An Interview With The Rockers THEM EVILS About Their Latest EP 'Rollin' Stoned and Livin' Free" And More!
Tag: All Access, All Access Music, All Access Music Group, Artist Interview, Burning Records, Got Me Rockin', Rollin Stoned and Livin Free, Them Evils
Hot on the heels of the release of first single "Got Me Rockin'", Southern California based Them Evils just released an EP of epic Rock N' Roll swagger titled "Rollin' Stoned and Livin' Free" on May 4th through Burning Records. Both were produced by Kato Khandwala (The Pretty Reckless, Blondie, Drowning Pool, Pierce the Veil). The band is currently on a West Coast run with Red Sun Rising, and then embarks on a national tour that will include stops at Welcome To Rockville, Carolina Rebellion, and Rock On The Range.
Them Evils have started off fast and are accelerating rapidly with "Got Me Rockin'", which premiered @ Loudwire. Key playlist adds on Spotify Rock Hard and Loudwire Wired Weekly; and Google Play Music Rock Hotlist and Hard Rock Hotlist radio are helping the band gain early momentum. New press looks that include AXS, Rock Revolt, Alternative Addiction and others are adding to the bands critical acclaim. A video for "Got Me Rockin'" will debut in early May.
Them Evils' late-night joyride through Rock N' Roll's seedy underbelly was born in the shadows of neon vice and nocturnal living in Las Vegas, when Jordan and Jake met in High School. They started writing and playing together and knew that they had a chemistry that was undeniable. In 2013 they made the move to Southern California to pursue their music professionally – with nothing to fall back on other than their drive and belief in their music and each other. They connected with David through a friend that worked at a bar with Jordan and who knew they were looking for a permanent drummer. Delaney auditioned for Griffin and Massanari, and all 3 knew it was a good fit immediately. The nasty energy befitting their name grew from there.
Inspired by equal parts of rock giants like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Queens of The Stone Age, among others, the band pays tribute to their roots while carving out their own unique sound. Them Evils music is at times throwback without being too derivative and is thoroughly modern. "We pretty much made our own scene," Griffin says. "We started out doing straight up rock and roll, and that's what we're still doing… That said, we're always evolving."
The band has released Two EPs: their debut Cold Black Love (2015) and the self-titled Them Evils (2016). They made inroads @ Active Rock Radio in 2017 with "She Got Nothin", which peaked @ #22 on the BDS Rock Indicator chart.
They were born for the stage and have been road warriors for the past 4 years – the band have caught the ear of no less an icon than Zakk Wylde, who had them open for Zakk Sabbath in 2017. They have been constantly touring clubs, as well as with The Pretty Reckless, Alter Bridge, and 10 Years, among others. More tour dates being booked for the summer.
Learn more about Them Evils in the following All Access interview:
Thanks for your time! So how has 2018 been treating you all so far? What is one musical goal that you have for this year?
This year has been awesome. We're on our first headlining tour around the DWP festival dates (Welcome To Rockville, Carolina Rebellion, Rock On The Range) and we're about to release our "Rollin' Stoned and Livin' Free" EP. So it's an exciting time! As far as a goal – I would say to write a song that changes the world.
Can you recall the moment when you all thought you could be in Them Evils together? Was it hard to come up with a name that you all thought fit your sound and who you are? What was your runner-up band name?
It was something that was decided at once. Jake and myself (Jordan) grew up in Vegas together and had a band out there called The Wild Folks. We moved to Orange County, CA and met David after auditioning various Craig's List drummers that weren't a good fit. Once we met and jammed with David, it all came together quickly. As far as the name goes, my mother came up with it accidentally. She was typing Temecula while texting and her phone auto corrected it to "Them Evils". That's the story – a random typo turned into our name!
How do you think being from your hometown has influenced your sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group? What was it like moving to LA from Las Vegas? What made you all make that big move?
Honestly – I don't think Las Vegas has anything to do with our sound. I think the move to California and the struggle that entailed defined our sound, drive and determination. The beach, being jobless, trying our hardest to make the move work – it all sparked something in us to make music and succeed. Everyone in the Las Vegas music scene thought Jake and I were crazy. It has worked out and it (so far) has a dream come true. As a band, we thought being close to LA was the best bet. Nowhere beats Southern California for the opportunities in music!
Let's talk about your forthcoming EP called "Rollin' Stoned and Livin' Free." What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?
It was an awesome experience working with our amazing producer Kato Khandwala, who tragically just passed away as the result of an accident. He was the real deal – a mentor, friend – and a truly great person… We will miss him greatly, and try to honor him going forward in all we do by using the lessons he taught us.
We dug a little deeper as a band into the creative process. Some of the songs were rewritten three times until we felt comfortable recording it. You know,we're competing with 50 years of Rock N Roll music so there was no half-assing anything. The song 'Practice What You Preach' was probably the heaviest song we recorded. That was a surprise to us all. Its more of an ode to 90's grunge music like Soundgarden and Alice In Chains.
How do you think that your already released track "Got Me Rockin'" prepares listeners for more music from you? How did you go about choosing it to be your first single released?
Its heavy, catchy, fuzzy, and provocative. We want to catch the angst and fun part of people that they're afraid to let loose. Its Rock N' Roll. Let's have some fun and dance! 'Got Me Rockin' was the first song finished, significantly earlier than the rest, and we had been playing it live for quite some time. We were anxious to release it – so far the reaction has been amazing. We'll be releasing the video in Mid-May, stay tuned! "Got Me Rockin'" – Soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/themevils/gotmerockin
How much do you think that Them Evils has grown on this new EP and since your previous collections, "Cold Back Love" and your self-titled EP? What has remained the same?
"Cold Black Love" is just such a novice album, we've really moved on from that. We were barely a band when we recorded it. But it was a learning experience as far as writing songs and working in a studio. We've grown significantly since that time. We aren't writing music to be better than local bands anymore. We're creating music to inspire people all around the world. I truly believe our attitude will always be the same. If you don't like us, then fuck off…..And we're going to have more fun than you!
Why do you think Burning Records is the right place for this band and your music today?
That's our producer Kato's label. He helped us out so much we feel thats the brand that should represent us. He helped us with our brand, so it made sense.
Since early April, you have been hitting it hard out on the road. How do you keep up the energy night after night? What have some of your favorite shows and crowds? Where are you still looking forward to playing at later this summer?
Its the music and the fans. I'm tired all day. ;o) The band is pretty adamant about staying busy, doing interviews, logging merchandise, and handling money. If you're not tired you didn't work hard enough. Every new show is our favorite! We're very grateful to be doing this as a job and to keep receiving continuous support from the fans – it keeps driving us forward, night after night and city after city.
What have you learned from being out on this road with Red Sun Rising all of these dates so far?
Those guys were awesome – they knew how to handle a crowd! Thinking back, they've toured with Shinedown and Godsmack… Those are stadium crowds, which is an excellent proving ground.
Where do you think you are all happiest: In the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?
Honestly – all of it, the entire experience. We enjoy every moment of the process. Like I said, we're extremely grateful and fortunate and everything could disappear tomorrow… So we don't take anything for granted.
How do you think being a musician and in this band gives you all the most joy in life today?
I get to travel and do what I love. Play Rock N' Fuckin' Roll – that is, hands down – the best job!
With everything going on in the world today, how do you think your music is a reflection of it all? And if you don't think it is at all, why is that? Do you find that the music being made today in general is reflecting these politically and culturally charged times?
We don't pay to much attention to politics. We write about whats going on in our lives. Love, hate, struggle, death, being poor, and partying. Regardless of who the president is, this band is going to work hard and keep creating music.
It's the only way to legitimately promote our business, at this point – as we're doing this all ourselves. We're DIY in every sense of the word. We handle our social media, so it's truly our voice. It conveys an image to the public and we like to be in charge of that.
Josh Homme would be ideal. He's the new Bowie. He creates and produces gold. I would love for Dave Grohl or Angus Young to do a guest recording.
Live the life that you were given – You only have one, so make it count. Love, party, and just live life to its fullest! We all get knocked down several times in our lives, but everything works out of you just keep moving forward. At our shows we expect the crowd to be having just as much fun as us. If you aren't, well go down there and make em'!
Them Evils Tour Dates:
May 8 – Richmond, Va. @ The Camel
May 9 – Washington, D.C. @ Songbyrd
May 10 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ Ortlieb's
May 11 – Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Saint Vitus
May 12 – Hartford, Ct. @ The Webster (Underground)
May 16 – Lancaster, Pa. @ Chameleon Club (Lizard Lounge)
May 19 – Columbus, Ohio @ Rock on the Range
May 20 – Cleveland, Ohio @ Grog Shop
May 22 – Pittsburgh, Pa. @ The Smiling Moose
May 23 – Detroit, Mich. @ PJ's Lager House
May 24 – Chicago, Ill. @ Beat Kitchen
May 25 – St. Paul, Minn. @ Turf Club
May 26 – Omaha, Neb. @ Lookout Lounge
May 27 – Fort Collins, Colo. @ Hodi's Half Note
May 29 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ Metro Bar
Connect with Them Evils Here:
Official Band website: https://themevils.com
Pledge Music: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/themevils
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rollin-stoned-and-livin-free-ep/1365172355
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/150BMhgTVIciTUEiGckBq8?si=_nQ1l_8oRLu-aZ9Bf7XR9g
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThemEvils
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themevils
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6qR3rA7LLc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themevils/
Bands In Town: https://www.bandsintown.com/themevils
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