MusicInterviewsNow.com

On the brink of their success of three consecutive #1 albums, Randy of MusicInterviewsNow had a chance to speak with Disturbed’s Danny Donegan...

M.I.N. Can you tell the fans how Disturbed came about and how you got the name?

At the time, we actually had a different singer, and we realized he wasn’t offering enough or anything original. We got rid of him, and started auditioning other singers...we came across David, and it just clicked. There was something original about him. We played for a few months, and we were going to open for a local Black Sabbath tribute band and we needed a name. David suggested Disturbed...it sounded simple enough, and it was something people could relate to. It wasn’t us necessarily that were disturbed; it was a viewpoint of society. If you had tattoos or piercing or long hair, then that set you apart from them. That’s what made you disturbed to society. It was simple enough, we thought it would stick, and we started doing shows right away.

M.I.N. We’re out of Northwest Indiana/Chicago-Land, where about Chicago are you all from?

I’m from Orland Park...David’s from around the city...Mike moved up to Milwaukee with the family...John’s from Austin, Texas. Chicago is still our home base for our business and our music.

M.I.N. How was it coming up in the Chicago music scene?

You know, it was a bit of a struggle. In the early nineties, there was a huge scene, and towards the late nineties, there wasn’t much of a scene left for us. We had a hard time getting into anywhere downtown. All the main clubs wouldn’t take us...it wasn’t until after we got signed. Before then, we were playing the local bar scene. I don’t think the big clubs wanted anything to do with us because we were heavier. We also had to cope with the success of The Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, Local H, etc...we really didn’t fit into that alternative crowd. The bars tried to slam the door on us, and we just did our thing. We just did our thing...we played the south side bars, and made our way over to Northwest Indiana...The Cedar Tap in Michigan City for example.

M.I.N. I’m proud of you guys; especially being from the area...you have three consecutive #1 albums and 10 million albums sold. Can you explain how it’s been taking off from “Down with the Sickness” to “Indestructible?”

It’s been great...we’ve been working hard breaking down walls. We are building that fan base, and we’ve been touring for years. They are genuine fans, lifetime fans. We keep on going, and we are connecting with those minds. We keep coming back, and they do as well. And they bring more friends with them...it’s been a steady climb. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

M.I.N. What’s the reception like at a large show? Especially at a Chicago show?

It’s been great...to think that it’s been 10 years later and the fan base keeps growing...now they know the material and we try to incorporate them into the show. We try to have those crowd moments, and get them into it. It’s about interaction, eye contact, and getting them involved. We try to get that passion from them. We think of it like when we were kids, and we were in the crowd...and we used to say, “Look, that guitar player looked and me,” or “that singer looked at me.” It’s that excitement that your heroes are acknowledging you in the crowd. They give us the opportunity to live this life, and we try to make them apart of it.

M.I.N. They acknowledge that...anywhere you read, they say Dave has this crowd controlling presence...can you explain what’s that like to see?

He’s one of the few in the past ten years that has that ability...that ability to front the band, command an audience, and get a reaction. It’s gotten to that point where he can speak to the crowd and they listen.

M.I.N. So you all are out promoting the new album “Indestructible.” Can you describe it for us?

It’s a great blend of things we’ve learned over the years...things we’ve done and tried to focus on. We always challenge each other, and try to impress each other. We do what feels good for us, and that what we’ve done since we were a garage band.

M.I.N. What’s your favorite city to play in?

You know, it’s so hard to say. We enjoy playing the big crowds, the amphitheaters...but then again I like being in the small town and feel like we’re starting over. It’s nice to play something we haven’t seen in awhile. We went to a tiny town in Washington, a place I’ve never heard of...and we were welcomed by 7,000 people...they hadn’t had a rock show in over 15 years, and the place was hungry for a good show. The place was blowin’ up, and it was crazy as to how into it that they were. I can’t really pick a favorite, just those moments that really stand out.

M.I.N. My next question is about the “Guy.” How did you get Todd McFarlane to illustrate this?

He did the artwork for “10,000 Fists.” David Finch did the work for Indestructible...when it came around to 10,000 fists; we knew that sinister smile had become a trademark. People were seeing this logo on a daily basis, and were getting tattoos of it...when it came to the name Disturbed, you could identify it by the face alone. So we wanted to evolve it...we took the chance to see if Todd was interested, and our record label got a hold of him. He responded immediately and it was a great opportunity to evolve that character over the years.

M.I.N. How’s David’s voice been since the surgery?

It’s been great. He’s been eating better and working out, and doing his vocal exercises. He’s been holding up strong and we’ve been plugging away.

M.I.N. You guys have lasted a solid ten years, and I’m so proud...what’s your most memorable show?

The one that comes to mind is March of ’08, in Kuwait...a show for the troops. It was a show not so much for the war, but for the troops, the fact that they are there for us. We lived with the troops in the barracks, ate the chow, and spent time with them. We just wanted to give them our support.

M.I.N. If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing right now?

I can’t imagine doing anything different. I haven’t thought of stopping, and I can’t imagine anything else. If I wasn’t a musician, I would have to do something music related.

M.I.N. In the next 7 years, where do you see yourselves?

Hopefully still going strong... we still have the fire lit under us. We are conquering new territory worldwide. That still keeps that level of excitement for us. We went to Finland for the first time, and our album was number two there...waiting for us was over 7,000 people. It’s that level of excitement...

M.I.N. What would you like to tell your fans?

We thank them for being genuine fans and sticking by us. We thank them for waiting for our new albums. We thank them time after time. Those buying the albums are a statement by the fans. With that said, it’s their voice being heard, just as ours is. Pop stars and bands come and go, but metal fans are there for life, and we are very thankful.