Mom hide the kids, we have an Angry Little Freak on the loose… and here he is!
Ian thanks for doing this interview, but before we get started we need to get something out of the way… "Do promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
I've got nothing to hide… I swear… really…
Ian can you tell us what you've been up to?
It's been an extremely busy fall for me. We finally finished the new Angry Little Freak album, "Self Destruct," Which we started recording last January, and it's turned out to be the Christian shock-metal masterpiece I've always dreamed of making. It's only been out for a coule of weeks, and there's already been a delightful amount of controversy regarding the album cover and the lyrical content.
There were a million holdups with the record, and it didn't help that I'm a perfectionist. I'm really happy with the way it turned out, though, and it's been getting a great response already. You can find out more at angrylittlefreak.com — but be warned, it's not for the faint of heart!
I'm also finishing up my book, which will hopefully be out in time for Christmas. About the only thing not finished is the title. The thing is — people either love or hate Angry Little Freak. There's no middle ground, and I like it that way. You wouldn't believe the emails I get… it's actually creepy sometimes. I'll get these emails from some really scary guys saying, "You and me are the same!" But I also get emails from a lot of people who are Christians, but have been rejected by the church because they "don't look right" or they listen to the wrong kind of music. These people fit nicely into my twisted little world. And that's what the book is about - it's my life story, band history, and rants on the church all brewed into one. There will be details at angrylittlefreak.com and iankeithhafner.com.
Well Ian, let's get right to it. Why are you an "Angry Little Freak"? Was it because your wife got mad that you used up all her makeup?
Actually, I used to be in a "hair metal" band called The Hollywood Fugitives (hint: If you look hard enough, you can track down our self-titled album) and I actually did use my wife's eyeliner back then!
The name Angry Little Freak refers to the sinful nature that's born into us as humans. When I write songs for Angry Little Freak, the freak is always my enemy, who I struggle with and try to overcome and do the right thing.
You run a site called Christian Metal Mayhem. It looks like it is supposed to be a Christian metal-sludge site. Why couldn't you come up with something original like us and this interview format, huh?
Something original? Why be original when I can follow in the footsteps of the great Justin Murr? I've secretly wanted to be him ever since I saw him on the cover of "Teen Dream" Magazine when I was six!
As you mentioned above, you just released a new ALF CD called "Self Destruct" and it's gotten some attention and criticism for the cover. Let's be honest: Do some people just not get it?
For the most part people have gotten it. The fans, especially, get the humor. But sometimes it makes me crazy that even in 2005, when the Christian music industry has come so far, there are still the same pharisees out there who condemned Stryper back in the day, and they're still here to point fingers. If they can't see the humor in the cover, then I feel sorry for them.
Who are your major influences musically?
Too many to name, but the most important would be Twisted Sister, Stryken, Kiss, Alice Cooper, and pretty much any bands that were about being larger-than-life. Nothing puts me to sleep faster than a band whose members look like they just rolled out of bed and onto the stage.
You were the first to break the story two years ago about a new all-star album from Liberty n' Justice called "Welcome To The Revolution." We know you reviewed it as well for your site. In your eyes, did it live up to the hype? What could they have done to make it better? Any thoughts on our follow-up "Soundtrack Of A Soul"?
I thought it was a great record. It was really cool to see new music from Michael Sweet, Jamie Rowe, etc. I think that it would have been better if the promotion had prepared fans for what kind of record it was going to be. When fans hear "Michael Sweet," "Jamie Rowe," "Scott Wenzel," and the others, they expected a heavy metal record, and it was more modern and melodic than people expected. However, I think it deserved much more credit than it got. When a band does a project like this, sometimes they just can't win, because there are a certain amount of people out there who are going to trash it no matter what it sounds like.
I can't wait for "Soundtrack of a Soul," by the way. People owe Liberty 'n Justice quite a debt of gratitude just for being ambitious enough to put something like this together!
The last of Ian…
last CD you bought
Squad Five-O, "Late News Breaking" (it sucked!)
last time you wore make-up
the photo shoot for Self Destruct on Oct. 30. For the photos on the CD cover we went to this alley in the city, and there were all these people around, and here I am in platform boots, leather pants, orange hair and makeup — and no one even noticed, because it was Oct. 30 and I guess they figured we were going to a Halloween party.
last time you cursed
I just got up, so not yet today. Almost missed an exit coming home from the Bon Jovi concert in Detroit last night, so it must have been then.
last time you asked forgiveness for cursing
We're supposed to do that? I better get moving…
last TV show you watched
Forensic files on Court TV
last song you wrote
I think the last one was Crossfire from "Self Destruct"
last time you got angry on a message board
The other day when I saw the constant spamming from some guy in a band called… oh, what were they called. Love n Justice? No, wait, Liberty n Roses? I forget…
last time you were kicked out of the make-up aisle at Wal-Mart
Don't shop at Wal-Mart. Target, baby! Never kicked out… never even get weird looks. I live in Ann Arbor, MI. Nothing phases people here!
last time you wished you hadn't started this interview
I think it was during that question about Wal-Mart.
Tell us about the three highest points and three lowest points of your life to date.
Highest:
- Getting saved as a teenager — I'll never forget how it felt to get that burden lifted off my shoulders!
- Getting married on July 24, 2005
- Learning how to remove black greaspaint from your eyes without them getting red and swollen
Lowest:
- Playing a huge show in a huge warehouse with the Hollywood Fugitives - and having to keep stopping because the police were threatening to shut off the power. I guess we were too loud!
- Being new to the Christian Metal scene, and seeing the response on a certain "Christian" Metal message board. I was new to message boards, and didn't realize how people behaved on them. There are certain people out there who say they're believers, but all they do is criticize and discourage, and at first, I thought it was going to generate bad publicity for me. This one was redeemed, though, when my stuff started to sell really well!
- Before I got into Christian music, and I was in a secular band called Asphyxia. We recorded an album with the great Andy Patalan (who also produced bands like Sponge, Throttlebody, and Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies), and we were doing really well — but it all fell apart when certain band members had huge drug problems. Every vice you hear about with rock bands is absolutely true, and more abundant than you'd think. Only me and one other guy in the band were Christians, and since he and I owned the songs, we dissolved the band and started a Christian band.
When I go to your web site, something called karate is good comes up. Why? Is karate good?
I work at a karate school, so I host my website on that server. Why is it good? Well, for one thing, it's great because when I play live, I can do all those Elvis Presley karate chop moves on stage! No, really, it's good because it keeps you in shape, boosts your confidence, and helps kids raise their self-esteem! Bet you never thought you'd hear Angry Little Freak talk about that stuff, did ya?
You sent me your "Angry Little Freak" CD and I really dug it. how is it being received and didn't you do some sort of hard rock, Weird Al project as well?
I really need to send you a new one. I think you have the demo from a few years back - it's gotten so much more wonderfully twisted than it was back then. It's been very well received. I have a certain segment of the underground who are extremely loyal and we have a nice little time together.
Yeah, I did a one-time project that was a spoof of heavy metal. It was a parody album, with metal classics reworked with Christian lyrics. Totally cheezy, totally fun. It was a cool challenge to see if I could reproduce all the guitar parts and everything in the studio. Not something I'd do for a career, but it was fun at the time.
We know for a fact you are e-friends with Saint's vocalist Josh Kramer. Have you heard the song he did for the new LNJ CD "Soundtrack Of A Soul"? Did he give you any insight on the song?
From what he told me, Josh was actually thrilled to do it. Usually when a singer does a project like this, it's somewhat mercenary — get in, cut the track, get out, get paid. But Josh has a big heart, and he was really honored to do it, and said that LNJ were totally professional and great to work with!
Tell us which of thing following you prefer:
Revlon or Maybelline
Nothing any respectable woman would wear. Usually something from Hot Topic.
Nine Inch Nails or Alice In Chains
Alice in Chains
Newsboys or Audio Adrenaline
Are you serious? Ugh…
Mullets or shaved head
shaved head, baby! I used to shave mine back in the day.
Big, calm giants or angry little freaks
I work well with big calm giants
bloody lip or swollen fist
I've had (and produced) plenty of both… hard to decide.
What do you spiritually believe?
I believe that Jesus is the resurrected Son of God, who died to pay for our sins. Religion is a waste of time. It's only through a personal relationship with Jesus that we can be redeemed.
What does 2006 and beyond hold for the "Angry Little Freak?
The book should be out by the end of December, freeing me up to start writing the next album. The ideas are already brewing…
Also, we'll be filming the Angry Little Freak show in December, and it should be available at the website in January. It's going to be wonderfully entertaining. Image a cross between Dr. Phil, Jerry Springer, and Angry Little Freak. I'm not kidding about this — stay tuned.
Of the following for people, tell us who you would thumbwrestle to the death, who would you kiss in full Angry Little Freak make-up, who you would make a prank call for a pizza order delivery for, and who you would listen to The New Kids On The Block "The Right Stuff" song for 36 hours straight without sleeping while eating Bon Bons. Here are the guys: Steve Rowe of Mortification, Shawn Pelata of Line Of Fire, Rex Zachary the Artist, and Martin Pleau of Endless Funeral.
Well, someone's going to feel left out because I'd have to self destruct before I could kiss a dude (or anyone other than my wife!)
I think I'd thumbwrestle Shawn because, knowing him, he'd probably barf on me if he heard a New Kids song. I'd prank call Rex because I heard he's a vegan vegetarian hippie, and I'd send him a meat-lover's pizza. I'd listen to New Kids with Martin (or Endy, as we call him) because I know he's a huge, freaked out fan of Jordan Knight (did you know that the name Endless Funeral comes from His never-ending mourning over the end of the New Kids?)
And finally, a Liberty n' Justice 4-ALL word association. We will mention a name or thing, and you give us your thoughts:
Josh Kramer (Saint)
Legend. Friend I can trust.
Sebastion Bach (Skid Row)
First metal I ever heard — Age nine, saw the video for Eighteen and Life and knew I had metal in my future
Mick Rowe (nineteen88)
Underrated guitarist and killer songwriter. Like me, Mick seems to be a bit of a musical misfit
Paul Stanley (Kiss)
The first to influence my performance style. I was obsessed in high school
Tad Donley (Warrior)
Misunderstood. Hope he can get a new band together for another album.
Dale Thompson (Bride)
Strongman. We're both boxers; I'd love to meet him someday.
Scott Waters (Ultimatum)
Musical soulmate. We're both fans of Kiss, Twisted Sister, and Alice Cooper.
Don Webster (Neon Cross)
Great guy. Love the early stuff, but man, Torn is so underrated!
Jani Lane (WARRANT)
One of the best songwriters in the business. Anyone who can write Down Boys, Heaven, and Uncle Tom's Cabin deserves a medal. Heard he's made some good decisions lately.
Chaz Bond (Jacobs Dream)
I've actually never heard Jacob's Dream. People seem to obsess over them, though. Maybe they're the next Beatles or New Kids?