A Dirty Dozen with GUNNY of O.D.D. – January 2019

According to a recent press release: “O.D.D. partners with Pavement Entertainment to bring you the worldwide release of their EP, The Disorder, available now. The band has carved a niche that lurks somewhere between hard rock and metal. Melodic vocals paired with heavy guitar riffs, pulsating bass, and thunderous drums complete the experience. Born from the desire to make an indelible mark on the world of rock and metal, O.D.D. was formed in 2013. Their collective desire to write heavy groove-oriented songs combined with a melodic vocal layer is one thing that sets this crew apart from others.” We get bassist Gunny to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

On this release The Disorder, what you see is what you get, or rather, what you hear is what you get. No hidden nuggets or anything just honest, organic real rock and roll. No backing tracks, no big studio tricks to make us play or sing in tune. The parts are played until we get them right and luckily, we have the luxury of our own recording studio to work in so we’re not worried about the clock ticking on studio time. I think upon the first initial listens, the listener might not quite pick up on the messages the lyrics convey. Lyrically, each song has a deeper meaning that I think each listener can relate to their own experiences once they absorb them. Might take a listen or two to get it.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

KISS!!!!!! That is pretty much the universal answer for each member of the band. How could you be a 10 year old kid in the 70’s and not be fascinated with that whole package? That created the spark in each of us then it just grew from there.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

From the spark of Kiss, again for all of us it then went to Rush and Led Zeppelin. I think Rush Exit, Stage Left is a good overall example of what drove each of us at an early age.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Rush, Led Zeppelin, King’s X, Kiss, and Devo (that’s a special mention for the bass player!!! LOL)

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Hmmmm, tough question because there are so many. Probably Dug Pinnick of King’s X. They are such a huge influence on us and Dug’s vibe and aesthetic is something that I think we could work well with… if he would have it!!! LOL

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

We would describe our music as a cross between Alice in Chains / King’s X and Anthrax with elements of our main influences sprinkled throughout the tunes. Others have made that same comparison as well. One reviewer compared a couple of the tunes to late 80’s hair metal which we don’t really agree with, but nothing stands out as making us cringe concerning a review… oh,one guy said we were either “20 years too late or 5 years too early”… weren’t sure quite how to take that at the time but now I think it’s a great quote… just hope it isn’t true!!!

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

I know it may sound cliche’ but it’s that feeling you get when you’re playing music and everyone is in the zone together, especially on stage in front of a crowd but, it can also be in the rehearsal room in front of nobody. It’s been said time and time again because it’s true. When it’s all coming together as it should there is no greater high.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

That’s easy!! David, lead guitar and lead vocals, does all the cooking. Again for the drinks (very moderately), David! As far as the acoustic guitar… nobody!!!

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

It’s actually been a long time. As you get older you realize that “stars” are just people like everyone else. We’ve met and done gigs with a lot of successful musicians that we have great respect and admiration for, but “star struck” is a pretty strong term.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Get paid to pet dogs all day.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Not really any one specific moment but staying in situations for too long because they were comfortable even knowing nothing was happening or things weren’t quite right. That could be for a band situation or just working with people outside of the band you thought could help but weren’t the right fit. It’s all a learning process along the way.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Rush 2112 because, other than being a masterpiece, they went against the grain of the music industry at that time by recording long songs as part of a concept record. That record pretty much sums up everything we love about rock and roll music.

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Category: Interviews