The combination of music and artistic exploration has gone hand in hand through history, creating some of the greatest rock albums ever known. In the past decade, the uncompromising creativity of Dredg has constantly pushed that envelope in every direction possible while remaining true to their sound and vision. Comprised of Gavin Hayes (vocals/guitar), Drew Roulette (bass/keys), Mark Engles (guitar), and Dino Campanella (drums/keys), the Los Gatos, CA natives have developed a rabidly loyal fan base since their inception, that continues to grow with each stellar album released. Dredg are the epitome of progressive rock, never standing in the same musical space for too long and constantly evolving. Earlier this year DecoyMusic.com interviewed the band just days before the release of their latest album The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion in which I got to throw in some questions, but nearly five months have passed, and I am extremely proud to announce the official Exploding In Sound interview with the one and only Dredg. Drew was kind enough to answer some questions while the band tours Europe regarding reactions to the album, touring, musical creativity, and future plans. Stay tuned to this site for a very special Dredg "end of the decade" feature article coming in December.

EIS: The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion has been out for nearly a year, and is being considered by some a return to form. What sort of reaction have you guys received from the record?

DR: All ends of the spectrum. Some people DO say it reminds them of our older work, including instrumentals and all. We view it as a progression, as we would never want to walk backwards.

EIS: As one of the most artistic rock bands of the decade, you continue to push the envelope in your music adding new textures, never ending rhythmic experimentation, and further adapting a sound that is uniquely Dredg. Is it becoming more difficult to keep writing such timeless music or easier? With all that time spent in the studio, how much is planned in advance, and how much comes from the creative process while recording?

DR: The music becomes more difficult to piece together as we strive to push ourselves a bit harder. The creative process is long and obscure. Each song comes together in its own unique way. We usually have a basic foundation for the song before we enter the studio, but late nights are devoted to experimentation and serendipitous activity.

EIS: What was it like to back-up Salman Rushdie in concert? Had he heard The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion? Is he a fan of the music?

DR: The night was an event that I am tremendously grateful for and will remain as a highlight in my imagination. He said he downloaded (bought) the record as soon as he found out it was inspired by his essay. He was definitely tapping his foot as we played that night. I don't think he blares it at home while he writes though.


EIS: When you decided the album would be based on his essay “Imagine There's No Heaven: A Letter to the Sixth Billionth Citizen”, did you get in contact with Rushdie to discuss it?

DR: No, our first meeting was the night of the event. I couldn't find his telephone number listed in the yellow pages and I forgot his pager number.

EIS: This summer’s tour with RX Bandits, As Tall As Lions, Good Old War, and Zechs Marquise was an eclectic mix, and certainly one of the summer’s best. How did the bands come together? You and RX Bandits were co-headlining and switching off the closing spot, was that something you enjoyed doing?

DR: We came together through our booking agents and managers. They seemed to have thought our bands would work well together. They were correct. We did enjoy the co-headlining experience but we will never do it again.

EIS: You’re heading out on tour in Australia with Karnivool in November/December, another exceptional band. Are you guys fans of their music? How did that tour emerge?

DR: We are fans of the music. Just learned about them recently though. So kind of them to ask us to come over there, down there, across there, up there. We are having financial issues with traveling there so we actually might not make it over there. Dredg frowns. [editors note: Dredg announced today that after further planning and some unexpected twists they have found that the tour is no longer feasible. They are extremely apologetic and hope that someday, in the near future, they will be able to finally tour there. Until then thank you for your constant support and understanding.]

EIS: Back in 2006 you performed both Leitmotif and El Cielo in their entirety for home town audiences. What brought that about? Do you have plans to ever do that again?

DR: We had always talked about doing a show where we played our full records. When we make a record, we always construct it as one long piece so it makes sense that we would eventually do this. We have a special show in Dortmund, Germany in a couple of days for Visions magazine and we will be playing all of El Cielo.

EIS: While the band has certainly come a long way from the sound of Leitmotif, are there any particular reasons why none of the songs are played live anymore?

DR: That record was written about ten years ago. all of the songs seem childish in a sense. Sometimes we play "Symbol Song" live. And we have so many songs to choose from now when we play live, so we usually stick to playing the newest ones. They feel and sound better to us.

EIS: You guys are without a doubt one of the most phenomenal bands to watch live, coming across somewhere between art in motion and a rock concert. Any plans to release a live DVD?

DR: Yes.

EIS: Do you guys enjoy the constant touring? Have any favorite places to perform?

DR: Constant touring can be stressful but the grass is always greener. When I am home I get stir crazy and want to be traveling and when I am on the road I want to be on my couch with my vaporizer and cat. We played Barcelona the other night. It was our second time there and it was amazing. We also love playing in the Bay Area, that is where most of our fans are. Germany treats us really well and we love traveling in Germany.

EIS: When the international touring wraps up, any big plans for the band on the horizon?

DR: We have talked about doing a tuned down, acoustic set in the Bay Area and maybe record it for a live CD/DVD.

EIS: The Pariah was dedicated to Chi Cheng, whom is thankfully showing signs of recovery. Have you been able to stay in touch with his family / the Deftones since heading out on your European tour? (I’m still looking forward to that hypothetical Dredg / Deftones tour you mentioned with Decoy.)

DR: We don't have contact with his family but we keep in touch with the people who run oneloveforchi.com. We talk to the others in Deftones periodically. So glad to hear about his mild recovery. Another Dredg/Deftones tour would be swell with us.

EIS: The chemistry between the band comes across in the music is unbelievably tight, do you write with each other’s styles in mind? Are you close off stage?

DR: We are all great friends off the stage and have been for over 15 years. We have been playing together for awhile so it is easy to subconsciously communicate with each other when we write.

EIS: There is such a distinct sound to the effects that fill your riffs and tones. What are you favorite effects pedals that you couldn’t live without?

DR: I love my Big Muff [pedal]. I couldn't be without my distortion pedals. Let me ask Mark...

DR: Mark, what pedal cant you live without?
Mark Engles: Why are you asking me this, interview?
DR: Yes.
ME: Uh, my stereo delay.
DR: Cool, thanks.

EIS: [laughs] Thanks for asking! Any chances of bringing your artwork back to the stage?


DR: Yes, I plan on making big canvases for the next tour. Motivate Drew. Motivate.

EIS: I gotta ask… when I saw you last year at The Highline Ballroom in NYC, Gavin was typing (on a type writer) between songs and tossing the pages into the crowd. Were you writing complete thoughts, jokes, commentary? Any insight into this...

DR: He writes random things. Sometimes jokes, sometimes lyrics, sometimes stuff that doesn't make any sense to a human. Gavin is silly.

EIS: Dredg’s legacy is sure to be remembered for generations, but when all is said and done, what do you want people to take away from your music?

DR: I want them to be inspired to create something on their own. Something that encourages peace and happiness.

EIS: I'd like to give a big sincere thanks to Drew and the rest of Dredg for the opportunity, and all great the music over the years, as well as Mary at WMG.