With a new member, working a new album, and returning to Dirt Fest this year, the guys in DeverauX don’t seem to be slowing down.
Phil LaMay (Vocals), Chas Millican (Guitar), David Floyd (Drums), and Jake Zemla (Bass) make up the current and revamped line-up for Lansing, MI’s own DeverauX. Not a stranger to the Dirt Fest experience, David took a few minutes from being a rock star drummer to talk shop on the band. If you happen to see him dancing after their set, let us know if he has serious moves. And now on to our main event.
NRR: You guys were at the 2014 version of Dirt Fest and you are playing again this year. What’s been going on with the band in the last year?
David Floyd: In the last year, we have undergone a line up change with JD leaving the band for personal reasons and Jake Zemla stepping in on bass duties. We have also written and recorded a new EP with Matt Dalton at 37 Studios. We hope to have a release by the end of the year or early next year.
NRR: Hopefully you guys have a great time on stage this year. Are you looking forward to anything in particular at Dirt Fest 2015?
David Floyd: We love and look forward to Dirt Fest as a whole. All the bands, fans and sun make for an awesome event each and every year.
NRR: I know you might want to let some songs in the set go for newer ones, but I have to ask. Will the “The Trooper” make another appearance to your killer set list?
David Floyd: With the coming EP we are playing some new material and “The Trooper” may still be included. I guess, you will have to catch the set to find out.
NRR: Well played, David. Some guys have crazy pre-set rituals. Is there anything that happens to get you ready before a show that is a bit interesting? I’m looking at you Phil, (laughing).
David Floyd: We have had some “rituals” in the past. From acapella vocal warm-ups to quietly sitting in the van, we each have our own. As of late, is has become more a fist-pound on stage just before we get down to business. We like to save the festivities for after the performance. We call it a “victory dance”.
NRR: What’s your biggest fear on stage?
David Floyd: We play to a “click track” that has samples synced with it. So, our biggest fear would have to be getting off the tempo map or having gear malfunction causing us to lose click. It has happened before and it is embarrassing. Fortunately from an outside perspective it isn’t nearly as devastating as it feels to us on stage, we hear…
NRR: What can we expect for DeverauX in the next few months?
David Floyd: We are pushing forward with the new EP and hope to have it out to the public as soon as we can. We have some big shows coming this Fall and we hope to make an impact with our new material.
DeverauX – Refrain (Official Music Video)
NRR: Is there a band or bands on this year’s Dirt Fest line-up that you are looking forward to seeing as fans?
David Floyd: Periphery would probably be the top band we, as a band, are looking forward to. Solid guys and phenomenal players.
NRR: How important is the merch table for a band at a festival like this?
David Floyd: The merch booth is by far THE most important aspect of representing your band in the festival setting. You are only on stage for 30 min amongst ten hours of five stages and 30 bands, but your merch booth is in the same spot all day. Presentation is EVERYTHING and merch is where touring bands make money. If you want to support a band you like, buy some of their merch.
NRR: For anyone that might not have heard your music before, what kind of vibe can they expect to see from you guys on stage?
David Floyd: We have an intense, straight forward sound. It is versatile enough to allow highs and lows with clean vocals and softer chords at times but over all, it is a very “Metal” vibe.
NRR: On the drive up to Birch Run, who gets to control the radio and what will be the most unusual thing you’re forced to listen to?
David Floyd: I always drive. It is my van and trailer and I actually don’t like to have music on. The guys listen to head phones and most of the time there is a lot of singing. Being that it is a nine a.m., check in and we have an hour plus drive, it will most likely be pretty quiet. I find the sounds of the road soothing and you always have to be prepared for unexpected pitfalls. Such as the blow out we had on our trailer on the Ohio turnpike, which left us on the side of the road in Ohio for four hours and made us late to a load-in at Macomb Theater in Detroit, on the Pop Evil tour.
Thank you so much for the interview and hope to see you there!
P.S. I need another NRR hat! I wore the one from last year so much it is faded and ruined…
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