The Death Valley Drifters

Combining melody injected punk rock with rockabilly, country, and ska, this band is like a Bobby Hill delivered kick to the nuts.

Dave's intriguing lyrics reflect less on the current political issues of today, but rather tell the tales of personal and literary subjects of people. His soothing and yet forceful vocals bring them to life. Todd's aggressive and simplistic styling on the guitar allows for Dave to showcase his chops on the upright, while John remains the heartbeat of the band. The band's live performance consists of endless grins upon their faces with an aggressive crash ending, literally!

-taken from The Death Valley Drifters Myspace

Be sure to check The Death Valley Drifters out for yourself to see how badass they really are. The Death Valley Drifters Myspace.

1. Can you give us a brief history of The Death Valley Drifters and how you guys got started?

Dave: Todd and I met a while ago but our schedules were totally off. It was hard to be a band when he was living in Hawaii and I was in Orange County. We would just argue on who would come over for band practice. I started playing with some others guys and sort of got the ball rolling. Todd moved back a couple of months later and we were at a Quakes show when I learned my guitarist beat up his girlfriend. So needless to say he was out and Todd was in. The band took off after that.

2. Who and what are some of your influences?

Todd: The Quakes, Violent Femmes, Son of Sam, Choking Victim, and Pitch Black.

Dave: The Cramps. I need nothing else.

John: I'm a drummer, what do you mean influences? I hit stuff.

3. What is your creative process like and how do you write your songs?

Todd: When we get in a room things just tend to flow out of us. We've made up so many songs that by next time we practice again we only can remember a few of them.

Dave: Yeah, we just play whatever. At home I just put on an old Western movie and just play my acoustic until something good comes out.


4. You guys have a CD coming out, tell us about it.

Dave: It kicks ass. What more do you need to know? It’s definitely a bastard of a CD. A lot of different sounds in it. I consider it our mutant baby that I want to sell for money and forget about. I’m proud that the small amount of people who have heard it has said it’s unique.

Todd: I’m really excited to be putting something out. After being in so many bands and never officially releasing something it feels like you didn't complete what you set out to do. I'm really proud of each song we did and can't wait to share it with the world.

John: Recording is a pain in the ass, but thank you Dave Irish, you made it easier.

5. You guys have toured with some great bands, who would you like to tour with in the future? Do you plan on doing a tour across the US?

Todd: The Quakes, no question. We plan on starting out with some small west coast tours soon here. The possibility of a National tour is just not a very large one right now, unfortunately.

Dave: I would love to tour with The Peacocks. That band rocks.

John: I want to do a multi-national tour with Duran Duran.

6. You guys played a show with The Meteors, what was that like?

Todd: It's kind of an odd thing to do. You've listened to this band for so long and watched their videos that when you actually see them in person it's almost surreal. We didn't just see them though, we played with them. I guess I'm still having issues with wrapping my head around it and believing it.

Dave: You should ask them what it was like to play with us. I’ll answer for them… It was awesome.

7. What can people expect from a live Death Valley Drifters show?

Dave: Someone is usually bleeding by the end of the show. Don’t worry, it’s usually one of us and not anyone in the crowd. Todd sliced open his hand at the last show and wiped his blood on me while I was singing. So having AIDS in the futures is going to suck. The show before that I had a gash running from one side to the other from doing a backwards swan dive on the drums. Our poor drummer John gets it the worse usually. Todd and I assault him on a weekly basis.

Todd: We all try our hardest to give an actual show and a great performance. We enjoy the music we make and it comes through whether we are playing a show or rehearsing, I can't stand still, it just moves me. My goal is to give people something they'll remember. Usually my gear is in need of repairing after a gig.

Dave: If that guitar was alive, it would have gotten a restraining order on him a long time ago. I’ll be surprised if that thing lasts the year.

John: Please don't wear pants to our shows.

8. Seeing as we deal with horror and comics as well as music, what are some of your guys' favorite horror movies and comic books/characters?

Todd: As far as horror goes I enjoy the comedy horror like Dead Alive or the second Evil Dead. Some of the earliest horror films are really the most interesting to me like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari from the 20's, just the story about movie making and why films such as that one were made and how it reflected on the world at the time is amazing. I can't stand most horror films coming out today, I swear most of them are just some version of The Ring. As far as comic books, it's all about Calvin and Hobbes. Spawn has a place in my heart also.

Dave: I also love Dead Alive and the Evil Dead Trilogy. Who would have thought Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson would move on to these epic, major motion pictures. I was watching Lord of The Rings and just thought to myself, “This is the same guy who did Bad Taste!” Night of The Living Dead is another one of my favorites. I thought the Tom Savini remake of it was awesome as well. I also love From Dusk Til’ Dawn and Near Dark. To me those were western/horror hybrid movies that really entertained me. Favorite comic book character? I’d say Batman without a doubt. His character is complex and the stories are very noir. Todd has a pussy in his heart because Batman would beat the fuck out of Spawn.

John: All I want to say about comics: do not see Watchmen. That movie is complete garbage.

9. Any upcoming events or projects you'd like to tell us about?

Todd: Beware of the Squarecrow!

John: Seriously... beware.

Dave: We’ll be recording a cover of The Long Tall Texans’ song “Non-Stop Lovin” and making it a free download. So check around for it.

10. Where can fans get a hold of your music and merch?

Todd: Well our CD is out now and you can buy it off interpunk.com. As for the other stuff, we are in the process of ordering our merch. We'll soon have shirts, pins, and all that jazz available online to order or at our shows. Make sure to pick up a coffee mug for Ma'.

Dave: Just go to our myspace www. myspace. com/officialdeathvalleydrifters and shoot us a message. The CD will have a link on the front page. I can send you some underwear and t-shirts I don’t wear until we get the new merch in.

11. Anything else you want to tell the fans out there reading this?

Todd: Scene shmeen, I'm in it for the cash.

Dave: Thanks for the support! Let’s all get naked together sometime.

John: Thank you all for your unconditional love. I love you too.

--Interview by Shaun May