About this interview
In a 2010 interview with Ryan Minic of Ryan’s Rock Show, 3 Inches of Blood guitarists Shane Clark and Justin Hagberg discuss near-death experiences on tour, their dedication to metal, and the impact of technology on modern music. One harrowing road story involves a close brush with decapitation—Shane recalls sticking his head out of a bus skylight, only to narrowly avoid a street sign that could have ended his life. From that moment on, he swore never to make the same mistake again.
Despite the dangers of life on the road, the band embraces the touring lifestyle, viewing it as a privilege rather than a burden. They reflect on their rise in the metal scene, including opening for Iron Maiden and meeting some of their biggest musical heroes. For them, every new milestone is just icing on the cake—they’ve already surpassed their wildest expectations and remain committed to playing music, regardless of their band’s status.
The conversation shifts to recording, where they discuss working with producer Jack Endino and their decision to avoid modern recording shortcuts. Unlike many contemporary metal bands that rely on digital tools like click tracks and sample replacement, 3 Inches of Blood sought to capture the raw, live energy of their performances. They contrast the sterile perfection of overproduced metal albums with the organic, human feel of classic records, emphasizing that imperfections add character to music.
They also touch on the growing reliance on technology in metal, questioning whether perfectly polished recordings have diluted the genre’s raw energy. Many bands, they argue, create albums that sound flawless in the studio but struggle to replicate them live. 3 Inches of Blood prefers a more natural approach, believing that authenticity in performance is more important than clinical precision.