DEVILDRIVER Frontman Embraces OZZFEST's Emphasis On Music
August 25, 2007Regis Behe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports: A few weeks ago, singer Dez Fafara, of DEVILDRIVER, was starting a much-needed vacation when he got a text message from Ozzfest associate producer John Fenton:
"I really need you to call me now."
A band, MONDO GENERATOR, had suddenly left the tour. The six weeks Fafara had so looked forward to — his first extended vacation in 10 years — quickly became an afterthought. How could he turn down a chance to be on Ozzfest, which stops Friday at the Post-Gazette Pavilion in Burgettstown?
"A lot of band would have paid to be on it," Fafara says.
Ozzfest is discernibly different this year. Ozzy Osbourne is back, but the big names who previously joined the tour — the JUDAS PRIESTs, the SYSTEM OF A DOWNs, the SLAYERs — are absent. Because Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy's wife, manager and founder of Ozzfest, decided to give tickets away, there was no money for stars.
"I've known Sharon for a long time," Fafara says "and I think it's a very smart move."
Instead of flash, the emphasis is on the music. There are bands such as LAMB OF GOD, longtime metal warriors from Richmond, Va., finally getting a chance to perform on the main stage. There is an international cast, with Poland's BEHEMOTH, Finnish metal group LORDI, and CHTHONIC, which hails from Taiwan.
"The bands that are here are here purely on their own merit," Fafara says. "... You walk into catering, and everyone wants to shake your hand, talk to you. Everyone gets along on this tour."
Read the entire article at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
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