Interview with Vocalist Eric “AK” Knutson of Flotsam and Jetsam
Arizona Thrash Metal veterans Flotsam and Jetsam are set to release their 15th studio album I AM WEAPON on September 13th. The Metal Pit’s Georgina had the chance to talk to lead singer Eric Knutson.
Georgina: Who were your favorite vocalists growing up?
Erik Knuston: Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Barry Manilow, Seals and Kroft, then in my teen years, Ronnie Platt from Kansas, Neil Diamond, Brad Delp from Boston, many many more.
When did you decide you wanted to be a metal singer?
I met a young man in summer school in high school, who I smoked my first joint with, who asked me if I knew anyone who could sing. He said he had a metal band and was looking for a singer. That guy was Kelly Smith. I went to practice and hung out, I had never heard of metal before. I instantly fell in love with the power and pure excitement of the music, and have been singing metal in that band ever since.
Have you ever recorded a song that wasn’t heavy metal?
Yes, I put out a country record once about 12 years ago. called “The AK Corral” And have
recorded a few songs in a crazy band called “The Electric Pickles” which was a lot of fun. I have done a few one off recordings with other projects, collaborations, ect. And have recorded a large number of songs no one has heard, the band calls my “Joanie loves Chachi” songs.
Do you consider yourself a rock star?
I consider myself a wannabe rockstar. It is all I have ever wanted to be, but I have never felt like I have reached that status, yet.
What is your most memorable moment as a musician and frontman?
I’m not sure I have one most memorable moment, but I have many many memories I am proud of. Looking out over the audience and seeing Dennis Hopper watching us was a good one, Being on the UK MTV with Joe Elliot from Def Leppard was a good one, Playing on the same stage and same gig with Foreigner and Triumph was another. Opening hundreds of times for Megadeth, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Being interviewed on US MTV. The list of proud moments goes on and on.
What would you tell musicians starting out in this industry today?
It is a completely different industry than when I started, I’m not sure any words of wisdom from
me would even be relevant today. Don’t give up, keep pushing through the muck and
disappointments, write songs from the heart and not what is cool. Even though a mix of the two will serve you well normally.
Can you tell us a little about your personal life (outside of the band) and your hometown?
I love to be in the wilderness, I feel like I belong there. I also love to fly, being a pilot is near and dear to my heart. I grew up in south Scottsdale Arizona(not the rich part) Had two wonderful parents my whole life. They were married for 57 years when my father died just a couple years ago. Loving, normal American family. Five older sisters. Grew up in a theatrical and musical childhood. I have been with my wife for over 33 years. No real tragedies or conflicts out of the ordinary. No one in my family is what anyone would call rich in money, but very rich in life.
September 13 is the release date for the new album “I am the Weapon”. Do you still find
yourself getting fired up for the release day?
There is always an anticipation for a new record release, you hope everyone loves the product of your labor and creativity. But really as long as I love it, it is already successful in my mind.
Who is responsible for most of the songwriting on your new album, “I Am The Weapon”?
We are a songwriting team. Steve Conly spits out songs a little faster than the rest of us, but all of us are responsible for the quality and the final product. Mike Gilbert, and Steve, write the spine of the song, the main riff and feel. Then I normally come up with the verse melody lines, while Ken Mary is a little better at the chorus melody than I. Once we get that done, we all listen over and come up with changes and upgrades to the songs. Bill wrote some great stuff for the new record, we just didn’t have time to work on, but we are excited to start on his tunes for the next one.
How long did it take to record the new album? Was the recording process any different for
this album vs the others?
The recording process gets a little more flowing and comfortable each time we go through it. With my guitar players spitting out such great stuff to start with, the melody and arrangement part gets really fun and satisfying. this record took about as long as most of our records do. We don’t like to rush too much, but being pressured kinda beefs up the excitement also.
Ok, what is the story behind the band’s name? Do tell…
Well, back in the day a few times a new member or two was changed in the band, we would
change the name. Paradox, Dogz, and then Flotsam and Jetsam. Jason Newstead was reading a
JR Tolken book ( one of the hobbit stories) and learned about a pair of travelers who got lost in
the world named Flotsam and Jetsam. So when we looked up the meaning of the name, it was all about wreckage and trash from sunken ships. It also meant homeless, vagrants, wino’s, bag
ladies, hobos. We thought all of these meanings fit us pretty well. So we stuck with it. We didn’t
realize at the time this name would hurt our career later on because no one knew what it meant and couldn’t pronounce it right.
Can you tell us about the new album title “I Am the Weapon”? What is the message here?
The message is pretty simple, Flotzilla is the ultimate weapon. He can’t be killed, he can’t loose,
he doesn’t care, and he is more powerful than anything. And musically, we are the weapon, we
are Flotzilla.
Can you tell us about the artwork and the artist of the album cover?
The artwork turned out to be (unintentionally) a new version or updated version of our first record cover. The demon and Flotzilla battling it out. Not even a demon can bully this guy, it’s awesome.
What was the premise behind Flotzilla your mascot? Are you bringing him back for good?
Not sure about if he is back for good or not, but he is a lot of fun for us, and it was fun having him around for the last few records anyway
Do you warm up before you sing? Do you do anything special to keep your voice in such
excellent condition?
Back in the day I could sing any time, anywhere, with no effort, even after long nights of parties
and questionable decisions. But in my older age, I really need to pay attention to my singing
voice, and be nice to myself, or I’m not going to last very much longer. So yes , drink a bunch of water, warmups, less talking all that.
The sound of the band has changed after 40 years. What would you tell new fans just
starting to listen to your music? How would you describe your sound?
Our sound now, is a mixture of all the sounds, styles, and growths we have gone through over the years. If you start with the newest and work your way back, you can really hear it.
Word has it you have new band management overseeing the band. What direction are they
moving the band to?
The new management is so we can concentrate on playing and writing, which is what we are
meant to do. We have had managers before, but they just didn’t work out, or the timing was
wrong, the band is getting busier, which is a good thing. So we are trying to take some of the
burden off of ourselves in the management position.
Any festivals lined up for this year in Europe?
We just finished up a couple of really good festivals, Wacken, and Dynamo. Not sure what is
coming up next, but I know our team is working hard on something cool.
Are you surprised at the longevity of the band and its success?
The longevity of this band is basically from us loving what we do, and our fans not giving up on us. So, yes and no. We also get along well with each other and that helps a bunch.
Do you have any great fan stories you want to share?
All of our fans are great. We have a military dude that has seen 48 live shows of ours all around
the world. A group of Russian fans who pitched in to send one of their group to see us live to give us a banner and gifts from the group. There are many fans who have never missed a show within so many miles of their home. We would be nothing without our fans and we love them all dearly.
Any plans for adding tour dates in the USA?
USA is very difficult to tour in, the money and guarantees are just not what they are in other
countries. But we also sell a crap load of merch in the US, so it makes up for the pay. However,
you can’t definitely count on a number for merch, you can only guess.
This album has a bit more of a power metal sound in it. What prompted the change?
The hint of power metal was not a conscious change, just a natural happening. We write what we write and what comes out, comes out.
What is it like being in a thrash band in the 80s vs today?
Drugs , women, money, big tour buses, and fame. Everything is different and smaller now. Luckily for us, we still love our fans and our own music.
Are there any new bands you admire these days?
Personally I don’t listen to a lot of metal any more. The cookie monster vocals kind of ruined it for me. However, musically there are many exciting bands I get to see live. The players are getting better and better every year. No one band in particular, but many I have seen lately still get my head banging.
Where can we find the band’s merchandise on the internet?
Indie Merch, or you can go to flotstildeath.com and go to our store. New merch is coming up and revisiting some classics
Thank you so much for taking the time for me today.. Its been a great pleasure..-Georgina
Thank you for having me.