Interview With Danny M And Joey Of Dead Skin Mask

By Author: Javier Escandoza
Total Articles: 2
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Javier
Hey guys. Saw you Friday at Bonds 007. Nice job! (4/29/2005)

DannyM
Cool! I'm glad you liked the show.

Javier
Do you play 10 times faster than Slayer all the time, or just Friday? Wow!!

DannyM
No, not all the time. When I practice at home I play along with the CD at Slayer speed. When we get together as a band, yes.... we always play the music faster. I doubt that we play it 10X faster, LOL!

Javier
I did not think "Sex, Murder, Art" or "War Ensemble" could EVER be played faster than when Paul(Bostaph) was in Slayer. Well, you guys showed me it IS possible!!

Danny
Slayer music is a beautiful thing. I love the energy, speed, aggression and chaos that I feel coming out the speakers at a Slayer concert. Hell, I can even feel it when I have any Slayer CD in my stereo. Playing Slayers music at the speeds we play at is very satisfying and addictive.

Javier
Joey, you are the youngest in Dead Skin Mask. Have you been a Slayer fan all your life, or at least a good part of it?

Joey
Well yeah, most of my life. When ...
... I was in Jr. High, my friend let me borrow Diabolus in Musica and I just thought it was and still is the greatest music I've ever heard. They had a sound like no other band had that was so dark.

Javier
Have trouble getting into the clubs you play at?

Joey
No, We haven't had any trouble YET with my age getting in the way of a gig.

Javier
What "gear" are you using?

DannyM
My main guitar is a ESP Custom Shop Jeff Hanneman. Its the old style guitar with the a Kahler trem, SLAYER inlay at the 12th fret. Its loaded with EMG 85's and has an EMG SPC installed. Its tuned to E flat and stringed with 10's. Yes, in my opinion, it is better than any Standard Series ESP guitar. It is better than any other guitar that I have ever owned or played! My back up guitar is an ESP/LTD Jeff Hanneman JH-600. Its the one that was banned and has the 'S & Key' inlays. There are only 48 of these guitars in the world. I went thru many amps looking for my tone. Being in this band I also needed an amp that could nail Slayers tone and vibe. I use a Marshall JCM 800 2203X. It has SED Winged C EL34 power tubes and I put GT-12AX7-C pre amp tubes in V1 and V2. I put a Mesa SPAX7-A in the V3 position. I push the amp with a stock SD-1. My cab, as you already know, is a ENGL Vintage Pro 4x12. That gear is the core of my sound. I get an amazingly authentic Slayer sound and vibe with that set up. I do not use any FX for my main Slayer tone. It's all in the amp, guitar and my fingers. I do use a POD XT LIVE to add a bit of effects (delay + reverb) and a slight volume boost for leads. My signal chain looks like this: Guitar -> SD-1 -> Marshall 2203X -> Pod XT Live in FX loop for Lead guitar effects -> ENGL Pro 4x12.

For back up I have a Marshall DSL 50.

Joey
I play through an Ibanez half stack and on a B.C. Rich Kerry King Signature guitar.

Javier
Dead Skin Mask seems like it has been together for years. Did all of you grow up together in high school bands?

DannyM
No we didn't. I have known Mykill for less than a year. I answered and ad in a local magazine that said "SLAYER SLAYER SLAYER !!! Can you play their music? Prove it. No age, race or gender restrictions. If you have the skill, you have the job". I contacted him, sent him some home made Slayer recordings that I had made and set up a time to go and meet and jam with him. That laid the foundation for Dead Skin Mask.

Joey answered an ad on a flyer that I hung at a music store when we were looking for a guitarist. Mykill already knew Romeo. I think they were in a previous band together.

Javier
How long have you been with dsm?

Joey
For about 5 months.

Javier
You really do a good job, it seems your heart is in it. Keep playing and keep bringing fans an excellent tribute. There are too many bad bands giving tributes a bad rap. Slayer tributes are popping up fast, hopefully they(all the poor tributes) won't sway people from going to see you guys.
Thanks for your time!

Joey
Thanks for showing up at the show and thanks for taking the time to chat.

DannyM
No, Thank you Javier.
I really enjoyed the questions. I love talking about amps, guitars, tone, and Slayer music.

Best Regards,
DannyM

Check out Dead Skin Mask. They ARE the Ultimate Slayer tribute band, with out a doubt!
http://www.deadskinmask.com

At the time of this post, Dead Skin Mask is:

Romeo - vocals
DannyM - guitar
Joey - guitar
Mykill - drums
Dan? - bass

Javier Escandoza


About the Author I write for The Metal List and The Ultimate Guitar Forum. Occasionally, Infinity Mag. From time to time I'll submit a piece to other sites.