Interview with the Devil Himself

[Author's Note: This interview with the guys in the Devil Himself was conducted back in March while they were busy recording what will be the third in their "Evil" series, Speak No Evil (completing the trilogy which includes See No Evil and Hear No Evil). Circumstances beyond my control delayed this publishing, but it turns out to be a good thing as the guys are getting ready to actually release Speak No Evil now! So enjoy the interview and go get the new offering as soon as it comes out!]

It was a rainy and cold March afternoon when I met the Devil Himself. No, not Ol' Scratch himself, but rather Dave, Dan, Jason, and new bass slinger Austin who make up the current line-up of Santa Cruz dark rockers the Devil Himself. The boys had been working feverishly laying tracks for their next musical offering, tentatively titled Speak No Evil, completing a three-part EP series that explores the joys, the grief, the light, and the dark that make up life, relationships, and everything that shapes our psyche. In other words, they want to dig deep into your mind and soul and sort of fuck with you a little via their music. But in a good way…

Devilboy: First off, I want to say thanks for taking the time to meet with me today. I just wanted to know how the process is going for this recording, how do you see it progressing?

Dave:  It’s great! Yeah, we’re pretty used to working with Lucky (Lucky Lew at Wave Parade Studios, local producer responsible for recording and producing all of tDH’s offerings thus far…) since the beginning. We are really comfortable with him now. The drums went really easy, my tracks…like, I was one tracking most of the stuff so that was really a time saver when you have so much to do in a couple days. And Dan just busted through his stuff, so really its just a matter of keeping Lucky on task because he’s such a cry baby…(laughs)

DB: Now remember, this is going down into print…

(Laughter)

Dave: No, we love Lucky. He’s like the fifth band member, really. We have a few of them, actually. Like there’s DJ D, Lucky, you, for instance. You’ve taken care of us quite a bit with what you’ve written. We appreciate that kind of stuff.

DB: Well, thanks for that.

Dave: It’s needed, you know? Its hard work just to come up with the music, learning how to play it and play it well, getting shows, and doing all of that stuff. We need those extra hands behind us t help support us.

DB: You guys just put out Hear No Evil as recently as January. What was your motivation to jump back into the studio so soon?

Dave: Just trying to keep shit fresh. The motivation was to have an approach – instead of taking so long to get the songs out to the people and playing them live – like, by the time they come out they are kind of old, y’know? We want to stay fresh, we want to produce good new stuff quickly…

Jason: …plus we have the money…(laughs)

Dave: Yeah, we have the money now, we better use it while we’ve got it and are motivated.

Dan: We just don’t want to get stale. We made the mistake before of waiting too long. I guess, in a sense, we want to keep our fan base happy but at the same time we want it just as bad (to record new music). We want to hear what we write in all its glory. I would like to record every single song. I mean, we have so many songs that have yet to be recorded. I think our motivation is: we want it, secondly to keep our fans happy. That’s what we are always striving for. You know, I really don’t know how people make it. It’s a tough biz. But I think we are doing things right. The people who turn out to our shows is what keeps it all going, the people’s response.

DB: Are you looking at this as another EP or will it be a longer play release?

Dave: It’s going to be longer, one song longer. The last one was three, this one’s going to be four. And it’s the final in the series. See No…, Hear No…, Speak No Evil. This one is Speak No Evil.

DB: Ah, ok.

Dave: After this we will probably try to put together a full length or maybe like a “Best Of”…

Jason: Maybe include all the tracks from these into one, and then add maybe a couple more…

Dave: Yeah…maybe we’ll just call it “Evil”, or something

(Laughter)

DB: Is it safe to say with this outing that you guys are refining your signature sound?

Dave: For now, we’ve changed it up a little so its not just the bass but its kind of a different experience. We like to call it 3DH (laughter). We’ll play a couple of shows like that until we get homey (pointing to Austin) up to speed and then he’s going to take over with a bunch of stuff coming up in May. We’re hoping everything will be on track for that because that’s how tDH should be heard, four guys.

Jason: Its 3DH…in 3D…

 

DB: Oh ok…you guys are going to jump on that bandwagon, huh?

(Laughter)

DB: Austin, I don’t want you to feel out of place or anything, but how do you feel about jumping into this situation?

Austin: Cool, its cool. I definitely…I’ve know these guys forever and we’ve played before in the past, so,  and I’m familiar with their music and I’m open to the whole transition.

DB: The South by Southwest Festival (held March 16 thru March 20 2011) is coming up. Do you see yourselves participating in events such as that, do you want to participate in those events or do you kind of keep them at arm’s length?

Dave: We’ve tried to join. They expect bands to submit their audition and then maybe they will get back to you in seven months or so…I don’t know how those people (bands) get in. But I haven’t really looked into it that much either…(laughs). But I would like to play all of them, seems like it would be fun. A lot of people go just to listen to music and that’s all you can really ask for.

Dan: If bands have to pay to participate…I’m not really a big fan of pay-to-play situations, y’know? I feel you should work your way up, but the second somebody starts to ask for money from bands to play…I think there is something wrong there. That’s not the way it used to be.

DB: How does your personal life affect the Devil Himself? Do you see it affecting your writing? Do you see it affecting your playing? Do you see it affecting the direction of the band at all?

Dave: (Thinking for a moment) No…I keep “band” and “home” separate, always have. The only thing I can see that affecting is maybe the writing and what inspires me to write. It totally could affect me that way. But I don’t see it as affecting much. We’ve got a great support system… (words are cut-off by door to studio opening and the ripping sounds of Dan shredding through his solos cut through and envelop everyone in the flow of sound emanating from his guitar…)

DB: What is your ultimate goal for the Devil Himself?

Dave: We just play and have fun. That’s what we do. If people come and want to give us a bunch of money someday, that’s great. But it doesn’t really happen that way in the world, so we just keep plugging. We keep putting ourselves out there, hoping that somebody who has some kind of pull hears us. But for the most part its just about having fun and rocking the fuck out of the shows whenever we get the opportunity.

Dan: We’re just doing what makes us happy. And for now, that’s all we got.

DB: Tell me a little bit about the new material that you are working on. Does it veer away or does it stay in the same vein as your previous releases?

Dave: Its definitely tDH, but its just that steady progression we’ve been on since Pushing the Panic Button. Each time we get a little bit better, we do a little bit different stuff to refine our sound. We are pretty much really liking our sound right now. We’re really happy with it. So far what we’ve heard in the studio this time is going to be better than the last time and that was just three months ago. We are really happy with that.

DB: How much input does each band member have to the new material? Is it more of a collaborative effort or an individual effort? Does everyone come in with ideas?

Dave: I would say that predominantly what happens is either Dan or I have a couple of riffs per song and we’ll bring it to the band and from that point its whatever each person wants to play. Everybody ad libs. Jason might say, hey, what about this, or someone else might say try this on the vocals. We all kind of tweak our own stuff but we…

Jason: We might even bring in old riffs from a long time ago and talk about how those might fit into this song or that song.

 

DB: Given the heavier nature of the music, one would think the influences would span from, say, Black Sabbath to even edging toward Soundgarden. What do you feel are your major influences?

Dave: Those are pretty good ones. I would have to say mine, specifically, go to Nirvana, Tool, Chevelle, to Pantera, Metallica…y’know all those bands from back in the day, 90s, 80s…all those rock/metal/grunge bands…love ‘em all.

Jason: Yeah, I grew up listening to Nirvana so that’s probably my main influence. Nirvana and Primus. I always loved Tim Alexander from Primus; that’s what got me wanting to play drums, watching him. Melvins were a huge influence, one of my favorites.

DB: So, you guys relate more to the Seattle grunge type of scene?

Dave: Yeah, with a little bit of Metallica thrown in…

Jason:…old school Metallica and Sabbath. The Devil’s note, stoner rock…

Dan: See, I like all of the pop rock bands, like I’m all about Korn, Disturbed, Deftones. People seem to hate on ‘em because they all made it so big…but they all made it big for a reason. I love Primus, Nirvana…call it cliché but it’s a mixture of everything that’s molding what I think music should be right now. Its what I miss hearing because you just don’t hear that stuff that much anymore. I try to not copy anybody, which is why I could never say this band or that band are my biggest influence. It’s a mixture of all of those bands, bringing back sounds and feelings and memories…that’s what is driving us to create our sound.

DB: Speaking of stoner rock, have you guys ever listened to Goblin Cock?

Dave & Jason: Yeah!

Dave: Our bassist three bassists ago, Elliot, LOVED them!

DB: When you mentioned “stoner rock”, that band just sort of clicked in my head…

Jason: I see them more as “wizard rock”. When I think of “stoner rock”, I think more Queens of the Stone Age. That’s sort of how I see us as because we don’t really go off on super-crazy long jams or anything like that. But I don’t really see us as metal either.

DB: How would you guys classify yourselves?

Dave: Probably more as “alternative metal”

Jason: Exactly.

DB: If you had to pick a genre…

Dave: Maybe “grunge metal”, but people don’t like the word “grunge” anymore…

DB: There is something of a stigma, it seems…

Dave: Yeah…

Jason: Mmmm hmmm. “Alternative metal” is probably about right.

DB: If you could pick a “dream” tour line-up, who would you want to share a stage with?

Dave (with no hesitation): I want to be on tour with Tool. Or the Big Four (Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth). That would be pretty sweet. I would get the heebie-jeebies every night. Shit.

Dan: Well, I don’t idolize anybody…

DB: What about you, Jason?

Jason: I would have to say Primus. They are my favorite band.

DB: And Austin?

Austin: Oh boy…(thinks)

Dave: Jack Johnson?

(Laughter)

Austin: Hey, Jack Johnson is pretty cool…

(Laughter)

Austin: I don’t know. It’s not really something I have given too much thought to…

Dave: What are you talking about, dude, we’re going on tour tomorrow…

(Laughter)

DB: Where do you see the Devil Himself in a year, two years, four years? What do you want?

Dave: Man…I don’t’ know. That’s a hard one, dude…I just want to have fun doing what we’re doing. I don’t really think too much about what’s going to happen five days from now. I mean, 2012 is next year and we’re all probably going to be dead anyway, right? So I don’t know…

(Laughter)

Dave: Right now we are going to focus on getting past 2012. Start from there and see what happens.

DB: What about you, Jason? Are you of the same opinion?

Jason: Yeah…I mean, I like the local shows where everybody comes out, get to see everybody. If we are still doing exactly the same thing we are now in a year I’ll be happy. I don’t really care about fucking making a lot of money or making it big. Its fun what we’re doing now. People like us locally and when get out and play out-of-town shows, those people seem to like us too. Its like Dave said, its all about getting together and having fun. It’s all about having a beer and chillin’ and playing music. You get a special feeling when someone comes up to you and says, man, that was badass. But we’re just doing it for fun.

the Devil Himself, as shot by DJD Photography

the Devil Himself is: 

Dave - Vocals /Guitar, Dan - Guitar/Vocals, Jason - Drums, Austin - Bass

@Reverb Nation: www.reverbnation.com/thedevilhimself

@Facebook: www.facebook.com/theDevilHimself

@iTunes:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-devil-himself/id302414372

@Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/devilhimself666

All photos by John Joseph Silveria II, except as noted by DJD Photography.

Is Rock Dead?

 This past week, while listening to Howard Stern during my commute into work, Howard and Robin had a brief discussion about how it would seem that rock n’ roll is truly dead. This stemmed from Howard’s observation that there are very few – if any – radio stations classified as “terrestrial radio” actually playing rock n’ roll. His observation was also supported by what he saw being presented on this year’s Grammy Awards broadcast. It would appear that Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Cee-lo Green, a variety of hip hop artists and R&B artists now dominate the airwaves and garner most of the coverage and dollars when it comes to the business of music. I have to admit that I have observed this trend as well. Back in the 70s and 80s, and even into the 90s, there were more rock bands. There was no MySpace, no Facebook, and no ability to record your own music from the relative comfort of your own home. If a singer or band wanted to get noticed, they toiled long and hard, writing and performing, playing anywhere and everywhere anyone would allow them to play, sometimes even doing without being paid to do so, all to get out there and build a fan base. This was more often referred to as “paying your dues”. Even acts such as Madonna – whom I would never put in the same category as rock – worked quite hard to get to where she wanted to be. In this age of technology, however, the focus has changed.

A good point that a couple of friends of mine made with regards to the Grammys, however, is that the Grammys are really only for “popular” (or “pop”) music. When reviewing what is considered “popular” music, do those of us who just want to rock really want to fall into that category?

Rock n’ roll – by definition – is dangerous. It is a contact sport, sometimes violent, always fun, and inherently sexual in its overall presentation. This doesn’t mean that rock cannot have a conscience or be socially aware, but when it is it is sort of, well…boring (listen to anything Pearl Jam recorded after Ten). Now, going back to my Madonna reference: Madonna came about as close as anyone categorized as “pop” could get to rock. Everything Madonna did (up to the end of the 90s, perhaps, although I know some who would argue she is still) was dangerous. And sexual. I personally would have loved to see her pull a Courtney Love and just do a pure rock n’ roll album, rocking out with a stripped down band, guitars, bass, and drums, maybe reworking some of her bigger hits into more glam/hard rock screamers. C’mon, you KNOW that would be awesome. A great musical hybrid in the business? Prince. Yeah, go ahead and laugh. But Prince can rock the shit out. And pretty much falls into every aspect that defines rock n’ roll. So, kiss my ass if you don’t like him. I remember getting laid to “Little Red Corvette” when it first came out and it will always hold a special place in my heart. And other places...

Even someone like Eminem comes closer to rock than some of those that have been inducted into the so-called Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Michael Jackson? Neil Diamond? ABBA? Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five? Really? Seriously?). Get this straight, fuckers: Rock n’ roll is music, but not all music is rock n’ roll.

Rock is not dead. It does not appeal to the masses because the masses are – for the most part – followers and generally stupid, needing to be spoon-fed their art and told what is good. Rock perseveres because it simply doesn’t give a fuck. This is another reason why it is called “the Devil’s music”. Rock n’ roll rebels against anything and everything that tells it what to do and how it should be in “polite” society. It feeds off of the energy of the audience and flips a middle finger to society as a whole. And while many may disagree with me, it is part of our nature as humans to rebel, to fight, to enjoy chaos on some level. Life is only truly worth living the closer ones gets to the danger. Some dance closer than others, but we all do it to one degree or another.

So, fuck society. Fuck the Grammys. Fuck “popular” music. Let the weak and uninteresting suck down their bottles filled with mediocre dance, electronica, R&B, and such that changes with each year based on which Mickey Mouse Club star the studios wish to cash in on. Rock has always been here and always will be. Suck on that, bitches.

Flexx Bronco - Volume 2

Flexx Bronco - Volume 2

Flexx Bronco

Volume 2

2010

Label: D.S.R. (Independent)

Guy Thunderbird

I have to begin this blog by admitting I am somewhat ashamed it has taken me this long (CD was released Summer of '10) to get to writing this review. It is especially shaming as I know these guys and have been to see them live and review their previous releases. Sorry, guys.

Ok. Mea culpas complete. On with the review...

Filthy

To say that Bay Area outlaw rocker darlings Flexx Bronco kick serious ass would be to do a disservice to both them and that particular phrase. In a world seemingly dominated by musical acts that lack even the barest thread of integrity - let alone true rock n' roll sensibility - Flexx Bronco slithers their way under the radar to provide their fans with a sonic blast of gritty blues rock aural-gasmic delight. The boys' latest offering, Volume 2, showcases all of this and more.

When last we saw Flexx Bronco, they had decided to pay some tribute to their fan base by throwing out a bit of a treat: Volume 2 - Sampler (my review of which can be found here). This limited edition EP included several songs that would later make it onto Volume 2 and served to prove that XB had kept busy writing, recording, and playing anywhere and everywhere they could, raising good ol' boy style Hell wherever they found themselves. They even shot a couple of actual music videos and posted selected performances to their official YouTube page. Volume 2 exhibits XB at their best.


Flexx Bronco "Lauren Blues in A" Vol. 2 from Sean Murphy on Vimeo.

Eroc

"A Lesson in Love", "Go Fast", and the groovingly bluesy "Lauren Blues in A" were all featured on the Volume 2 - Sampler EP, but seem somehow fuller and more realized on Volume 2 when joined by such instant XB classics as "Pop (The Top)" and "Black Limo". "Johnny's Saloon" offers lyrics that naturally flow off of bassist Guy Thunderbird's (Yeah. That's his name. You got a problem with that?) tongue, a perfect whiskey drinking ballad. "American Heartbreak" and "The Song That Kills" venture into more standardized hard rock territory, but still showcase XB's talent as a unit in keeping the beat and choruses tight, driving the guitars and rhythm section down the listener's throat and out their asses without passing Go. Or collecting $200.

Thor Bigsby

Volume 2 is a true step forward in the evolution of Flexx Bronco while still keeping it real, down and dirty. Pick this one up and crack up the sound system. Just don't be surprised if your speakers start to flame up. If you dig sexy, Texas-style outlaw blues rock, you won't be disappointed. Make sure you check the links included below to get details on their Winter/Spring 2011 Tour, which also has them playing the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas (March 11 - 20, 2011).


Flexx Bronco is: 

Guy Thunderbird (Vocals and Bass Guitar)

Filthy (Guitar)

Eroc (Guitar)

Thor Bigsby (Drums and Shiny Underpants)

www.flexxbronco.com

www.reverbnation.com/flexxbronco

www.sonicbids.com/flexxbronco

www.youtube.com/officialflexxbronco

Welcome to TDM aka The Devil's Music Magazine!

Welcome!

The Devil’s Music Magazine is not so much a magazine as it is my little spot out here to express my thoughts and opinions on music. I tend to focus on what I regard to be rock n’ roll, i.e., blues-based guitar-oriented rock, hard rock, glam, and metal. Being something of an older fuck, you may find that I may compare some newer local or national to older rockers such as Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Van Halen, etc. In addition, I may veer into other genre territory, such as punk, rockabilly, industrial, and the like. This does not mean, however, that I am not open to new blood. On the contrary, I LOVE discovering new bands, especially digging local bands rocking the Northern California/SF Bay/South Bay/Central Valley area.

I may even revisit some classic releases from great bands, as something of a refresher, because sometimes it is cool to go back and check out the those who laid the groundwork for everyone else…

This blog will include pictures, both those I take as well as those from the band’s site(s), reviews of CD releases as well as of live shows I am lucky to be able to get to check out. I plan to write and post as often as possible, at least once per week, with opinion/editorial-style pieces if nothing else, so please check back often.

I also plan on leaving the comments functionality open in order to hear suggestions from everyone out there about bands you feel I should check out. So don’t be shy, but also keep in mind that ripping comments serve no useful or helpful purpose and will be deleted at my discretion. Basically, it’s my fucking page and if I don’t like what you have to say then your comment(s) are getting toasted. But in a loving way.

So sit back, strap in, subscribe, share, and please let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing your comments, suggestions, and recommendations!


Vaya con Diablos ~

Sean Patrick Thompson aka DevilBoy