Interview mit Dez Fafara von DevilDriver

First of all let me thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!
How are you doing?
I’m doing fine and you’re welcome no worries.

2022 marks the 20-year anniversary of DEVILDRIVER – congratulations! Did you ever think you’d be making music this long?
Thank you , it’s been a great ride with lots more to come and yes making music is what we do so the question of doing it so long never really comes to mind actually lol . I feel grateful and humbled by a very long career.

Let’s go back to the beginning. How much of a reaction to Coal Chamber’s fall from grace after „Chamber Music“ and the subsequent dissolution of the band was the formation of DEVILDRIVER?
Well Coal Chamber had a massive run, and the “fall from grace“ happened more within the band than anything else because the shows were still huge and the fans still with us, it’s just that we started to not get along. I started DEVILDRIVER in 2002 and had demos when I was still on the road with Coal Chamber actually.

Did you feel like you had something to prove when you wrote and recorded your self-titled debut?
Not really, I was striking out on my own, wanted to give it my best shot and I think we did that.

How much of a challenge was replacing Evan Pitts when he left after the first album?
It was quite a challenge. Evan enjoyed and still enjoys (we talk still ) being home so going on the road for 20 years wasn’t his plan … when Mike came in he had big shoes to fill and he did it very well !

In 2013 you released „Winter Kills“ on Napalm records – your first record not to be released via Roadrunner. Why did you change labels back then? Looking back on it – was this the right move for DEVILDRIVER?
1000% leaving that label was the best thing that happened!

You’re about to release „Clouds Over California“, a collection of your Roadrunner records plus liner notes. Why did you choose to concentrate on this period of the band’s career?
These are the records BMG wanted to put out, I’m sure the others will also be coming out sooner than later – this is the early years version.

Can you explain why you chose the song title „Clouds Over California“ (from the record „The Last Kind Words“) as the title for this new release?
This is one of DEVILDRIVERs most popular songs so it seemed only fitting plus we are a California band for those who don’t know so this title also put the Cali stamp on the box set.

What motivated you to put down liner notes for „Clouds Over California“? What did you talk about?
You’ll need to read ‘em , stories from the time we spent together , road stories , the fun the struggle etc .

Did you ever consider putting together a package containing all DEVILDRIVER records to celebrate the bands‘ birthday?
As I’ve said I’m sure those will get released sometime but for now these seemed very fitting.

Have you planned anything else to celebrate, like special merch or a retrospective tour?
Yes, but I can’t discuss yet.

Speaking of touring – how did you cope with everything grinding to a hold due to COVID for about two years?
It was difficult to watch all the lives lost, business lost but for me I have been on the road since 95 so it was a break my family and I needed to reset to be very honest. I almost died from covid – luckily I’m here now doing this interview.

Have you made any plans to resume touring (Europe) yet?
We are making plans, I can’t say much yet but there’s been fests confirmed for 2023.

Alright. To end proceedings, I’d like to do our traditional Metal1.info brainstorming with you.

Coffee: Love it.
Joe Biden: no comment.
Favorite record right now: I’m listening to a lot of older punk rock!
DEVILDRIVER in ten years: still be going strong … hopefully.

Thanks again for taking the time. If you want to add something – the last words are yours!
My pleasure.

Publiziert am 29. Juli 2022 von Christoph Emmrich