DevilDriver - Dez Fafara
Posted on December 15, 2007 at 2:29 pm by admin
There’s something funny I’ve noticed about DevilDriver, and it’s the simple fact that they’re listed under the Metal-Archives as “Only accepted into the archives, because the newest full-length (2007) is considered to be metal.” It’s kind of funny when you take a look, as the reactions from the tr00 metal fans are quite forgiving (even the people who gave DevilDriver albums a bad review there were more forgiving than you’d think). That was one of the subjects I spoke to frontman Dez Fafara about, with his recently shaven face, losing his previous road-warrior beard to expose that famed chin tattoo.
As always, I ask all users to keep an open mind about giving different forms of music and metal a chance. DevilDriver has certain changed a few minds about taking a look at more underground metal, especially when you consider the relationship Dez has with Morbid Angel and Kataklysm, so read on!
Way Too Loud: I’m sure you must like the fact that people argue about what kind of metal you play.
Dez Fafara: It’s so hard… I did an interview with a guy yesterday that said Lamb Of God and us were party metal! Everybody has their own take on things. First of all, it’s hard to label DevilDrivers music, and it’s going to be really hard to pin me down because I was in a band previous to this that was much different than this, and I have so many influences from so many people that are beyond metal that it would be hard to pin me down in a genre, or putting some tag on me.
WTL: There was one place on the net that called you melodic death metal, I’m not sure I would call you that, but there is melody in what you do.
Dez: To each his own. I don’t know… my vocals are low at times, but they’re not death metal low. We do have melody, but not tons of it, not as much as say Killswitch Engage. I don’t know, it’s difficult, and I think that’s a good thing that you can’t pin DevilDriver down right now. I think that’s a real positive thing. You certainly can’t put it in a genre with anyone we’re touring with right now. That’s something about this tour package, with Soilwork, Killswitch Engage and Lamb Of God, everyone is so different, so I think it’s a good meld.
WTL: You seem to be breaking on through to the underground ground now.
Dez: Yeah there always seems to be that one guy that says “All I listen too is death metal!” Whatever, I just do what I do, and for people who like music, that like genuinely good rock that’s got groove, good hooks and some words with something to say, go pick it up.
WTL: The Kataklysm thing happened awhile ago, but things seem to be working out well with them now.
Dez: To take people through it, we got an Opeth tour that Kataklysm had thought that they had, so as soon as we got that, they were really bummed because they need that tour for their livelihood, and we got the tour. So they started spouting off and saying some things about us that were very incorrect, and to show the kind of gentleman I was, we had a tour that we were going out on, and I called them and asked them if they wanted to share a bus with us. I think that probably made their head spin. After sharing a bus with them, they were the nicest guys we ever met. I love their music, I love them as people. He came forward and apologized to me, Maurizio [vocals], many times. It just goes to show that people should just focus on the music, and just shut the fuck up! You know what I mean?
WTL: Wasn’t there a headlining tour you were doing later that didn’t work out? Kataklysm had to work on a new album?
Dez: Yeah, they had to do something, and we were sent somewhere else. We tried to get together with them again. Having different experiences, sharing buses with different people, over time, living in a little submarine together you get to really know them really well, and those cats were really cool.
WTL: How are you guys keeping yourselves entertained on the road?
Dez: My guys are playing this thing with Lamb Of God called “Arena ball”! Kicking the ball up in the stands, and I think Willie is a ref, and he’s even got the shirt! You’ve got to find a way to pass the time on the road bro!
WTL: There’s been a lot of safe tours lately, but you’ve toured with bands like Opeth and Morbid Angel. People of course would expect to see you with certain bands, but who would you like to go out with that people wouldn’t expect?
Dez: We’ve got a headlining tour coming up in February, and when we make our announcement, people are going to be shocked at not only the diversity, but the people that are on it.
WTL: Has there been any interest in black metal? I know you have an affinity for bands like Mayhem, Immortal and Emperor, although a tour may be difficult.
Dez: I got turned onto that stuff around 95, 96, 97…
WTL: With some help from Phil Anselmo?
Dez: Yeah, him and a bunch of other cats. I can’t say anything though! It’ll give something away! We’ve just spent too much time working on what’s coming up. I think we’ve got the next level coming for DevilDriver. We did it organically. I didn’t come out of Coal Chamber and start headlining. I opened for everybody that opened for me, I got back in an RV for 31/4 to 4 years straight and toured. I haven’t been home! Now we’re going to take it to the next level by headlining, and probably only headlining next year, unless a major situation comes up that’s support.
WTL: I always like hearing the explanation about visual aspect, so why do you like wearing the gauntlets?
Dez: I don’t know. I started wearing them in Coal Chamber. I love putting them on! It’s like battle armour man! Back then it was the black eyeliner and big ol’ cuffs, it’s like “Yeah! That’s what rock ‘n roll is!” I love ‘em. Even on a daily basis I’ll wear cuffs though.
WTL: A friend of mine, his fiancé would love to have you play at their wedding.
Dez: Call my booking agent! It’s on the website! We do bar mitzvahs too! (Laughs)
WTL: Have you ever lied about your band name?
Dez: Yeah! Our bus driver got through the border one time by saying we were a straight-edge vegan Christian band! The minute he said DevilDriver, they told him to pull over, then he said that. It’s the only time in 12 years I never had to get out of my bunk coming into Canada, so I guess that story should be told even more! We always get treated real well. They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do to protect the border, it’s all good. Our boys do the same when we come back. They search a little It’s got to be done. Security of the nations. I don’t believe in borders actually. I don’t believe there should be any borders anywhere in the world. No hunger. There should be no children without shoes on their feet.
The Official DevilDriver Website
DevilDriver at MySpace
DevilDriver at Roadrunner
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