A Dirty Dozen with DUSTY WINTERROWD of YEAR OF THE LOCUST – March 2019

According to a recent press release: “New York Hard Rock Band YEAR OF THE LOCUST has released the lyric video for their single “Stay Alive.” Featuring Troy Lucckette (TESLA) and Brian Bonds (FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE), “Stay Alive” off of YEAR OF THE LOCUST’s upcoming, self-titled EP. Year of the Locust is a motley collection of personalities from the American Northeast. Hailing from NYC, Washington Dc, and West “By God” Virginia, the band’s sound has come into it’s own under the watchful eye of producer/guitarist Brain Bonds.” We get drummer Dusty 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?

I would say this song is just jammin from start to finish. Some of the grooves move you different ways each time you listen to it. A lot of layers to “Stay Alive.” You can literally focus on different parts each time you listen to it and its different.

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

My Uncle Mark Blevins got me into music. He was a Singer/Saxophone player and as a kid I would watch him play. He actually bought me my 1st of drums.

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

Whitesnake 1987 was the start for me. I saw them at the Spectrum in Philly as a kid.. it was all over at that point. I then followed Crüe and Tesla a few other rock bands. Then found my second game changer – Slayer!!! I wrapped my self into Slayer hard for years & years. Added bands like Sepultura into it also. Then my 3rd game changer was Pantera… The most influential bands in my life were Whitesnake, Crüe, Slayer & Pantera. Now I listen to Asking Alexandria, Bullet For My Valentine, Inflames and Leo Moracchioli covers all my cravings for different styles. Haha!!

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Tommy Lee, Dave Lombardo, Igor Cavalera, Vinnie Paul, and Tommy Aldridge

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

Dimebag, don’t even need to explain that one. R.I.P.

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?

Probably Hinder meets Breaking Benjamin. I haven’t really been with YOTL long enough to hear something cringe worthy.

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

Self Expression, and being able to unleash your heart to people and them to be able to rock with it.

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?

No one cooks, haha!!! Chevy ALWAYS plays guitar. Everyone gets the drinks in.

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

Does not really happen much, but I played Welcome To Rockville a few years back and hung out with Johnathan Davis & Monkey from Korn. That was the closest its gotten to feeling star struck.

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

Fighter Jet Pilot!!!

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?

There is not a single, there is many… you just keep moving forward. I honestly try to leave my bad memories in my past but learn from them.

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?

Vulgar Display Of Power or Far Beyond Driven – They are life changers for me!!!

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Category: Interviews