The cd title is sort of like a lable, our manager was like whats the title? whats the title? and we were like man we dont fucking know, and like we did this photo shoot in Las Vegas in this really cool location with neon signs around these older signs and we were like this crazy graveyard of signs so we just looking through all the pictures of these signs and I seen one that just said gas and like we thought just gas wasnt really cool. Than we went Gasoline and then I thought there is that song on the record, Santa Monica and like the first line was like "she feels my bed with gasoline". And like I thought that seems like a cool title. We had sort of an idea what the album art was going to be to, like we had a big hearse and we knew it was sort of a car theme, so like it all kind of fell into place and we were all like that works. As far as song I like playing from the new record, I really like playing Hating Hollywood.
CC: I read on your website that the new album features songs that have personal meaning. What is the lyrical content the band uses it concerning the lyrics and the tempo of music to play it with?
Lyrics arent mine or Dean's specialty but I know Tyler does alot of lyrics like personally from experience and stuff like that. I think you have to if you want to be an honest musician. I think alot is also from like from a story of view as well. It's not neccisary from personal experiece himself but from like people around him. I think he writes alot from what like people can relate to, like a large amount of people, like everyone can relate to relationships cause everyone has been in good ones, bad ones and whatever. Thats something that everyone can relate to and when they hear it be like, oh yeah.
CC: When did the band form and what is the meaning behind the name?
I been playing with Tyler on and off since like 94'. But I took a long break for a while and started up again. And Tyler played in a band at one point and like we were are like theory of a deadman like five years ago. The name Theory of a Deadman use to be a song title and turned into a band name. We changed the title of the song and Dean said why dont we use Theory of a Deadman as a band name and we said "right on". Another thing is we had a record deal but we didnt have a name and it was sort of like our album title. Names of things arent usually something we concentrate much about, they are usually last minute decisions. Names we dont give much a shit but everyone has to have a name.
CC: How did it feel touring with 3 Doors Down, Saliva, Nickelback, Shinedown 3 Days Grace, and now Breaking Benjamin?
Its fun, like we been really really lucky, you know like we hear nightmare stories like bands with anomosity and tension backstage. You know everytime we been out with bands it just been awesome. Definately I cant say enough good things; Three Doors Down, Shinedown, Shinedown are like the greatest guys. I dont know if it just because they are from the south and its like southern hospitality, they like treat you like family. Its been really cool so yeah I would love to go out with either of those bands again for sure. I mean all the other bands are great to man, I mean they are all friendly. Its awesome! Great bands like have great fans!
CC: Out of all these bands you have performed with, which band do you enjoy playing with the most? And why?
I mean lately like after playing with Shinedown; yeah I miss those guys; its been amazing band live. We watched them every night and we were like "wow". He does stuff now like people dont do. I think the whole frontman thing is just like the window to the band. And like having him being able to play anything so he is just able to command. Like I watched a show where he crawled out to the side and jumped into the crowd. And like people dont do that shit anymore so I mean its cool to watch. Nothing but good things to say about those guys. He's nuts on stage but once you get him off he is the coolest, most soft spoken, very polite, great guy.
CC: You guys have toured all over the United States . Is there specific city or venue you enjoy playing at the most?
I think more then anything is when we play at home in Minneapolis at The Quest. It seems to be the one we always end up at. It was there we had our first show in the states, so its a memoriable place to be. There are places were people seem to really like us, like in Ohio people seem to really like us and like Detroit or something. I really dont think it makes a difference were we really are or the venue, its the crowd. I mean we can play in a fucking shithole but if the crowd is rocking to us. Its like "man what a wicked show". You know so I dont think it matters where and when aslong as the people are there.
CC: When Tim Hart left the band, you brought back Robin Diaz to help record every track for the new album Gasonline except for "Santa Monica" in which 3 Doors Down drummer Daniel Adair helped you record it. How did it feel having these guys helping you out?
Well Robin did our first record too, hes been a long-time friend and hes a wicked drummer man, the guy is amazing. So I think it was a natural step for us, like when Tim left the band, so like we didnt even question it. I mean Robin did the first record so lets get Robin to do the second one cause like stuff like that was an obvious move so Robin did the record. So we got ahold of Daniel Addiar and we were like we want you to come do a track, he flew in and crashed on the couch were me and Dean were staying and just hung out and drank beer every night and hung out in the hot tub and we did the track and it was alot of fun having him out and he did a great job too. Daniel is an amazing drummer, so I think we are very lucky to have such amazing musicians play for us. They are great guys and good drummers.
CC: You guys have been on the scene since 2002 and have grown into a world-known band and touring with major bands also. How does this kind of achievement mean to the band and is there any other goals the band hopes to achieve in the future?
I mean I would just love to have a career. I mean its hard for bands to have a career now, its like one or two records and you disappear. I feel that we are lucky, we all feel like we have a great record and we hope that people will like it and if they do and if they come to shows and buy our records thats great. It will give us the oppurtunity to make another record in another year or two and just keep doing it. I dont think any of us have like set goals like "we have to sell a million records or do anything". We dont care man, we dont care if people download the record, we just want people to come to the show and want people to like our music. We will keep doing it aslong as people keep buying the records. Aslong as people say, " hey go record a record" we will keep doing it.
CC: Does the band plan on doing a headlining tour and if so, is there any chance of the band coming back to the Pittsburgh area?
Absolutely, I think we will be touring for another year for sure. We will be touring, we wont stop. Hopefully we will sell our records and people will want us back.
CC: What is your opinion of file sharing? Do you think that the RIAA has taken it too far with all the lawsuits?
Depends on what kind of band you are. Like with us we are kind of like a baby band, for us its like the more expose we can get the better. Kids are doing to download the songs then that means they are going to download it, they are going to stop it. You hope they will download a few songs, like it, and buy the record and buy a ticket for the show and come buy a t-shirt. Lets hope that some way they will give back to the bands cause eventually the bands wont be able to make a living anymore or the record companies. They wont sign bands and that means there wont be anymore live music. You can see there is a down-fault to it. From our point of view, we just want to people to hear us. I mean if you want to download the record, download it! But if you like it, come to our show or if you like it enough buy it ! You cant avoid it, alot of poeple already downloaded our record. I hope there is a way they can start controlling it. I think file sharing is a great way of getting rare stuff. I mean I do it, if there is a song I heard and I was like I know so-and-so did it, lets see if I can find it until I can buy it. I mean like Zack Whyld he has shit all over the place. So I dont agree or disagree with it. Its going to happen, you have to live with it, and adapt. Hopefully like we said people will come to a show and buy the record or a t-shirt or whatever so the bands can survive. Rock music depends on that, depends on the fans!