Interviews: The DOOD

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the  Heavy Metal band, The DOOD, from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the project on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

Monkeyboy: The idea for the name came from an old hand-drawn Ripley’s Believe it or Not book, and it comes from an Austrian medal of the highest order called The Distinguished Order Of Disobedience that was awarded when a battle was won by disobeying a direct order. Seemed pretty legit, after a while people were having a hard time spelling that so it got shortened to The D.O.O.D. and most people know us as that now. We didn’t plan for the acronym but it works out pretty well.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Monkeyboy: Although we all listen to multiple genres of music, all of us have always been drawn to the power and versatility of heavy metal music. It is a lot more accepted to have some versatility in writing over say pop music or other genres where bands are expected to become a little more formulaic and are discouraged to stray from that formula.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Monkeyboy: Ray and Jonzey have known each other for I think maybe forever… I met them while rehearsing next door to them in another band. It was years later when I wasn’t doing anything that they were looking for a new singer and asked if I wanted to come and check it out. They were great people so I did and have been with them ever since. I believe Ray and Jonzey went to high school with Rudy so they also had a connection.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Jonzey: Mudvayne

Raynus: Mercyful Fate/ King Diamond

Indy: Necrophagitst

Rudy: Slayer

Monkeyboy: Lamb Of God/Avatar It is really hard for all of us to pick a favorite band, we all get on the kick of listening to different things and we really love it all but back to the wall this would be it at this time.  

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Monkeyboy: We all have a huge hand in the writing process, but as far as inspiration it varies, it can be something going on in the world, maybe a movie we dig, or even a line from a movie. I have gotten inspiration from billboards on the side of the road in the past. Sometimes just a weird combination of sounds organically heard out in the world can spark an idea. A lot of time Indy or Ray will write a riff and it will remind them of something so they name it after what it reminds them of and they will let me know and I will (if it strikes me) write lyrics to match the title. Or we will all come up with something during a rehearsal and we play the game where someone gives me a topic and I will write lyrics for that topic, they don’t always make it easy lol.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Our last gig was in Houston Texas at Acadia Bar and Grille, a great place, a great crowd. That same weekend we Visited the Freetown Boom Boom Room in Lafayette Louisiana and we love that place too. We love to play, but really it’s the place and people that make them good shows.

7. Where would you like to act? 

Monkeyboy: We are working towards getting on some of the bigger festivals at the moment. I think where we would like to be is anywhere in front of as many people as possible. We are booking some things in Europe next year as well which has been a dream for all of us to play almost anywhere over there.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Monkeyboy: Honestly anyone- but to narrow it down, it is always a thrill when we get to play with the people we listen to and have for such a long time, anyone who has given us inspiration.

9. Whom not? 

Monkeyboy: I can’t think of anyone in the metal community that I would feel comfortable saying we wouldn’t want to play with. I think if there is unneeded drama surrounding a band, that might be the exception.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that? 

Monkeyboy: I think everyone has experienced it. I know we all have in this band. At most now it is for a few minutes before showtime when you’re waiting to begin, that always gets me anxious. What I do is remind myself that I am doing this because I love it, this feeling will pass as soon as I’m doing the show, and that the people in the audience are not there to hate me. They are there even if it isn’t specifically for you(another band) to have a good time and you are there to give that to them. Usually works.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Monkeyboy: I think if you look back at the favorites we have earlier in this interview- definitely all of those mentioned. But also bands like Pantera, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, Testament, and Anthrax. Some of the nu-metal genres as well, I am a fan of industrial metal and love some Static X and Gravity Kills and such and that plays a role.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Monkeyboy: We get some requests for sure, but the weirdest, Hmm. Our name is the D.O.O.D. and a lot of people somehow think we are all about the movie The Big Lebowski- which is a great movie by the way, but we are not. We had one fan ask if we would bring an oriental rug and pee on it on stage because of that. We didn’t by the way, but we are almost always happy to give fans what they want. I think I’m just pee shy.  

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Monkeyboy: I think we have the best fans in the world. I heard other bands say that but I say it as well, we absolutely love them- new ones and old ones. A big part of why we go and do shows all over the country is to meet new fans and see old fans and we consider them all family.

14. What do you think of our site?

Monkeyboy: I actually found your site a while ago, personally, I get to see bands, good bands, I hadn’t been privy to before finding you. We play often and I rarely get to experience new acts unless we have the opportunity to play with them. I like the way it's structured so that I can always go to your homepage and see something new. I think you do a great job with that. Especially since in America, I don’t get to run into a lot of bands from Europe and it's so cool to hear what others are doing and dig on them.

15. Something to add?

Monkeyboy: We will be releasing a video for our latest release Subterfuge in March, and then in April we will be releasing another single for our song The Pentecostal, the video for that in May then the whole album in June or early July, if you like any of it keep an eye out. It is our hope to do a tour of Europe next summer and look forward to seeing everyone. We are proud there are people out there whether it be musicians or fans that are keeping heavy music alive and well.