DED Interview; Phoenix, AZ Quartet Discuss Their New Album ‘Mis-An-Thrope’, Tattoos, and MUCH More

Phoenix, Arizona-based metal/rock group DED have just released their brand new 11-track album Mis-An-Thrope via Suretone Records and we’re celebrating with an exclusive interview! We caught up with all members of this foursome to talk about the new music, their background, tattoos and much more. Oh, and be sure to also peep their rad new Fred Durst-directed music video for the single “Anti-Everything”.

For those not familiar with your band can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?
Kyle Koelsch: We are a band from Arizona who plays heavy, nu metal-tinged rock. We have been around for about three years now but did most of the work under the radar before showing it to anyone. We’ve released three singles to date and we’ve played a bunch of festivals so far this year: Carolina Rebellion, Rock On The Range, Rocklahoma, Rock USA and Chicago Open Air. We start this week on the “Serenity Of Summer” tour with Korn and Stone Sour. And we’re releasing our debut album this week.

Speaking of which – the new LP Mis-An-thrope will be released on Friday, 7/21. Now that it is complete how do you feel about it, and what has been the response so far?
Matt Reinhard: We are beyond stoked to release this bad boy. The early reviews we have been seeing are killer, so we’re really excited that people are digging it so far!

What is your writing process like?
Koelsch: The writing process usually starts with David (Ludlow – Guitar) being in the studio in Arizona piecing together riffs and strange noises to create a heavy nightmarish atmosphere. Then Joe takes the song, writes the lyrics and records the vocals. Then we all jam the songs as a band. Also, we write with our producer John Feldmann in LA. He co-wrote a handful of songs with us and really helped us hone and develop our sound.

When you write do you do so with the live setting in mind or do you write a song just for the song’s sake?
David Ludlow: We don’t think about the live setting while writing – it’s more of an afterthought once the song is done. Fortunately, the music does translate really well live. The energy and passion we have for it really come through.

What’s the story behind the name of the band?
Ludlow: The name was just a working title that we thought was really cool and we used it when we first started recording in the studio. It has now turned into an abbreviation for dedicated, as well as a play on the word dead. It fits the band and we couldn’t imagine the name being anything else.

What is the story behind the name of the new LP, Mis-An-thrope?
Joe Cotela: The title wasn’t intentional from the beginning, it was more me taking a step back and looking at the overall theme of the lyrics. “Misanthrope” matched the vibe of the songs perfectly.

You have toured the U.S. It there anywhere you would like to go that you have not been, especially outside the U.S.?
Reinhard: We would like to take the band anywhere that would have us, we want to play everywhere in the world! We are heading into Canada this month for the first time and looking forward to it.

What’s the Rock scene like in Arizona? Do you receive a lot of support from your local scene and fans in general?
Cotela: The rock scene is great in Arizona, there’s a lot of comradery and a lot of people that are proud of us and back us. It’s a great scene and we love that we’re from Arizona.

Do you have any rituals before you hit the stage? If so, what are they?
Koelsch: We usually do small individual warm ups, as well as have a few drinks. ;o) Sometimes we listen to really driving music to hype us up!

You’ve been playing a lot of festivals and are about to go on tour with Korn & Stone Sour. Is this the biggest tour you’ve ever been on? What’s that experience going to be like?
Cotela: It is the biggest tour we’ve been on – the festivals have been incredible as well. We’re imagining that the tour will open us up to new people and new audiences across the country. We’re truly thankful to the Korn guys for getting behind us and taking us out.

What is the strangest thing that has happened to you on tour, or at one of your shows?
Cotela: There’s always weird stuff that happens at the shows, it’s hard to pinpoint one situation. This whole thing has been a wild ride and we don’t want it to stop. Check out the photo of the fan dressed as a giant squirrel, that shows that anything can happen!

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Ludlow: There’s been a lot of them, playing Rock On The Range; having Fred Durst direct our “Anti-Everything” video, meeting and getting to play with so many of our musical idols. Especially getting confirmed to go out on the “Serenity Of Summer” tour, that was huge.

When, where and what was your first tattoo?
Cotela: My first tattoos were number ones on both of my arms. I’ve since covered them up they were stupid, haha. I’ve gotten a whole lot more since then (see photos).

Do any of your tattoos have a particularly special meaning behind them? If so, do share, man!
Cotela: Most of my tattoos are music or movie related. Nothing super deep or sentimental – but definitely mean something to me and are important in my life.

Do you have a specific shop or tattoo artist that you frequent (insert shameless plug time!)?
Koelsch: I go to Joey O’Rourke at Lighthouse Tattoo in Glendale, Arizona. He’s a talented artist and a really good dude. If you’re in the Phoenix area, definitely check him out!

Check out the band’s video for the single “Anti-Everything”

Tour Dates:
08/09 – Diamondz Events Center – Jerome, ID (KEDJ show)
08/10 – 3rd Wheel – Lewiston, ID (KOZZ show)
08/11 – Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA (KHTQ show)
08/12 – Knitting Factory – Boise, ID (KQXR show)

Festival Appearances (More coming this fall)
07/16 – Chicago Open Air (Main Stage) – Bridgeville, IL
07/22 – Rise Above Festival – Bangor, ME
09/09 – Revolution Rock Festival – Foxwoods Resort, CT
09/22 – High Elevation Rock Festival – Denver, CO
09/30 – Louder Than Life – Louisville, KY
10/01 – Sonic Boom – Janesville, WI
10/07 – Rock Allegiance – Camden, NJ
10/15 – Houston Open Air – Houston, TX
10/22 – Aftershock – Sacramento, CA
11/05 – Ozzfest Meets Knotfest – San Bernadino, CA
01/18 – Shiprocked

Tour Dates (w/ Korn, Stone Sour):
07/19 – Syracuse, NY – Lakeview Amphitheater
07/20 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
07/23 – Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre
07/25 – Toronto, ON – The Molson Amphitheatre
07/26 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
07/27 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
07/29 – Noblesville, IN – Klipsch Music Center
07/30 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
08/01 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
08/02 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center