Band: Terror Tractor. Thrash metal from Manhattan, Kansas
The Mic: What got this band together and started in this business?
Clint: The band originally started because I and The Madness wanted to start a thrash metal band together. We had been working with some other dudes on a project that never went anywhere. So,I turned to the Madness and said, “Let’s start a thrash metal band.” We assembled a drummer (Schu) and bass player(Boomer) and hit the stage in Late 2003. Nearly five years later and a whole new line-up, here we are.
The Mic: Who writes and produces all the material for the band?
Clint: It used to be myself and The Madness. Now it’s just me, as The Madness recently left Terror Tractor. We have three new songs we’re working on that are written entirely by me. These aren’t recorded yet, so you’re going to have to catch us live in order to hear them. I should clear something up though. I write the main riffs to the song, show it to Eric (drums) and Josh(bass). They are free to write their own parts to the song. So essentially, it’s a collaboration with one dude writing the guitar riffs on which the songs are based.
The Mic: Has the band played in front of or with any acts our readers would know from the Mainstream?
Clint: Yep. Well, as close as we get to “mainstream” in the metal world. The list goes some thing like this: Dying Fetus, Daath, Bleed the Sky, My Ruin, Skeleton Witch, Silent Civilian, The Funeral Pyre, The Destro, Psychostick, Psyopus and Shat. Or at least that’s all I can remember off the top of my head. Okay. Who are we kidding here. I had to pour over all of our old showsl ogged on our my space account for those. Then the regional bands of note we’ve played with include: Unmerciful, Diskreet, Descendants of Cain, Continent of Ash, Meat Shank, Ancient Creation and Decimation.
The Mic: Where can people access your music on the web?
Clint: Duh. www.myspace.com/terrortractor. I don’t think there are too many bands in existence anymore that don’t have a my space page. It’s free, and we don’t have a lot of money to be wasting on frivolous things such as Terror Tractor.com.
The Mic: Any embarrassing moments on stage?
Clint: Most of the embarrassing moments happen off stage, when I’m drunk.
The Mic: Any good stories you want to tell us?
Clint: We’ve seen or experienced all the stuff most bands do. You know…titties, drinks and what not. Nothing exceptional or really out of the ordinary when you get right down to it. There was a girl at our last show in Salina that had a pretty good chunk of toilet paper trailing from out of the back of her pants. That was good for a laugh or two. Especially once The Madness tapped her on the shoulder and told her about her situation. I don’t think she believed him, because she told him to go a head and pull it out. The expression on her face was priceless when she saw what kind of wiping oversight she had made. And the next night at our show in Wichita,there was an intoxicated woman dancing all stripper like to our songs. Then in between songs she would let out this high pitched, lengthy yell. That was entertaining for me at least. Not so sure about the crowd.
The Mic: Who is the bands musical influence?
Clint: There are a lot. I have managed to pretty much combine all of the bands I listened to coming up as a young metal head into what our music is. Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, Carcass,OLD Metalica, Testament. Those are the most identifiable.
The Mic: How did the band get together?
Clint: Didn’t we already go over this? Our line-up has always been made up of Manhattan, Kansas’ best local dudes. We do not mess around!
The Mic: What is your musical background like?
Clint: We all have been playing music for years, from our early teens. Maybe not the exact instruments we play in the band, but always some sort of musical performance.
The Mic: Any other members in your family that are musicians?
Clint: My brother also plays guitar and my Sister is an opera singer in L.A.
The Mic: What is the TOP reason why you want to play music?
Clint: It’s my passion. It’s just that simple. If the band I was in played **** like Nickel Back, you could say I was in it for the chicks. But I don’t. I play metal because it’s what’s in my blood. And that kicks ass. What doesn’t kick ass is the fact that most ladies don’t like the real metal.
The Mic: What's your stance on file swapping?
Clint: Share that ****. I’m sure there are probably a whole bunch of people who would have never even heard of us if it weren’t for such activities.
The Mic: What is the process of making a CD?
Clint: Long, arduous and ultimately rewarding… if it’s done properly. If not, it’s like pulling teeth with a rusty pair of pliers.
The Mic: How do you get the word out about your music?
Clint: My Space, fliers, word of mouth. We’ve been around for five years. Chances are if you live in Kansas and are into metal, you’ve at least heard of us.
The Mic: How is your local response to your music?
Clint: We have a very strong Manhattan following. We’ve been shoving it down their throats for so long, they don’t have a choice any more.
The Mic: What is the farthest you have traveled for a gig?
Clint: Currently, Dodge City. We mostly keep it a couple of hours from home for now. We’re looking to put together a tour once we get a steady line-up.
The Mic: What tune on the CD are you most proud of?
Clint: For me, it has to be Terror Tractor and Behavior Contradiction from Karate Donkey. The Cause of All Pain and Inept from our self-titled debut.
Now let's break away from the traditional band questions you get asked all the time... Let's haves ome fun...
1. Why do HOT chicks date ugly dudes?
Clint: Because hot chicks have built in radar for dudes with money or huge dicks. Ugly dudes usually have one or the other… or both.
2. Why are all guys in porn movies Douche bags?
Clint: Your world view changes when you get to hump all day and get paid for it.
3. When Rappers do interviews on TV, why do they always havea wall of Kung Fu movies behind them?
Clint: Because kung-fu movies are the ****.
4. If a billionaire would come to your band and say you could play with any band… living, dead, broken up, etc.
*Who do you play with 3 bands one has to be your band...
and Slayer and Carcass
*Who opens and who closes?
Clint: We would have to open because we would need to party and watch those kick ass bands. Closer would be Slayer. Come on, they’re the whole ****in’ show!
Thanks for being with us today and you can catch these guyson
http://www.myspace.com/terrortractor