band - Deadwater 3.20.07 interview w/Ryan, Troy, Rod, Chilo

Deadwater will be playing at BANNEDPROMOTION.com's Metalfest on April 7th. Here is

an interview I conducted with the guys from the band via email. Trust me, this is a band

you will want to see at the show. Be sure to check them out at www.deadwater.com or

www.myspace.com/deadwatermusic

The band consists of:

Ryan Lewis – vocals,

Jared Roberts (Rod) – guitars

Troy Bandy – bass

Chris Ballard (Chilo) – drums

BP: How long has Deadwater been around and how did the name come about?

Ryan: We started up in Oct. of 2002,

Troy: At that time, the name “Black Sabbath” was taken.

Ryan: We’ve actually been playing out since early 2003, with the exception of 18 months where Rod roadied for Prince.

BP: I noticed the band was originally made up of members who also played in other bands. Is that still the case these days, or has this become the main focus for all the members?

Chilo: This is our main focus, now.

Ryan: Those bands kickstarted us all respectfully, but we’ve all kinda found our home with Deadwater.

BP: I know you all are working on your CD entitled "Brother John". How is the recording process coming along, and is there a definitive date for the release yet?

Troy: We are in the final stages of production as this is written.

Chilo: It’ll be available this summer.

BP: Are there any plans in the works to venture out on a tour to support the CD, or are you guys planning on staying somewhat local with shows for now?

Troy: We’re going to support it in the tri-state area as it stands right now.

Chilo: Spread the word, baby!

BP: Many of our readers will get the chance to see you guys live for the first time on April 7th in Sikeston, Missouri. What can we (music fans) expect from a Deadwater show?

Rod: “Slow brewed Southern Illinois groove.”

Chilo: A good time, crowds seem to chime in on a lot of our material we play live, which we certainly dig.

Troy: I just hope the crowd has as much fun hearing our music as we do playing it. ‘Cause we have a blast each and every night.

Ryan: We love the energy of the heavy south. We feed off of it. Man, we love what we do, we give it all we got, and we just have fun up there.

BP: Where would you like to see Deadwater in five years?

Troy: Hopefully, supporting our families and our life with our music.

Rod: Yeah, if I can pay my bills with the music we play, I’ll be happy.

BP: I see that you all are really into the Southern styled bands like Pantera, Down, Corrosion of Conformity and so forth. Who would you say was one of your biggest influences as a kid growing up? Who is that one person or band that you saw and thought, 'Man, I wanna do that. I wanna be in a band'?

Chilo: Definitely Dio and Black Sabbath.

Troy: Pantera and AC-DC

Rod: As a band, I really dug Pearl Jam from day one. Seeing Eddie Vedder jump off the balcony kicked ass! Dave Mustaine was my first guitar influence musician-wise.

Ryan: As a kid? Hetfield and Metallica fo’-sho’. Phil Anselmo was my main influence as I started singing,

though.

BP: What are you listening to these days?

Ryan: BLS’s newest one, the self titled Clutch album, and “The War Within” by Shadows Fall.

Rod: Herb Albert & the Tijahna Brass, shitloads of Bob Dylan, Clutch, and definitely NOT KISS!!!

Troy: Crue, ZZ Top, Skynyrd…

Rod: Don’t forget “Guitar Hero”, Troy.

Chilo: Goatsnake, Miles Davis, Coaltrain.

BP: What can you tell someone about the SIMC, (Southern Illinois Metal Collective, www.SIMC.tk) who isn't familiar with it?

Ryan: To us, they are family, to the fans of the heavy music, they should expect great f’n music, man!

Troy: They are the best group of people you could ever know.

Chilo: They are some great people, but they also provide a friendly competition to us as Southern Illinois musicians, they help drive us. They also support each other's projects. Bands like ATH and ZAIUS have been around since day one playing great music while supporting the new acts along the way.

Ryan: Most every band in the SIMC shows gratitude and respect for other bands and the fans.

BP: Have anything to plug as far as show dates, websites, merchandise, local bands, or anything else?

Chilo: We’d definitely like to mention Annihilate The Hero and Zauis.

Ryan: And as far as we go, we have the www.deadwater.com, the www.myspace.com/deadwatermusic Rod: T-shirts, stickers, and the CD THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE SITTING ON RAZORS EDGE IN ANTICIPATION FOR…

Ryan: “Brother John”