Theory of a Deadman


This “5 and Dime” interview was conducted in person with the new drummer for Theory of a Deadman, Brent Fitz, following the band’s awesome set at Irving Plaza in New York City on March 4, 2005.

Tell me about your band Theory of a Deadman.

Theory of a Deadman have been around for a few years yet it’s a new band for me. Tyler Connolly is our singer and guitarist, Dave Brenner plays lead guitar and Dean Back is on bass guitar. I’m the new drummer, Brent Fitz. We are a hard, heavy, “radio friendly” rock band with a pop sensibility. We’ve been compared to Nickelback due to our sound and Canadian origin but I myself don’t hear the comparison. We’re trying to appeal to as many people as we can by writing good songs. I’m just coming in, off a tour with Vince Neil. I’m trying to add high-energy drumming to the band’s formula.

Tell me about your band’s soon to be released CD, its musical direction, and where we can buy it.

The new album “Gasoline” is due in stores on March 29. I’ve heard the guys say that on their first album they were trying to figure out the formula. On this second album they think they got it right. They used a really awesome production team, Howard Benson and Chris Lord-Alge. The first single, “No Surprise,” is getting a lot of good feedback. People are responding to this song, and there are deeper and better songs that we haven’t approached yet.

Tell me about the current tour.

We just came off a tour with a great band called Shinedown. This is our third show with Breaking Benjamin and The Exies. We’re out a little over a month with these guys. I honestly don’t know if this is going to extend or what we’ll jump on next. This is all before the new album’s release, so everything now is to set up the record.

What does your band have in store for your fans in the next 12 months?

We’re in a real set-up stage. The record label, Roadrunner, is making Theory of a Deadman their priority band this year. This label has a great track record with heavier bands. In the next year, they are going to keep us working so that’s lots of shows for our current fans, and plenty of exposure to make new fans.

Feel free to promote anything else you’d like that applies to your band.

We shot a video in L.A. last week, it should be in rotation soon. I don’t know if MTV will play it. We do good in Canada, we’re a Canadian band and there’s a built-in market. “Much Music” is our MTV and they play rock music videos. By summer, we hope to jump on a big tour with more exposure. It’s a building process. Our band website is www.theoryofadeadman.com and my website is www.brentfitz.com. Both will have tour dates, the latest news and merchandise. I think the band website will have our new video right away.

Please share your thoughts on Dimebag Darrell.

I have met Dime several times. I think the world of him and the few moments we shared together. One memory is the night Frank Sinatra died. I was playing in Dallas with the band Union. Vinnie and Dime came to our show. Dime was the consumate, fun party guy and we ended up at a hotel. We were drinking shots, toasting the unfortunate passing of Frank Sinatra. You had to down the shot, then throw the shot glass behind the bar and smash it. It probably sounds ridiculous, but it was an awesome time.