Second 2014 trip to Australia for DEVILDRIVER, and a new Coal Chamber album in 2015 with no doubt a subsequent world tour, it appears that vocalist DEZ FAFARA will be mighty busy for the foreseeable future. Fafara speaks to KEVIN BULL about the upcoming tour with Whitechapel, the keys to success, and not being viewed as rock’s “roving carny”.
This will be DevilDriver’s second visit to Australia this year. Do you have some unfinished business with the Australian audience?
[Laughs] I do love the place and the people but this tour is because we did no side wave shows and we haven’t headlined in years so it’s about time to “Get In The Pit!”
Loved hearing the groove return with Winter Kills. I find it a positive organic element in any music but has the reception from your devoted fans been as welcoming?
DevilDriver has a signature groove but our sound evolves from record to record. Winter Kills has charted higher than just about every release so it seems our fans are digging it.
What were you looking for in the record contract with Napalm Records, and do you have any advice for bands who may be dealing with this sort of thing for the first time?
Look for a partner that loves your music, doesn’t want to control you artistically and does the promo work. Napalm is a great fit for both my bands as Coal Chamber also signed with them.
20 years, two successful bands… it’s a dream many young musicians have. Why Dez Fafara? What significant decisions or events happen during this time that you can see as having a positive influence on your career?
This question would take four pages to answer. The bottom line is a ton of hard work, one dash of timing, belief in one self, and never quitting on what you love. In my case, it’s music.
I can fully understand the workload involved during the album / touring cycle. There is a need to take the opportunities while they are there but the family outside of the band must be considered. For you, what has been the answer to work / family balance?
Exactly that – “Balance”. For instance, I just took the first summer I’ve had off in over 12 years, reasons were that my family needed me home. I’ve always been a touring machine logging more road miles than most bands on the planet but without my family supporting me I’m nothing but a roving carny.
With a new Coal Chamber album planned for next year, how easily did the creative element return to the band following the reunion?
It returned like a lightning storm. We already had 20 songs and now with Mark Lewis on board to produce, it’s gonna be a monster record!
You’ll be in Australia very shortly with Whitechapel, a pairing that the American crowds have already had the pleasure in seeing. What can us Aussies expect from the DevilDriver / Whitechapel doubleheader?
It’s a great lineup. We are very different from them, they are very different from us and that makes the package killer for those coming to the shows. These will be DevilDriver’s last shows for some time down under so get out to this one, it’s gonna be killer!
DevilDriver and Whitechapel perform at The Hi-Fi, Brisbane on Friday September 5; The Hi-Fi, Sydney on Saturday September 6; 170 Russell, Melbourne on Sunday September 7.