Jack Owen Reflects on His Time with Deicide and Glen Benton
A Candid Admission
Former Deicide guitarist Jack Owen has candidly discussed his tumultuous relationship with the band’s frontman, Glen Benton. In a recent appearance on The Growl Podcast, Owen opened up about the personality clash that significantly impacted his tenure with the iconic death metal group.
The Nature of Their Differences
When asked about his experiences working alongside Benton, Owen did not hold back. “It was tough, pretty tough,” he stated. The guitarist elaborated, explaining that their fundamentally different personalities made collaboration challenging. “He never cracked my bubble and I never wanted to get into his bubble. We’re just completely different people, man.”
Introversion vs. Drama
Owen characterized himself as an introvert who prefers to focus on creative output rather than interpersonal drama. “I just wanna do my work and get done and just keep going. Next album,” he said. In contrast, he speculated that Benton might thrive on drama, further complicating their working relationship. “I don’t know if he likes drama or likes to create it — I don’t know — but you can tell that we’re different people, and it just was not gonna work.”
Relationships Within the Band
Despite his difficulties with Benton, Owen noted that he generally maintained positive relationships with other members of Deicide. “I got along with Steve Asheim great and Kevin Quirion great. I get along with the Hoffmans,” he shared. His sentiment was clear: the friction was primarily with Benton. “I get along with everybody, pretty much, except Glen Benton.”
A Humorous Take on Recognition
Owen also recounted a humorous moment from an interview where Benton claimed not to know who he was, a comment that Owen found amusing rather than offensive. “I think I’m just so simple that you think there’s more to me,” he remarked. He described his life outside of music, which includes running a cat rescue and enjoying sports like college football and hockey.
Drama in the Florida Metal Scene
As the conversation progressed, host Chad “C.R.” Petit suggested that some individuals thrive on drama. Owen agreed, reflecting on the competitive nature of the Florida death metal scene during the late ’80s and ’90s. “The Florida metal scene was like that. It was all drama. Band feuds and just all kinds of crap,” he noted. Owen expressed disappointment in the inability to unite bands for collaborative shows, citing a missed opportunity for camaraderie between bands like Morbid Angel, Deicide, Obituary, and Cannibal Corpse.
Vision for the Future
Despite the drama of the past, Owen remains hopeful for a more unified future in the Florida death metal scene. He still believes that a collaborative tour featuring the region’s most significant bands would be a fantastic idea, echoing the spirit of thrash metal’s “Big Four.” “I’m still the same way I always was,” he concluded.
Conclusion
Jack Owen’s reflections on his time with Deicide provide valuable insight into the complexities of band dynamics, particularly when contrasting personalities collide. While his relationship with Glen Benton may have been strained, Owen’s commitment to music and his vision for unity within the metal community remain steadfast.
FAQs
What did Jack Owen say about Glen Benton?
Jack Owen described his relationship with Glen Benton as “tough” due to their fundamentally different personalities, stating that he preferred to focus on his work rather than engage in drama.
Did Jack Owen get along with other members of Deicide?
Yes, Owen noted that he generally got along well with other members of Deicide, including Steve Asheim and Kevin Quirion, contrasting this with his difficulties with Benton.
What are Owen’s thoughts on the Florida death metal scene?
Owen reflected on the drama within the Florida death metal scene of the late ’80s and ’90s and expressed a desire for a collaborative tour featuring notable bands from the region.
What hobbies does Jack Owen have outside of music?
Outside of music, Owen is involved in a cat rescue and enjoys watching college football and hockey.
