Interview with DUNKTANK:
DUNKTANK's "DPU":
Among my favorite lines from my conversation last week with the four guys of DUNKTANK is this, from
bassist Jamie Denison:
"We like to be heavy, but we still like girls at the shows."
It reminds me of this line I think was attributed to Journey guitarist Neal Schon that said something like, "Selling out is just another word for success."
That quote came from "The Big Book of Rock," which I lost somewhere ... Probably when I was sleeping in my car ...
Anyway, I don't think Denison and his band mates — or more specifically their hook-driven, groove heavy style of rock — reminds me of that quote because they're sellouts. But they do fall into that category of salable (both to bar audiences and possibly CD stores) music where they might find criticism from both sides.
Some of the harder bands might criticize them for copping out to radio-friendly pop rock (which they aren't), and abandoning the very heavy noise of what many consider rock purity. On the other end of the spectrum, the lighter bands might call them out for delving into the primal noise.
But, as Schon said, there's nothing wrong with trying to find a balance that's radio-friendly. That's called career planning. And I've learned to believe that music can be both a passionate endeavor and a job. Really, that's the hope.
But more importantly is this line, from guitarist Rob Seth:
"We grew up listening to music that was on the radio, so that's what we write."
And that's more important. The music DUNKTANK plays is important and carries meaning and fun to each of the members of DUNKTANK. And no rattle call of criticism should make them give that up.
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