Interview With 'The Devil In California'
Firstly, introduce yourself/yourselves and tell us a little bit about the band and how you came to be?
Eddie: I was playing for a band called Electric Sister that went on hiatus. So I took a wild chance and ran an ad for a project I was envisioning. Jamie's friends saw it and thought he ran the ad because it sounded so much like him. So, he replied and it went from there. I brought in Tony, Jamie brought in Matt, and then Snake joined when he was recording our demo.
Tony: Eddie hit me up to come check out what him, Jamie and Matt had going on at the time. I loved the riffs and the music left plenty of room for melody and vibe. And I still love it!
What were you all up too prior to the band, was this always the chosen path or did you have other dreams and aspirations?
Eddie: I was going to be an actor as well, but someone in Hollywood talked me out of it when I was younger. "You can't throw a starving musician without hitting a starving actor down here". I also DJ'd in the SF Drum and Bass scene for a while. I also writing an electronica album at this time.
Tony: I've been singing professionally in bands for over 20 years now' I've always loved to sing. I knew it was a part of who I was at a very young age. I'll be doing it as long as I am able.
Tell us about your latest EP/Album and why our readers should check it out.
Eddie: Our debut album came out last year, and debuted at #7 on CMJs hard rock chart. If you like hard rock, you'll like it.
Tony: 'Longer Ride Down' came out last year. If you love great harmonies and solid heavy riffs with a bit of a southern rock attitude thrown in then you will dig this record - I guarantee it!
Have you ever come face to face with someone within the music scene who has left you awestruck and why?
Eddie: Not the same band, but once when Electric Sister played The Viper Room in Hollywood - and, I didn't see this transaction - but I guess somebody was talking to other members of that band, and said, "have you ever seen a band called Rival Sons?" He then gave us passes to see them at Cinespace that night. So, we go - and none of us had ever heard of them - and those guys. Holy shit, they completely blew us away. I remember how quiet the drive home was that night.
Tony: When I saw Alice In Chains for the first time in Spokane WA before they got big I was blown away. Same with Soundgarden. The Seattle bands spanning the late 80's through the 90's were nothing short of amazing. Nothing even close since.
If we were to head out to one of your live shows what can ourselves and others expect?
Tony: A kick ass, hard rockin, great fuckin time. Grab your beer, do a shot of whiskey and hold on!
If you had one artist/band that you could go on tour with tomorrow who would it be and why?
Eddie: Probably Alice In Chains. We would compliment them well.
Tony: I would love to tour with Corrosion Of Conformity right now or Alice In Chains. You said two bands, right?
You can spend an hour with a musical icon living or dead, who would you pick, why and what would you speak about?
Tony: This is a tough one. There are so many, it's impossible to choose. But this week I would have to say that I would love to hang with Dimebag. He was such a positive force but had a dark, powerful approach that you could feel in your fucking soul. We would talk about whatever the hell we wanted too. No matter what, it would be a great time... Black tooth Grins all around! RIP Dime.
And finally and most importantly is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?
Tony: Of course - just ask Hans Gruber.
Website - http://thedevilincalifornia.com
Twitter- https://twitter.com/eldiabloencali
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thedevilincalifornia
