Mystical Journeys and Auditory Hallucinations


"And before the sun runs out, a journey can change the mind"

I introduce to you one of the biggest underground buzzes in the current rock scene. Dredg is not for everyone, yet in reality they really are. Those of you reading this not knowing who or what I am talking about, here is your chance to find out about one of the most talented group of artists in the music scene. A band capable of painting a picture in your mind as vivid as if it were right in front of your eyes. A band able to pass a message to you and leave a mark as a novel would do. Dredg originated in Los Gatos, California. Singer Gavin Hayes, bass player Drew Roulette, guitarist Mark Engles, and drummer Dino Campanella have been playing music together since early years in high school. While still in school, the band played shows around local clubs in the California area and released a few demos along the way. It was not till the ORPH ep was released that it was evident dredg was paving themselves a new path to tread. The 3 song ep was only a tease at what was to come by presenting the songs "Is not Everything" "Orph" and "Kayasuma." Two years down the road came the release of the groundbreaking album Leitmotif.

Leitmotif , a melodic passage or phrase associated throughout a musical event with a specific character, situation, or element.

LEITMOTIF was originally released in 1999. The album itself presents itself as one continuous 45 minute piece. Basic concept of the album is found in the liner notes with the story of a man who travels around the world in the search for a cure to his moral disease and evolve into higher consciousness.

"questioning, and saying our opinions, they're failing, they're constantly changing, our ignorance remaining, we're hoping, and waiting, we're living but dying while trying to find out"

Material presented in LEITMOTIF was backed by a positive moral message surrounded by thick precise musical elements. Due to the layout, the album seems to come to an end quick, yet much area is covered in these 10 tracks. Each song flows into the next like chapters in a book, building you up and dropping you down with intense rhythm and elegant melodies. The beginning track which has no name though recognized by a symbol, sucks you into the mystical journey about to be taken in on. The listener soon finds themselves paralyzed being pulled left and right in whichever direction the story takes you. Near the end you find reflection of older hardcore influence in "Penguins in the Desert" which perfectly molds you back into place with the trippy feel of "Movement IV:RR" leading into what may be the final climax of the album "Yatahaze."
LEITMOTIF created a huge buzz for the band in the music scene on the west coast. Gaining instant labels to a modern Pink Floyd or comparisons to the musical feel Tool can convey. Dredg was voted "Local Rock Band of the Year" by local newspaper, and gained attention via the internet by popular webzine theprp.com , by having LEITMOTIF voted Most Innovative Release of 1999, and later being named Band of the Month for February 2000. By catching opening spots on a few tours and word of mouth, dredg built a loyal fanbase. Once Leitmotif was rereleased to a national level, those whom the album effected most eagerly awaited a new album which didn't come till 3 years after the release of LEITMOTIF.

"I too once thought the radio played, let's act like children while we sleep paralyzed"

It was not till the end of 2002 that EL CIELO hit the stores. Spanish for "the sky" the basic concept of the album is obvious throughout. The liner inside contains personal accounts of sleep paralysis. The written accounts were actual reports taken from various individuals as well as members of the band. Like in Leitmotif, lyrics were inserted into pertaining accounts where subject matter would fit in. Don't worry the album not only has a fancy layout, but musically is one of the most well made albums of the year.
For further inspirations in creating the new album, the band members ventured into Palm Desert. The natural surroundings allowed the band to breathe in fresh air to conjure up true emotions. For recording of the album, dredg entered Skywalker Ranch, which is owned by George Lucas himself. This Northern California ranch is famous for many movie scores as well as other orchestrated recordings. The second half of recording was done at Longview Studios, another ranch house, but located on the other side of the country near Boston.
EL CIELO is just as if not more capable of taking you to parts of your unconscious mind as LEITMOTIF was. The band has evolved and matured over the years and became more comfortable with their roles in the band. With tracks as opener "Same Ol' Road" the altered state of "Scissor Lock" and the beautiful ending with "The Canyon Behind Her" EL CIELO proves that dredg is just as capable to be a classic in the modern rock scene.
Dredg has hit the road more the year of 2002, doing nonstop shows all over the country, hoping EL CIELO will get more publicity and more fans along the road. American Magee of Quake and Quake II fame was even chosen to direct the video for "Same Ol' Road."

"Before you go, there is something more to say"

To push EL CIELO dredg did their share of extensive touring, even making St. Louis stops 4 times in a short span of a few months. On November 24th at Mississippi Nights, dredg was the opening act for Ozomatli. I was lucky enough to sit down and talk with bass player Drew Roulette and ask him a few questions about the band, their music, and what lies down the road to come.

The band has been doing a great amount of touring as of lately. How has this had an effect on you all in the sense of the band, the music, and the performance?
It has made performance better. It could go both ways, you could get to know each other better or get sick of each other more. It hasn't affected us before. It has been fun, no complaints at all about being out on the road. You don't get to be home that much, but yet it makes you feel like you are working for something good. Its feels good.
What are some of your favorite bands you've been touring with?
It is always hard to find a band to tour with that is in the same energy field as us...
...such as the deadsy taproot show...
...yeah, that crowd, some of the places hated us, some liked us. I guess it depends on the place. Like Ozomatli, I believe is a better band for us to tour with than Taproot. They are more musical and more open minded. We came through with Alien Ant Farm about year and half ago, they've been our friends for a long time and it is always fun to them, but we haven't gotten our share of big tours. We still feel like a virgin band.
Who are some of the bands you would like to tour with?
I think the perfect band to tour with would be A Perfect Circle. I think that would be a good one for us. We would like to go with more rock bands like the Deftones, but yet maybe something like Mogwai. Some other bands, maybe Sleepytime Gorilla Museum or Shellac.
Where do you find a lot of your inspirations? Musically and nonmusically?
Musically, I can listen to anything that I can actually stand to listen to. I think we take more of our inspirations from experiences or landscapes. It is more of the mood we try to capture instead of the sound.
Maybe more of a personal opinion, but I find possible influence/reference to the film Waking Life and the book Celestine Prophecy on the new album?
The Celestine Prophecy, that is the book that changed my life right there. Even if you don't believe it or follow it, the things James Redfield say in there are unbelievable. The whole coincidental spiritual theory in general, you can feel it more than anything. At this time in life, the universe, the world, whatever, that kind of stuff is where its at. As for Waking Life, it is one of my favorite films as well. Yeah, its things like that we find inspiration in, more spiritual related.
El Cielo has a definite theme/concept based around dream states. Is there any specific dreams you or other band members have that stand out?
I have a hard time remembering my dreams. I've been trying to do lucid dreams for a while, even reading a book on the subject. I still haven't really been able to do it.
The new material is a change from earlier works have you been working on any new material?
Not that much lately, we have been touring so much. Now and then we will throw something out. We all have ideas in our heads that we want to express. I think we are going home for the holidays, so that will give us a chance to screw around and record some stuff.
Do you see any direction in which you are headed in?
We all want to do something different. My opinion, somewhere along the same kind of energy, but with more dance, yet more heavier, more experimental.
Have you considered anything with your art?(Drew does all the paintings displayed on stage during performances)
I'd like to if the opportunity came up. Right now it is a personal muse for myself. A personal outlet for myself. As for the band, there are three other guys in it to combine and collaborate. With the paintings I do what I want.
What are your goals?
The goal is to at least do this as a career, that way we won't have to stop doing it. It's not like there is tons of money involved, unless you somewhat succeed. At least succeed enough to raise a family. I want to be able to make a living out of it. I'm not asking for stardom in the sky or anything like that. I'm just asking for enough ears to listen to our music, that way I can keep making it.

The interview itself turned less from an interview and more into a conversation. Changing from subjects as other bands and shows, to their own album, to even the St. Louis Arch. Drew's open minded personality help create a friendly contentment. An artist with aesthetic talent.

Do yourself a favor and look more into dredg's music and message. Check them out online at www.dredg.com

(words/interview/photos: travis lawrence)