Posted on Fri, May. 09, 2008

-- jhooks@sunherald.com

The Sun Herald recently spoke with Drowning Pool guitarist and New Orleans native C.J. Pierce about the band's staunch support of the military and the band's rising profile. Drowning Pool will perform at Thunder's Tavern on Sunday with Egypt Central and Rev Theory. The following is a transcription of the interview.

Q: Looking at your tour dates, I'm seeing a lot of clubs, not necessarily big arenas. Was it a conscious decision to tour in some of the more intimate venues?

A"It's just what we wanted to do. With us, every album we keep getting a new singer. So you have to start over again. The best way to get in touch with your hard-core fan base is to do clubs. If you've got a thousand people, you can hang out with them afterwards. If you do the 10,000-seat arenas, there's a barricade and there's no way to hang out with that many people in one night. We chose to do all the clubs and most of these clubs are sold out. Last year, a lot of people didn't know we were back out. You've just got to get the word out the old fashioned way, knock on as many doors as you can."

Q: Egypt Central and Rev Theory have played this area a few times. Is this your first time out with those guys? What's your take on them?

A"It's our first time out with Egypt Central. They've been out on tour with us for the last few weeks. They've got some great stuff for a new and up and coming band. I'm happy they're on the tour with us. Rev Theory is coming on soon, but we did shows with them back in like, 2001-2002. I've not heard from them since then, but it's awesome to see they're back on it."

Q: It seemed that Drowning Pool was losing its way before you brought Ryan McCombs in on vocals. The sense of "we're all in this together" didn't seem to be there. Has that returned since Ryan came on?

A"Well, that's one of the reasons we called the new record 'Full Circle.' We had been friends with Ryan since we got started. We had known him for years. And he knew (deceased original Drowning Pool singer) Dave Williams. He was the first guy we wanted after Dave passed. We didn't want to break up anybody's band though, because he was still with his old band (SOiL). Ultimately, going on tour together, (former lead singer Jason Jones) was totally different. That time period, though, we were all in a state of depression. But you dive into your work like people do to get through it. He was just the wrong guy for the band. Now we're having fun again and we feel like a family again. Four brothers all on the same page."

Q: The band's profile has also raised in recent years. Has Drowning Pool finally reached a kind of hard rock "elder statesman" status?

A"I never really thought of it like that, but here recently, we definitely...everybody goes through stuff and we've been on quite the ride to say the least. I think longevity is a part of it. At the end of the day, love of music is where it's at. We've had a lot of stuff come our way. We just recently had all of our gear stolen. Heh-heh. We're one of those bands. But look at the good things in it. We were able to get together with the USO as well. We're not about war, but all about supporting friends and family that are involved in it."

Q: Speaking of the USO, Drowning Pool has taken a decidedly pro-American stance in recent years. The band is among several hard rock acts that are unashamedly supporting the troops. I've read articles where the band has said the USO shows you guys played were some of the "most rewarding shows" you've ever had. Care to comment on that?

A"Absolutely. Here we are, in a whole other country, in a war zone. For us, we have friends that have been there for years. They don't get to see home and it's easy to think nobody really cares anymore. When you see those looks in their eyes and that you're not getting paid to do it, just to go and perform for them, it's the biggest compliment ever. For a few hours, we took them out of a war zone and into a rock show. We definitely want to do it again. We were talking to the USO just yesterday and we're trying to set it up. That will be our third time over there."

Q: Drowning Pool also actively supported legislation that helps veterans groups, too, if I'm not mistaken. You're also supporting the USO and the IAVA. What got you guys started on this?

A"We're getting behind health care. I don't like to think of us as a political band, but in the grand scheme of things, there's a dozen songs on 'Full Circle' that rock out. We just want to see the troops done right when they get home. You go to fight for peace and when you come home, you get shafted. So we're just trying to support the families and the people involved, not the war itself. It's not Vietnam all over again. If we can just get them what they need to get assimilated back into society, then that's the least we can do for them. We just expect them to come back and live a normal life. But they've seen some horrible stuff and you don't just snap back into it."

Q: What can fans in Pascagoula expect when you guys roll through here?

A"We're a dedicated band and we'll put on a kick-ass rock show. We also like to hang out before and after the show. Just last night, a lot of people left right after the show. I get off stage and go and change my shirt and there's like five people left. We hang out afterwards, come hang out with the band. I'm from New Orleans, so anywhere along there, I just feel so much more at home. Come out out. I'll have some drinks with everybody, but we'll keep it at a safe level. I don't want to see anybody drive home drunk. When everybody's working hard, it's good to get out with your friends and enjoy a rock show. So come on out!"

Justin Hooks covers bars and bands along the Coast for the Sun Herald. He can be reached at jhooks@sunherald.com.