Interview with John Tardy, Obituary

- Hello, John! So you are finally back home after a hard touring across USA and Europe supporting your latest release "Inked in Blood". How did it go? Was it a difficult for you to have so many shows in a row?
- We have been having a blast and really happy to see our fans digging the new CD. Carcass is the US and now we are going to tour with them in Europe. Awesome! Days off cost so much money and as much as I ask for them everyone always looks at me and wind up adding more shows. It is a lot and you have to be careful but I have been really fortunate.

- What do you do to keep yourself in a good shape, and especially your voice?
- Not really much you can do. Rest as much as possible on the road. Not easy to do, but no interviews and just stay as quiet as possible during the days. Drink a lot of water. Before we leave slowly strengthen you voice. Start off sing a few songs and then keep singing more and more.

- Let's talk about the "Inked in Blood" itself. And first of all, how would you comment on Andreas Marchall's artwork? Probably, it's the most gory cover design in your discography.
- This was not our original design. We had a different title in mind and his first piece of artwork just did not feel right. When we told Andreas about the title inked in blood he immediately said he had an idea and we just let him go. Pretty brutal for us, but just seemed to fit so well we went with it.

- To be able to record and release this album you launched a Kickstarter campaign. How did you like that experience? Who's idea was it? Do you think you will go for another campaign once again (next time)?
- That was interesting for sure. First, the almost 1000 fans that helped us was unbelievable. Really appreciate all that support. But it wound up being so much work for us to get all the perks together. Most people are all taken care of but there are still a handful of people with bad address, damaged product and just trying to get in contact with some of the people. It was a lot.

- That was Obituary's first release with 2 new members, Terry Butler and Kenny Andrews. Did they influence somehow your usual way of composing and recording the new songs? What is their biggest contribution to the band?
- 2 great guys and really love having them in the band. We have known Terry for so long that it just feels like he has been in the band the whole time. Kenny did an incredible job with his solos. I really think his style fit us perfectly.

- In terms of "Inked in Blood" special edition you worked again with Jim Morris. How did you come up with that decision? How was it to meet your good friend and to work with him again after so many years?
- We went into Morrisound to do some live recording, be it in the studio, and had an absolute blast. Jim is awesome and so much fun to work with. I wish we could have spent a month there. Turns out it was one of the last things recorded there as Morrisound is closed!

- As far as I know you were also one of the first bands he worked with. Was it during the Xecutioner times? Could you recall your first thoughts and feelings about this cooperation?
- Long time ago. As Xecutioner were recorded in what was the old Morrisound. That is when we also meet Scott Burns. We recorded many albums with those guys and loved every minute of it. Sad to see it gone but with so many people recording themselves, like us, it is a tuff business for sure.

- Now you joined your forces together with Relapse Records. How do you like this partnership? Do they help you a lot to distribute your stuff?
- Relapse guys have been awesome. It really has worked out great for us and it has been a long time since we have been this happy with a record label/partner.

- As a part of the promo campaign you launched an interesting application, "InkyourselfinBlood". What is it Relapse's idea? Did you get a nice response from your fans and a bunch of submissions?
- I think it was their idea? But we did have some fun with it for sure, people are crazy!

- Back in 2012 you had a crashing "Rotting Slow" tour. How was this idea born? What was the criteria for the chosen songs for the set-list? What was the first reaction when the tour was announced?
- 2012? I half cant remember last year? I do remember playing a hell of a lot of shows...especially through Europe. We were asked to do a set, like Slayer did with reign in blood. A all Slowly we Rot set. We thought about it but then decided to do a set that had songs off the first 3 albums. Tour went good and I think fans like it.

- This year marks the 25th anniversary of "Cause of Death". Do you plan anything special? Maybe another similar to "Rotting Slow" tour?
- We really have not done anything special.

- Let's talk a bit about the early band's days. Originally, the band was called Executioner, and along with that name you released a Demo, somewhere in 1986 or 1987. How did it happen that you changed Executioner to Obituary?
- Not sure of the year…but we press up some 45’s of Metal up your Ass and Psychopathic Mind. That was a long time ago and sounded quite different. We just did it for our own fun but I guess that is where it all started. We changed out name before the release of Slowly we Rot because Executioner was just not a very original name.

- At some point the title was changed to just Xecutioner. Could you and clarify a bit this moment?
- This is a lot of loss brain cells ago…The original spelling was Executioner but somewhere along the line with changed it to Xecutioner. Slowly we Rot was actually painted with the Xecutioner logo on it and had to be repainted with the Obituary logo!

- Do you remember your feelings and thoughts when you got your first copy of "Slowly we Rot"? 
- I do!  It was awesome. Whenever thought much about doing a record and it just kind of came to us. So when we got that first copy we were all like… we need to do another one of these!!!

- What was your first concert like? And where did it take place?  
- I think we played at someone’s party in our neighborhood! Really bootleg, but we had a good time. We were probably only 15 or 16 at the time, we sucked, but it was fun!

- What is the current Tardy Brothers status? Is there any possibility for another release from you? Have you ever considered a split with Cavalera Conspiracy? That would be a nice one!
- My brother and I are always messing around in the studio. That is how the first one was done. But we really have just been so busy with Obituary and now putting together the Florida Metal Fest that we just have not had time. We do have some songs started and will do another one but just need to find the time.

- Do you have any plans for the near future? Maybe any thoughts regarding the new Obituary album?
- Right now we have a lot of shows set up still support Inked. We do have a few really cool project coming up...unofficial and possible EP and DVD...but I didn't say that...haha!

- Thank you for the interview, John! 
- Thank you for the support!

Obituary, Live in Paris, Divan du monde 29/01/2015