Mesh Magazine has a sit down with Fred from Tiger Army.

Tiger Army
Never Die... No, Really
By Brian Brophy


Formed nine years ago in the East Bay, Tiger Army is attaining success the hard way: through a grueling road schedule and lots of time in the studio. Vocalist/guitarist Nick 13 is the trio's only original member, with stand-up bassist Geoff Kresge and drummer Fred Hell rounding out the band. With a rabidly loyal fan base, the psychobilly group is set to release its most ambitious album to date, Ghost Tigers Ride, on Hellcat Records on June
29th.
The band's motto, "Tiger Army Never Die" was put to the test early last year when Fred was shot four times during a home invasion robbery. Despite being shot in the both the lung and brain (where a bullet still resides) Fred has made a full recovery with a triumphant return to the stage when Tiger Army toured with Rancid last year. A case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Fred is one the nicest people you could ever meet, and I know this first hand, as he was my roommate for two years.

What happened the night you were shot?

Fred: I was at this friend's who I used to hang out with. Some guys came and robbed him, but they meant to rob a different house, where these guys had money and drugs or something. So they went to the wrong house and a fight broke out. They guy who lived there was wrestling with the people and they were going to shoot him or whatever. I didn't want to watch someone get executed in front of me so I jumped and charged the guy. I think right when I hit him I got shot. When I charged the guy I heard a loud ring. I don't remember anything after that. I woke up in the parking lot with pain, thinking, "Well, I guess I got shot." I couldn't walk or breathe because my lung had been pierced. Then I heard sirens. Oh yeah, I ran around the complex after I got shot, looking for help, but no one wanted to open their door.

Why did this album take so long to come out?

Fred: This album took so long to come out because I got shot right when we were about to start writing it. Nick really wanted this album to come out really good because this is the third album he's done and the last two didn't come out exactly the way he envisioned them. On this one he made sure he took the time to do it right. It was well worth the extra effort because we're all really stoked on it. Everything about it sounds really strong. The overall production has brought us to a whole new level.

How did you getting shot affect your role in the album?

Fred:I wasn't ready to play on it, which was kind of weird. We had worked so hard at creating our unique style and them I couldn't play. When we got Mike [Fasano] to play drums on the record, he worked hard to get not only the parts, but the feel right. He kept it all together and had a good vibe. He got it pretty much how we had it written.

What was it like your first night playing live after recovering?

Fred: First of all, just getting to play drums again was amazing. To be able to play live was the greatest feeling. That's what I really like to do. Being out and seeing all the fans that supported getting and me to talk to them was really nice. That was like the final part of my rehab I guess.

Was there a point where you didn't think you'd be able to play drums again?

Fred: Yeah. When it first happened, I couldn't use my left hand and the neurosurgeons were really unsure about it. They didn't know if it was because of shock, a nerve had been affected where the numbness I was feeling in my hand would last forever, but slowly everything started coming back. I didn't want to go back to school or find another career, you know?

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