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Willis
"Fuel Family Profile" is a more in-depth, get-to-know-you-better type of interview. In this issue of EFI, we step into the world of "The Ever-Elusive" Willis. Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? What you do? Things like that. I was born and raised in Mechanicsville, Va. I lived in the West End of Richmond for seven years and built a house back in Mechanicsville three years ago with my girlfriend, Sandy. I work for an engineering consulting firm in Glen Allen out in the Innsbrook Office park and I do electrical design work on many federal and local construction projects. My father’s side of the family has been in the electrical industry in Richmond since the 1960s, so it was something I was around constantly growing up. After leaving Virginia Tech, I started working as an electrician in 1993. I eventually worked my way up to estimating and project management of commercial electrical construction for a large electrical contractor here in Richmond, but they were based out of Wilson, N.C., where I spent a about a year being trained. I moved into the engineering/design field about five years ago and have found it challenging and quite rewarding. We provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and civil engineering services for many government/federal and private sector construction projects. I have been with Hankins and Anderson for four years now. The majority of our work is federal/overseas construction but we also do many department of corrections and institutional work as well. H&A has been doing business in Glen Allen for 60 years and last year opened a satellite office in Hampton Roads. How long have you been in Virginia Fuel? I have been in Fuel since August of 2000. Met some Fuelers at the Summer Sanitarium 2000 show at the Rockingham Drag Way and joined shortly thereafter. Tell us when you first became a Metallica fan? I first became a Metallica fan by complete accident. I walked into Peaches records and tapes in Richmond on my ninth birthday and purchased Ride the Lightning because I thought the album artwork was cool. (hahahahaha, no shit). Needless to say, at about the :40 second mark of Fight Fire with Fire, I was hooked for life.
 So you liked the Ride the Lightning artwork, huh? Have you followed Pushead and other Metallica-related artists? I liked the artwork on RTL, but my knowledge of art is very minimal - other than the Tallica designs by Pushead, which everyone has seen. Since the cover made you buy Ride, who do you think has the best CD cover out now? I'm severely out of touch - haven't gotten anything new in quite awhile. I really liked the last Hatebreed cover. So, what is your favorite album/CD cover of all time? It's a tie: Ride the Lightning and Iron Maiden's Life After Death
 What was your first-ever concert experience? My first ever concert was Bon Jovi and Cinderella at the Richmond Coliseum in April 1986. Hahahaha. At the time, I loved it. First Metallica concert? First Metallica show was July 1989 at the Richmond Coliseum on the Justice tour. The Cult opened. To this very day, still my favorite show ever. What makes it the best one ever? It was the best one ever because all my best friends and I went together. It was the first show our parents let us go to without supervision, but aside from that. I have never looked more forward to a show or talked about one for so long after since. Sore neck for three days after head bangin'. We all had the live bootlegs and all, but this was on a whole other level.
 Metallica in 1989 (Picture courtesy of Metallica.com) How many Metallica concerts have you been to?
15
What is the craziest thing that ever happened to you at a concert?
Backstage after the final show on the Shit in the Sheds tour in 1994 in Miami. We were waiting for one of the guys to come out, usually just Jason back then, when Madonna entered the backstage/tent area. We were all instructed that we would have to leave at that point. Apparently drunk Metallica fans were a security risk in her handlers eyes. Ha ha! [Ed. I agree Have you ever met any Tallica members? Yes, Jason several times. James, Lars, Kirk and Robert at the Roanoke show in April of 2004.
 Lars and Willis - Roanoke - April 2004
 Rob and Willis - Roanoke - April 2004
 Kirk and Willis - Roanoke - April 2004 What was it like hanging with Metallica backstage? I was very excited for obvious reasons. James has been a hero of mine since the sixth grade —over three quarters of my life. It was great. Rob remembered a girl I went to school with who used to date Rocky from Suicidal back in the day. That was fun talking about that. Kirk was real quiet and respectful, but didn't seem like he cared much about being there. Lars was really nice. I found out about a year later that he was right in the midst of his divorce, when he was talking to us that day. I read in So What! that his divorce was being finalized right about the same timeframe that we were in Roanoke. Phil Towle was on the road with them helping him through it. We saw Phil and spoke to him as well; he was nice. James was really attentive to what everyone was saying, which I can imagine is hard doing it night after night. My respect for the overall effort of all four members was proven. I wasn't disappointed. Especially Lars, for being so courteous during what was a real rough time for him personally.
 Rob and Willis - Roanoke - April 2004 Favorite all-time Metallica member? And Why? Hetfield. Always has seemed to be the one I most related to.
 Willis and Jaymz - Roanoke - April 2004 If you could meet only one Metallica member (any Tallica-era) for a beer and talk, which one would you want to share a Bud with and why? I would pick Jason. Only to discuss the strength and attitude it took for him to stand up for what he believed in and not be a follower. He left the greatest bass job on the planet and stuck to his guns and morals. As much as I love Tallica, I will always carry the utmost respect for Jason because of it. Favorite Metallica song and album and why?
Song: Fade to Black, because I love the dynamics. Do you collect anything Metallica-related? I have a lot of things, not really a collector of any thing in particular. Who are your favorite bands other than Metallica? Slayer, Lamb of God, Megadeth, Anthrax, Pantera, Slipknot, Sevendust, Shadows Fall, Priest, Maiden, Ozzy, Sabbath. Favorite sport to watch? Play? Brag about? I know you like NASCAR and Jeff Burton -- how long you been into NASCAR? Favorite sport is football. I have been a huge Dallas Cowboys fan since 1982. Never, ever miss the game. I'm a big NASCAR fan as well, I just back from Martinsville last night as I type this. I have been a Jeff Burton fan ever since Davey Allison died. Been going to races since 1987. And, I have a nice-size NASCAR die-cast car collection. Couple hundred or so. When did you start collecting NASCAR stuff? What's your favorite piece in your collection? Is most of it Jeff Burton items? I started collecting the die-cast cars about 15 years ago. Just for fun, no other reason. I don't get all into the value side of it. 95% of it is Jeff Burton stuff. He's my favorite, that's all.
 Top 5 favorite internet sites (BESIDES Metallica.com and VirginiaFuel.com!) Blabbermouth.net, epsn.com, dallascowboys.com, you tube, nascar.com Favorite movie this year? “300” If you were offered a job at Metallica HQ (or in the band) what would you be doing or what instrument would you be playing? I would be handling equipment maintenance, I guess. I ain't cleaning up after anybody! If you were offered your dream job, what would it be? Professional golfer Professional Golfer dreams, eh? Do you play at lot? I play at least once every two weeks when it's warm. I'm not very good (about a 20 handicap) but I love to play.
 PGA Golfer??? Favorite snack food? Doritos Favorite secret song by a hair-metal band? "Save Your Love" by Great White What's in your car stereo/CD player, iPod right now? Home and work stereo/CD player? Slayer, God Hates us All What does being a member of FUEL mean to you? A little deep of a question, ain't it? (hahahaha). Being in Fuel means I can hang out with some crazy bastards before a gig! Who is your hero, or heroes/heroine? All time: James Hetfield — for helping me through my childhood among things. Right now: Tony Romo because my Cowboys are winning. Romo was an undrafted guy, who came from nothing to become the quarterback of one of the greatest franchises in history.
 Where do you get your inspiration? The first four records. Favorite all time Metallica lyric or song line or title?
From Dyers Eve:
From Escape: OK, get out your predictor hat! Will the next Metallica studio album be good? And, what will the title be? (take a guess and also suggest a title!) It will be good to me either way. I'm sure a good lot of haters (some in this club included will bash it, so to hell with them) New CD title: The $15.99 CD, We're not an '80s thrash band anymore, so for all of you looking for Master of Puppets part 2, save your cash Anything else that you'd like FUELERS to know about you, or want to say to them?
I've said enough. Cheers everyone and happy upcoming holidays! Here's to an early wish for a Happy 2008!
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