Canada’s newest rising star, Theory of a Deadman, will perform live at the Hunt Club along with 12 Stones April 29. They will open for Mississippi natives 3 Doors Down.
Theory of a Deadman began touring with 3 doors Down in Europe to help promote their self-titled debut CD. Bassist Dean Back said the band is excited about coming to Mississippi.
“I love the warm weather in the South. Everyone is so nice and genuine. The guys in 3 Doors Down have been awesome and we are excited to play in their home state,” Back said.
The Canadian foursome have been together for over three years and released their first CD last fall. Shortly after its release they won a Juno Award and appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Back said that everything has taken off since the album’s release and everything has been awesome.
“I have watched the Juno’s for years and am a fan of Leno, so to actually be a part of that world is great,” Back said.
Many critics have labeled Theory of a Deadman carbon copies of Nickelback. Chad Kroeger signed Theory of a Deadman to his 604 Records and helped them produce their album.
“There are going to be some influences, some similarities, because whatever he brings to the band as a song, it’s going to be something to do with Nickelback,” vocalist/guitarist Tyler Connolly said in a previous article.
Theory of a Deadman completed the songs for the album before adding Kroeger’s finishing touches. At the time of the album’s release, the band was still unnamed.
“Theory of a Deadman was the name of the song on our album. It is about a guy who writing his memories and the things he would miss the most is he killed himself,” Back said.
During production the chorus changed and the guys changed the name of the song. They all agreed the still liked the ring of Theory of a Deadman and chose to keep it as the band’s name.
“It is a shorter album than expected, but it feels good knowing I can sit down and listen to all 15 tracks without getting sick. It’s dynamic and I 100 percent enjoy every song,” Back said.
Though Kroeger and the other members of Nickelback have influenced Theory of a Deadman, they said their biggest influences come from Seattle.
“I grew up two hours north of Seattle and the grunge scene was huge there when I was getting into music. My biggest influences are definitely Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam,” Back said.
He admitted that Guns-n-Roses was one of the biggest reasons he ever picked up a guitar.
Connolly and drummer Tim Hart grew up together and later began playing music with Back. For many years they played around in different bands before joining guitarist David Brenner. In 1999 Connolly and Kroeger were invited to the same barbeque where the vocalist of Nickelback received Theory of a Deadman’s demo tape. The rest is history.
Connolly played guitar for “Hero” on the “Spider Man” soundtrack. Theory of a Deadman’s song “Invisible” also appeared on the soundtrack.
Their single “Make Up Your Mind” is currently storming the airwaves on rock and Top 40 stations. Back said it is funny to know that someone like Christina Aguilera may be played right after them.
“I never imagined myself on a predominately Pop station, but it’s cool. There is much more to listen to and I know they will love our album,” Back said.
For more information on Theory of Deadman visit their Web site at www.theoryofadeadman.com. Tickets for the show are still on sale at Bulldog Lanes for $27.50.