Deadwood Stone…the name just sounds Rock N Roll and rock they did last Saturday night at the Log Cabin Bar in Grand Rapids. With two nights of performances both Friday and Saturday Deadwood packed them in. Consisting of four Grand Rapids area locals the band played to their hometown crowd and everyone had fun as our first real winter storm of the year made life outside miserable but it didn’t bother us inside.
The band consist of the two Droski brothers, Fred on bass and Dave on lead guitar, Nate Bishop is on the drums and Chris Phillips as the front man and also on rhythm guitar. Deadwood was formed in 2009 and currently have an EP called Exit Strategy which is available now on their website as well as on iTunes. They are currently recording their first full length album which will be available sometime in the near future.
Deadwood did several sets throughout the night mixing their original material with some very well done covers including songs by Tom Petty, Neil Young and Stone Temple Pilots showing their range. They Also played ‘Trucker’s Holiday’ and ‘Reaction Expected’, both songs from the upcoming album and available for download On Deadwood’s website. All of this in between rounds of beer and shots thanks to the Log Cabin’s great drink specials.
In their short career Deadwood has already opened for such national acts as Queensryche, Puddle of Mudd, Theory of a Deadman and Papa Roach to name a few. They have no plans on slowing down as they push forward increasing their library and gaining new fans like myself at every show. Some of their music is already receiving radio play and a couple of their songs have been featured on some independent movie soundtracks.
There’s not a lot of information available on this up and coming band yet so I made a point to catch up to them to find out a little more if I could. Thanks to Fred Droski now there’s a little more to know about Deadwood Stone…
HM: Ive noticed some similarities to your sound both in your guitar and vocals to that of heavy metal superstars Metallica…were they a major influence on you or is it just coincidence? Who are some of your other influences?
Fred: Metallica was definitely an influence of ours. Each member of Deadwood Stone considers them as one of their favorites. The first album (CD) I ever bought was Metallica – Ride the Lightning. Growing up, my brother Dave (lead guitar) and I listened to it over and over. When we started to learn guitar, Metallica songs such as ‘One’ and ‘Fade to Black’ is where we started. We have such a broad list of influences other than Metallica from The Beatles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Rolling Stones, to Megadeth and Guns ‘N Roses. Everything really, too many to list!
HM: You mentioned that you’re recording your first full length LP, how far along is it, do you have a name for it yet and when will it be released?
Fred: We are currently tracking our songs locally at Double D Productions in Grand Rapids. Approximately 3/4 of the tracking is done, then it’s on to mixing and mastering. We wanted to do a full length album with 10 tracks to follow our EP Exit Strategy. We don’t have a name for it yet, but we have started to throw ideas around as well as album cover ideas. At the latest, we hope to release it this summer. This album is really going to hit hard, we’re pumped!
HM: You’ve opened for some big name national acts, who did you enjoy opening for the most?
Fred: They were all great, but opening for Volbeat at The Intersection in Grand Rapids was probably one of my favorites. The crowd was insane! I have to say Papa Roach as well at Muskegon Summer Celebration also sticks out in my mind due to the size of the event.
HM: Whats on the horizon for Deadwood other than the new CD?
Fred: Other than throwing a CD release party, you’ll be able to find us throughout Michigan playing festivals and concerts. With the new CD, we are looking at getting our name out there even more, and possibly even bigger shows.
To find out more about Deadwood Stone including upcoming shows and to listen to their music check out www.deadwoodstone.com, www.facebook.com/deadwoodstone and www.youtube.com/deadwoodstone. Also if your interested in checking out the Log Cabin Bar on Division Ave you can goto http://www.logcabinbar.com for weekly specials, events and shows.
By Brian Benn/HEAR Magazine – Grand Rapids, MI
