Theory of a Deadman embraces new sound
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/03/2018 (2957 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
When Theory of a Deadman takes the stage in Brandon Monday night, fans can expect a mix of the old and the new.
Lead singer and guitarist Tyler Connolly said it can feel like reliving a past life when playing some of their early tunes, but the fans love it.
“It’s fun to go back and play some of the old stuff that we haven’t played in a while,” he said. “It is an integral part, especially in Canada. Sometimes we have to go and play some of the first record stuff and some more stuff off ‘Gasoline.’”
The band is promoting their sixth studio album, “Wake Up Call” — a departure from previous records, as it features a more melodic, intimate style.
Connolly said it was time to experiment with a new sound and a new producer, Martin Terefe, who has worked with the likes of Mary J. Blige, Train and Jason Mraz.
“A lot of bands, on their sixth record, would probably at this point be settling down and … well on their way to being complacent. That’s the dirty word being in a band,” Connolly said. “You don’t want to … sit back and just write records that are the same over and over. So for us to make a record that’s so progressive, we found there’s a lot of new countries and cities that have kind of jumped on …which has been great.”
Theory of a Deadman formed in B.C. in 2001, and still has three of its founding members — Connolly, guitarist Dave Brenner and bassist Dean Back. Drummer Joey Dandeneau joined the group in 2008. The band is currently based in Los Angeles. As part of their revamp, the band has shortened its name to Theory.
“We’re always going to be Theory of a Deadman, but … it made sense for the sound of the new record,” Connolly said. “It’s kinda what our fans call us, so we’re trying to just kinda push that a little more, make it easier.”
To record their latest album, the band went to Terefe’s Kensaltown Studios in London, England.
“It was a great match, we had so much fun,” Connolly said. “Getting outta dodge, and going and being uncomfortable for seven weeks, that really helped.”
Connolly decided to experiment with the piano for the first time as he wrote for this album, and discovered it was a great creative outlet.
“My dad’s a piano player. Our whole lives we would grow up with him playing every day … but I never was interested in playing it, I don’t know why,” he said. “I started fiddling with the piano and I … fell in love with it.”
The album’s lead single “Rx (Medicate)” topped the Billboard US Mainstream Rock chart for six weeks. The song’s lyrics address the prescription drug abuse epidemic currently plaguing North America.
“It hits home with a lot of people,” Connolly said. “Personally I know people that have had problems with it. A friend whose wife passed away in her sleep from combining prescription drugs, and … the frustrating part is that it has become part of everyday life.”
Connolly said it’s not just street drugs, but prescription drugs that are killing people.
“You’ve been told to take these from your doctor, so other than your family, it’s probably someone you trust the most,” he said. “I think it was just agitating me, and that was the reason to write it.”
Theory of a Deadman partnered with shatterproof.org, an American non-profit organization dedicated to helping families dealing with drug addiction.
“When we wrote the song and released it, and it started taking off, we thought we had to do more than just have the song for people,” Connolly said. “We thought it was our responsibility at that point to do more.”
Rx pins are being sold at shows and online to raise money for the Shatterproof organization.
As of Thursday evening, Monday’s show at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium was nearly sold out. Only a few single seats were still available.
“We have the most production we’ve ever brought to Brandon, a bunch of video walls,” Connolly said. “I’m actually going to be playing some piano … so yeah, it’ll be a great show.”
» jaustin@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @jillianaustin