An awkward situation at a New York club turned an awkward situation into Biohazard's dream opportunity.
An incident in a VIP club
Billy Graziadei, founding member of hardcore band Biohazard, recently recalled an awkward encounter with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich at a club in New York. This interaction, which could have turned into a fiasco, ultimately allowed Biohazard to land a place as the opening act for Metallica.
During an interview with Mike Z on 96.7 KCAL-FMGraziadei tells: “I was chatting with my friends and the club owners when Lars arrived with around ten people. One of the owners asks me if I can introduce them. So I call him, 'Yo, what's up, Lars?' He looks at me, nods, says 'yeah, hi', and continues on his way.”
This indifference sparked a series of mockery from Graziadei's friends, who criticized him for exaggerating his relationship with the Metallica musician. Refusing to stay with this impression, Graziadei decided to confront Ulrich directly in the VIP section.
“I went over to him and sat down next to him and said, 'What are you doing? You know who I am. Billy, from Biohazard.' He replied: 'I didn't recognize you because of your hair.' I told him that I had always been [teint en] blonde, that was my thing.”
Also read: “Dear Nicko…”: Bill Ward (Black Sabbath) pays tribute to Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)
An unexpected reward
The next morning, Graziadei received a call from his manager, Scott Koenig. “He said to me, 'I don't know what you told him, but they want to take you on tour.' I almost dropped the phone.”
This moment marked a turning point for Biohazard, giving them the opportunity to open for Metallica, a dream come true.
A respectful confrontation
Billy Graziadei attributes this luck to the fact that he confronted Lars Ulrich with respect, while asserting his position. “I wasn't aggressive, I just told him, 'Don't pretend you don't know me, especially in front of my friends in New York. They're going to take me away.' I think he appreciated the fact that I wasn’t afraid to tell him what I thought.”
“No matter who you are – garbage collector or president – respect is the key… And you have to be able to defend yourself.” If you show respect and remain authentic, you will be respected in return, is what Graziadei seems to mean.
