Depswa: Going
Beyond Modesto
by David Chiu
Depswa may be another group jumping on
the hard rock/nu metal bandwagon, but give them this much-t-hey
have a deep appreciation for the classic rock of the '70s, when
music was at its most diverse and expansive. The ingredients
that made '70s music special: melody, harmonies, and craft has
not been lost on this L.A. based group.
Formed in the mid-90s, Depswa started out
as the power trio Carcinogen featuring guitarist Jeremy Penick.
When bassist Ryan Burchfield, Penick switched from guitar to
vocals and concentrated on his songwriting. Around that time,
Carcinogen relocated to Los Angeles and roped in guitarist Dan
Noonan. That was when the group decided to call itself Depswa,
Swahili for "deep behind the moon." Augmented with
drummer Gordon Heckaman and guitarist James Mills, Depswa recorded
an EP Faithless and then went into the studio to record
their full length album with producer Howard Benson (P.O.D.)
The result is their latest Two Angels and a Dream (Interscope)
whose bulk is made up of hard rockers like the driving first
single "This Time," "Needles," and "Let
It Go." But not wanting to let the album be a screamfest
and to focus on the songs, there are some reflective tunes like
"Prom Song," and the eclectic sounding "Travelers
Song" (which Benson did not want on the album but was overruled
by the group). The music is heavy complemented by Penick's soul-searching
lyrics.
Depswa are just starting to make their
mark beyond Los Angeles having gone on a nationwide tour. This
past New Year Eve, they played to 2,500 fans in their hometown
in Modesto. They are going on the road again to support Two
Angels and a Dream. NewBeats spoke to singer/songwriter Penick
about the album and the group.
1. Jeremy, how would you described Depswa's
sound?
It's emotional music. I try to
be very honest to my emotions, no boundaries, this kind of thing.
We just let things flow out.
2. What separates you guys from the
many other hard rock bands today?
I know we have a lot of melody;
we do a lot of harmonies that I don't think a lot of people do
anymore. For me I grew up in the era of the '70s where everybody
in the band can sing.
3. How was it like working with producer
Howard Benson and what did he bring to the studio?
When it came to vocals, he's really
a a vocals guy. He really helped me develop the harmonies, stuff
like that and made some of the choruses a little bigger.
4. The album balances between rockers
and some ballads. A song like "Two Angels" is representative
of that.
"Two Angels" to me is a metaphor for balance. It's
like one angel above and one below. There has to be a balance
in nature, you know. We were into anything--whatever comes out
is natural. A lot of albums these days are so stale. It's good
to have a little variety.
5. Tell me about your single "This
Time."
It comes across to people Instantly,
I guess. The song is obviously about strength and breaking that
vicious cycle. Actually the song was already done in the studio
except for the chorus. I wasn't completely done with it. Brad
Kane added something to the song, so I ended up keeping a lot
of his words and stuff.
6. "Travelers Song" is the
most eclectic sounding of the bunch and so different. Tell me
about the song.
I thought it would be a good closing song. That song the producer
didn't like it. He pretty much signed off on that song. We just
all refused to do that.
It was really inspired by this guy named
Scott [a trucker] who is my guitar player's cousin. He would
come down in his truck and he would take us out to dinner. Greatest
guy you'll ever meet. It just wrote itself.
7. How would you describe your songwriting
process Jeremy?
It now comes in different ways,
sometimes lyrics first, sometimes it would come with my guitar,
and the worlds will attach themselves to the melody.
I don't like to write about things that
I don't feel deeply about. I don't care to be a rock star, I
just do what I do.
8. How did you name the band Depswa?
When we were Carcinogen, we were
looking for a title for our demo. Depswa came after watching
the movie Medicine Man [starring Sean Connery]. In the
tribe that he was working next to, they had a healer, and he
left, they started calling Sean Connery Depswa. It's a name that
has no stigma because nobody knows what it is. We can build our
sound around it without anybody having preconceived judgment.
9. Who were you listening to growing
up?
As I kid, all I had was a radio.
I remember some of the songs in the '70s [from artists like]
Chicago, the Eagles, and the Doobie Brothers. Now I still listen
to that stuff and I really realize how great the songwriters
were. I think that's gone almost. The songs back then had so
much meaning and so much depth. It's really hard to find these
days; people are using a formula.
10. It's interesting how things have
come full circle.
I never knew I was going to be
here at this point. When I moved from Modesto down to LA, I pretty
much immersed myself into the music, trying to figure out what
I am as an artist and how truth is to me.
11. There's an interesting back story
to the song "Voyeur"?
In that [song], you will obviously
get the idea of some guy looking through the window and falling
in love. That was inspired by these friends of mine Dave and
Heather. Heather told me one day how they met. She was in an
abusive relationship with a guy who beat the hell out of her.
She finally got away with nothing but the clothes on her back,
her dog, and a TV. My friend Dave--he lived in the same [building
as her[. he would walk by her apartment every day because she
had a ground level apartment. He thought it was really sad to
see this girl and a bed in a room. Finally he got the courage
to walk up to her door and when she answered, he said, 'I noticed
you have a dog and I was wondering if I can walk your dog.' And
now they're married.
That was so inspiring. I went straight
home and wrote that song. For me that's where the beauty of music
lies. It's a life force.
12. Is it rigorous being on the road
and performing live?
Some days are better than others
to be truthful. I try to put the intensity and emotion into everything
I sing.
13. it must have been thrilling to play
in your hometown earlier in the year.
It was amazing. We started out
there as Carcinogen and there was so many people that have been
behind us. Hopefully we'll make them proud somehow.
14. What's next--what ar your other
plans?
I can't put that kind of pressure
on myself. if you let thing happens, if it is good, great. For
us it's not being about rock stars. For us it;s a work ethic
and a love for the craft that we do.
http://www.depswa.com
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