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Interview
by SashaS
21-1-2002
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| Drowning Pool |
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Waving not drowning
Drowning Pool are an American export of classic metal values for the XXI century
There is more than ocean of difference between a music career in the UK (or Europe) and the States. To enjoy 15-months of fame EU-wise it takes years of manufacturing a pop-combo or just one TV series of ‘Whatever Idols’; whereas Stateside you have to ‘pay your dues’. It’s not surprising therefore to discover that Drowning Pool, of Austin, Texas, has taken three years to get to a showcase in North London’s Garage.
In the time that took them to cross the Atlantic (no, they weren’t swimming, don’t be silly!) the band has issued a debut album ‘Sinner’, toured with the OzzFest and had a song included on the live document from the tour, ‘OzzFest 2001: The Second Millennium CD’ and the video for the same song, ‘Bodies’, earned them the Billboard’s Best Hard Rock New Artists Clip. The song was also included on the WWF’s ‘Tough Enough’ soundtrack.
“That song has been very good to us,” corpulent singer Dave Williams states with a headshake, “and we are very glad. We’ve worked hard and to have that song in a film as well, it is something magical. I hate when people tell us it is a sell-out because it is just a way to get your name around, to get more people to hear of you and hopefully get interested to listen to the whole album.”
Lessons of the road
Drowning Poll, named after the film starring Paul Newman because the band’s bassist Stevie Benton lost his virginity during its telecast, came together when guitarist CJ Pierce and drummer Mike Luce moved from their native New Orleans to hook up with the bassie. They then found Williams, gigging with local bands, whose nickname is ‘Stage’ (in regard of his larger-than-life presence), coined by guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell of Pantera.
“You know, we were very pleased with the reception we had last night,” Williams appears to melt at the thought, “because you never know how it is going to go down. We’ve crossed to another world and have had no idea whether people would have heard of us, how we were going to be received… It was mad, incredible! This is the country that has produced Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin… And, we are coming back!”
Travelling a lot has given them enough material for a record; this ‘Sinner’ is not only religiously minded.
“We all sin all the time,” Williams confirms, “and it can be social, economic, terrorism… What’s happened to our country, it was a catastrophe, but it has united the country like never before. Whatever our army is doing is right, the people responsible should be punished.”
Midnight train prairie ride
Following the formation of the quartet, they made a demo tape that Sevendust heard and invited them on tour resulting in signing a contract with Sony. Touring with Ozzy, whom they met and impressed so much that they are already booked for the next year’s OzzFest outing, Williams claims is like being in (HM?) heaven.
“We love those guys,” Williams enthuses, “and their (Sevendust) new album hasn’t been out of our coach CD player. It is awesome! There is so much great music around and we are really glad to be part of it all. Ozzy, what can I tell you but he thought us a lesson in humility: however big you are, never lose your perspective of staying firmly rooted to the ground. He’s created the whole genre, he is the Godfather of Metal and yet so normal!”
The band is very proud of playing harder rock they proudly designate as ‘old skool’. They’ve got nothing against the contemporary versions that are faster, louder and more extreme
“Yeah, we are proud to be of the old skool,” Williams notes confidently, “because we come from that side, that was the music we listened to while growing up. We’ve got nothing against nu-metal, but it appears to be too intense while it is good to have a bit of space, let some air come in as well. And be more diverse than it’s been the case over the past few years.”
“But, we are dissing nobody because there is a place for everybody.”
Live dates:
25 February – University, Manchester
26 February – Cathouse, Glasgow
27 February – Wufran Hall, Wolverhapton
28 February – Mean Fiddler, London
SashaS
21-1-2002
Drowning Pool’s album ‘Sinner’ is released 04 February 2002 on Wind Up/Epic
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