Shinedown light up the rock scene

Shinedown light up the rock scene - page 2

21-08-2008 14:53

To anyone who hasn’t heard of you before, how would you describe your sound?

Straight up rock and roll. It’s aggressive when it need to be and it also has a lot of emotion and honesty in the lyrics and when you come to see us live its just a good old-fashioned rock show with lots of running and jumping around.

It doesn’t matter how many people are there, we give it everything every single time.

You’ve supported the likes of Van Halen and Rob Zombie, have you always had good reactions from other bands’ fans?

Yeah, Van Halen was a little tough because they had just reformed so everyone who came to the show were there to see Van Halen and had paid premium dollar for the tickets so by the time we went in they were still filing in and grabbing beers and t-shirts. Overall though it did very well for us and they were receptive to us and listened to us, it was an older crowd so it was a lot harder to win them over as it wasn’t like the younger kids where these’s a mosh pit and lots of jumping around but it was a great time.

With Rob Zombie, even though his music is heavier; in the States we’re in the same vein because they’ll play a Zombie track and a Shinedown track back to back so it worked very well. Also on that tour were Godsmack so it was a great tour.

If you could support any other band who would it be and why?

There are two bands we’d love to support; firstly, Muse, because they’re amazing live and I’ve only recently got into them because they’re not as popular over here in the States but my guitarist Nick is absolutely infatuated with them, and has their t-shit and watches their video once a week! He introduced them to me and now I can’t get enough! It would be great to open for them.

Secondly the Foo Fighters for many of the same reasons, I think we’d sit well together with them and I think they’re a great live act.

Are there any bands around at the moment you don’t like or who you turn over when they come on the radio?

No that I can think of but to be honest I don’t listen to the radio that much because when you’re out on the road you really focus on yourself and if you listen to music it’s usually on your iPod to get pumped up for a show or to pass the time on an aeroplane so to be honest I don’t listen to a lot of new music.

Are there any genre’s you’re not too keen on then?

I’m not really into the real Indie scene; not because I hate it, just because I don’t get it. I like a little heavier rock than that and obviously it does well and there are a lot of talented musicians on that field but it’s just not what I’m into. All these ‘The …’ bands are not my type of thing.

You’ve got your debut album set for release next year, how have you found making the record?

Making this record was the best experience of my life, it was a lot of fun making this record unlike the last one which was like pulling teeth. It was a lot of fun and I think that had a lot to do with the producer and engineer on the record who are great guys and they are extremely intelligent together.

Brent Smith and I had a blast despite having some issues with our old band members and things.

Oh dear; anything you could share with us?

We lost our guitarist and bass player in between this record and our last one. The guitarist and the singer just couldn’t get along anymore and then the guitar player had a lot of personal issues that he couldn’t rise above. So we had to lose them and after spending seven years with somebody it becomes like a marriage - I spend more time with these guys than I do with my wife!

It’s unfortunate and was very hard to go through but at the same time Brent and myself we having such a great time making the record we refused to let anything bring us down and we refused to let Shinedown die so we pawned our friends Nick Perri, Eric Bass and Zach Myers to join us and become band member so it was a very easy transition and actually a blessing in disguise because the band is stronger now than it’s ever been.

Do you have any favourite songs off the album?

As far as the album goes I love them all because we spent so much time working on them but when we are playing live I think Sound Of Madness is probably my favourite because the crowd reaction is great and the drum part is relatively simple and has an AC/DC feel to it but it’s very easy to lose the groove on that song so when I’m playing it and I look out at the crowd and see them pumping their fists I know I’m right in that pocket of sound and it gives me energy back.

Is the life of a rock star what you thought it would be?

Not at all! I love it and I can’t complain about it, and in some respects it’s a lot better than I thought it would be but you’re not an instant millionaire and you don’t meet bunches of women or do a bunch of drugs because then you wouldn’t be able to do your job. But that’s a good thing!

The bad thing is that it’s a lot more work than you think it is, but that’s also a positive because you do what you love for a living so the busy days and lack of sleep is so worth that hour and half on stage.

What makes you guys different from all the other rock bands that are emerging from the US at the moment?

I think there are two things. Firstly, the honesty in the lyrics as Brent writes from the heart when he writes and anyone can relate to the words, whether they’re five or 50 years old.

Secondly I think our work ethic and the fact that we truly enjoy what we do and we understand that the fans are our boss and we do everything we can to make sure they are taken care of and to put on a great show for them. Then afterwards we get off the stage, change our clothes and go out and meet all the fans and sing things and give them the attention that they all deserve.

Who do you look up to within the industry?

I would say the bands who have a legacy behind them, bands such as aero smith as well as newer bands like the Foo Fighters; bands who have had multiple albums but still remain at the top of their game. I look to them for inspiration because I want to be able to do the same thing one day. We are on that path and we have three records and we’ve been together for 10 years and we look to establish that.

Where would you like to be 10 years from now?

Wembley Stadium would be nice! I don’t think us as a band is ever satisfied; once you get one thing you want another. We had out top 10 debut in the States and that was amazing, but then we wanted a number one, then a Grammy. I don’t think there’s one thing that will make me say “Wow we’ve finally made it” Just as long as we keep getting bigger and better and stay viable I’ll be very happy.