DAN DONEGAN Wants To Keep FIGHT OR FLIGHT Separate From DISTURBED

Jesse Dracman of Sludge Factory recently interviewed DISTURBED guitarist Dan Donegan about Dan's new project FIGHT OR FLIGHT. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On how FIGHT OR FLIGHT is different from DISTURBED:

Donegan: "I personally respect DISTURBED and our fans enough to try and keep the two bands separate from each other. Although there are things stylistically in mine and Mike Wengren's [DISTURBED and FIGHT OR FLIGHT drummer] playing they will know the difference between these two bands whether they like it or not. We want to leave certain things for DISTURBED."

"With DISTURBED, we found a chemistry that works. I was used to coming up with music and putting together a structure and giving it to David [Draiman, DISTURBED singer], where he would then write a melody on top of. With FIGHT OR FLIGHT, it was a new and different approach for some of the songs. [FIGHT OR FLIGHT and EVANS BLUE singer Dan Chandler] also plays a little guitar and had a few riffs, some I kept that were really cool, some I reworked and some were replaced and new. Writing with a singer who is also musical made me think outside the box a lot more."

On the recording process for FIGHT OR FLIGHT's debut album, "A Life By Design?":

Donegan: "I miss the warmth of analog and recording to tape. But the advantage with technology today is you are able to make an album from your bedroom. This FIGHT OR FLIGHT album was done at my home. My setup is a simple studio with all I need. The drums were tracked at Groovemaster in Chicago, but the rest at my home studio. It's become easier and way more cost effective. There was a time when you had to spend four, five, six hundred thousand dollars to make an album. Now you can make a great-quality album for ten thousand if you have already invested a bit into microphones, amps, etc."

On FIGHT OR FLIGHT's first single, "First Of The Last":

Donegan: "This was a riff and structure I threw at Dan and he came up with a great melody. It was different and fresh. We started talking about conspiracies and certain topics that we questioned. Some we believed and some we laughed at. We wanted a song that was gonna get people to open their minds and their eyes and raise some questions. Are vaccines doing more harm than good? Why are there some many kids these days with autism, ADD, ADHD, and different new forms of cancers? Genetically modified foods? Chemtrails? Not forcing our opinion; it's just trying to get to the answers."

On how difficult it is today for bands to noticed in the music industry:

Donegan: "It's a tough business and it only got tougher since DISTURBED started. It's sad to see so many great bands fall to the wayside 'cause they couldn't sustain financially and keep going. If they didn't sell enough albums, they would get dropped by their label and have to do it independently. It can be very expensive to tour. You have to pay crew salaries, transportation, fuel, hotels. If you can't afford a bus, then you go to an RV. If you can't afford an RV, then a van. If you don't have a van, then a car. I envy these bands that go out there and do it. We've been there and know what it takes. You keep fighting because you love music, and as crazy as it can be, the music and performing is what keeps you somewhat sane."

Read the entire interview at Sludge Factory.