DEVILDRIVER

wheels were already in motion, as far as the release of the first volume, but Dez and I talked about the second volume, and both agreed that it would be best to hold off on releasing volume two until we can actually go out on tour and promote it properly,” said Mike. “We didn’t want our fans to think that we’re just going away. The album was done, it was mixed, it was mastered and ready to go. And it was a big blessing for us because we had recorded a double record. So, it’s like, why not put out the first volume now? Because life sucks, the world’s upside down. And sometimes music is a good cure for a lot of things. So, we put out the first volume and just decided to hold off on the second volume. I think originally, we were going to release them six months apart.”

With three years between the release of the two parts of the double album, the band have waited until some semblance of normality has returned within the music world. “I’m glad we waited. There was a surplus of bands going out when everything opened up, and everyone had these strict COVID protocols that everyone had to abide by. And by the time we hit the road, we didn’t have to worry about that,” confirms Mike.

However, did the band always want to make a double album or did it happen organically? “We wanted to do a double record from the very beginning, even before a single note was written,” explains Mike. “Dez always his whole life even since he was in Coal Chamber, he’s always wanted to do a double record. And I was not against the idea. I love being in the studio. It was just me, Neil and Austin writing the music at the time. They are some of my favourite people to write with. We had a great time and we had zero arguments. Steve Evetts is one of my favourite producers to work with. He’s great and a lot of fun to be with.”

The sound on the second volume of the double record has been described as heavier than that of its predecessor. “When we finished the record, the songs were divided up between one and two. I think it was just kind of by coincidence that songs like Wishing, and a few of the other more mellow songs just ended up fitting in that group of songs, and some of the heavier ones just coincidentally, we’re left to Volume Two. Which I think is a good order of things. I think it’d be smarter to have the second one be a little bit more in your face than the first one. So, in the eyes of the listener, it’s growing in intensity as they’ve listened,” said Mike.

But when can the UK-based Devildriver fans see the band on this side of the pond? “I’m hoping next year we can get to Europe. I really miss touring Europe. I used to prefer touring the States many years ago. But now that we’ve gotten a little bit bigger, playing nicer venues, and can afford a better bus and be able to keep in touch with the wives and girlfriends back home easier with cell phones, not costing $1 a minute to talk to anybody, it’s made touring over there much easier. And I prefer touring Europe more than I enjoy touring the States,” he says. “Your architecture over there is far superior to everything that we have in the United States. Everything is older, there’s more history there and just more eye candy. I really enjoy being in Europe. I love it over there. I’m hoping sometime next year, we’ll get back over there.”

Dealing With Demons Vol. II, the new album from Devildriver, is out on 12th May 2023, via Napalm Records.

HRH Mag’s Viki Ridley caught up with LA based artist Zach Kibbee to discuss his career, UK tour and forthcoming plans.

Mr Zach Kibbee, thank you from taking some time out of your busy tour schedule to talk. You are currently doing a run of 2 weeks straight, with Steven Jackson providing drums and percussion (Heartbreak Remedy, Chris Holmes Mean Man Band) Do you enjoy life on the road?

Hey Viki! Thank you for having me and for letting ramble a bit (and hopefully arrive at the answers to your questions) in your wonderful magazine!

Life on the road is a mixed bag, I’d say. There are times of course, that aren’t great - long nights, long drives, lack of sleep, etc. - we’ve all heard those tales, but you can’t beat the feeling of being totally locked in on your instrument due to the nature of touring, or the elation from a great crowd.

As a California kid, have you always been surrounded by music and the arts?

I’ve been singing since before I can remember. My mom is a big fan of the Eagles so my earliest memories in the car included singing along to Hell Freezes Over, their reunion album in the early 90s. But, I actually grew up with sports surrounding my life. I’m a huge baseball fan, played it until I couldn’t, and I played basketball and (American) football as well growing up. I didn’t really become interested in music until about 14 years old. I wanted to be an architect or an actor when I was young.

What drove you to becoming a musician and songwriter and, which came first? Who was, or is, your muse?

I loved learning songs when I was just getting started. It was like a puzzle for me trying to figure out WHY songs worked the way they did, and HOW to make a song sound a certain way. I definitely started writing songs straight away, within days of picking up a bass! Currently, I’d say that honesty is my muse. I’ve been inspired to write exactly what I’m feeling lately, rather than creating stories with characters in my mind and playing out their fates. My new album Faking Light is an incredibly honest album where I’m constantly expressing my feelings, fears and emotions.

I know that music is a career for you, but, I am aware that writing and performing, whether it be as part of a band or solo, isn’t your only job. How did you become involved in creating music for games and TV series such as Lucifer?

It’s such a long story but I’ll try to do a condensed version. A friend of mine showed me a song of his that was going to be on a TV show and it blew my mind! I never even thought about that being a thing, in my mind it was only famous songs on TV shows and movies! I was like “How did you do that?!?” He told me about a friend of his that worked in music licensing, and I asked him what they were looking for. He replied - bluesy rock, basically the music I was writing at the time. We did a few songs, he sent them in to what is now my music licensing company, and about a year and a half later I was able to quit my job because of it.

Can you describe how different it feels to create music for yourself, as part of a band, or when commissioned to write for a focussed project? How do these processes differ?

To me, writing music is fun any which way you do it! Of course I love writing my songs and producing them the way I see fit, but it’s really fun to step outside of my own style and create songs for things like Scooby Doo or ads that need something specific. When I write for myself there is no limitation on anything, which can be overwhelming or freeing depending on my headspace. Specifically though, with Faking Light it was very freeing because I had such a focused concept for the overall feel of the records. It’s usually a much different experience writing for a specific movie or commercial. They usually give examples of styles or ideas on how the song should sound - “upbeat” or “fun” or “dark” etc. It’s a bit more in a box so to speak, but still so fun, sometimes more so!

You and I are old friends now, our first meeting was when you were working with Bullets and Octane, which feels like a long time ago now… Who were you collaborating with prior to that time?

Yeah it’s been a minute! I was actually in two separate projects with Gene and Felipe at the time, one being my solo music and the other being a group called The Brave Ones. I had met Gene through my close friend and early-on producer Joseph Holiday when I needed a drummer for my new solo project and we’d been playing together doing those groups before Bullets kicked back up in 2017.

If you could write and create with anyone, past or present, who would this be and can you explain why? This might be the hardest question I’ve ever had to answer. Seriously, well done! I’d probably have to go with John Lennon. I feel like I have more pop-sensibility in my writing - like Paul, so it would be interesting to see what John and I could do together.

You have a very distinctive vocal range and I’ve heard you sing classic rock AOR, grunge, and falsetto. Your version of She’s So High (Tal Bachman) on your new release, Faking

Light, is a huge sound. When you are writing for you, what vocal do you hear, or is it the melody or lyrics that come first?

Thank you for the great compliment! Coming from you, a music aficionado, that really means a lot! It’s probably all of them at different points. Sometimes I have a lyric, sometimes a melody, sometimes just chords and vibe. I don’t usually focus on how I’d sing a part, soft or aggressive because the music usually tells me how I should sing it. For my new album, I was going for a “live” feel and vibe. The hardest thing to do on an album is capture the essence of the live show. One of the ways I tried to achieve that on Faking Light was by singing single takes of vocal performances, without cuts. You can hear it on the lead track Baby, Have No Fear how I’m a bit winded at times.

Leading us to Faking Light, which you recently showcased at The Viper Room in West Hollywood, this album is your first release since Life In Low Fidelity in 2020. This time you’re able to play the songs in front of a live audience that can stand up and dance and sing your lyrics back to you! How great did it feel to feel that connection again?

It’s been simply unbelievable! I love the recording process but nothing compares to the thud of the kick in your chest or buzzing bass at your feet from the subs and the cheering crowd. I wish everyone could experience that feeling. Pure joy is as close as I can get to describing it.

I know that the rest of your year is a busy one, and, you’re about to get married. Congratulations and huge best wishes from the HRH Family. What is next for you Zach, will we see you back in the UK anytime soon or are we going to see your name in the credits of a new project?

Thank you so much, I’m excited for that day to come! I’m definitely a blessed person to be living the life I have and I’m thankful for it everyday. Beyond that, there are new music videos in the works, and plans for a UK tour in early November to go along with a certain music festival happening then, you may know the one! As far as TV and film credits, I can’t really say at this time but I’m staying busy with it.

Thank you so much for having me Viki, can’t wait to see you again and have a peanut butter shot! Cheers!