS!!! They put on a great show!
D-Day: You guys have been around since the ‘70s! Do you still have the same line-up? Also, what keeps you going all this time?
Mike: I started the band in 1978. I hired our drummer DARREN TOMPKINS in 83 and we have had the same line-up since 1983. What keeps us going is that we knew this music was important! We didn't get into METAL to be trendy. We believe in the art form, and stick to it. In good times and bad times, this is the same band. That's why we don't need to do a fuckin reunion tour! A lot of bands talked all that shit about poseurs, and when the times got rough they quit, or changed there style. They stopped playing MARSHALL STACKS!, I couldn't believe it. Yes It's been HARD!, but I don't care if we play in a phone booth, I bring a STACK! That's what I like about MANOWAR, I told JOEY DEMAIO and ERIC ADAMS You guys stuck to your shit!, and never SOLD OUT!
D-Day: Which band or bands would you consider your favorites to have toured or played with and why?
Mike: Here are some of the bands we have played with; SLAYER they kick ass! , TESTAMENT, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, EXODUS, HIRAX, GBH, DRI, BLUE CHEER, WHIPLASH, TROUBLE, LAAZ ROCKIT, VICIOUS RUMORS, POSSESSED, DEATH ANGEL, ZNOWHITE, LIZZY BORDEN, ANVIL, DEATH, RAVEN, ICE-T & BODY COUNT, JAG PANZER, AGENT STEEL, BROCAS HELM and many more!
D-Day: Considering the time you guys have been around, there must be some good juicy road stories or show stories. What’s some of the outrageous stuff that’s happened to you? Any freak accidents, incidents or just plain hedonistic shit you can share?
Mike: I do remember a funny moment With METALLICA's LARS ULRICH, We were playing a club called THE STONE in SAN FRANCISCO 1984 with SLAYER and TROUBLE. We were in the dressing room backstage with TROUBLE and LARS came in the room. I was talking to him about his band just getting signed to ELEKTRA RECORDS. He was in a good mood a kinda drunk, then SLAYER started to play. Me and LARS were watching from backstage and as drunk as he was, Watching DAVE LOMBARDO on the drums seemed for a moment, to sober LARS UP!
D-Day: Are there some bands out there that you still have the fantasy of sharing a stage with? Who?
Mike: I don't really think about playing with my favorite bands much. I like to be a FAN and enjoy the show. But if I had to choose one, I think a STONE VENGEANCE and RAVEN tour would be great!
D-Day: I can remember an interview by the band Living Colour back in the day where they complained about constantly being compared to Jimi Hendrix simply because they were black. They wondered why they were never mentioned with Van Halen or someone like that. Do you guys go through that same thing?
Mike: Yes. In the early days I didn't like it myself, but it doesn't bother me at all now. Back then I thought people just were not listening close enough, because I didn't think we sounded anything like HENDRIX. But now I wish I was that GOOD! It's a compliment to be compared to HENDRIX!
D-Day: How WOULD you describe your basic sound and style?
Mike: I grew up in the late 60's early 70's and our music is a mix of 70's hardrock, hardcore punk and NWOBHM early 80's thrash METAL! That's why I still wear bellbottoms onstage to represent where we come from.
D-Day: What are your thoughts on the current state of hard rock / heavy metal? Are there any newer bands that you like?
Mike: There are still a lot of great METAL BANDS AROUND! I tend to like the old school bands the most, but there are some bands we have played with that I like. I like the attitude of MYSTIC RAGE, KILLINGSWORTH is a great old school band, STOMACH is great, EXIT 39 from NEW ORLEANS is a good new band, CONQUEST, BORDER WARS, LIQUID CONSCIENCE, THE LORD WEIRD SLOUGHFEG, all good bands to name a few. I think the METAL scene is coming back STRONG!
D-Day: What’s the story with that Minka chick linked at your site? Are one of you guys hooked up with her?
Mike: MINKA is GREAT! She is really down to earth! When I took the pictures with her I didn't really want her to be nude. But what MINKA wants, MINKA gets! When our FANS saw the picture, and started to ask me about her, I contacted her and told her I was going to have my webmaster make a link to her site. She said she liked the idea. Oh yeah, THOSE TITS ARE HEAVY!!!
D-Day: And finally, do you have any parting words that you’d like to share?
Mike: Well, we make our music for people just like you! STONE VENGEANCE is simple, we just want to give the metalheads a great experience, like the many we have had watching our favorite bands. So keep up the great work, and KEEP ROCKIN HARD!!! Sincerely, your friend MICHAEL COFFEY.
Thanks, Stone Vengeance!
Be sure to check them out at
7/12/2004
