We’ve Got Our Eyes On…Death Valley Driver

Music PEI Award winners and ECMA nominated Death Valley Driver

Who they are:
Dan Hodgson – vocals
Ray Blaquiere – guitar
Nick Doucette – lead guitar
Ric Rumbolt – bass
Ryan P. Gallant – drums

Home base:
Charlottetown

On the scene since:
2008. “We noticed a lack of metal being played on the Island,” says DVD frontman Dan Hodgson. “We’ve been going steady ever since.” The heavy metal five piece has played in venues all over the Atlantic region, sharing the stage with Matt Mays, Protest The Hero, Coheed & Cambria, Seether, and many more. Last July, DVD performed at Rock the Hill in Halifax, NS, playing on the same bill as their childhood rock icons, Metallica.

What you’ll hear them play:
Death n’ Roll – a combination of death metal and rock n’ roll, DVD brings a flavour all their own to the stage. It’s loud, it’s addictive, and fans can’t get enough of it.

Musical influences:
Pantera, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, and Metallica

How Death Valley Driver got its name:
“It’s the name of wrestling move,” says Hodgson. A technique that involves lifting an opponent up and slamming him down, the name was a natural fit for the hard rocking metal band.

In the Driver’s seat:
Since the release of their debut album, “Choke the River,” last April, DVD have been taking the Maritime metal scene by storm. Not only did the album win the 2012 Music PEI Award for Loud Recording of the Year, but the band also performed live on stage during the Music PEI Awards Gala. “We got to expose our music to people who’ve never seen a live metal band before,” says Hodgson. “We received a lot of nice compliments from people like Lennie Gallant.” Choke the River, engineered by Haywire’s David Rashed, has gone on to receive rave reviews and has charted nationally on several Loud charts on university radio stations, peaking at number 3, and has been nominated for ECMA Loud Recording of the Year. The band has also been named one of the Top 10 opening bands in Canada by Crave Online, placing them among the ranks of Arcade Fire and My Chemical Romance. Not bad for five metal heads from PEI.

Without a doubt, performing at Rock the Hill last July as the opening band for Metallica will be one gig that’ll go down in the DVD history books. “Playing in front of thousands of people was something we’ve dreamed off since we were kids,” recalls Hodgson.

DVD is currently writing and recording for their new album, “Graveyard Dead” scheduled for release later this summer and will be touring throughout the Maritimes this July.

On making it in the music industry:
“Be honest,” says Hodgson. “If you’re playing a certain type of music just because it’s popular, people will see right through you. Be a music fan first and play the type of music you would want to listen to yourself. Chances are if you don’t take yourself seriously, no one else will.”

Check them out:
On the band’s Facebook Fan Page (DeathValleyDriverPEI) and on Twitter (@DVDPEI)

Music PEI Award winners and ECMA nominated Death Valley Driver Who they are: Dan Hodgson – vocals Ray Blaquiere – guitar Nick Doucette – lead guitar Ric Rumbolt – bass Ryan P. Gallant – drums Home base: Charlottetown On the scene since: 2008. “We noticed a lack of metal being played on the Island,” says [...]

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