The band that was instrumental in spawning a healthy metal scene in Malta is still going strong and, 35 years down the line, is getting ready to deliver a unique concert to long-term fans. Adam Brimmer interviews band guitarist Ray ‘il-Baħri’.
Ray ‘il-Baħri’ is considered pretty much as the godfather of punk and metal in Malta – his name is linked to a number of bands that have helped shape the metal subculture. One of these bands is undoubtedly X-Vandals – which first came to life in the 1980s as the Vandals. Three decades, several re-incarnations and a name change later, X-Vandals (as the band is now called) is still going strong and now promises to perform a killer set featuring all the different musicians from the different line-ups over the years. I caught up with il-Baħri ahead of this 35th anniversary concert.
X-Vandals are veterans of the metal scene in Malta. How have you seen the scene change?
Vandals started way back in 1983. We have not only seen the scene change, but we have also been part of the changes. We were pioneers in the introduction of speed metal, followed by thrash metal and, in the early 1990s, we introduced extreme metal.
In the early 2000s there was another shift, with the introduction of the nu metal genre. The scene keeps evolving and as a band we have adapted to these changes. But we have also remained loyal to our old-school roots.
Would you say there are more opportunities for bands today?
When we first started playing, the opportunities were very limited. The only exposure available on the island was to make sure you are invited to Malta Sajf and Rock-A-Buzz. There was also the option for a band to organise its own concert once in a while, but that was it.
With the introduction of internet, social media, e-mails and so forth, opportunities for bands have flourished. With just one click we can upload our work on social media and other platforms like YouTube. And suddenly, they are being viewed worldwide.
We have adapted... but we have also remained loyal to our old-school roots
The digital era has helped in other ways too; it has made it easier to make contacts and one can find a lot of information about what is going on in a particular scene or genre. And, of course, promotion of music and events on social media has helped considerably.
Throughout all this time the band went through its fair share of line-up changes. How did this affect the sound?
Like any other band, we did have various line-up changes. Every new member brought with him his own experiences, which were then fused with ours to create a streamlined sound. We are still grateful to all those members who were once Vandals.
The band spent a decade inactive, before returning to the gigging scene. What spurred you to get back together?
While X-Vandals was inactive, pretty much every member joined other bands within different genres of music – Lord Adder, R.A.S., Subculture and Abstrass to name a few. Back in 2003, Ray Micallef, James Spiteri and myself were all busy rehearsing for an upcoming Abstrass concert, and Stefan ‘Rusty’ Curmi dropped by for a visit. The talk turned to the possibility of reuniting the old band under the name of X-Vandals. Fifteen years after this conversation, here we are, still going strong.
What are the issues that inspired the band?
You could say that we are inspired by every subject that we find interesting and that is worth writing and composing about.
A year ago you released a new album. How was it received and do you have favourite tracks?
Exhume The Truth is our first, eight-track concept album about history. It entailed a huge amount of research from Sumerian times around 6,000 BC to the modern age. It mostly tackles the questions that most of us tend to ask at some point or another during our lives. Who are we? Where are we from? Why are we here? It is an album that seeks the truth, an album that is based on the belief that legends, myths and religions have kept us in the dark. It was very well received and we had positive feedback both from the lyrical and musical aspects. We each have our own different favourites, in fact!
You are also working on a new album; at what stage is the recording and what can you tell us about it?
Yes, we are currently working on new tracks and all we can say for now is that it is going to be different from the previous ones.
What can we expect from the anniversary gig this month?
Local metal-heads Grotium will be opening for us, followed by Noogie’s Crew. Another highlight is an acoustic set being performed by Nick and Kyle Spiteri, our bassist’s sons.
Following this, the original Vandals line-up – including Mark ‘Crusher’ as singer and bassist, will take the stage with Aldo Spiteri as guest on guitar. Next up is the 1990s line-up, featuring Forsaken bassist Albert Bell. The last part of the concert will be the current X-Vandals line-up. Also playing drums with all three different line-ups is Karen ‘Grinder’ Micallef, daughter of our drummer.
On the evening we will be releasing a CD titled 35 Years Of Metal, which includes three tracks from the original Vandals line-up and tracks from our three albums. We’re also launching a new 35th anniversary T-Shirt.
The X-Vandals are Stefan ‘Rusty’ on vocals, Ray ‘Ħamiemu’ on drums, Ray ‘il-Baħri’ on guitar and James ‘Nemlu’ on bass.
The 35th anniversary X-Vandals gig takes place on November 24 at The Garage, Żebbuġ.