Interview With Derek DeSantis Of Ekotren
I’ve been an avid listener of the band EKOTREN from the first moment I heard their EP’s THE TABLES HAVE TURNED and DESTROYING THE AMERICAN DREAM. The band has a metal twinge with lots of melody, crucial singing ability and nothing shabby about the lyrical content either. The guys show passion, dedication and courage in the music world from putting it to CD or bringing to a stage every night.After years of listening to them I got the chance to see them when they came to New England with ILL NINO and this band is really going to do some damage in 2008. I had a chance to jump online and email their Bass player Derek DeSantis a few questions about videos, touring and fan moments.
STEPH: YOU’VE BEEN DOING THE BAND THING SINCE 2000. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS YOUR BIGGEST GROWTH AS A MUSICIAN?
DEREK: As a musician, it’s learning new and better things from the bandmates around you, to the fans, to the other bands you tour with.
STEPH: WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE BIGGEST GROWTH AS A WHOLE BAND?
DEREK: I think the biggest growth (for us) has been touring.
It’s a whole other side to being a musician; setting up, playing, mingling, and breaking down, every single day, plus living with each other in cramped spaces, it makes you mature on many different levels.
STEPH: AND HOW DID THESE THINGS ENCOURAGE, INSPIRE AND OR HELP IN THE PROCESS OF WRITING FOR LIGHT THE FIRE?
DEREK: They helped in the aspect of patience, and repetition; getting things done (the right way) takes a lot of these.
STEPH: YOU’VE MIXED SOME OLDER SONGS WITH NEW SONGS. DO YOU FEEL THEY BLENDED WELL WITH THE NEW STUFF OR DID YOU WANT TO HAVE A CHANCE TO FIX AND MAKE THE OLD SONGS BETTER FOR YOUR BENEFIT?
DEREK: The older songs had potential to be smoothed out in some spots and be new, great songs. They’re older to us, but in fact, will be brand new to a ton of people out there.
STEPH: HAVE YOU EVER WRITTEN A SONG LYRICALLY AND MONTHS DONE THE ROAD CHANGED YOUR MOND ON HOW YOU REPSONDED ON THE STORYLINE?
DEREK: I don’t think so. The lyrics are relative to a lot of people regardless of touring .They have to do with situations we’ve all been in.
STEPH: DO YOU FEEL IN THE ROCK SCENE YOU CAN ONLY WRITE UPON CERTAIN TOPICS OR DO YOU FEEL IN THIS DAY AND AGE FANS ARE OPEN TO MORE THEN THE SAME OL STORYLINES?
DEREK: I think we’re in an era of “anything goes” actually; I think it’s how the band portrays those topics that determines its acceptance amongst the fans.
STEPH: FOR SOMEONE FIRST HEARING ABOUT EKOTREN WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM IS THE SIGNATURE STYLE OF THE BAND?
DEREK: Melody blended with Metal. Plus we have a Keytar, which everyone knows is tits.
STEPH: THERE IS COME SONGS ON THE RECORD THAT CAPTURED MY HEART RIGHT OFF THE BAT. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SURPRISED BY WHAT SOME FANS HAVE CHOSEN AS FAVORITES? IF YES, WHAT SONG AND WHY ARE YOU SURPRISED ABOUT IT?
DEREK: Not surprised, as fans have selected almost every song as their own. We wanted to make a record where every song would be a favorite.
STEPH: ONE THING MUSICALLY AND PERSONALLY YOUR FANS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EACH BAND MEMBER?
DEREK: Sheldon- excellent singer, and quite the ball-buster
Keith- a core member in this band musically, and a dependable, hard-working bandmate.
Steve- gives this band a great spin on things with his keyboard and keytar work; definitely the guy who makes us laugh the most.
Eric- FANTASTIC drummer, well studied in different styles of drumming. The nicest guy on the planet.
Derek (myself)- honestly a better showman than musician, but it’s gotten me by this long- I have the ability to get along with anyone.
STEPH: SHOOTING A VIDEO FOR TRANQUALIZED…HOW DID THE SHOOT GO AND WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF THE VIDEO?
DEREK: The shoot went great; the live shooting took about 8 hours, and the concept is being worked on..we’re in the middle of ping-ponging those ideas back and forth..basically relative to the lyrics.
STEPH: YOU’VE TOURED WITH A LOT OF BANDS. CAN YOU NAME THREE THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM THESE BANDS ON THE APSECT OF TOURING LIFE THAT YOU GUYS LIVE BY NOW?
DEREK: Definitely. 1. Buy plenty of socks. 2. Always put your good trailer tires on the front axle. 3. Don’t go over your set time, or they hate you.
STEPH: AND ONCE YOU START TOURING WITH UP N COMERS WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOU CAN TEACH THEM ABOUT TOURING ETIQUETTE?
DEREK: 1. Be responsible. 2. Have the time of your life.
STEPH: ANY TOUR PLANS FOR THE REST OF 08 YOU CAN SPEAK ABOUT?
DEREK: We have a couple different things being tossed around at the moment; we’ll be out again around the country within the next couple months. Keep an ear out!
STEPH: FAVORITE FAN MOMENT?
DEREK: One kid with “Ghetto Ass Ekotren T-shirt” written with a black marker on a white T-shirt! Way to buck the system kiddo!
STEPH: LAST COMMENTS
DEREK: Order our Album “Light the Fire” off of our website: myspace.com/ekotren
Go now!!
March 18th, 2008 at 4:34pm
These guys are great! seen them live with ill nino, and i have to say they have a great debut cd and put on an amazing show!! so get to your record stores and support these guys!
March 19th, 2008 at 7:01am
all of these guys deserve everything that is happening to them….they are all super cool people which is rare…great at what they do…and somewhat modest about the whole thing…horns to EKOTREN and the fact they represent southwest florida…..priceless! you guys are killin shit ….full steam ahead…and fuck the nay sayers! stay metal!
March 19th, 2008 at 5:54pm
THese guys are awesome. very down to earth and approachable. Love the debut cd all great songs no fillers.. Definitely recommend you go out and get it.