David came from a conservative religious family that had different plans for him... a salesman at Sears, a teacher, a minister... a doctor maybe? - certainly not the lead singer in a rock band with a name and an attitude that are both "Disturbed". With an upcoming slot on Ozzfest and support for Danzig, Disturbed are infecting the world with their own brand of The Sickness.
Shoutweb: I personally consider the Disturbed debut one of the best albums of 2000 so far. How does it feel to have an album out now that sold near 4,000 copies in its first week?
David: Vindicating, and overwhelming.
Shoutweb: How was the release party?
David: Completely out of control. Truly, a night to remember.
Shoutweb: How long did the album take to write and record?
David: It took a few years to write and three months to record.
Shoutweb: I've heard you used to be a nursing home administrator. Is this the job you got to quit when you were signed to Giant?
David: Yes
Shoutweb: How did you come up with the title of the album?
David: It is the title to our philosophy of free thought, development of self, and independance. We wish to infect the world with this way of thinking.
Shoutweb: Tell us about the video shoot for Stupify in Burbank. Any good stories?
David: It started at 3:00 in the afternoon, and ended at 5:00 in the morning. It was brutally kick ass. The set was so wonderfully dark and decrepit. Austin, the 9 year old boy who played my inner child was great. When we met him he was having make up put on, and Nathan Cox, the director said to him, "Austin, this is Disturbed," he turned around and looked us all up and down, kept quiet for a minute and then finally said,"...cool." What a bad ass kid.
Shoutweb: How do you feel about your upcoming tour with Danzig and Ozzfest this Summer? What can fans expect from your live shows?
David: We are excited about the entire opportunity. Much respect to both Danzig and especially Ozzy. Fans can expect to not be able to let their eyes leave the stage when we are on it. We won't allow it. People are going to get hurt.
Shoutweb: What do you think about all the hard work your online Street Team has been putting in for you guys to get the Disturbed name out on the Web?
David: It has done tremendous things for us. We owe our fans and our Streetteam everything. They are our lifesblood.
Shoutweb: A lot of fans have downloaded your two songs from the official Disturbed site. How do you think the Internet is changing the way new artists can reach audiences?
David: It enables us to reach a greater audience than ever before.
Shoutweb: Do you think Mp3 is a good thing for new artists and a bad thing for established artists?
David: It is a good thing. People have the opportunity to still buy the album, and they will.
Shoutweb: What's next for Disturbed?
David: Spread the sickness, infect the world.
Shoutweb: We have some questions now from Webmasters of Disturbed fan sites.
Shoutweb: What made you want to join a band?
David: The incomparable feeling of playing to a rabid crowd on stage. It is better than sex, more addictive than any drug.
Shoutweb: Have there been any band member changes since Disturbed formed?
David: No.
Shoutweb: What's the story behind "Down with the Sickness"?
David: It represents the struggle between those who would be individuals and be themselves and the mother culture who tries to beat them into sheep-like submission. The Sickness, is a gift, a blessing.
Shoutweb: What advice might you have for aspiring musicians looking to make a career in the music biz?
David: Put everything you have into it. Stop at nothing. Never lose touch of who you are, and who you depend on (your fans).
Shoutweb: What's your process for writing and recording songs?
David: Dan comes up with a riff, Mike lays down a beat, Fuzz lays in a bassline, and I improvise with a melody and a rhythmic pattern. Then we finalize the structure, and I write lyrics, and we add any electronic elements.
Shoutweb: What's the next single from "The Sickness"?
David: Voices
Shoutweb: Why did you choose to cover "Shout" by Tears For Fears?
David: We wanted to take something from right out of left field and make it our own. Also the lyrical content in the song is very strong.
Shoutweb: Is anyone in the band involved with the official site?
David: Everyone is
Shoutweb: What's in your CD player right now?
David: Staind, Slipknot, Type O Negative
Shoutweb: Where do you see the band in five years?
David: I hope still doing what we love.
Shoutweb: Thanks for your time David. Any last words for your fans checking out Disturbed on the Web?
David: Peace