DevilDriver

DevilDriver are an American heavy metal band which forme in 2002. The group has undergone several member changes over the years, but currently the band consists of Dez Fafara (lead vocals), Mike Spreitzer (guitar), Austin D’Amond (drums) and Neal Tiemann (guitar).

They will be touring South Africa this month in Cape Town and Johannesburg at the Witchfest 2017.

I spoke to Dez:

You have survived 15 years with Devil Driver. The members have changed over the years and yet you remain the constant in this band.

What is it about DevilDriver that you love so much?

Dez:

“I started the band, I started the sound, I wanted something heavy but groovy, I wanted to hear what I wasn’t hearing out of other bands at the time …… I love what DevilDriver has done , and am very proud.”

Do you remember when it was first formed; take me through that time?

Dez:

“In short I was leaving Coal Chamber, I knew I wanted to do something heavy. I formed a group with guys around me, and we started to jam. We got a recursive deal, went on tour, and the rest is history!”

Firsts – let’s go down memory lane:

– First song written (elaborate)?

“First song (Devils Sons ) – it had a groove and a crushing riff – we went from there.”

– First gig (elaborate)?

“Small place in Santa Barbara held about 200 people – place was sold out.”

– First time you heard a DevilDriver song on radio?

“First time I heard DD on radio – listening to Sirius XM liquid metal and up popped swinging the dead!”

Besides the band member changes – describe the music evolution of the band?

Dez:

“It’s kept current and fresh without compromising the sound one bit, it has become more experimental; it’s heavy in the face of pop metal, it has become an American institution!”