'The Roar of L'Amour'

SLAYER - This isn't L.A. and more 

Various Slayer stories ...

STORY ONE: JUNGLE LOVE

Sometime in 1990, I get a call from Scott Koenig (RIP) who said he was with Tom and would I come into Manhattan to hang out?

I mentioned a band I was helping was playing in SI that night and Scott and Tom decided to go there to meet me.

I told Scott to tell him they weren't a heavy band, but Tom didn't care.

So I tell the band (who were somewhere in-between BonJovi and Skid Row) that Tom from Slayer is coming ... now unless you know Tom, you think he is bringing crosses, lighter fluid and a torch ... that wasn't Tom at all.

The band is somewhat panicked, but I knew it would be fine.

Tom gets there with Scott as the band is about to go on and he stood about 15 feet from the stage watching their whole set and then ...

The band breaks into a hard rock version of Jungle Love from The Time ...

In 89/90 I was really into Morris Day/Time and influenced the band to do it.

See Tom was not a thrash guy. The only thrash he listened to was Slayer. as a bassist he appreciated funk.

So, Tom starts getting closer to the stage and starts bopping and doing the "O E O E O" chorus.

Everyone in the venue is stunned, Scott is laughing and I am smiling because I kind of pushed this cover on the band and now they are seeing how universally it can work.

After the set, Tom asked if he could go backstage and meet the band ... YOU ARE FN TOM ARAYA ... DO WHAT YOU WANT.

I remember the drummer Keith telling me what a nice guy he was and how he loved the cover.

I was known for playing the heaviest of heavy, but I always appreciated all kinds of music and Tom was similar.

All night long he would yell out ... "O E O E O"

STORY TWO: THIS AIN'T L.A.

Tom and Jeff were in town and came to the club to see Possessed in 1986.

We arraigned for them to jam afterwards, and they played 2 songs from the upcoming Reign In Blood album

Needless to say, Tom spent most of the time in the booth and Jeff was there a lot as well.

The night ended and we were all pretty wasted, so they ask where is the party? Cindy a waitress heard and said, "my house". Cindy had a small house in New Dorp, SI that she would throw parties at.

So, Tom and Jeff get in my brand new bright red Firebird with Tom riding shotgun.

Outside there was still about 100 metal maniacs freaking out that they got to meet Slayer and hear two new songs and they are watching the two legends get in my car ... street cred baby lol.

Tom goes "what do you have to listen to?" - I said, "I have your new album Reign In Blood" ... Jeff said, "how did you get it?" ... Tom gives him a look and says "BLAST IT"

The album wasn't released until the following Tuesday ... but I had it for a month in my car (I was asked by Rick Rubin not to play it at the club) ... AH YES INDEED!

I play Angel of Death with the windows down and they both start headbanging.

The kids outside are freaking out at the visual ... I was a "made man" after that.

We get across the bridge and driving on Hylan Boulevard and I pull over near Wendy's in Dongan Hills to ... err ... umm ... partake in some "SKITTLES".

They freak out because in Cali you get arrested.

I explain they are not in Cali anymore.

Jeff panics that we are three longhairs in a bright red sportscar doing SKITTLES on a lit street ... I said I will do it fast.

We get to Cindy's and party for a few hours, and I tell them I am ready to leave (I still lived at home in 86), they said "Ok drive us to our hotel in Manhattan" ... I am 2 miles away from my moms and its 6am ... ARE YOU NUTS?

So, everyone at the party chips in and we get them a cab.

Being in Slayer in 86 wasn't exactly financially rewarding.

There are various versions of how the jam came together on the Possessed night.

Possessed tells the story that Rick Rubin asked them as soon as they got off-stage.

I honestly don't remember Rick being there that night.

I do know Slayer knew in advance because Tom felt weird doing it because he thought they were stealing Possessed thunder.

But it was almost 40 years ago ... DAMN WE ARE OLD

STORY THREE: TOM ARAYA SAVED THE DAY

In 1987, Overkill played L'Amour and Tom Araya from Slayer was hanging out in the DJ booth as I was spinning.

I had the idea to have Tom introduce Overkill from the stage with me.

I thought that would be a moment that fans would love and also make Overkill look huge.

In L'Amour, Slayer were the pinnacle and Overkill had toured with them so it made sense.

I told George (owner) my idea and he said "I hope you know what you are doing?"

Tom was reluctant. He isn't a "look at me" type guy. But he was friends with both myself and Overkill so he agreed.

I told him that I would set him up perfectly and before it came time to hit the stage we down a drink and make the move.

The screen that covered the L'Amour stage lifts and I walk out to a nice ovation and start talking and say "I have an idea, I will let a friend introduce our headliners".

The crowd that saw Tom in the booth knew it was him and as he walked out to the mic, the chants of "SLAYER" were insane.

It then hit me that this might backfire on me.

Instead of the focus on Overkill, they were chanting "Slayer" over and over instead.

Tom just stood there and smiled without saying a word and I looked at George (who was also Overkills manager) like "uh oh"

Tom's first words were "Did you say ... "Slayer?"

Crowd gets even louder

I thought I screwed up, until ...

Tom saved the day with "And what do Slayers do? ... ... ... They KILL"

The packed venue picked up on the cue and started chanting "KILL, KILL, KILL" and I walk over to Tom and we both say "OVERKILL" and the place goes insane

Pure genius by Tom and he saved my ass that night

Chuck Kaye

Ah Yes Indeed

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