it's only that I wanted to share how Sir Eric Wagner and of course the band Trouble (Franklin and Wartell- these two always 've held a special place in that their guitars simply resonated in my ears as though they made the sound of angels singing, if there was an ability to actually hear angels' sounds; also - the two have a sort of semblance to another couple of legends: Rossington/Collins; in their actual style, technique, overall aura & aesthetic - however, tho similar, in fact all/each unquestionably due proper recognition; and such a fitting set indeed, angels of the guitar variety, to accompany Eric) shaped, I'm talkin`: S H A P E D, big swaths of my life, for the better of course; bringing and demanding reason and thoughtfulness, for the important matters to be addressed - thank the Lord - brought through the music and beautiful message of Trouble
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in '84, I was in the beginning stages of my "OK, there's no denying my molecular structure is somehow revitalized, enhanced, benefits and simply takes to this heavy, HEAVY new genus of the thing called heavy metal" episode of my lifelong kinship with music; the new branch evolving demanded all out commitment: as unnatural as it was (is) for me to be swayed or led in any direction by any thing, the ballsout door busting heavyness of the newly sprouted relative of Priest/Ozzy vibrated ground zero of my atomic makeup which evidently deemed it worthy; in a very rarely seen manner, as my Father would attest, I listened to and went along with what I was being told/screamed by my inner core; unbelievably obeyed; from my perspective. it was written in the air, this was a big deal; all these unique heavy bands spoke to me and my friends, offering a new path, one that was unlike any yet known, way heavier too, and of course, way fuh`in cooler; I was all in; loved it and found new real parts of "me" in the new freer sound that became known as "thrash", Trouble was without doubt solidly a part of the unseeable movement of that underground metal scene; one that ultimately blew doors over e v e r ything previous; my best friend and I were so electrified by it all, we started a fanzine; it did pretty well, was distributed nationally by Important distribution and sold individually internationally; tho the best part for me was when I interviewed Trouble's previous bassist for issue #1; I remember I was on the phone with Bill Metoyer of Metal Blade records trying to get connections and whatnot, when he had to excuse himself to answer another call coming in; when he came back a few moments later, he connected all of us; me, Bill Metoyer and the person that Metoyer excused himself momentarily to receive; that incoming caller was Sean McCallister; then just like that, Metoyer says something to the effect of: "Sean, this boy from Minneapolis has a fanzine and would love to interview you, you up for it?" stunned, I then was talking to the bassist of Trouble (by far my favorite band at the time, which I can safely, honestly say hasn't changed); Metoyer soon scrammed; McCallister and I talked for perhaps an hour or so; it was SOOOOooooooo effin cool - again, that is
T R O U B L E
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the outright weight, the immeasurable importance of Wagner's artistic & poetic gifts. the songs he offered and gave the world can only be understood as nothing more nor less than G R E A T . . . Trouble is so fuh`in h e a v y and thought provoking - so much more than just a metal band; they are an attention demanding injection of thoughtful, positive, spiritual, musical nutrients for the 'insides'; the soul needs this and can only thrive, only flourish should it catch wind of Trouble's comforting ton of bricks
. . . . . . . . . . . but, oh boy! man oh man!!(and I thought this immediately upon hearing of Eric's passing) bet 'ol Wagner's getting some answers N O W ! ! ! - in only good . . . the best . . . way possible
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