PHOTO BY: SEPTIKPHOTO. Graphics by: Bas Spierings

 

Danny Lilker… NUCLEAR ASSAULT, STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH, BRUTAL TRUTH, and ANTHRAX among others… A native of Queens, NY who has sold MILLIONS of records in his 50 plus years on this planet. The man has done A LOT…  but has never done a “20 Questions With” interview with In Effect Hardcore… UNTIL NOW! This interview was done in June about a month before Billy Milano announced that there would be an S.O.D. reunion at next year’s Black ‘N Blue Bowl in NYC (which has since been changed to a maybe by Mr. Milano). Nuclear Assault has some new material out now in “Pounder”… a 4 song EP that came out in late June. Check it out! 

ABOVE PHOTO BY: SEPTIKPHOTO

 

 

1: What's up Dan? Literally where are you right now and what would you be doing if we weren't harassing you with these questions?

 

Dan: I'm home in the computer room, and since we are leaving for Europe Thursday, if I wasn't doing this, I'd be making sure I have plenty of travel-size body soap etc., and other exciting shit.

 

2. So, 2015 brings us the 30th anniversary of Nuclear Assault along with a reunion and a new 4 song EP called “Pounder”. Can you tell us a little about “Pounder” and what Nuclear Assault has planned already for the rest of the year?

 

Dan: We went for an EP instead of a full-length because we are spread out geographically so there was no time to write a full length once we decided to do this. I wrote the 3 faster songs (musically) and John contributed “Died In Your Arms” and all the lyrics. I think it passes the test of sounding like old-school Nuke and judging by the review you guys did, people seem to agree. We have a month of festivals and club shows in Europe from early July to early August, a show in Montreal, a South American tour directly afterwards with Exciter, a show in NYC September 12th, and other shows in North America yet to be confirmed. Then we have studio time booked for another EP after Christmas.

 

Nuclear Assault 2014. (Dan 2nd from right)

 

3. The tour to back up the new material is being dubbed as "The Final Assault". What are your plans personally after this tour is done?

 

Dan:  I'll still play music but probably mainly just on a local level, and otherwise just chill, although I’d have to get some kind of job as well.

 

4. Could this reunion and “The Final Assault Tour” have happened if you didn't have new music released to accompany it?

 

Dan: Yes, but it's better to have some new material to show that we're not just trotting out the old hits. It shows we can still write this stuff as well.

 

5. Looking back over Nuclear Assault's career what are some of the things that bring you the most pride as far as accomplishments go?

 

Dan: Headlining the Hammersmith Odeon, going to Japan for the first time, Brazil as well, and the “Handle With Care” album.

6. Yourself and your band have always gotten a lot of respect from the NYHC scene. Back in the day I saw many touring metal bands get less than a welcoming response at various NY clubs. What would you say is the main reason behind yourself and your band getting the respect that others did not?

 

Dan: People could tell that we weren't there to exploit that scene. John and I regularly attended hardcore matiness at CBGB back in the day, so when we played there eventually, it wasn't like "Who the hell are these guys?" It was more like "Oh, its John and Danny's band."

 

7: How tall is Dan Lilker?

 

Dan: 6'4".

 

8: "Kill 'Em All", "Ride The Lightning" or "Master Of Puppets"... Pick just one .... and why.

 

Dan: "Kill 'Em All" because they were young and hungry.

 

Dan on far right with S.O.D. & Freddy circa 1985

9: With all of the reunions that are going around in the world of hardcore and metal what kind of a chance would you put on there being an S.O.D. reunion with the original lineup?

 

Dan: I'd say a miniscule chance as usual since Anthrax always seems to be too busy. Then again this year is the 30th anniversary of the release of “Speak English Or Die”, so who knows?

 

10: All these years later what are your thoughts/opinions about "Speak English Or Die"? Like it? Love it? Hate it?

 

Dan: I'm still very proud of this record, it had a certain magical quality to it due to the fact that at the time, we had no idea it would be so popular, we just rehearsed a couple of times and then banged it out in like 4 days. The bass and guitar tones on it are savage. Lyrically, maybe it was a little too over the top, so I have very slight regrets about some people not realizing that we were just trying to be as obnoxious as possible.

 

11: What musician or artist initially inspired you to pick up an instrument and make you want to play in a band?

 

 

Dan: I started playing piano when I was 5 and wasn't particularly inspired by anyone at that age, but it was dudes in bands like Sabbath, Zeppelin and Cream who got me to want to play bass in a band. Remember, I'm old now.

 

12: Did you pick up playing quickly and were you ever discouraged to where you almost gave it up?

 

Dan: No, I didn't have many issues picking up whatever I played. It seemed to come naturally to me.

 

13: Name 3 things you miss about growing up in Queens in the 70's and 80's.

 

Dan: The pizza, the Long Island Railroad, and record stores.

 

14: First underground metal/punk or hardcore show you remember going to as a kid/teen?

 

Dan: Raven and Anvil at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island in 1982 I think.

 

15: What was the largest crowd you ever performed in front of and do you ever get nervous playing in front of bigger crowds?

 

Dan: Probably Wacken with Nuke in 2002, which was about 60,000. I don't really get nervous, doesn't matter whether it's 60 or 60,000, I have no idea why.

 

16: The scariest situation you ever were confronted with while on tour or playing a show?

 

Dan: Just shit like having to drive through the Rockies or the Alps to get where we're going. Fortunately I've never been in a wreck on tour (just knocked on wood) but driving through snow-covered curvy roads on inclines is scary as hell.

 

17: Your favorite memory, show, or moment from CBGB's?

 

Dan: Too many to whittle down, so I'll just say the first time Nuclear played there (I think with the Crumbsuckers and N.Y.C. Mayhem). Killer show.

 

18: From either yesterday or today name 3 of your favorite TV shows.

 

Dan: True Detective. Get Smart. Law and Order..

 

19: If you had to be trapped inside a TV show for one month and live like you were on the show which one would it be and why?

 

Dan: Hawaii Five O. I'd be an extra who hung out on the beach blazing weed but not getting in trouble.

 

20: Most embarrassing moment you ever had while performing on stage?

 

Dan: Too drunk in L.A. back in '87, I fell backwards and unplugged my cords in the process.

 

BONUS 21: If you never got involved with music name an occupation or two that you could have seen yourself doing for a living?

 

Dan: It would probably be something where I could be creative hopefully, like a soundtrack artist (I guess that still counts as music) or a movie director, maybe a graphic artist.

 

NUCLEAR ASSAULT 2015