Taste Of Khaos
Interview by Melinda Blaze with
Tim Driscoll Lead Guitarist
How are you doing today? Please introduce yourself:
This is Tim Driscoll, lead guitarist and knife catcher extraordinaire! I'm doing well this fine Sunday morning, staying dry amidst the latest storm to befall our beleaguered Austin.
For all the Metalheads reading this who may not have checked out DEP already, why should they? What do you feel sets you apart from other Metal bands?
Hmmm, sheer boredom, perhaps? Haha, not really, of course. I would say we make a concerted effort to have as much musicality as we can, by which I mean we don't set out to the fastest, heaviest, or anything "-est", we find that to be a futile pursuit. We focus on writing well-crafted songs that just happen to lie within the metal idiom. The melodies, hooks, grooves, and lyrics are at the forefront; the heaviness is merely a byproduct of our shared influences.
Is everything really bigger in Texas? What things do you like best about the Lone Star State?
The steaks, the hair, the asses? All true, from what I can tell. Unlike my compatriots in the band, I am not a native Texan, merely a carpet-bagging Yankee from Massachusetts; a fact which they revel in reminding me of every chance they get. I suppose my favorite thing about Texas is the lack of an income tax!
What is DEP's involvement with Housecore Horror Film and Music Festival? I take it the band is friend's with Phil Anselmo?( I read what Ven had to say about Mr. Anselmo in a past interview and agree with his thoughts (and "unfair reputation thrown at him" statement.)Do you see DEP touring with Down or Anselmo and The Ilegals any time in the future?
We have been fortunate enough to play both installments so far of the Housecore Festival and they both rank highly on our list of accomplishments. Although we do have professional relationships with Phil's crew, handlers, etc. and have spent time with him backstage, I'm not sure I would characterize it as a "friendship" just yet. We certainly have the utmost respect for the man and his accomplishments, and have also been lucky enough to open for Down here in Austin. As far as touring is concerned? The only certainty in life is the past, the future is constantly in flux. That being said, by all means, show me where to sign and we'll make it happen!
I also found Ven's statement in the same interview "Have some realistic expectations of yourself and be a person; make music to make music, not to be a God." Really humble, with DEP having 15k fans on FB alone, it's refreshing to hear down to earth statements like that from band members, what are your thoughts on this, and do you think it is just easy for some people's egos to get out of check?
No matter what level a band, musician,actor, etc. is on, there will always be those with proper perspective and those without. We understand that at some point there is a separation between art and artist, and that people's love and respect for our art might not always translate to the personal side. It's a funny thing: creating music or any art and then sharing it with the world immediately gives the public access to at least some part of your inner thoughts and feelings, but it's impossible to truly be that intimate with so many people at once. It's a delicate balance that many artists, or even fans for that matter, struggle to find.
Does DEP have any lengthy tours planned for this year?
We are hitting the road for a couple of weeks in early August, working our way through the Southeast on our way to Richmond, VA for Gwar-B-Q 2015, which promises to be a highlight of our time as a band. Beyond that, we've dialed back our touring in order to spend more time writing our next EP, due out next spring. We promised everyone three EPs in three years, and now we have to cash the check that our big fat mouths decided to write!
What has been your biggest challenge as a band? And is DEP more "digital age" music fans, or old school vinyl/CD fans? Would DEP ever release anything on vinyl?
If you'll indulge me for a bit, I will read from the Book of Cliches and tell you that our biggest challenge is most likely the same as any band's. That is: just getting along and having everyone not necessarily on the same page, but at least in the same book. The old saw about a band being multiple marriages is certainly true for us, and that's not even taking into account the band's actual marriages! (They're all impossibly patient.) With regards to listening formats, I wouldn't say we have any strong allegiances in any direction. However music passes through our transoms is of little/no consequence. We are definitely looking into a vinyl release at some point, details forthcoming.
What's the most bizarre thing to happen while you/DEP were onstage?
Besides thunderous applause? Just kidding. It would have to be the two deaf lesbians that went at it in the ladies' room during our set! Of course, we had a female friend of ours relay this information to us and film it on her phone, because nothing ever truly happens these days if it's not captured on a cell camera!
What do you like most about Metal music? How does being on stage playing the music style you love make you feel?
The mixture of relentlessness and precision, as well as the accompanying sensory overload. Tom Morello said it best in a recent metal documentary that metal "connects with the reptilian part of the brain, where it just 'feels' awesome". For me, being on stage gives a higher sense of purpose for myself. It connects me to that distant part of existence where the daily tedium of life no longer matters and the struggle seems worth the time and effort. How's that for a downer?
What are some of your passions outside of music?
I love historical documentaries. The hows, whys, and whats of other cultures and time periods have always intrigued me. I like to read, either about politics or pop culture. Christopher Hitchens or Chuck Klosterman with little in between, haha.
Have any of the members dreams ever influenced songs, or song ideas?
Not that I can recall offhand. I do often daydream about guitar riffs during the workday, especially when I'm driving. Not necessarily a sequence of notes but what I think something would sound like based on imaginary fingerings. Then I get home, get a guitar in my hands, and discover it didn't sound anything like what I had thought! Admittedly, it's kind of an ass-backwards way of writing but I do seem to find the proper results eventually.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?
Food. Water. Sunblock. I'm of Irish and Swedish extraction so I cancer up real fast!
Who has inspired you in your life the most and why?
Between friends, family, and musical/cultural heroes, the list is long and probably not all that interesting. I believe I've been inspired by everything I've ever seen, read, or heard, either positively or negatively. The magnetic push/pull reaction is an integral part of humanity. We all need it to survive and perpetuate. How's that for a non-answer "answer"?
Thank you very much for your time! Anything else DEP fans should know?
You're very welcome! Our fans should just keep doing what they're doing by spreading our Gospel of Noise throughout the world! We promise to hold up our end of the bargain!
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