Dubbed the next Pantera, DevilDriver is gearing up for Gigantour. The band will be part of the Australian tour’s line-up, which will also feature Static-X, Lacuna Coil, Bring Me the Horizon and Megadeth. Having recently released third album, The Last Kind Words, DevilDriver is preparing to showcase its new material. Frontman Dez Fafara gives Fasterlouder the inside word.
DevilDriver began in a small, Santa Barbaran diner. When former Coal Chamber vocalist Fafara crossed paths with guitarist Evan Pitts it was the start of something bigger. Signing to Roadrunner Records, the band released its self-titled, debut album in 2003. Though Pitts decided to leave, Fafara continued, replacing him with Mike Spreitzer. Jeff Kendrick (guitars), Jon Miller (bass) and John Boecklin (drums) completed the line-up. Labelled by many as ‘groove metal’, Fafara offers his own explanation.
“It’s very hard to pigeonhole or describe what we do,” he says. “I’d say we’re really heavy rock for some people. For others, we’re metal. It really depends on what their tastes are . . . It’s definitely groove and riff-driven.”
Likened to Pantera, by former vocalist Phil Anselmo, DevilDriver is gaining a reputation for its live shows. Fafara shies away from the comparison.
“I’ve known Phil for a long time,” he explains. “We’re very good friends. He’s always been supportive of what I’ve done . . . Pantera are one of the greatest bands ever. Each individual member can stand up on their own. To have that comparison put on me by someone like Phil – the expectation becomes so high. From an art standpoint, I say, ‘Thank you, my brother. If you did say that, what a credit to our friendship’. But I also say, “Let’s try not to do that”. We’re definitely not trying to be the next Pantera, nor the next Metallica, nor the next Megadeth. We’re trying to be DevilDriver and define who we are.”
From a young age, Fafara was exposed to a wide range of music. This early initiation formed the core of a long list of bands, which today influence his songwriting.
“My parents were hippies and I just grew up around music,” he says. “I had a big record collection. When I was six or seven, I listened to bands like the Doors and Steppenwolf . . . I just got into music. I can remember when I was six years old. I had a big poster of a naked John Lennon and Yoko Ono above my bed. My Mom let it go down!”
Recording The Last Kind Words at Sonic Ranch in Texas, the band wasted no time in the studio. The no-holds-barred effort saw DevilDriver skip pre-production, aiming for a live feel. Fafara explains:
“There was no pre-production,” he says. “We played the songs once. Everyone was very prepared. One thing we believe in is not wasting any time in the studio. It’s about being able to get that vibe. You need to work, without becoming stagnant. We finished the record in six weeks.”
Debuting in the top twenty, The Last Kind Words was received well by fans. It is an album which explores many themes, from religion to everyday life. Fafara is enjoying the success.
“We just finished Ozzfest,” he adds. “People were singing our new songs there. We did three new songs live. The record had only been out for a couple of weeks. The album debuted in the top 20 . . . It remained in the charts for four weeks. We’re still number one, for the eighth week in a row on Metal Radio.”
Heading to Australia for Gigantour in November, fans will get a taste of the band’s new songs. Promising ‘a set of pure energy – from start to finish’, Fafara admits he is looking forward to catching up with Gigantour founder, Dave Mustaine (Megadeth).
“I’m looking forward to hanging out with Dave and drinking some good red wine!” he says. “I’ve known him for a long time and he’s one of the nicest guys. I toured with him – way back in the day with my previous band… he’s an unbelievable guitar player.”
See DevilDriver at Gigantour in November. Check the gig guide for full details.
