Shinedown are finally bringing their latest album to the UK on June 29, and as they prepare for that, and their debut at this year’s most anticipated music festival, Download, I caught up with drummer Barry Kerch to find out how it was going.
Hey Barry, well, it’s been a while since we last spoke, can you sum up the last year?
Wow, holy hell, has it already been a year? I didn't even notice. Crazy!!! In one word the last year was intense. From finally touring the UK and Europe, to having a hit song on pop radio in the States, I am absolutely blessed and blown away. It was a good year.
We also know that your lead guitarist Nick Perri left the group, how did that affect the band musically?
Musically it hasn't affected us at all. From the time he joined we knew that he had aspirations to be a solo artist. We wish him the best and hope he does well. Last I heard he was in LA doing something with Matt Sorum. If anything the band has gotten tighter with his leaving. Not because he was a bad player, but when you have two guitarists things can just get messy. Shinedown just works better as a four-piece.
So your album, The Sound Of Madness, is being released on June 29 (the day before my birthday… woo!) how come you’ve waited a year to release it over here?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I am not sure why the label waited so long. I guess it was a timing issue. As long as they are releasing it we are happy. Better late than never.
Woo! Thanks, I'll be 22! Now, can you sum up The Sound Of Madness in just five words for me? Personally I just think it‘s super, duper awesome.
Thanks. My five words would be: Big Badass Rock and Roll.
And the new single, Second Chance, what’s the story behind that?
Second Chance is about Brent's childhood and leaving the nest. He grew up in a small town where they expect you to go to school, get a job, and get married. It just wasn't for him. Not that he doesn't love his parents, but he had to leave to follow his dream or he would have ended up dead or in jail. Obviously, he made the right choice. I think that is why the song connects with so many people. Eventually no matter what your situation you have to follow your own dreams and path.
2009 also heralds your first UK festival appearance at Download - which I’m sure I will come and find you at - how excited are you for that?
Please come say hello. We'll share a pint. We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of Download. I have heard stories and watched it on television back home. It looks like an amazing festival. I cannot wait. We are definitely on a mission to have some fun and rock as hard as possible.
I will come, and I'll hold you to the pint! However, not a lot of people in the UK know that you have actually had two albums before this one, which have done pretty well in the US, what drives you to keep going?
I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I didn't make records with Shinedown. It is my calling and my love. Why wouldn't we want to keep going? Also, we want the whole world to know who we are, not just the US. It has always been our dream to see the world. That dream is finally coming true.
Would you say the music industry has changed since you started out?
Absolutely! We started Shinedown almost 10 years ago. It isn't that long ago but then the internet wasn't affecting bands as much as it is today. iTunes didn't exist, YouTube wasn't around, no Myspace, Facebook, or Twitter, and people still bought CDs. Internet killed the video star.
What advice would you give to a group of kids just starting their own band?
Work hard and the best of luck. It only comes if you truly believe. Know your instrument.
So, for you, who is the best artist around in the music business at the moment?
Prince, and he always will be. He is the most kick ass entertainer around. He makes all of us want to go home and practice.
And if you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be? And don’t pick a compilation album because that’s such a cop-out!
Why would I ever cop-out?! The only CD for me is Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails. It means so much to me.
Finally, we ask everyone we interview to come up with a question for the next person we interview, and Carolina Liar want to know, when was the last time you laughed until you cried?
The last time I laughed until I cried is when I had my lighting guy Scott Allee give me a lap dance on the bus to a Pink song. We were wasted and I laughed my ass off.
Now can you come up with a question for the next person we interview please?
Do you fold or crumple? As in when in the bathroom do you fold or crumple the toilet tissue?
Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Barry
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison
Tagged in Shinedown