NICKELBACK frontman Chad Kroeger has shared his thoughts on recently announced PANTERA reunion show with surviving members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown, who will unite with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.
In a new interview with LA Lloyd, Kroeger said: “Well, selfishly, I wanna see those songs performed live. When you listen to a PANTERA record and you think to yourself — well, as we thought for the last, I don’t know how many years, since the band broke up — it’s, like, ‘Oh, I’m never gonna get to see these songs [performed] live again.’ And it’s heartbreaking. So the fact that the boys are getting called in from here and there… [I] love Zakk; [I] love Charlie — great, great guys. I think the fact that they’re gonna get on stage and do this… All Phil has to do is just get up there and crush it.
“I would go see that,” Chad continued. “I would buy a ticket to go see that show. I wanna see it. I wanna scream those songs. And I think that calling it more of a tribute is probably closer to what it’s gonna be, which is great; that’s great. People that love that music that wanna recreate it live every single night… And like I said, as long as Phil brings it, it’s gonna be great. Just to be able to sit back and watch those guys to do it up… And I think all the PANTERA fans are gonna love it.
“Anybody who’s sitting back hating on the idea, I think when it comes to town, they’re gonna do the same thing that happens with those people that say they don’t like NICKELBACK. They always find themselves at the show. Strangely enough — shocker! It’s, like, ‘Ah, I hate those guys. They suck.’ ‘Are you going?’ ‘Of course’ [Laughs].”
This past February, Phil Anselmo spoke to The Pit about what he thought the band’s late guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott would say about PANTERA‘s legacy.
Anselmo said: “Dimebag and Vince always wanted this band to be a legacy band, to be massive, to be our own conduit to success, simply put. I think Dime and Vince — I know Dime and Vince — would want the legacy and the name of PANTERA to go on and on and on and in everybody’s damn face. I know that for sure. Abso-f*cking-utely, dude. That would be their biggest dream.”
According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band’s founders, drummer Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, as well as Brown, who last year said Wylde wouldn’t tour with PANTERA if a reunion were to happen. It’s unclear what changed his mind.
Anselmo and Brown have signed with Artist Group International to book their North American dates. Dennis Arfa and Peter Pappalardo will be the responsible agents.
“We are thrilled to be working with such an iconic band and bringing their music back to the fans,” comments Pappalardo.
