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Why are they famous?

Their self-titled debut album and their second album entitled Awake have put this rock band on the map, and brought rock music back to what it once was.

After an entire decade of grunge grooves and alternative tones, metalheads were eager and hungry for the enraged riffs, deafening beats and moody melodies that were synonymous with heavy metal in its glory days. After a decade of hiatus, the hard rock landscape was sorely missing something.

This something has recently been filled by Godsmack, an outfit from New England (Boston area to be specific) that went triple platinum with their eponymous debut Godsmack. Their single "Whatever" was on the Billboard Top 10 for 33 weeks, not too shabby indeed, especially when you consider the fact the album was recorded for $2,500 as an independent record.

Fans were not alone in their respect and admiration for the killer quartet -- metal God Ozzy Osbourne tapped the band to join Ozzfest. The band usually toured on their own bill and headlined the shows themselves, but when Ozzy came calling, Godsmack was only too willing to comply.

The group matured and this was evident on their follow-up to the eponymous debut. Awake starts off with killer tracks; "Sick of Life" is a taunting example of what the boys have in store for you -- definitely influenced by the bands of the post Grunge explosion, but truer than ever to their metal roots.

"Awake" is the second song and by now, the album is well worth the price of admission; everything else is icing on the cake. Most of the tracks were written over the tour after the first album. Some songs were earlier tunes that were rehashed, but for the most part, Awake lets you in on lead singer and frontman Sully Erna's mind. Interestingly, Sully has gone on to say that it is thanks to the outlet that is Godsmack that he can be so mellow.

Mellow? As we speak, Godsmack is using its "Bad Magick" and claiming a stake atop the throne in the metal landscape. We recently caught up with bassist Robbie Merrill, who gave us a piece of his mind.

Q: Hello Robbie, thanks for granting us the interview. What are you up to?
We are in Spokane, Washington, and getting ready to start the tour.

Q:You must be itching to get on stage, do you prefer touring or recording?
It's a different feeling; I like touring and playing on the road better, but recording has its good spots.

Q: I can imagine, speaking of recording, how is this album different from the first one?
We recorded the first album in one weekend, and that was the foundation of what became the end product. This one, we wrote on the road, and we learned to play in sound checks and rehearsals, only to go in and tape them in the studio later.

Q: How much do the songs vary from concept to reality?
It all depends on the mood I guess, as well as the tempo. If Sully [Erna -- lead vocalist] gets an idea and comes up with lyrics and stuff, then it can go pretty fast.

Q: You each have roles and personalities, how do you all jive?
We are diverse, big time. Sully is the main man, which makes sense as the lead man of the band. Tony and myself are quiet; I need to be begged to do these interviews (laughs). But it comes down to being a team, that is the main thing. Knowing, understanding and accepting our roles.

QUICK FACT:
Robbie Merrill hooked up with the lead singer through his sister and they formed what came to be Godsmack.

Q: How did you guys meet?
I actually knew Sully's sister, and I was in a band called Stripmind, and then I became roommates with Sully and being out of a band, he asked if I wanted to join in his. Tony was originally the second guitarist in the band; a guy by the name of Lee Richards was the first. The rest is pretty much history.

Q: How did you get into playing bass?
I started at 14, and only played bass. I traded in my train set for a bass, and used my dad's amp.

Q: Good exchange, was your dad a musician?
Yeah, he was a guitarist.

Q: When it comes to writing, who does what?
80% of it is Sully. The first record was done mostly together though. I guess it depends on how the riff comes about and then Sully may say, "hey, I like that," and we take it from there.

Q: In terms of influences, I know that Godsmack is an Alice in Chains song, but what about earlier stuff you listened to?
I loved Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, [Black] Sabbath, and Rush.

What it's like touring with Ozzy Osbourne...

Q: You did Ozzfest, how was that?
Touring with Ozzy was amazing -- he is more quiet now.

Q: I know, I have requested an interview with the god many times, but not even an answer.
He is quiet, we did not see him much. He did visit the band and encouraged us, he said he liked the band and all.

Q: Sweet, speaking of touring, we hear about those crazy things that rockers do and see; what are some of the craziest things that Godmack can share with us?
Well, we have some long days, so experiences are there. We do see some freakish things; so much goes on. We see some things, yeah (laughs).

Q: Surely one thing must stand out Robbie, come on, give us something!
Well, a funny thing happened when some dude threw his prosthetic leg at us on stage...

Q: Man, times have changed, I remember when I read that people used to throw bats and dead animals at Ozzy during his Diary of a Madman tour, but a prosthetic leg?
Yeah, he asked for it back after 20 minutes... (laughs)

QUICK FACT:
Because Godsmack's music is so diverse and fresh, Merrill refers to it as Groove Rock.

Q: I read you guys were from Boston, what kind of a city is that for musicians?
Well, Boston has a healthy music scene for every style. But we are technically not from Boston, we are 20 miles north, or half an hour away.

Q: You mention that Boston has a healthy scene. What do you mean?
There are lots of diverse people, all kinds of music and everything seems to gel together. And we just got together and did what we do. Simple.

Q: How would you describe the Godsmack sound?
I like to call it Groove Rock with an attitude. The rhythm and bass provide the groove and Sully hits you with the attitude.

Q: I like that. Which is your preferred album?
We are proud of both actually. We liked the first one that was done quickly but well, and we even like the fact that it was done for 2 years before we were signed.

Q: That probably just made you hungrier.
Yeah. Now, we get interviews and do radio shows, before we did not. That is also different. The second album is also heavier.

How Godsmack gets its musical inspiration...

Q: The first one was good, but anything new and fresh gets a listen. I like that this one is harder and you changed things a bit.
We did not have any explicit intention, but we did drop a whole key to get that sound. But we write what we write.

Q: What are you listening to now?
Perfect Circle, Puddle of Mudd and some Tool.

Q: I love that you guys are bringing back that loud sound -- hard rock and metal. So many outfits are blending rap and rock, it may have started with Aerosmith and Run-DMC, but we saw Bodyguard some time ago and Limp Bizkit recently -- some of it is good, some of it is crap. You guys don't do this, why?
Well, we probably will not do it; I mean, Tommy is a drummer, not a DJ, Sully is a singer, not a rapper. We do what we do, and we let others do what they do. It would not be us, that is more the issue.

Q: You mentioned having to wait 2 years to sign, what advice would you give to someone who is not signed and looking to sign?
There are so many different bands and acts out there, so it is indeed tough. Make sure you love, and I mean love what you do. Never give up, and invest in what you do. Make sure that everyone in the band shares your commitment, and never waste your time.

Q: As you get bigger, surely egos and such things will get in the way. How will you manage?
Well, with experience, I can say that you do need one leader; otherwise you do not get anything done. Set goals and make sure you reach them, and do not argue, especially if it is for the sake of arguing. Whatever it is, just deal with matters but do not get upset for nothing.

QUICK FACT:
The band loves touring and plans to do it in style with pyro in the second part of their tour.

Q: You are embarking on the second leg of the tour, what is different?
Yeah, this is the second leg of the Wake the F*** Up tour, and we are adding pyro, we are pretty excited so we will turn it up a notch.

Q: I may be wrong, but you guys do not usually open, you headline, Ozzfest notwithstanding. What is your philosophy on the bill?
Well, we do what is good for Godmack. Again, setting goals and reaching them. We will headline or open, depending on what is best. We are very happy with the bill though, we will have Puddle of Mudd and Deftones on with us.

Q: What about looking ahead, when will the next album come out?
Well, the tour will go until Christmas, so we will take some time off and then hit the studio in the spring hoping for a fall release.

Q: And in the meantime, what can people expect when they come to your shows?
Well, they will surely have a smile on their face and leave without their aggression! We are a band that likes to have fun, and this comes out.