Former PANTERA/DOWN bassist and current KILL DEVIL HILL member REX BROWN chatted with Artisan News and during the interview, noted how METALLICA teased former bassist Jason Newsted “mercilessly” and left Pantera a huge strip-club bill in the days before they found success in his new book Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story Of Pantera, published by Da Capo Press.

Check out a video of the chat below:

Recently, Rex gave BraveWords correspondent Greg Prato the lowdown on his book, as well as an update on new music from KILL DEVIL HILL, and did not skip around the tough questions, including what his current relationship with former Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul is like.

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Here is an excerpts from the chat:

BraveWords: There are quotes interspersed throughout the book from others, but quotes from PHIL ANSELMO and VINNIE PAUL are not included. Were either approached to provide quotes for the book?

Rex Brown: "No. This is my book, so why would I put their stories in my book? It didn't make any sense. But Phil has been very supportive of this - they put it on the Down pages and everything. That's very cool. In fact, Phil and I kind of spoke last week via email. He's busy as hell with his solo record, so we'll find the time to speak on the phone. But Phil and I are brothers - we just don't jam together anymore."

BraveWords: How are your current relationships with Phil, Rita (Dimebag Darrell's longtime girlfriend), and Vinnie?

Rex Brown: "Phil and Rita, great. Vinnie just doesn't want to have anything to do with any of us. It's a shame. I'd rather people read it in the book than read it in a magazine article because it really tells the tale. You've got to read it all the way through. Maybe there is a happy ending at the very end. Phil and I have opened up our arms many times to Vinnie. And he just…I don't know what to say - just read the book."

Read the entire interview here.

For more info on Rex visit Facebook.