DISTURBED Frontman: 'The Majority Of This Country Is Still Fans Of Rock Music'

Kristen Dunleavy of myYearbook.com recently conducted an interview with DISTURBED singer David Draiman. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

myYearbook.com: "Indestructible" marked the first time you guys produced an album yourselves. What brought on that decision?

Draiman: There comes a time when the bird is ready to leave the nest. Johnny K, who has been our producer for our past three records, has been a great teacher. He taught us how to make great records and we wanted to put what we learned into actual practice. We didn't have that fifth member so to speak, so we really had to rely on one another a lot more heavily. To be honest, it helped enhance our admiration and respect for one another.

myYearbook.com: The album is very dark. Were there any events that inspired that tone?

Draiman: Many. I had two and half very difficult years preceding the writing of the record. When I sat down with the guys to discuss where my head was at, I said I've been considering the kind of hell I've been through lately. I had been in a motorcycle accident, I had a fire in my garage which destroyed my garage, my truck and my motorcycle after I'd just gotten it fixed. I had been through numerous relationship issues. I had to put my dog, my best friend, to sleep about two and a half weeks ago in Denver. Most recently, my mother had a small heart attack. The challenges never cease. The inspiration for new material, unfortunately, is flowing like wine.

myYearbook.com: DISTURBED has been nominated for a Grammy, but you've said the hard rock genre doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Do you think that will ever change?

Draiman: I can only hope it will. I think as long as the awards are dominated by R&B, hip-hop and pop, it won't be so. Truth be told, they're neglecting a huge part of their constituency. The majority of this country is still fans of rock music; their presence should be respected and I truly feel it is not. Hard rock and heavy metal for a long time have been the bastard stepchildren of the genres and it's unfortunate because it's often very misunderstood. They don't understand the cathartic nature of the music; they don't understand how empowering it is. They'll condemn it on the level of being devil music or hatred-inspiring when it has nothing to do with any of that. It's aggravating but you keep on fighting the good fight. I think between us, METALLICA, SLIPKNOT and AC/DC, this year has been a pretty damn good year for rock. So I don't think we're going anywhere anytime soon.

myYearbook.com: There seems to be a great need for this type of music right now.

Draiman: In hard economic times, people are pissed off at everything and everyone. Do you think they're gonna be satisfied with BRITNEY SPEARS? It's about getting out your demons. It's about getting out your anger. It's not about putting a band-aid on.

myYearbook.com: What advice do you have for a young band wanting to go against the grain like you guys have?

Draiman: Don't question your passion. Don't be lazy. You have to persevere in the face of adversity, you really have to give it everything you've got, sacrifice everything you've got, that's what we did. I really wouldn't expect it to happen any other way.

Read the entire interview at myYearbook.com.