In The Drowning Pool

By: Rose McMayhem

Friday May 09, 2008

You may remember Drowning Pool as one of the bands implicated in the "violent song" ring circa 2001 - you know, when Clear Channel freaked out in the wake of 9/11 over songs that mentioned people dying in the lyrics, and did their duty as patriotic Americans to protect us from terrorism by banning songs like Drowning Pool's "Bodies" from their stations? (A failsafe method for keeping the citizenry of the States secure, it bears mention.)

Shortly after that, their lead singer, Dave Williams, passed away. The future at that point was not looking terribly bright for the Pool. But did they quit? Hell, no! You take a group of Texans who've been playing together since '96, toss death and bad publicity at them, and the negative energy just gives them that much more resolve. They ripped through one replacement singer before finally joining forces with Ryan McCombs, previously of SOiL and a fan favorite for the gig.

The first album featuring McCombs on vocals, Full Circle, was released in August of 2007 to anxious DP fans and lukewarm critics. Though a not-terrible effort, the album fell short of groundbreaking or astounding. Still, it shows the band comfortable enough with their style to mellow out a bit and produce something with more of a groovy Southern influence than they've let in on previous releases. Full Circle is a departure from the chugging, ear-splitting metal that helped them make their name, not to mention evidence that DP are able to evolve and roll with the punches- likely a key element in why they're still in the game when so many of those who started out alongside them have fallen by the wayside. Static Multimedia recently had a chance to talk to McCombs about the direction of the new album and what qualities he brings to the band.

Rose McMayhem: This album is decidedly more straight-ahead rock than your prior releases. Was the change in scope simply the result of working with a new singer, or were there other factors that affected it as well?

McCombs: I don't know, really. I would hate to think that I changed anything too much. I know the feedback that we got back from the oldest of old school DP fans was that they felt like it was the closest thing to DP prior to the Sinner days that they had ever heard since then.

Tell me about the songwriting and recording process on Full Circle without using the terms "organic," "back to basics," or "learning to please ourselves first."

Awesome question - you hear that shit often or something? (laughs) How about Drowning Pool 2007-2008 then? How's that? Seriously, we just wanted each song to be the best it could be for the type of song that it was. It's the first time I've been in a band situation where everyone checks their egos at the door. You could tear apart the riffs, bass lines, drums or vocals and no one got butt-hurt. The concern was about the song, not about tip-toeing around someone's overinflated ego-driven feelings. Drowning Pool is VERY unique in that matter, through my experiences.

I don't know how you guys feel about the nu-metal label, but you're often lumped in with the genre for being a heavy rock band who debuted in the mid-90's. Now that things have calmed down a bit and you're still around, what is it that you think contributed to your staying power when so many of your peers burned out?

Too dumb to quit. I really don't know, other than the fact that we just refuse. You know firsthand how many people just hope to get the chance to do what we do. For some reason our dumb asses were lucky enough to have friends, family and fans out there willing to allow us to do it by supporting us and carrying us through a lot of rough times. It's kinda like, if we quit now we're not just quitting ourselves.

And you had to know we couldn't get through the interview without coming clean on whose side we took in the SOiL/McCombs split...



Much ado has been made over the squabble between you and your former bandmates in Soil. Truth be told, they got the raw end of the deal here, because you're a phenomenal singer and I'm sure the DP guys are thrilled to have you. All ass-kissing aside, though, how is it you got so damn good, anyhow? Did you have any professional training, and who are your influences?

I never had any training. Though now, later in my career, I wish I had. As I've seen, the years of immortal behavior take their toll on my cords. As the doctors ALWAYS say when scoping my cords: "I've never seen anything like this. How do you even have a speaking voice?" I've always been one of those guys who was just able to do what he did- which, in my opinion, isn't much, actually. I fought singing for some time as one, I never wanted to be in the spotlight, and two, I just never thought much of my voice. But I do thank you kindly for the compliments.

My influences are pretty wide. Mainly Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell for their writing, voices and harmonies. They had that once-in-a-decade combo platter of vocals going on. Jerry's solo project is badass- one of those albums that I like more and more every time I listen to it. 31/32 is one of my all time faves. Layne's Mad Season was equally awesome, but to me, the two of them together was just one of those true, rare, beautiful combos.


So there you have it. How can you pass on buying an album from such a nice, honest guy? While Full Circle admittedly may not blow you away, it's still a damn heavy, consistent record with the luscious sounds of McCombs' voice, and that right there makes it worth a listen. If that's not enough, the cover of "Rebel Yell" should convince you. Go get it.