Drowning pool
is an alternative metal, hard rock band. They have been together since 1996. The
original members were Dave Williams (Vocal), C.J. Pierce (Guitar), Stevie Benton
(Bass Guitar) and Mike Luce (Drums). In 2002, Dave Williams past away with heart
problems. Ryan McCombs, ex-lead singer from SOiL, joined the band in 2005. They
are still playing the old music and with there new and first CD with Ryan in the
band, Full Circle , they are keeping the music together and having fun just like
in the old days. They are now on tour, This Is For The Soldiers. This interview
was with C.J. Pierce and may help you understand what they are trying to do and
all about. Go to http://thisisforthesoldiers.org/ to check out more.
What was the meaning of the song Full Circle , on
your newest CD?
Full Circle means moving forward. After the death
of our vocalist Dave Williams, who died from the left ventricle of his heart
failing, we were talking to an old buddy Ryan McCombs. Ryan was a singer for
SOiL, and became a lead singer for us in ’05. Its all about going back out and
having fun again. We get to go back to all the clubs and places we played at
before and the crowd keeps growing each time. Which I guess if it didn’t then it
means we need to pack up go back home and make a new CD.
In this tour, This is For The Soldiers, what is
your reasoning? Exactly what are you trying to do for the soldiers?
When the troops come home they are thrown back
into their homes and lives like nothing happened. There are mental scars from
what they saw. They see things most will never see or feel in their entire
lives. The soldiers fall into anything from depression to alcoholism to suicide.
This tour is to help petition for mandatory screening to see what is going on
and if the soldiers need counseling.
What was it like going to Iraq and meeting all the
soldiers? To actually see what they experience and what they are going
through?
It was an awesome experience. When you see
everything on TV you get a mental picture of what everything is going to be like
when they actually show the worst of it. We went over there and actually saw a
lot of good. You see the hopes of peace which is the reason they are fighting. I
realized how much we all take for granted when you go across seas and see that
these people don’t have bathrooms or toilet paper. The soldiers are put into
these war zones and being shot at and it was a great experience to be able to
have the chance to go over there and take a piece of home with you and give them
a rock show. We performed one show in 127◦F weather.
What was is like to meet Barak Obama?
We went with a copy of proposal of the Lane Evans
Mental Health Care Reform Bill and we walked in and he was not in his office. As
we were leaving he comes up and was like hey are you Drowning Pool. We were like
hey you know us thats awesome. It was crazy getting out at Capital hill and
everyone is wearing suits and ties and we are just dressed in regular clothes.
How do you go about choosing songs for the
concerts?
It is a constant battle. Everyone has their
favorite songs out of the 3 records we have made. We try and mix it up between
the 3 where it flows with the heavier and lighter songs. Sometimes, depending on
the type of crowd we will just change up songs in the middle of the show.
Anything you would like to say to
everyone?
To all the fans, I know you are busy with school
and work, but it is nice to be able to get out with friends and socialize. Come
to the rock show July 16th at Fusion Affect and hang out with
us. We are always just hanging out with everyone at the shows.
