INTERVIEW: Shinedown
- Posted on August 27, 2008 1:17 PM
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Interview by Zarina Raja
I read a quote from you guys on your new album: ‘A record that needed to be made.’Are you confident that the result was what you set out to achieve?
Yes we are. We are truly proud of the record. It is honest and blunt Rock 'n' Roll. I think it stands out against a lot of current Rock music.
Your new album is entitled The Sound of Madness. If madness was an object, which object would it be?
My cell phone. It drives me to madness.
Run through the creation process of The Sound of Madness. Does the result mirror that idea that you first started with?
The record took eighteen months to make. Brent and I started demoing songs and filtering them through Rob Cavallo. We went to LA with about fifty songs. Once we were into the studio we narrowed it down to about fifteen songs. Working with Rob and his engineer Doug McKean was a blast and it was a very comfortable studio environment. Once we started laying down the tracks it took about six months to finish the record completely with mastering and such. It is exactly what we envisioned if not better. We all went into it with an open mind. Rob didn't want to change the band or our sound, just make it bigger and better. I think we accomplished that.
Which song means the most to each of you?
They all are like our babies. You spend so much time on each one it is hard to really pick one of the bunch. I think it changes on the day and the mood your in. All of the songs are a reflection of the last four years of our life.
Let’s talk a bit about Devour – your first political song inspired by a trip to Iraq.
Our Iraq trip was one of the best experiences of our lives. We didn't go over there with an agenda or for press, it was just to support our troops and give them a taste of home. In going there we met so many great men and women who were proud and driven to do their job no matter what. Unfortunately that is not shown on the news channels. The song is a personal letter to the current President asking basically looking back on your terms in office this is what you have to show for it. We 100% support our troops but want them to come home and have an end to this conflict. A compromise needs to be made. We are not a political band, but we have to write what we feel when it happens in our life.
There is a lyric about a final hour. What do you hope to be doing in your final hour?
I will be reflecting on how great my life has been and hopefully surrounded by my family.
What would be the worst way to spend your final hour?
That’s a pretty morbid question, but I imagine dying alone and empty emotionally. I try not to think of such things.
Lyrics are obviously very important to you. Who inspires you as a lyricist – modern or old?
Brent is inspired by many artists, but mainly Otis Redding. Inspiration comes from life itself.
Your music is pretty ferocious and energetic – as I imagine a show to be – do you crash and burn after a gig, or do you have lots of pent up adrenaline?
We are definitely exhausted physically after a show, but your mind is still going strong from all of the adrenaline. It takes a couple of hours to calm down and hit the sack. We wouldn't trade it for the world.
Touring with your band has probably taken you to some great places. Where is your favourite place to play?
Anywhere that the crowd shows up and has a great time. We are really looking forward to Europe as a whole because it is new to us. All that history and culture is going to be amazing. In the states some of our favorite places are New Orleans, Memphis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Seattle, and many others.
Do you guys have similar music taste? Is there anything contemporary that has grabbed you?
We all listen to a lot of the same music. Two contemporary bands that really get us going and are in constant rotation on the bus is Muse and Black Stone Cherry
Do you get a chance to go to gigs? What is the most recent gig that you have been to?
To be honest we don't really get to go to shows unless we are playing them. However we just played a festival with Queensrhyche and they were amazing.
What is the most memorable gig that you have been to as an audience member?
My most memorable gig was Nine Inch Nails on the Downward Spiral tour. The sound quality and visuals were absolutely stunning. One of the best Shows I have ever seen.
What do you hope to have achieved by the end of 2008?
By the end of 2008 we hope to have earned a ton of new fans in Europe and hopefully have our second Number 1 single off of this album back in the states.
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