Sean Pelletier (PENTAGRAM, HOUSECORE RECORDS): metalheads are family
I'm sure that Sean Pelletiers name is unknown to most of those who read these lines, but the name Pentagram probably is not. Sean Pelletier is a passionate metal music fan. In '94 he was part of the team label Relapse Records, then he got to work with Season of Mist, and now gives a helping hand to Phil Anselmo on Housecore Records, he is also the manager of the legendary band Pentagram, and the Swedish band in Solitude. All of us who love the music of the group Pentagram have to thank Sean for Bobby Liebling is still alive and in 2011 gave us one of the best albums of the year - Last Rites. Not lengthen more than I need and I invite you to get acquainted with Sean Pelletier:
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Sean Pelletier & Pentagram - photo: Andrew Beardsworth
Sean Pelletier: I'm a lifetime metalhead and music fan. I started out contributing to the scene by doing a local college radio show and then a little fanzine. I ended up at Relapse Records in 1994 and was very fortunate to work with some amazing bands. I moved on to manage the US office of Season of Mist. I currently am managing bands, Pentagram, In Solitude, Floor as well as helping out a few others such as Vampire. I also work part time helping out Philip Anselmo at the indie label that he owns, Housecore Records.
Metalfan: When did it all start with the "obsession" with Pentagram? What this band represent for you and how it changed your life?
Sean Pelletier:I knew of and liked the band but they didn't really hit me until the mid-90s. I had become a bit bored with death metal, grind and the second wave of black metal. It became stale so I went back to my metal and rock roots. Low and behold, the band that I had always kind of dismissed as Sabbath-worship really opened up to me. I heard how Death Row (what they were called when Bobby joined) and Victor Griffin had evolved Sabbath’s style and made it his own. Then when I first heard the lost 70s Pentagram, I really became an addict. At the time, like I had mentioned, I went back to my roots. I had also been digging up lost hard rock that I hadn’t heard as a kid growing up in the 1970s. It was the perfect storm to become obsessed. I rediscover the Death Row-era Pentagram and then found out the Bobby’s original Pentagram had existed in the 1970s and helped invent metal itself. It was hearing the roots of dark rock and metal in what was essentially two different bands in one, with the common thread being Bobby Liebling. The quality of that 70s music was just as good if not better than the bands that had made it back then. It was unique as well. Something very special and I wanted the world to hear this music so I made it a personal and professional goal. One way that it changed my life was because it helped get me into band management. I’ve also made several friends and lovers through my connection to this amazing band. Friendships and opportunities still come my way from my connection and work with this great band. That’s not to say that it’s also had an equally negative effect on my life and body but….it’s doom metal. What should I expect? Hahaha!!!
Metalfan: On March 14, 2011, the documentary Last Days Here have been released. Looking back a this time, you are satisfied with the result?
Sean Pelletier:I do have a hard time watching the film because it was a hard time in my life personally. In love and professionally and with my family but also in the way that the story was so complex that the film has to simplify it a bit. There was a lot going on in each situation that you may not see. I think the directors did a great job making a human interest piece instead of a heavy metal movie. I think it’s the key to its success.
I am very happy with the end result. Not only because it’s a great documentary but also because it’s allowed people to hear Bobby’s music that wouldn’t normally want to listen. It also has inspired a lot of people in their own music careers and their own struggles with addiction or dealing with people with addiction. It was a long time in the making and a true test of patience in faith but it’s paid off in many ways even if the people involved didn’t make any money with it.
Sean Pelletier:There are so many hard moments. With Bobby, it’s been years of stop / start. Just when you think things are going great, something happens to screw things up and that something was usually him and his self sabotage. To better answer your question, I guess if I have to pick one scene in the movie, it’s when Hallie left him the first time. I wasn’t sure that he’d be able to come back from that. He came from such a high point that the opposite of that was a very low place. Lower than he was before because on top of his normal drug use, he was now very depressed and not wanting to live not mention make music.
Metalfan: In 2011 the album Last Rites have been released. What could you tell us about the album. How hard or how easy was for the band to record it and to produce it?
Sean Pelletier:It was a very expensive album to make because Victor and the band wanted to use a Grammy award winning producer. I don’t blame them, this was their one shot to come back and they wanted to do it right. The hardest part was securing a record deal with Bobby’s reputation. Once we had a record deal and a budget, it was just a matter of making it all work. It would never have happened without Victor Griffin’s long hours as well as Greg Turley’s. One thing that I love about making the album was the song selection. I told Bobby to go through his catalog of old songs and pick 10 that he felt Victor could do a great job on. I went ahead and did the same. Out of the 80s songs were listened to, Bobby and I picked the same 10 songs. We all were very connected during the process of this album. Not all of those songs were recorded because some great new songs were written of course but it was nice figuring out how connected we were during this period.
Metalfan: Also in 2011 Metal Blade have released the DVD When the Screams Come. A nice material with the band, but not the proper sound and filming. Do you have in mind to release another DVD with the band? Maybe
with some archive filming?
Sean Pelletier: There’s been a deal on the table for years to put out some 80s and 90s concerts but certain members don’t want to release the material. I’d love to get a dvd out but just like most things in this band, it’s going to be after a long struggle. I sure hope we can get one out within the next few years.
Metalfan: Victor Griffin have leaved Pentagram again. Who will step in as a guitarist for the band? I know that Pentagram have a contract with Metal Blade for two more albums...
Sean Pelletier: An announcement will come very soon. It’s been much harder to find the perfect replacement for Victor than we had hoped. You can never replace Victor, mind you, he’s such a special player but it’s been hard finding someone who fits perfectly in the band.
We’re hoping to find someone new that nobody knows and preferable someone that’s not in the metal scene. When metal was invented in the late 60s and early 70s, those players were from heavy blues bands, or rock bands or psychedelic bands. We want someone like this who can bring something special to the new music and old songs.
Metalfan: Did you had the chance to listen to some of the songs from In Graved, Victor Griffin new band? If so, what do you think about it?
Sean Pelletier: I’ve only heard one song which I liked a lot. I know that he recorded a couple of his older songs which I like and one of those songs is what I heard. I’m happy for him. He’s a classy player and he’s got great people on the album. Victor will always be part of the ram family and the door will always be open for him. Had it not been for Victor coming to Bobby’s aid, “Last Days Here” wouldn’t have been recorded and I’m not sure Bobby would still be on stage right now. I feel that like Bobby, Victor is still an unheralded musician. In a just world, he’d be a rich rock star.
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Sean Pelletier: It’s a deal that Joe Hasselvander did that Bobby and the band found out about later. It was a four song demo that Bobby and Joe made in order to get a new record released. I do love the song “Because I Made It” and think that Bobby should re-record it on the upcoming album. It sounds like a 70s song. I also love the etched side of the record. It’s a cool collector’s item and fun to have the demo on vinyl. The label was very cool to us when I approached them about the release and did everything the could to make everyone in the band happy.
Metalfan: Are there any plans for a new Pentagram album? Maybe this year? If so, could you offer us some information?
Sean Pelletier: We all want this to be a rocking record like some of Bobby’s old songs were. Faster and more of that Iggy Pop punk feel to them. It’ll still have doom metal songs of course but we want a fast, rocking album that still has a dark and dangerous edge. Just like Bobby. I think it’s going to be one of their best albums. I know all bands say this when they put a new record out but it’s the truth.
Metalfan: It would be possible an tribute album for Pentagram? Maybe with such acts as Down, Saint Vitus, Candlemass, and other important metal bands paying a tribute?
Sean Pelletier: We’d like that but it’s going to be hard legally. Most of Bobby’s songs are owned by Universal / Imagem. For example, “Last Days Here” was originally cut with some different songs but new or old, if they were released on Peaceville, the publishing is owned by this huge company who needs a large amount of money to even start the paperwork. I don’t see a tribute album happening unless it stays in the underground.
Metalfan: In 2012 there was a rumor that Pentagram will play for the first time in Romania, in fact it was the band from Turkey, known as Mezarkabul outside of the country. It would be a chance for the real Pentagram to
play here in Romania?
Sean Pelletier: I hope so. It’s up to our booking agent and your promoters over there. I’d love to have Pentagram play in as many places as possible. For fans of rock and metal but also for Bobby. He deserves the fanfare!
Metalfan: You are also the manager of the Swedish metal band In Solitude. How did it all started? Which are your plans for this year regarding In Solitude? Which are their plans for this year?
Sean Pelletier: Yes, I’m happy to be part of their circle. They are my favorite modern band and I owe it to Pentagram a bit as well. I wrote them asking if they wanted to sell me an LP and a shirt. I also offered to trade some of my personal Pentagram stuff for some of their stuff. I made a trade with their drummer, Uno, for a shirt and an LP. I offered to help them out but didn’t get much feedback. It was later the next year when I as at Maryland Deathfest wearing my In Solitude shirt when their newest guitar player, Henrik Palm, stopped me and said, “Hey, that’s my band! How do you know us?”. They were about to sign a mediocre deal and I offered to step in and help them out. The rest is history. They are in the studio right now (March / April 2013) and have a new album coming out on Metal Blade in September or October 2013. They want to tour like crazy so hopefully they make it to Romania! Bobby Liebling is also a big fan and once said that they are the only band that he wants to tour with. I was happy to get them both out on the road together in Europe back in April 2011
Metalfan: What exactly do you do at Housecore Records? How a band could get singed with the label?
Sean Pelletier: I lend a hand to old friends. I’m helping them get distribution outside of North America. And just basically lend a hand when they need it. In order to get on the label, Philip has to like your music, plain and simple. It’s one of the reasons that I’m there is because it’s a labor of love. Love him or hate him, Philip Anselmo loves music and does a lot to support it. It’s not like Housecore is a lucrative business but Philip keep at it because he wants to get great music out to the world. I respect that very much. He’s looking for bands that tour and bands that have great riffs but are also unique in their own way.
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Sean Pelletier & Bobby Liebling (Pentagram)
Capitalism
Sean Pelletier: I think it’s primary problem is greed and selfishness and can often led to a real void to one’s responsibility to the earth and mankind. I can be a good thing and something as an American that I’ve benefitted from but it’s gotten away from us and turned into something very destructive.
Consumerism
Sean Pelletier: See above. I think it’s fine as long as you also have a respect for the earth, environment and those less fortunate than yourself.
Gun control
Sean Pelletier: Our constitution was written at a very different time. I believe that a person has the right to protect oneself. I don’t think however the automatic weapons should be in the hands of citizens. I was personally robbed by a young man who had a machine gun. (among other bad experiences with other guns in the hands of young criminals). Automatic weapons are used for war only and should be illegal. I personally like target practice and had a pellet gun as a child. I’m a good shot myself but I don’t trust guns in the hands of everyone. I think it’s fine to have strict background checks before you can legally buy a gun. I also think that the National Rifle Association is an evil organization who manipulate stupid people as paws. It amazes me how normal Americans buy the lie that Obama is trying to take away their guns. He’s merely trying to make it harder for criminals and the mentally ill to get guns. And to keep automatic weapons off the streets.
Heavy metal
Sean Pelletier: My life! One of the most powerful forces in the world and a great unifier. Metalheads are family!
Trends
Sean Pelletier: Well…that’s a broad question. Many times a trend starts as a very original and unique thing but then it just gets out of control and lame.
Bedemon
Sean Pelletier: The first US doom band. People who love Pentagram but don’t know this band are really missing out. Rest in Peace Randy Palmer.
Metalfan: Thank you Sean for your time and for your answers! In the end would you like to add something or would you like to send few words to our readers?
Sean Pelletier: Thanks for loving and supporting heavy metal. Follow your heart, have faith and stand up for what you believe in. We are on this planet to make our mark. We are also here to share great music together. I’m happy to have you all in the family. Review your choices!
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Users note 8.3
Foarte bun interviul si de apreciat initiativa de a afla mai multe de la Pellet, un pion foarte important in underground-ul metal-ului. Pellet a ajutat multe trupe precum Confessor si Saint Vitus sa mearga mai departe (si bineinteles multe altele) iar pasiunea lui e la fel de proaspata ca la inceput!