Heaven's On Fire |Dimebag Darrell

July 13th 1996 PART ONE

July 13th, 1996

Dimebag Darrell Discusses Pantera's 1996 Album, 'The Great Southern Trendkill

A man's home may be his castle, but for Pantera's Dimebag Darrell, it's also a fully stocked rock and roll playground.
Part crash pad, part recording studio, part wet bar, Sir Dime's palace is littered with Gold and Platinum records and a hard liquor collection that would make a Hooter's bartender blush. A large Seagram's 7 display plaque hangs behind the television, a Coors Light keg sits in the living room, and Washburn Dimebag signature series guitars lurk, ready for action, in every room. There's even a cheap nylon-string acoustic in the bathroom.

"Yeah, nothing feels better than knowing that I can put a guitar in my hands at any time and rip -- even when I'm taking a crap!" laughs the purple-goateed cowboy from hell. "I guess you could just call me a shithouse poet!"

Located in a sedate Arlington, Texas, suburb, Darrell 's home on the range is clearly a source of pride. And despite the dorm-room atmosphere, the house represents the twentysomething Dimebag's first tentative step into (gasp!) adulthood.

"I've always wanted a place to jam," he says. "So, when we had some time off after our last tour, I'd decided that I'd do myself and my woman right for a change. Instead of-spending all my money on beer and tattoos, I thought I'd buy something that's worth a shit for once for the old lady and I."

GUITAR WORLD: So, rumors of Dimebag Darrell being a married man, is true?

Hah, yeah guess I am. So, her name is Sabian and any TRUE fan of ours knows who she is, she is that gorgeous red headed spitfire that is at our shows, getting down and gritty with the fans. Haha, we met way back when and have been together ever since. We're not married in the tradition sense but in my eyes, she is my wife, and we live and breathe as a married couple. Our friends and family can agree and support it. I love her.

GUITAR WORLD: Sounds to me like she is a special woman.

Most definitely. That woman had to endure the days where we toured in a small broken down piece of shit RV, so she has earned her stripes around us. Not only is she my better half and best friend but she is best friends with the guys and crew as well. All these years she has kept me on my toes. I truly believe that I am a lucky man to have her at my side.

  Looking over the top of the magazine the moment I was done reading Darrell's interview, "you really think that of me?" feeling myself blush. Darrell had sat with his chin supported by his hand while he listened to me read the interview to him. "Of course, babe," he smiled. Darrell got up from the dining table that sat adjacent from the couch where I was currently sitting, taking the empty spot next to me before tossing the magazine to the table. "Come here baby, your favorite spot. I need to hold you," he tapped the spot between his shoulder and neck, this was in fact my favorite place to be, he knew me well.

  Being out on the road had its moments, some good and some not the best. For example, another birthday spent on the road. Don't get me wrong, I had fun, but what I really wanted was for us to be home where our family was. I wanted to sleep in our bed, pretending that the world didn't exist for just one day. I wanted time with Darrell, where he wasn't expected to be somewhere, and I didn't have to share him. At the end of the day though I had Darrell, that's all that mattered to me. It never mattered in where we were or what we had, I just needed him.

  "How's being old treating you?" Vinnie chuckled, taking the seat across from us. "I should be asking you Riggs since I am most positive that by this point you are farting out dust because well...you are older than me remind you. How are those senior discounts treat you?" I grinned up at him. Vinnie flipped me off which caused his brother to laugh.