Every so often, we take a little time on Mondays (or Thursday, when Mother’s Day is on the horizon) to pay tribute to the Muthas! That is, reprinting the adorable metal/maternal Q&As that run in the magazine. Today, enjoy Justin Norton’s chat with Muriel Lilker, Metal Mutha of Dan Lilker, of Brutal Truth, S.O.D., Nuclear Assault, Anthrax, Blurring, Venomous Concept, and numerous others.
My career started as a copywriter at an advertising agency. From there, I went on to public relations, working first for the ABC network, and then several years for United Jewish Appeal. I started writing poems, plays and essays. The poems have been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and a local Queens paper. I’ve had essays published in a Queens newspaper. I live in an assisted living facility, and I write poems for people when they have a birthday.
What was Danny like growing up? Do you remember when he got interested in music?
He was about five years old when he heard his sister playing the piano. When she got up, he went over and started to play the same notes. I called the neighborhood pianist who was giving my daughter lessons and asked if I could bring him over, and he said, “At five years old? That’s much too young.” I said, “Well, can we just try?”
Was Danny a good student? Did he like school?
He was a bright student, but he didn’t care that much for studying, and music meant much more to him.
What is the most memorable experience you have of being Danny’s mother?
When my husband and I attended a heavy metal concert, I was so pleased to see someone asking for his autograph.
Metal was a very new thing back in the ’80s, and scared a lot of parents. Were you one of them?
No. I thought it was funny that Danny and his friends would write their own lyrics, but the music was so powerful that you couldn’t hear what people were singing. It never scared me. I was glad to hear it.
What do you think of the fact that Danny has been able to make an entire life out of heavy metal?
I’m very proud of him. He’s been intelligent about this, and he knew the right people to pick for forming bands over the years. I think he’s done very well that way.
What about Danny makes you the proudest?
He keeps going no matter whatever happens in the music world. If one thing doesn’t work out, he manages to find something else. He’s very progressive about this, and very talented and very intelligent.
