Drowning Pool

Mon 12th May, 2008 in Features

It’s 11.30pm and somewhere in Washington DC, CJ Pierce from Drowning Pool is conducting an interview before he prepares to go onstage. No butterflies for this guitarist: “but every now and then you do [get them], if you’re gonna do something on TV or a stadium gig in front of fifty thousand people.”

Pierce has been in the music scene for quite some time, notably as Drowning Pool’s guitarist along with Ryan McCombs (lead vocals), Steve Benton (bass) and Mike Luce (drums). Pierce’s look is atypical: shaved head, tattoos and goatee. You know, the skinhead metal man look. However, the softly-spoken, ultra-polite voice on the other line emanates warmth and sincerity.

This down-to-earth nature is solidified as Pierce tells me how proud and privileged he feels having Drowning Pool as a headline act. Pierce is uncomplicated, with an ethos of “keeping it simple. Life is too short to complain and bitch, so let’s enjoy it while we can.”

Drowning Pool have been touring solid for the last year and a half, incorporating Europe twice and trekking all over The States. Fortunately Australia is included and Pierce considers this “the coolest thing you can ask for.” It is not the first time down under, as they did the Big Day Out in 2002. “It was the most amazing time, making a lot of friends,” Pierce enthuses. “It’s a beautiful country. I’m excited – we’re all excited!”

Touring has been rock solid, but funnily enough the boys have managed to pen enough songs to release two albums. The current album was the “easiest record to make, the longer you do it [recording] the easier it is.” So when and where does Pierce pen the lyrics? “We had a day off yesterday, so I did laundry and wrote music all day long. It’s usually on the day off. The second I get some free time, I try to take advantage of that.” A domesticated man in metal – that’s novel. What happened to the sex, drugs and rock – œn roll way of life? Drowning Pool may not be known for debauchery, but they have felt heartache. Vocalist Dave Williams passed away from a rare heart disease a day after the ex-Soil vocalist made his live debut with Ozzfest, Dallas 2005.

Doubts aside, Drowning Pool felt obliged to continue. It’s moments like these that test a band, and 15 years together has culminated in a heavy throbbing metal outfit. After many creative bursts, does Pierce ever get sparks of inspiration at 3am? “There’s been a lot of times at three or six in the morning when I get an idea, and I’ll just write down notes and go back to sleep.” There is no set time for creativity, but are the early morning scribbles worth using? “I definitely have days when I look at it and think, – œWhat the hell was I thinking? It doesn’t make any sense!’” He needn’t worry – the results speak for themselves, and Drowning Pool is doing just fine.

Drowning Pool arrives in Australia at the end of May for a not-to-be-missed tour alongside Puddle of Mudd.

Friday 30 May – HQ, Adelaide
Sunday 1 June – The Palace (formerly The Metro), Melbourne
Tuesday 3 June – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Wednesday 4 June – The Arena, Brisbane