Dredg is an art-metal band hailing from Los Gatos, CA that comprises of Gavin Hayes (vocals/lap steel guitar), Mark Engles (guitar), Drew Roulette (bass), and Dino Campanella (drums/keyboard). It’s hard to describe the band’s music other than multi-layered, metal, atmospheric, intricate, and thematic. Lyrically, vocally, musically and artistically, the members of Dredg are a cohesive unit.
Upon entering the venue it became immediately apparent that Dredg has an avid following. While scanning the audience, we noticed that the majority of listeners were totally mesmerized by the band, yet also singing along with every tune. Quite remarkable given that their latest cd has only been out for a month. This was not a crazy pogoing crowd, but an enthralled group (of mostly college-aged guys).
Hayes has an uncanny resemblance to Jim Morrison and appears to take his music very seriously. Hayes’ singing is impressive in that his pitch and key are on target, but he also uses his voice as an instrument accompaniment by varying positions of his mic while singing. He also demonstrates complicated fingerplay using a lap steel guitar with which Gavin uses a variety of objects (including scissors) to create an atmospheric sound.
A style note - the entire band is neither pretentious nor dressed to impress. Bass player, Roulette, performs barefoot (which we learned was because his bass foot pedals are very small, so it's necessary for live performances). Roulette also appears to be the relaxed; engaging with the audience in a fun way, between songs. Hayes appears more humble, truly appreciative of the audiences’ attention and thanks us for lending our ears.
If intensity of music could be measured by perspiration, this band would be the kings of intense. They were literally dripping with sweat, and we were half expecting a spontaneous electrocution. That being said, it further demonstrated that Hayes et al were too wrapped up in the music to even bother toweling off. It was as if they had been transcended to another place whilst performing.
Dino Campanella's drum playing is unique and manic and his piano playing is extremely accomplished. In fact, we found ourselves (as well as many others) mesmerized by this performer. There’s an unexplainable musical quality about him that keeps one continually being drawn back to him.
Mark Engles was extremely hard to capture on camera as his hand was a constant, hard thrashing blur. We’re always impressed to watch guitarists that agile with their fingers.
The ‘New Definition of Deconstruction’ subtitle came from the last song (which indeed was the last song - no such thing as encores from this group) in which the band members left the stage, only to have Campanella still playing while roadies systematically took apart his drum set. It was a brilliant ending right down to the last note.
Part of me wants Dredg to stay as is - perfect and unadulterated, yet another part of me wants them to play up something (ie: a gimmick) so that they may become more accessible to the public via radio airplay rather than remain indie stars. However, I have a feeling that Gavin would be totally opposed to that as he once said during an interview that “...they’d like to keep ourselves true to the music rather than the whole image behind it.
Dredg self-released its first EP, Orph, in 1997. Then came the full-length follow-up with Leitmotif. Interscope signed Dredg and the band worked on its second full-length album, El Cielo. In July 2005, Dredg released its third album Catch Without Arms.
To purchase any of these cds go to:
Dredg’s Site
An interesting aside - concert goers were seen with awareness bracelets, as well as confederate style baseball caps. Nothing deep to be read into that, just a trivial aside.
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