You may have seen our earlier post on this month's artist of the month, Lolita, but we all know she wouldn't have her fame and (birdseed) fortune without our real Artist of the Month, Drowning Pool.
Drowning Pool turned the world into believers with their breakthrough single “Bodies” in 2001. Ten years, three singers and four albums later, they’re giving fans a new reason to believe. “Feel Like I Do,” the lead single from their self-titled fourth studio release [Eleven Seven Music], became the band’s biggest radio hit to date, reaching No. 2 at Active Rock Radio, and remaining in the Top 5 for 12-weeks. With 2009’s “37 Stitches” off of Full Circle reaching #4 at Active Rock and “Feel Like I Do,” the band had 2 consecutive Top 5 Active Rock smashes and cemented their place as one of the top hard rock acts today. Recent successes have paved the way for unique opportunities such as presenting the Lane Evans Mental Health Care Reform to then-senator Barack Obama on Capitol Hill, performing for our troops all over the world and partnering with organizations like The Wounded Warrior Project and the G.I. Film Festival. Drowning Pool are currently playing to packed houses on a headlining US trek.
We present Drowning Pool as the Rock Band Network Artist of the Month for April 2011, and we'd like to thank them for playing along with our April Fool's joke with Lolita the parrot. Read on for our interview with the band, and be sure to check out "Bodies" in Rock Band Network.
Interview with Drowning Pool
Harmonix: Drowning Pool is one of the most popular artists on RBN, why do you think your fan base resonates so well with Rock Band?
Drowning Pool: I think most people that listen to Drowning Pool just want to rock out and have a good time. So, of course, these same folks are gonna enjoy Rock Band.
HMX: How have your fans reacted to finding you in their favorite video game?
DP:Fans were asking me when we were gonna be on Rock Band before I even knew what Rock Band was. So, I think they are enjoying it and thinking "about friggin' time"!
HMX: How do you feel about utilizing video games as a medium for fans to discover new music?
DP: Seems to me that it's just about the only way to find new music. Rock radio stations are becoming fewer and fewer. And you certainly can't just turn on the TV and see a rock video anymore.
HMX: Clearly it's a big hit, but why did you choose this particular track for your Rock Band debut?
DP: Everyone on the planet recognizes "Bodies." It's a fun, interactive song. Perfect fit.
HMX: Do you plan on bringing more music - maybe more recent tracks like "37 Stitches" or "Feel Like I Do"? Or maybe older tracks like "Pity" or "Sinner"? - to the Rock Band Network?
DP: I think "Feel Like I Do" would work well.
HMX: When you’re on the road, what’s in your tour survival kit?
DP: Clean socks, NyQuil, and coffee.
HMX: Would any of the members of the band consider themselves gamers? What do you all play?
DP: Ryan [McCombs] would be the guy. We have to watch him playing video games as much as we watch regular TV.
HMX: When you’re not writing, touring, recording, or performing, what takes up your time?
DP: We are all workaholics. There's not much else for us. We all love football season though.
HMX: Band Influences?
DP: Pantera. Faith No More. Alice in Chains. Motley Crue. Zeppelin. Beatles.
HMX: How do you feel about your biggest avian fan, Lolita?
DP: I love that bird. The video is awesome. Especially when she sings the line "nothing wrong with 3". That's my kinda girl!
HMX: Sabbath, Slayer or Sepultura?
DP:Gotta go Sabbath.
Check out "Bodies" in RBN and check out DrowningPool.com for tour dates and info on the new self-titled album.
How come "Bodies" is the only song for download, and yet they still get named artist of the month? Don't get me wrong, "Bodies" is a phenomenal song, but shouldn't a band of this caliber be offered more of a tribute than just one song? It's more of a slap in the face than it is a reward.