DEVILDRIVER подготвят кънтри албум с кавъри, включващ над 25 гост-музиканти (Интервю)

Last year DEVILDRIVER put out their brand new record “Trust No One“, and really soon they’re going to tour Europe. These are the main two reasons for us to contat the one and only Dez Fafara for a really nice conversation.

Hello, Dez. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. How are you and what are you up to today?
I’m good, I’m at home. I’m getting ready to start rehearsals. We’re gonna do some shows with Danzig and Ministry. We’ve been in the studio as well.

What you’ve been working on in the studio?
We’re getting something together that’s very special for next year. Not a new record, but something really cool.We’ve got something really special coming. Something no one else has done before.

“Trust No One“ came out almost a year ago. In what way do you think it differs from your previous works?
In general, it has something in common with our old works. It’s got our signature sound, but it’s also very different from the previous records.We really wanted to come with something that had an intense groove over ‘Trust No One’, and even more distance ourselves from the past and what other people are doing. It is obvious that we did that because the record came out and was the highest charting record that we have had over the last seven releases. We are really stoked on that.

DevilDriver have never released a live album. Do you plan on recording one in the near future?
Yeah, we would love to. We’ve never released one and we’ve always wanted to. I believe it will happen in the next couple of years.

Takes us back to the moment you got into metal. How exactly did it happen?
I was in the fifth grade.I came home from school and got into my parents’ record collection and I heard Steppenwolf, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival. When I was young, I bought a KISS record. Then I found punk rock and after that Motorhead. I have a very wide range of musical taste. I can start the day with some jazz and then listen to black metal in the evening. Also, I love country.

Your third album “The Last Kind Words“ came out in 2007. Your son Simon contributed with backing growls. How did that come into fruition?
Well, the kid was in the studio and he wanted to do it. And you never tell ‘no’ to your kids. He did it very well and he also played me a video where the lead singer of the band was a little kid.

It isn’t hard to notice that you have a lot of tattoos. Which ones hold the deepest meaning for you?
I appreciate the question. The name Anastasia is written on my right hand. Also, I got ‘So Cal’ written on my hand to remind myself that when I am away from home, I am going back to the most beautiful state in the nation; California. I always think of her and where I’m from.

What do you prefer – reading books or watching movies?
I’m a visual person and I do like to watch movies. I have ADHD, so reading long books doesn’t work with me.

What do you fear the most?
I don’t have many fears, but my biggest is to go through my life without my wife.

DevilDriver will do something no one else has done before – release a country covers album. Where did you get that idea from and why country exactly? Why not punk or something else?
Right, good question actually. While I was growing up, I loved punk rock and I’d love to do that. But here’s why I’m gonna do this. People in Europe and UK don’t realise that when you come over in a tour bus in the United States, you hear country in the back and front. People love that. They respect it. We did “Ghost Riders In The Sky“ by Johny Cash. I sang it in Johny Cash’s cabin in Tennesee and I recorded with John Cash Carter and Randy from Lamb of God is on that song too. So there are a lot guests on this, over 25. Most are Grammy-award winners. This has never been done before. We like to do things different.

If you had any superpowers, which one would you prefer?
I would feed and clothe everyone in the world.

What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve encountered as a band and how you managed to overcome it?
Just like any other band, the biggest obstacle is ourselves. Some bands break each other over that problem. If I have someone in my band who goes on a tour and doesn’t wanna meet people, doesn’t wanna have a good time, then they simply don’t belong with us. That’s how I feel about things.

What do you know of Bulgaria?
I’ve heard only good things and I think it’s beautiful. I’ve been almost everywhere. The thing about traveling that I like the most is meeting new people, experiencing new cultures, tasting different foods and all sorts of things. I look forward to coming very soon.

Is there anything else you wanted to say, but you haven’t been asked about?
I just want to thank you and everyone who has ever supported me throughout my career. It’s been a blast. I’ve been in the bussiness almost 20 years. I’ll never let you down, I’ll be making music for everyone and it means a great deal that our fans like our songs and I’ll be there for you as long as you’re there for me.

Thank you for your time, Dez. Wish you all the best and until next time!
I had a great time, brother. Thank you. Have a great day. See you!