Phone interview with
Dez Fafara, lead singer of Devildriver and
former lead singer of Coal Chamber
September 21, 2004
The name 'Devildriver' stems from an old Italian witchcraft book Dez stumbled across, wherein the Etruscan witches use bells called Devildrivers. These bells are used in spells for the purpose of driving away evil.
What an awesome chance to be able to talk with Dez Fafara, former lead singer of the mega band Coal Chamber and now lead singer of Devildriver. WMP being a Christian site and Dez being involved with witchcraft and beliefs involving Satanism would make you think it would be an odd mixture for an interview. Even in the liner notes of his latest cd you see he thanks: The Teaching of Aleister Crowley, Anton & Zeena LaVey (founders of the Church of Satan), Coven of the Werewolf, Nietzsche (philosopher and atheist), Faust (author), and Machiavelli (philosopher). It couldn't have been farther from the truth. We had a great talk for about 30 minutes that ended with an invite to meet up with the band in St Louis or Memphis. Dez answered with honesty and integrity. We don't have a review of their first cd since it is about a year old but the cd is very intense both musically and lyrically. Proof that Christians and Non-Christians can associate and talk with one another and even disagree on some spiritual beliefs but still share with one another.
Dez: Hello
Dennis: Hey Dez, this is Dennis
Minner with Wise Men Promotions. I hope Dan warned you I was
calling.
Dez: Yeah man, how are you doing?
Dennis: Good, so where are you
guys at right now?
Dez: The whole band is in Santa
Barbara right now. It is where we live and rehearse and we are
writing our new album.
Dennis: So when is the word on
your sophomore debut?
Dez: Well, we would like to
release in April. So hopefully an April/May release. We'll see and
we currently have 13 new songs. It is gonna be great material. It
is gonna be heavier and much more intelligent. I think what we have
tried to capture right now with the new stuff is how can we do something
fresh because you listen to heavy metal as well as I do. Everyone
is starting to sound the same. We are really trying to keep up with the
Devildriver sound which we think is very unique. We just try to not
sound like anyone. I mean I listen to Johnny cash to you name it.
Dennis:
Your
cd has been out for almost a year now and you had the chance to drive
into fans during this summer’s oz fest.
How was the crowd reaction this summer with your new band?
Dez: Oh man that was incredible and I would like
to thank the Osbournes once again with their summer camp. Oh man,
can you hold on just one second I have another call coming in.
Dennis: Yeah, no problem...(at this point I am thinking oh know I
have bored this veteran of metal and he is ditching me haha)
---10 seconds letter---
Dez: Sorry about that.
Dennis: No problem man. (breathes sigh of relief)
Dez: It was great so I want to thank them you
know. As far as exposure for any band as well as ours was amazing. The
feedback from fans was just crazy. Every time they would announce
our names or raise our banner, people would just start screaming and
that was good to see. We did a lot of signings every single day
and signed for a long time every day. We went to different booths like
the FYE and Jaggermeister and got to shake a lot of hands and meet a lot
of people. It was a good time.
Dennis:
The musical intensity of this album is in a class
all to its own. What were
the major influences on going with such a hard driving force?
Dez: Uh, we are influenced by so many bands.
Everyone wants us to really narrow it down to a few bands and we just
cant do it but I just couldn't do it. We've got one guy that
listens to Iron Maiden and European Metal and one guy listening to
nothing but death metal. You got me that listens to everything
from Johnny Cash to Superjoint Ritual. There is so many influences in
our music and I like to say we are an American metal band you know.
We are just trying to not sound like anything and as long as it stays
fresh and different then I will always be a part of it.
Dennis: Yeah, that is a great description, an American metal
band. You hear most all those influences in there...well maybe not
with Johnny Cash haha.
Dez: haha I think where that comes into play is
with my lyrical style. With my previous band of 10 years Coal Chamber, I
would write not so literal. I think lyricall with Devildriver you
can understand what I am talking about. I tried to do that and that
comes from listening to Johnny Cash.
Dennis:
Lyrically the cd is very in depth and I read somewhere it is
telling the story of Faust. What
led you to telling that story through your music?
Dez: Well, what it is for me is your life, my
life, everyone's life, we sell our souls for something. Some of it to
stay home with their families, some of it is for work and some are to be
astronauts up in space. Me, I am a pirate and I'm constantly on
the road. I sold my soul for my music. Then there was a way
to tell the story through my music. In there is a song called
"What Does it Take to Be a Man" about how I was raised and all
sorts of things within the album. People can see where I am coming
from and I have tried to be completely literal within the album so they
got it.
Dennis:
Speaking of writing…I heard a rumor you did a
children’s book…is that true?
Dez: Yeah it was about 4 years ago. My wife
and I worked on a children's book, a little haunted thing. Man it
is easier to get a record deal than it is to get a publishers deal. I
probably got about 100 things from publishers saying if it was four more
pages, it it has more illustrations, if had less illustrations, if it
was short, if it was longer. I was like people make up your mind.
So, yeah, I was home for a few months, my previous band didn't like to
tour much. I was home and doing something with my girl and
we love Halloween. It was summertime and we wanted to do something
for Halloween.
Dennis: What was the name of the story?
Dez: It was called the "October
Bunch".
Dennis: So did it get published.
Dez: No, we still have it and are thinking
about ways to get it out. The illustrations are great and the story is
cool. But we'll see but it is something that has to do with my family
and my life.
Dennis:
There is a lot of spiritual references throughout the cd
and also in the cd liner. There
are references to hell, the devil, songs towards other religions.
What is your spiritual belief when it comes to those subjects?
Dez: You know what I would say is be good
to people and they will be good to you. What comes back to you comes
back 3 times. You know I wouldn't want to go in to what
spirituality I practice but the thing with me is if you are a good guy
then you are a good guy and if you are a bad guy then you are a bad guy.
I think that is the way life is as a whole. Other than that, I really
believe in nature and the human spirit.
Dennis:
A lot of your lyrics can be conceived as very dark and negative.
What kind of message are you trying to portray through this album
and how do you think that influences younger listeners?
Dez: I would say perseverance, determination in
life and the building of ones character are what will get you through
life inevitably. It is gonna all have to do with your character.
Things that I've gone through in life, some people maybe couldn't have
handled them or maybe they could. It is obvious what doesn't kill
you makes you stronger.
Dennis: A lot of bands don't want
people placing them on a pedestal but the fact is many of your listeners
do. What is your advice to teens that maybe have them self pushed into a
dead end or a corner?
Dez: I mean suicide I have dealt
with first hand as many people know. What I would want to stand
for is definitely perseverance and determination of life. Stand up and
be counted. It doesn't matter how old you are, you can get
yourself out of problems. If you are having problems in school or
with parents then go to somebody and talk to them. Turn to music.
I turned to music. Turn to lyrics that give you the power of positive
thinking. I try not to with Devildriver write to many songs about
the hate thing. I only have one on there actually and its called
"Die and Die Now" so I said if I am gonna do this emotion then
I am gonna put it all into one song instead of 14 songs about it.
I'm gonna give kids some other things. I would like to think with
as many albums as I have done in the industry in 10 years, 5 Oz Fests,
that kids will now listen to me. Be accountable for your own
actions. Don't be afraid of the world, make the world afraid of you.
Dennis:
I hate to bring up the past like this but
looking back on
the days of Coal Chamber how do you look at Devildriver is relating to
you more as an artist and person?
Dez: I thought Coal Chamber related to me
personally and as an artist as well. It was just unfortunately we
couldn't all get it together to keep it together. I definitely
think Devildriver has a lot of me in it. It's got a lot of me, the
simple fact I started something knew and watching it grew immensely
right now. It is proof to say that you can do anything in life and
don't let others hold you back. You know you have to do what you are
gonna do in life. I look back at my Coal Chamber times with
fondness. I was with them 8 or 9 years and we were a great band.
Only until now am I seeing that we were not at all meant to be stuck in
any of the nu-metal stuff that's going around. We were mostly a
gothy, like a heavy gothy type of thing. Only now that I walk away
can I look back at it with a fondness and I do.
Dennis: What are your thoughts on
such industry produced sound? I mean you just mentioned nu-metal
and now every band coming out has an emo vibe and it's all over the
radio. I think the last thing you and Devildriver think when
producing a song is that you are just doing it to sound cool or be on
the radio. What are your thoughts on the industry as a whole right now?
Dez: Obviously, I dont know, it
would be hard, God, I could talk about that for 4 hours haha, The
industry as a whole. Yeah, I don't write music for the radio but
if the radio wants to play it then cool. I think that would kill
the art in it. I see fads come and go. Or music that comes
and 7 years later it gets stuck in a genre like a lot of the other
bands. Even now I see with the screamo/emo thing going and I see
fads forming. I just try to stay way away from it. I really dont pay
attention to what people are doing or what's popular or not. I
really dont and I try to do what is coming from my heart. I would hope
other artists would feel the same way about their stuff but apparently
their are some calculated moves being made by metal artist nowadays.
You know, I see through it and so do the kids. I laugh my a**
because they can come in . You know, I have gold albums you know
what I'm saying. You can come in and do your thing and make gold
albums but you are gonna come and go as at a quickness. Especially
if you are gonna be calculated and write for the radio or for
specifically what you think is gonna sell. Let's put it frankly,
by the time you get it out there, the little fad your in is gonna
change. You better not be part of it, you better be in something
new. I think Devildriver is on the verge to creating something new in
metal. You can distinguish us from the rest you know.
Dennis:
Dez, this is so funny. I am a 31 yr old adult and was actually
nervous about calling you.
Dez: haha
Dennis: There is a lot of respect
for you in the industry as a metal machine haha.
Dez: Man, I appreciate that a lot
dude. But man I'm no different than you. I was raised by my father
to get up at 6 am and work my a** off. I just have a work ethic that
will never stop. My guitar player came by today and asked how many
albums he could do with me. I told him man I got 15 years and then
I'll look in the mirror. They then left and went and worked on the
album.
Dennis: So the "Blackest of
the Black" tour is coming up here soon isn't it?
Dez: Dude, it got cancelled.
I dont know what's up with Glen (Danzig). He has cancelled 3 of
the Blackest of the Black now and he is one of my dearest friends.
He took me on my first tour with Coal Chamber. I couldn't wait to
do this thing with him cause he was gonna go do it with the Misfits and
then kind of retire and do the "Satanic Blues" album. So, I
wanted to be part of this and if it ever goes out, we will be part of
it.
Dennis: Wow, I hadn't heard that.
Sorry to hear that for you guys.
Dez: Glen, is, I dont know if you
are a fan of Danzig or not but he is a great friend of mine. As I
said, he gave us the first tour ever. I look at his career and he
has had a ton of longevity. The guy has been around since '76 or '77.
It has been a long time. Here I am going on my tenth year and I have
seen a lot of bands come and go. Lot's of fads come and go and
just hope we are never in it.
Dennis:
I don’t know if anyone told you but we run a Christian website.
I'm not sure if Dan warned you about that haha.?
Dez: Hey, that's great man.
Dennis: We shock a lot of people, is that we talk to a lot of different
bands. We don't have a stance that all secular is bad or all
Christian is good. We are non-denominational but hold to the
Christian faith. If you aren't comfortable with the question I am
gonna ask it's cool.
Dez: No, go right ahead. I went and
graduated from a Christian school. I am very familiar with what its like
to go to Bible class and church groups.
Dennis: Well, cool this will be a great
question cause I was also raised in that type environment but chose a
different path for a while and fell into sex, alcohol and drugs even.
Knowing you were raised like that what are your thoughts on the
Christian faith both pros and cons?
Dez: When I look upon the Christian faith what
do I see.
Dennis: Yeah, and you can be honest cause I
have heard it all from bands haha. I mean I know there are some screwed
up people in the Christian faith and would never consider interviewing
Devildriver. I mean we are doing this and not condemning you or
the band about any of your beliefs.
Dez: I think it is good for people to have
faith. I think that faith is something everyone need to have
faith. I think that believing in a higher power or worshipping a
higher power above yourself, knowing you aren't in this world alone.
I dont just mean physically but actually having an entity in which to
counsel with is a wonderful thing. I think spirituality and the bonding
of people coming together even in church on a Sunday. It's
wonderful and it gets people together. Some people use it for
corrupt things. Many pastors, I mean a pastor in my church did
some pretty horrendous things and it threw me out. I think that
everyone should have a faith. I believe in a higher power besides
myself and that's what you need. No matter what book you go to to
help your soul, you know go to it man its all the same thing man.
Every religion, or the good ones I should say, are all the same thing.
They say be good to your fellow neighbor and try to help yourself out.
You know what I mean.
Dennis: Yeah, thanks for your answer.
Dez: We are humans right, which means we
are animals right. Even animals need rules. If my cats go
near my screen I make a (hiss sound) noise, well they no big daddy cat
is saying get away from the screen.
Dennis: haha Yeah we have cats and I make
that noise.
Dez: So, I think humans need rules and
whatever book you go to and get them is all that. Right now a lot of
people in my position would take time to go off on Christianity and I
dont see any reason in doing that. You know I have friends that are
Christians, Muslims, Catholics and some that are Satanists. You know,
can I tell you some of those people (Satanists) are the best people.
I mean they firmly believe you know what if you treat people horribly,
oh it will come back to you. Woe unto you that treats me horrible.
Dennis: Yeah, it's to bad that I heard a
quote once and I share it with teens. The number one cause of
atheism are Christians who say one thing and do the other. We are
looked at as a very intolerant group that picket and hold up signs for
everything we dont agree with.
Dez: Now those are the type I dont look at.
I look at those holding up signs and stopping this or that and then they
go back and drink and beat their wives. This is something about
myself I probably need to say, the one thing I do not like in life is a
person that is on the fence. Your Christian Bible says the same
thing.
Dennis: Yeah, I agree 100% and it is
definitely Biblical.
Dennis: Yeah, the Bible says He will spit
us out of we are lukewarm.
Dez: That's exactly it and I can quote so
much scripture from my childhood. Did it make me run from it? I
dont know, it made me run to other things. Which just opened my eyes and
God could be a woman in a tree.
Dennis: Yeah, thanks man for being honest
with us.
Dez: Hey, I love intelligent conversations.
One thing people know about me is I love talking intelligent and that
question isn't out of place at all. Let your kids know that
Devildriver, the name means to drive around evil.
Dennis: Well, Dez, I can't thank you enough
for taking the time with me this evening.
Dez: Where are you calling me from?
Dennis: Actually from Poplar Bluff, MO
which is about 2 1/2 hours from St. Louis and Memphis.
Dez: Well let me tell you, if I am ever
anywhere near by, right, feel free right to come check out the show and
it's on me. Bring you and a couple friends and it's on me.
Shake your hand and we can talk about things.
Dennis: Man thanks that would be awesome to
meet you guys.
Dez: Awesome man, I think that's awesome as
a Christian you do stuff on secular bands...well thanks a lot for your
time. See you and if you ever want to do any updates just let me
know.