Co-founding member and one half of the thrash guitar attack of Flotsam and Jetsam, Michael Gilbert checked in for visit with Josh Toomey via the Talk Toomey Podcast.
The metal veteran is currently enjoying the wave of momentum following the recent release of Flotsam and Jetsam 14th full length studio album in Blood In the Water - marking some 35 years of Arizona trailblazers maintaining their rank in the heavy music hierarchy.
During the hour long discussion, Toomey and Gilbert examine how the band continues to up the bar every after this many years in the game. Gilbert shared how vocalist Eric Knutson evolves as a frontman, turning in performances that only seem to get better and better as time goes on. Naturally, there was some discussion about the recording process from home given the pandemic and it's interruption of business as usual - though Gilbert shares that the time away from the hustle and bustle actually afforded the band the ability to fine tune the recording to get it just right.
Taking into account the global audience of the band and the genre at large, Gilbert confided that Europe still does seem more receptive to the culture than the US does. Praising European clubs for being built for the live music experience, Gilbert was adamant that the goal fo Flotsam and Jetsam is to continue touring and visiting as many countries as they possibly can.
The guys also dissected the bigger picture of the heavy music spectrum with some discussion about other trailblazers that continue to permeate throughout the culture. Naturally, there was some talk of Metallica's Black Album with former F&J member Jason Newsted being the nexus. Gilbert explained that Metallica was the only band that Newsted would have ever left Flotsam and Jetsam for - a big statement in terms of Newsted's dedication to his original bandmates and an even bigger statement of just how ubiquitous Metallica was and still is.
Gilbert also recalled how Korn began their meteoric rise during one of their early tours. Watching the culture shift in real time, Gilbert expressed how Korn gave rise to a whole new scene within the universe of heavy music in a way that was special to see.
Stream the complete conversation with Michael Gilbert of Flotsam and Jetsam on the latest episode of the Talk Toomey Podcast with host, Joshua Toomey.
