A band with a ridiculous sense of humour and a love for both hardcore punk and thrash metal, members of Richmond’s IRON REAGAN have been a vibrant part of the crossover thrash scene for over 17 years now. On October 12th, they dropped a new EP dubbed “Dark Days Ahead” on Pop Wig Records and it once again delivered the modern thrash punk that we always knew they had in them. Today, we’re giving you our brief interview with guitarist Phil “LandPhil” Hall (who also handles bass duties in MUNICIPAL WASTE), who sat down with us to give some thoughts on this new release, Pop Wig label, touring, and the band’s future plans. Play their newest tune loud and read the full interview below.
Hey Phil! Congrats on your new EP! These shredding riffs seem to never go out of style! How did you team up with Pop Wig for this release?
Hello thanks for interviewing us! We are huge fans of all the great music that Pop Wig is releasing and are honored to be a part of their terrific label, awhile back Iron Reagan did a short tour with Angel Du$T and a friendship was formed. Pop wig truly has some of the best hardcore and punk coming out in 2018
What was the crowd’s reception like during your September shows, and overall, how were those gigs?
We had a terrific time playing with Suicidal Tendencies and Sick of it all. Over the years we have gotten to know all those guys very well and they couldn’t be better guys. The musicians in Suicidal Tendencies are some of the best in the world so it is great to hear them jam night after night.
How would you compare your local shows with your European treks? Whose headbanging tempo is better and where’s amount of fun higher?
The major difference between the two places is the music festivals. In Europe we have been fortunate to be a part of a ton of fantastic metal festivals. Here in the states we don’t have nearly as many that caters to extreme underground music. Europe is a great place to be every summer if you are into aggressive music and camping for a couple days!
Ok, so give us some thoughts on your future shows, including that December run with GWAR. How did that come about?
Gwar is from our hometown Richmond VA so we see a lot of those guys around town a lot. We actually have toured with them in the past and they are a very hardworking band, they have to arrive early and cover the venues in plastic so they can spray blood everywhere. It’s pretty nuts.
Touring wise, your shows are intoxicated by wild energy and I wonder what rituals and routines you use and partake in to maintain your sanity and keep your composure during the tour?
We listen to a lot of comedy in the van and try to relax as much as possible. All of us enjoy playing music and touring so time goes by pretty fast when we are out there on the road. Sometimes if we are feeling rundown we take vitamin B and that will keep ya going for the show. Of course a beer or two helps as well!!
After several years since your forming in 2012, with your other projects, what fuels your drive and motivation to continue with IRON REAGAN? How do you continue to find inspiration?
Hitting the road and playing music for all the headbangers out there is addicting! I don’t think we will ever get tired of playing fast and seeing people go crazy for the tunes.
Over the past, it seems that many local punk and metal scenes has really been put on the map as new thriving centers of independent art and counterculture. What cities and established DIY communities exist in your area and what places would you recommend visiting in that regard?
We have a lot of creative people in Richmond that are making great art. Every scene is vibrant and full of passionate artists. Richmond is a hotbed of people trying to push new and interesting boundaries in every medium.
Ok, so what’s in your pipeline at the moment, for both IRON REAGAN and your other projects?
Municipal Waste has a tour coming up in November with High On Fire and Toxic Holocaust. It is going to be a great time!
Great, thanks so much for your time and take care! The last words are yours.
Be sure to check out our new EP “Dark Days Ahead” available now on Pop Wig records!
11/02 – Dallas, TX @ Canton Hall
11/03 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
11/04 – New Orleans, LA @ Southport Music
11/06 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
11/07 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
11/09 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
11/10 – Richmond, VA @ The National w/ GWAR
11/11 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
11/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
11/13 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
11/15 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
11/17 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
11/18 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
11/20 – Portland, OR @ BossaNova Ballroom
11/21 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox @ The Market
11/23 – Ace Of Spades @ Sacramento, CA
11/24 – Berkeley, CA @ UC Theater
11/25 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick*
11/26 – Santa Ana, CA @ Observatory** = no High on Fire
