"Everybody's Metal!"

This post marks the beginning of a new series on this blog, one that will be recurring. 'Everybody's Metal!' will soon have its own home on a separate blog.

Metal has come a long way and so have its fans. At one time, in schools, malls and bars across the US, you'd have no trouble spotting the metalheads with their ripped jeans, faded sneakers and black t-shirts proudly proclaiming the logos of Slayer, Megadeth, Pantera and others like a medal (metal) of honor. Metal music represented displaced, frustrated and, some would say, misguided youth. It was a rallying cry against authority.

Fast forward to today: many metal fans have grown into the very figures that were once prime targets of their wrath. There are responsible parents, teachers and even police officers who are metal and proud. A modern metalhead can be found behind a desk in a real estate brokerage or law firm, in an orchestra pit (as oppose to a mosh pit) and many previously unlikely places.

The guys in the photo are a perfect example. Proud members of the United States Air Force, in front of the red, white and blue of the US flag and supersonic jet plane, a scene that could be right out of the 1984 Tom Cruise movie "Top Gun."

So what the hell am I doing there? It turns out these guys like metal. More than like it, they live it. When Testament played in Las Vegas last Summer, they graciously invited us to come down to their base, give us a tour, and let us look at the mighty flying machines which they are responsible for. That night, they came to our show and knew all the songs.

This helped inspire the idea "Everybody's Metal!" Profiles of non-typical metalheads. Anytime I find someone that fits, I send them questions or interview them in person. There are more than a dozen so far and more on the way.

My manager and partner in this project, Eric Hoppe, writes: "It seems many of our transgressive social villains from our past have become the normal people of today. Metal's transcendental nature is still in evolution and is as powerful as ever: Multi-generations of families play Metal tunes (as a band!) at home thanks to video game technology, reality shows feature Metal music superstars at home being "boring" parents, and the thriving commerciality of the music has never waned from its original emergence."

If you or someone you know would like to be profiled for 'Everybody's Metal!" please send an e-mail to alex@alexskolnick.com, with 'Everybody's Metal' in the subject. Please understand that we have to be selective with our choices.

Here then, is the very first "Everybody's Metal!" interview. More will be showing up from time to time. Brad is the guy on the left in the photo:


1. Name, age, location.

Bradley M. Pokora, 31, Las Vegas, NV

2. Describe yourself. What do you do?

A: I am an Airlift Coordinator for the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron—“The Thunderbirds.” Basically, I request the use of aircraft that we need to get all of our equipment and support personnel to an air show locatio; as well as doing the actual loading and transporting of equipment. Along with that, I certify all of the cargo's air worthiness, as well as provide border clearance credentials when we travel outside of the U.S.

3. Any previous occupations, education etc...

A: Before I joined the military, I had my fair share of retail and fast-food jobs; so, not really.

4. What first got you into metal?

A: I remember when metal first grabbed a hold of me. When I was probably nine years old, I'm sure I listened to whatever was on the radio; more than likely along the lines of Huey Lewis, etc. However, one night, my brother Ken picked me up from a friend's house and decided to take the long way home to play me a new Maiden tune. That tune was "Alexander the Great," and it totally blew me away. I had never heard such power come out of music before. After that, I was hooked.

5. What is it about metal that is attractive to you?

A: I think metal is great because, you don't have to apologize for it. It is what it is. You don't have to be ashamed to be proficient in your instrument(s) as some other genres of music. It seems that everyone who likes metal has a close bond with one another. Overall, it gives you a great feeling to listen to it, plus a great vibe being around the whole scene in general.

6) Who are some of your favorite metal bands? Favorite albums? Or favorite song and why? Favorite concerts?

A: My top 5 (in no particular order):

Iron Maiden; Album: Somewhere in Time

Testament; Album: A tie between Practice What You Preach, and Low.

Machine Head; Album: The Blackening. They, by far, are my favorite band to go see live. The last time I got to see them was at this little place in Sauget, IL right outside St. Louis on their Through the Ashes of Empires tour. Hardly anybody was there, but they absolutely tore it up as if they were playing the biggest venue of their career. Every time I see them, it's absolutely amazing!

ANYTHING WITH VINNIE PAUL AND/OR DIMEBAG DARRELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bullet for my Valentine; Album: I am really digging Scream, Aim, Fire. To me, its a hybrid of TestAmenT and Maiden. Awesome!

7. How do you feel being into metal affects you as a person? Does it give you a different outlook and perspective? How?

A: I believe being into metal has helped me have a better persective on life in general. When I was in High School, it was not cool to like metal at all, but I did; and was never apologetic about it. It was that kind of thinking that helped me realize that I could be friends, or co-workers with people who didn't "get" what I was into, but it doesn't matter. We all have something we're into, and whatever that is, makes us who we are.

8. Did you ever look like a typical metal fan? If so, how old were you and what made you change? If not, did you ever consider it and what changed your mind?

A: I never really looked "Metal". I had long hair, but that was it. The other parts of the look, I just don’t think I could pull off. I had a band, but never thought that I should look like something. I didn’t want anything I did to make metal look cheesy. That's what I used to admire about bands like old Metallica, Megadeth, and Testament. Getting out there and jamming to jam.

9. Does being into metal affect your career in any way? In other words, do you bring a metal quality to your work?

A: I don’t think metal affects my career in any way. If I do bring a metal quality to my work, them I’m totally oblivious to it. But, since I travel so much in my current job; it is nice to listen to metal while on the road. I believe it keeps me centered.

10. Do you ever feel a conflict between your inner metalhead and your non metal surroundings?

A: Maybe when I was younger. I used to think I would have to justify metal, and everybody else should like it, too. Not anymore; I love metal, and if someone else wants to give me a hard time about it, then that’s their problem.

11. Are your peers and co-workers aware of your metal side? What do they think about it?

A: My peers/co-workers are definitely aware of my metal side. Some of them think I’m absolutely crazy; while others are into metal as well, so we talk for a long time about it.

12. When you were growing up, what did your family think of your metal interests? How about now? If you have a family of your own, please describe them and their thoughts on your metal side.

A: I come from a very religious family, and my parents thought all metal was about devil worship and killing. I did my best to tell them that that’s just a portion of the genre and I don’t sign off on that aspect. A couple of my brothers are into metal as well, so that was cool. Now my family understands that I’m a metal guy and it wasn’t a rebelious stage I was going through or anything like that.

My wife is not a metal person at all; but she knows I am, and doesn’t mind at all. I have three small children, and they seem to love it! They get to act crazy when it is playing. I think its great, I hope they’re involved in music in some form when they get older.


13. Any final thoughts?

Thanks for letting be a part of this!! Keep spreading the word about metal, and help break down the stereotypes about metal fans.