DERAILED: Call ’em Old School. Call ’em Traditional Heavy Metal. I just call DERAILED damn good at delivering the Hard Rock and Metal goods. What makes DERAILED so retro-pleasin’ is their blending of Hard Rock and Metal and they do it with plenty of relevance and melodic might. If a NASA satellite ever picks up a thunderous sound coming out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, it is more than likely DERAILED playing a live set.
With their debut CD Judgement Day already released locally and to the music media, DERAILED is setting their sights on unleashing their brand of Metal onto the worldwide stage on September 6th, 2010. Good Metal Music gets heard. Great Metal Music gets heard and then screamed about amongst the Heavy Music community. I’m screaming here about DERAILED and their debut album Judgement Day.
DERAILED is led by guitarist and founding member Dean Boland. Dean also acts as songwriter, lyricist and producer for DERAILED. With years of Metal experience under his belt, Dean Boland has put together a band that exhibits an all encompassing talent and passion for the Hard & Heavy Rockin’ music they play. With vocalist Johnie Sin, drummer Terry Cornelson and bassist Steve LeGault, the Metal foundation of DERAILED is built, loaded and ready to succeed, with Dean leading the way.
Dean Boland took some time recently, to answer some questions for Metal Odyssey, here is what he had to say:
Stone: Just how did this talented group of musicians get together to form Derailed?
Dean: Derailed was originally formed in 2008. Terry, aka “Big T” was my drummer in my solo project BOLAND PLAN in 2006, so it just felt natural to keep playing together in the new “heavier” project DERAILED. We actually met at a Black Label Society concert and hit it off right away. Steve joined about half way through 2008, and we’ve known each other since the 80’s, you could say that he is one of the most sought out bass players in the city and has played in numerous “A” room cover bands including “The Guy Jones Band”, a local Alice Cooper tribute band and “Original Sin”, an Ozzy tribute. Johnie came along in 2009, when I decided to give up the lead vocal position & just concentrate on guitars. Johnie is the lead singer for the local Iron Maiden tribute band “Edward The Great” here in Calgary and when I went to check him out at a show, you could say he had the goods to take DERAILED to the next level, something I couldn’t quite do. So after auditioning him in my studio on a few songs, we decided to make a go of it. Unfortunately, all the songs were already written when Johnie came along, so he hasn’t quite put his stamp on the band as of yet, but the future looks very bright & he brings lots of excitement to the table.
Stone: On “Judgement Day”, a nod to Hard Rock and Melodic Metal is ever present. What was the process or mindset in choosing the music style of Derailed?
Dean: I’ve always been a big fan of metal/melodic metal since as long as I can remember. It just felt natural to start playing heavier and more aggressive. When I played in RANDOM DAMAGE (Mascot Records), our debut self titled CD was really heavy, you could probably classify it as Thrash Metal, Ray Hartmann formerly of ANNIHILATOR was the drummer, and that was a big part of our sound. BOLAND PLAN was more of an experiment for me as a lead vocalist, more of a hard rock/alternative sound, maybe in the vain of The Foo Fighters, STP style. I think my Metal roots took me back to where I began and really loved to play guitar. I missed playing solos and having intricate drum fills, etc… having that aggressive tone. So for me, I think I’ve come full circle, and have started to write some killer shit now!
Stone: Dean, you have been involved with many other bands and projects over the years. How valuable is it to have experience in today’s music industry?
Dean: Absolutely invaluable! I’ve really been able to hone my writing and producing skills because of all the projects I’ve been involved in. I never did do the “cover band” thing, maybe for the first year I was learning…. That’s a funny story, I played in a band called AGGRESSOR , and our set list consisted of 12 Metallica songs (first 3 albums), 12 Iron Maiden songs (first 3 albums), 3 to 4 Judas Priest, Anthrax, and Megadeth songs. Talk about being thrown into the “Metal Fire”!! Nevertheless, it really developed my chops for playing metal and loving it every minute. After that band, I formed my first original Metal band called DOOMSAYER and left the “cover planet” forever!
Stone: How much fun “and” hard work was it, bringing this Derailed debut album to reality?
Dean: Writing and recording is always fun and exciting. It’s very rewarding watching a song take form from where it started from. Yes, it is a lot of hard work… but at the end of the rainbow, it’s all worth it. Creating is what I do best and what I love to do. For me, the most important aspect of the music is will people believe it? Is it real? Is it honest? So I just write what naturally comes out and go from there.
Stone: Will Derailed be touring the United States later in 2010?
Dean: Probably not, but would love to. We are currently looking for management to help out in that area. Touring is high on our priority list, but it has to make sense financially. As long as the CD gets good reviews, I think touring will fall into place naturally, and what better place to start than P.A.!! Maybe you could put something together for us?
Stone: I’ve never dabbled in concert promotion before… now you have given me something to ponder!
Stone: Are you interested in having Derailed play a future festival in the States?
Dean: Festivals would be awesome! I look forward to playing a large venue, as do the other guys. Do you have one in mind??
Stone: I can see Derailed fitting in quite well with the likes of an M3 Rock Festival or Rocklahoma. Actually, you guys could play any Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Festival with the sound, style and attitude your packing!
Stone: Derailed certainly exhibits an Old School sound and feel in their songs. What band or bands are the core of your heavy music influence?
Dean: I think a lot of our metal influence come from bands like Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Kings X, Metallica(old), Rush, Black Sabbath and Black Label Society.
Stone: As a lyricist, where do you draw the most inspiration from?
Dean: I draw most of my inspiration from real life situations, whether it’s war, or peace for that matter. Reality sometimes sucks, so it’s easy to draw topics from real events. I try and look at the positive outcome a negative situation can have. That being said, I’m considering doing a concept theme for the next CD, so a fictional story isn’t out of the question.
Stone: I really appreciate your cover of “I Want To Change The World” on “Judgement Day”. How did you decide to cover this classic song?
Dean: That’s a song that’s always stuck with me, right from the first time I ever heard it. I always talked about covering it on an album, so when the chance finally came, it was great! I’m really happy the way it turned out, Johnie really delivered on it!
Stone: Johnie certainly did!
Stone: “Shine” is my favorite song on “Judgement Day”, can you give some details as to how this song evolved?
Dean: I originally wrote that song for Random Damage some years back, so I’ve been carrying it around for a while. It’s about personal gratification, achieving your goal in your life quest, so to speak. For me, playing on stage in front of people who adore what you do, there is no better feeling in the world, you yearn to SHINE…
Stone: I liken “Judgement Day” to be a throw-back album, where each song matters. Is this statement accurate?
Dean: Yes, I think so. I think melody & heaviness is a very powerful combination, and if done properly can be very memorable. I believe each song has it’s own identity…. At least I hope they do!
Stone: Dean, you have worn many hats in the music industry over the years, which hat is your favorite?
Dean: The hat I’m wearing now seems very comfortable! It feels good to be writing songs that people appreciate, but most of all, that I’m digging! I’m really looking forward to the next CD, you never know what hat I’ll have on.
Stone: If Derailed could hook up with any band in the land to tour with, what band would that be?
Dean: Very good question… I think the rest of the band might have an answer all their own. For me, it would have to be Dream Theatre. Petrucci is just so good. Iron Maiden would be stellar as well!
Stone: Fantastic choices, Dean. I can easily envision DERAILED touring with those two legendary bands!
* To read the Metal Odyssey review for DERAILED – Judgement Day, just click on the link below:
* For more info on DERAILED, just click here: DERAILED – Official Website
* And you can also click here: DERAILED – myspace music
LONG LIVE DERAILED!
Stone.
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