A Dirty Dozen with CARL CANEDY of THE RODS – May 2019

According to a recent press release: “Legendary US metal act The Rods have released the first single and lyric video for the song “Louder Than Loud” today. The song is taken from the forthcoming studio album Brotherhood Of Metal. Drummer Carl Canedy says: ” ‘Louder than Loud’ was the first song written for the new album. It was also the working title for the album until the very last moment. The idea was to write about how we approach our stage show! It has to be loud and if you can make it louder then definitely CRANK IT UP! This is also one of the songs I’m most anxious to perform live! It’s a balls to the wall track from beginning to end!” We get drummer Carl 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?

Brotherhood of Metal is our first album in several years! I think the take away from this, or any Rods album, would be the hooks and the energy level the band brings to their music. Also, we are quite powerful for a trio!

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

I was 4-1/2 and I went with my parents to a wedding reception. I walked in and saw the drums on the stage and I knew right then that I wanted to be a drummer. It took me until I was 13 to get a set of drums but from then on I practiced for hours every day.

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

I always loved what was called “Top 40” when I was a growing up until I saw Blue Cheer on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. I remember thinking how loud they must have been and how badass they looked. Paul Whaley – R.I.P. – was smashing his drums. That was it for me and I’ve loved heavy music ever since. I also loved pounding the shit out of my drums which has cost me a lot of money in Cymbals, Sticks and Drumheads! Thanks Paul!!!!

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

The Beatles, Hendrix, Who, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin. All of those bands partly because of their drummers who were huge influences on my playing. Of course today there are so many it would be the length of the Dead Sea Scrolls just to jot them all down.

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

Jimmy Page. Mostly, because he’s melodic and rhythmic all in one package. He’s also clever at stealing ideas without getting caught (too often).

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?

The first article we read stated that we were the American Motörhead. We had no idea who Motörhead was. We got the album and loved how they looked and it was true that we were similar in certain ways. I can’t think of anyone who has made a comparison or comment that made me cringe. Most times when people have a comment, even if it’s mean spirited, I try to find the truth in what’s being said and look for ways to strengthen the points they’ve made.

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

My guess is that you have a creative outlet and are able to express yourself through your chosen instrument, which if you’ve chosen wisely, you’ll love doing throughout your life. I also enjoy performing and making music with other musicians who are talented. There are some other perks, or so I’ve heard!

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?

When we hang it’s at our rehearsal hall. David owns a restaurant called the Hollywood, which has amazingly good food and drink. It has been the one endorsement the Rods have had all these years. As for an acoustic guitar, NO ONE in The Rods has ever pulled out an acoustic. I’m not sure David even owns one, but if he does, I’m sure it’s TOO LOUD!!!! I’m also sure if someone brought out an acoustic guitar one of us would a do a Belushi on it (see National Lampoons Animal House for the reference).

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

I would say when Ronnie James Dio came to our studio to record “The Code” and “Metal Will Never Die” for us. Although I’d met him years before, I was in awe of what a true Rock Star he was. His talent was amazing to witness. I’ve produced over 40 albums with some amazing singers. None of them ever came close to what Ronnie did in the studio. David had told me about how Ronnie works and I honestly didn’t quite believe him. He was dead on. Ronnie was amazing and watching him work made me an even bigger fan than I already was. It’s very sad that we lost him too soon. I believe he had a lot more music to make. He was a star both onstage and off!

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

Hmmm, when I was younger I would’ve said PIMP. Today I’d say I can’t actually imagine not being the drummer in The Rods so I guess I’ll have to pass on this question.

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?

Yes, after touring with Iron Maiden on their Beast on the Road tour, we were asked by AC/DC to join them on their For Those About To Rock tour. There was a “buy-on” situation that Arista UK was in for but Arista US was not. We wanted to borrow the money but our then manager, (in one of his many short sighted decisions) would not allow us to do. We all believe it would have positively impacted our career.

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?

Again, this is a freaking hard question. I have so many “favorite” songs. I suppose “In My Life” by The Beatles. Not that I would bring anything close to what Ringo did, but because it’s been the song I’ve played for my daughter since she was born. The song was special to me when I first heard it and now it’s a song we share together. She’s even given me a necklace with a piece of the lyrics on it.

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Category: Interviews