Things have changed over the past five years for Shinedown. The Jacksonville, Fla. rock band has been on marathon tours, traveled around the world and seen new faces replace more than half of the members.
The Citizen file photo
K-Rockathon returns to Weedsport
K-Rockathon returns to Weedsport
But according to drummer and founding member Barry Kerch, it hasn't changed that much.
“Deep down inside, we are still a bunch of rockers,” Kerch said during a phone interview. “I think this is the best Shinedown has ever been.”
The band will perform this weekend at the K-Rockathon in Weedsport. Three Days Grace and Seether will also take the stage during the annual music festival.
Shinedown is currently supporting its latest studio album, “The Sound of Madness,” which was recently released on Atlantic Records. Kerch said the process for recording “Madness” was much different than the band's previous two records.
Not only were guitarists Zach Myers and Nick Perri and bassist/pianist Eric Bass new additions to the group, but both Kerch and lead singer Brent Smith were able to approach the project as seasoned veterans, Kerch said.
The band took 18 months and recorded almost 60 songs before narrowing down the number to 11 tracks. And while Shinedown did not have to worry about the dreaded sophomore slump, there was still plenty of pressure to put out a winner, Kerch said.
“It never changes,” he said. “You want to continue to be more successful, so you put more pressure on yourself every single time. And the label still wants its songs. They are not going to let you slide.”
“Madness” features the band's first bona fide love song, “If You Only Knew,” which Kerch said had a lot to do with Smith's recently-born daughter. Things change and people grow up, he said, and even hard bands can grow a soft side.
The album also enters the political arena with the first single, “Devour.” The straightforward rock song was inspired by the band's trip last year to Iraq and Kuwait, which Kerch described as “probably the best experience of (his) life.”
The single reflects the band's frustrations with the whole situation, though Kerch insisted Shinedown is not a political band.
“We were just realizing how much (the troops) do, how much we support them and how we are getting frustrated that there isn't a compromise or an exit strategy,” he said. “But we're not going to choose sides. Really, that is for Rage Against the Machine.”
With all the changes the band has seen, Kerch said Shinedown is still most at home when they are not at home at all. Long known for its energetic live shows, the band plans to tour right up to Christmas before taking a few days off and touring some more.
That is just how Shinedown rolls, Kerch said.
“I love being on the road, and the other guys love being on the road,” Kerch said. “That's the most important thing to us. It is the best drug in the world.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: K-Rockathon with Shinedown, Three Days Grace, Seether and more
When: Starts 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19
Where: Cayuga County Speedway, Weedsport
Cost: $38
Info: Call 424-ROCK or visit www.krock athon.com
“Deep down inside, we are still a bunch of rockers,” Kerch said during a phone interview. “I think this is the best Shinedown has ever been.”
The band will perform this weekend at the K-Rockathon in Weedsport. Three Days Grace and Seether will also take the stage during the annual music festival.
Shinedown is currently supporting its latest studio album, “The Sound of Madness,” which was recently released on Atlantic Records. Kerch said the process for recording “Madness” was much different than the band's previous two records.
Not only were guitarists Zach Myers and Nick Perri and bassist/pianist Eric Bass new additions to the group, but both Kerch and lead singer Brent Smith were able to approach the project as seasoned veterans, Kerch said.
The band took 18 months and recorded almost 60 songs before narrowing down the number to 11 tracks. And while Shinedown did not have to worry about the dreaded sophomore slump, there was still plenty of pressure to put out a winner, Kerch said.
“It never changes,” he said. “You want to continue to be more successful, so you put more pressure on yourself every single time. And the label still wants its songs. They are not going to let you slide.”
“Madness” features the band's first bona fide love song, “If You Only Knew,” which Kerch said had a lot to do with Smith's recently-born daughter. Things change and people grow up, he said, and even hard bands can grow a soft side.
The album also enters the political arena with the first single, “Devour.” The straightforward rock song was inspired by the band's trip last year to Iraq and Kuwait, which Kerch described as “probably the best experience of (his) life.”
The single reflects the band's frustrations with the whole situation, though Kerch insisted Shinedown is not a political band.
“We were just realizing how much (the troops) do, how much we support them and how we are getting frustrated that there isn't a compromise or an exit strategy,” he said. “But we're not going to choose sides. Really, that is for Rage Against the Machine.”
With all the changes the band has seen, Kerch said Shinedown is still most at home when they are not at home at all. Long known for its energetic live shows, the band plans to tour right up to Christmas before taking a few days off and touring some more.
That is just how Shinedown rolls, Kerch said.
“I love being on the road, and the other guys love being on the road,” Kerch said. “That's the most important thing to us. It is the best drug in the world.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: K-Rockathon with Shinedown, Three Days Grace, Seether and more
When: Starts 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19
Where: Cayuga County Speedway, Weedsport
Cost: $38
Info: Call 424-ROCK or visit www.krock athon.com
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