Sevendust

May 11, 2008

Ask any rock and roll legend or band who has enjoyed staying power in a business filled with one hit wonders, and they will all give the same reason for their longevity: They see themselves as musical explorers on a journey that only death will end.
In an interview several years ago, Eric Clapton told me, “I see myself as Columbus trying to find new musical worlds.” Legendary bass player Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck & The Flecktones) echoed that: “I believe that everything already exists – it is just a matter of being discovered – and that is the approach I take, one in search of discovering what already exists musically.”
So enter Atlanta based metal-rockers Sevendust who see themselves on this same musical journey. They will take the stage this Wednesday, May 14 at Streeters Ground Zero Nightclub. They are currently touring in support of their seventh studio album Sevendust VII: Hope and Sorrow, that showcases the band’s desire to explore beyond their previous musical boundaries.
“When we came into the studio to record this CD, everything was a big question because we were all coming from different musical perspectives,” said guitarist John Connolly. “After all these years together it was wierd being on different pages musically. We didn’t know what the record would sound like until we were almost finished with it, and I think it turned out to be a much better record for that reason.”

NEW DIRECTION
Right from the start Sevendust was different than other metal bands as they boast one of the few lead singers who is African-American. Lajon Witherspoon agrees with his bandmate Connolly on the band’s new direction.
“I feel that Hope and Sorrow honestly paints a picture of a band that has evolved and is not afraid to explore different types of music within their own sound.” “We’ve done heavy music and nailed it, but honestly, I think this time we really decided that it’s okay to go outside the norm and take chances and do different things.”
That going outside the norm included bringing in “American Idol” sensation Chris Daughtry to sing the song
“The Path.”
“We had no idea this guy was a big fan of our band,” said Connolly. “Last year on tour we were looking outside our bus and wondering who this guy was lurking around by the door. We went out to see what the hell he wanted and we couldn’t believe it was Daughtry waiting to meet us. We immediately became friends and before we knew it he agreed to come into the studio with us.”
So, with this musical exploration approach, does Sevendust have an identity crises?
“Probably, but we see that as a good thing. My wife calls our style of music ‘confused rock’ and I really like that,” said drummer Morgan Rose. “We used to like to say, ‘Well, we like so many different kinds of music, we can’t decide whether to play really heavy or melodic or mellow, so we do it all. But actually, that’s really just being confused in a really good way. That’s what works for us. We can’t stick to any game plan. I guest we just find that too limiting.”

METAL ROOTS
Formed in 1994 and originally calling themselves Crawlspace (they had to change their name when a California-based band made a claim for the name), Sevendust released their first album in the spring of 1997 and it would take a year before their self-titled album would go gold.
“As we look back on it, we had a couple of breaks that gave us credibility. Dimebag Darrell was really into our band and he got up and jammed with us,” said Connolly. “Then we were invited to be a part of the 1998 Ozzfest tour that included Ozzy, Megadeath, Tool and Limp Bizkit.”
After Ozzfest the band quickly built a large following of fans who were attracted to Sevendust’s hard-driving riffs, violent vocals and “I am going to beat the crap out of you” drumbeats.
They were invited to perform at the 30th Anniversary of Woodstock in 1999. In 2001 their third album “Animosity” went Gold and David Letterman music director Paul Schaffer invited the boys to perform on “Late Night With David Letterman.”
The death of Witherspoon’s brother slowed the band down in 2002 but they quickly rebounded in 2003 with the release of their fourth album, Seasons. The album would climb to #2 on the Billboard Album charts and go double platinum (it has since sold over three million copies worldwide) behind the songs “Face to Face,” “Broken Down,” “Separate” and “Enemy.” Their headline tour in support of the album completely sold out and many metal music critics crowned Sevendust’s 2003 tour the best metal tour of that year.

CHANGES....
But in the music business all things seem to come to an end eventually. For Sevendust that happened in 2004 when an original member left the band (they had kept the original lineup together for 10 years). Guitarist Clint Lowery left to start a new band and become the touring guitarist for Korn.
Determined to forge on, the other band members found a replacement.
“We were blessed to have Sonny Mayo join us and we picked things right up. Sonny immediately became a brother to us,” said Connolly.
But despite Mayo’s quick acceptance by both the band and its fanbase, he was only a step-brother as he quickly learned a month ago.
In an amazing turn of events, the band announced in late March of this year that Clint Lowery was leaving his duties with Dark New Day and returning to his role as guitarist and vocalist of Sevendust. The move returned the band to its original lineup and stunned fans.
“This was extremely tough considering Sonny is our brother and has been amazing to work with. He didn’t do anything wrong at all; we just owe it to ourselves and all the folks that grew up with us to put our original band back together,” said drummer Morgan Rose. “Clint has always been our brother and Sonny will always remain our brother as well. We are sorry to say goodbye to Sonny and I’m sure this will be tough on the fans that follow him, but we’re excited about reuniting the original lineup of Sevendust.”

Now with its original lineup, Sevendust will take the Streeters’ Ground Zero Nightclub stage on May 14. The
band will be joined by Black Stone Cherry and Neverset. To purchase tickets in advance call the box office at
231-932-1300.