Lumino recently had the chance to speak with Dave Brenner, guitar player and founding member of Theory of a Deadman, while he took a short break during his current North American tour. While he was a true gentleman and completely in touch with the roots of what he calls “good old fashioned rock and roll,” Brenner was not hesitant to state that Theory is mostly about “having a good time.” “Rock and roll can come from happy times or from problems,” he said, and the new album is precisely about that. Theory of a Deadman can be counted on for keeping the mood going if you want to cry because she’s gone or if you want to scream because she won’t leave. They are also unashamed to declare themselves lowlifes (the title of the opening track of their new album attests to that). I asked Dave what he believed would happen if a member of the band found happiness. He replied that he looked forward to what that would do to the music, but he admitted they were having “way too much fun” to think about that now.
Theory of a Deadman has traveled the U.S. and Canada opening for Three Doors Down as well as Breaking Benjamin, Godsmack, and Motley Crue. “I have a lot of respect for what they have accomplished and I am honored to be counted among them,” he said of opening up for such bands.
He admitted to being raised in a true rock household in British Columbia, Canada, with “the old man always listening to the Zeppelin.” His first show was an Ozzy concert, in which Ozzy left the stage after three songs and had to reschedule. But Brenner obviously holds no hard feelings. When asked if he would consider opening for Ozzy, he paused and said only “Duh?” Dave also readily admits to being a “fan of music”, listening to everything from “those Seattle bands” to Corrosion of Conformity and The Beatles.
When asked which song he was proudest of, he immediately thought of “Santa Monica” from their second album Gasoline, a slow and wandering ballad about reading a “Dear John” letter. On the other hand, Brenner also admits that he will most likely be remembered for “Bad Girlfriend”, the smash single about the appeal of a drugged out and promiscuous woman, from the Scars and Souvenirs album. The irony is not lost on Brenner, who understands that the broad spectrum of Theory’s lyrics is part of the band’s appeal. Some say that Theory of a Deadman is misogynistic, and the new album has been heavily criticized by a group calling themselves Angry Mothers Against Rock. Brenner’s
only comment was that everyone should listen to the whole album before they decide.
I have listened to the whole album, and I love it just as much as I did Scars and Souvenirs. With more solid rock riffs and more lyrics about leaving and hating, this album deserves to be played at your next kegger. Theory of a Deadman captured my attention as a good-time rock and roll band that had everyone on their feet and ready to party at CrueFest II. After ten years and four albums, Theory of a Deadman has definitely found their place in the world, and I cannot wait to see them again.
You can see for yourself as the band descends up on the Rockford Metro Center on November 1. You will not be disappointed, Dave promised.
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