Vocalist.Artist.Pinball enthusiast!Loather of sax?This edition of Fistful of Questions goes out to frontman Bradley Lockhart of Dryland. What is your full name? Bradley James Lockhart
Do you have any aliases?Yes.
If you had an alias what might it be?Chet Clapper
What bands are you actively involved with?Dryland
What was the first instrument that you played?Electric Guitar
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?Seeing the Rolling Stones in 1993 in Vancouver, Canada. I remember smelling weed for the first time while large-breasted, inflatable devils loomed over my 8-year-old head. Rock and roll will grow you up fast!
What was the name of the first band you were in?
The Offbeats
Tell me about the genesis of Dryland.Dryland began in 2014 over a love of mid-temp stoner metal. Having played on and off together over the past 20 years in different bands we instantly fell back in love with each other's riffs.
What inspired the name Dryland?The name Dryland was inspired by the 1995 movie Waterworld. Science fiction, fantasy and the occult are often recurring themes in our songs.
How long did it take you to write and record Weekend in the Swamp?Weekend in the Swamp was written over the course of 3 years, with a great deal of it written during the Covid-19 pandemic. We began working on it soon after we released our Dances With Waves EP in 2020.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?Probably Keith Morris era Black Flag. The First Four Years compilation album was a huge influence on me at an early age.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it?If so... What was the song and artist?I've heard songs that have torn me to pieces the first time I heard them. When a song is that good you just have to sit back and enjoy it and try not to think about your own work.
Do you have any non-metal musical inspirations?My influences are mostly non-metal and too many to count. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are a huge influence on my vocal delivery and general attitude.
There Goes My Beautiful World by Nick Cave.
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?We've been fortunate to play several shows with Big Business who blow our ears off every time. There is so much humor, talent and fury in the band that it overpowers you to see it played live. The two members often play in the Melvins and the drummer Coady has played for some of our favorite bands including Murder City Devils and High on Fire.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?Our favorite venue to play is The Shakedown in Bellingham, Washington, which is owned and operated by our bass player Hollie Huthman.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?Play a pinball machine if I can find one.
What is your favorite thing about touring?Meeting new people in new places who are kindred spirits and sharing your art with them.
What is your least favorite thing about touring?Driving a tour van over a mountain pass in the winter.
We mostly play around Seattle these days but in the past I always loved playing in the desert of the American Southwest. We played phenomenal shows in places across New Mexico and Arizona.
What's the weirdest experience you've had on the road?Had to sing into a banana at a house show once because there was no microphone.
The year is 2000.Where are you at and what are you listening to?2000 was the year I started my first band.We played very sloppy pop-punk and were listening to a ton of the Ramones, Clash and Misfits.
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?Throw your own shows and start your own scene. Don't wait to be invited to the party, just start your own and eventually people will want in on it.
What is an absolute band killer?Saxophones. Don't trust them.
Have you ever recorded a song that you really didn't like, but somebody else in the band really did?
We all jokingly hate some of our own songs, which usually comes from playing them live for too many years.
If you were to start your own music festival what would be the name of that festival and who would be the three headlining bands?DRYFEST I guess. Judas Priest, Fugazi, Drive Like Jehu
What's the longest time you've gone without bathing?Does swimming in a lake count as a bath? I will go several days without showering in the summer as long as I take a dip in a lake.
What's one thing that most people don't know about you?I designed the official flag of my city. That's a lie because most people do know that about me. Most people don't know that I am a certified diver. I can legally swim hella deep under water.
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?It is now!
Do unicorns sleep standing up?They sleep upside down with their horn stabbed into the ground and their legs in the air. They sleep like bats.
Give me three albums that I should listen to immediately, if not sooner.
Weekend in the Swamp by Dryland
Book of Ruination by Melancholia
O, Great Moon by Mount Saturn
You're driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time.What album will it be?Dopesmoker by Sleep
You are writing a book about your life thus far.What is the title of that book?You Can't Unmountain Dew What's Already Been Mountain Done: A Cautionary Tale of Tooth Decay
What is your favorite song by Taylor Swift?Blank Space
Motorhead or Black Sabbath (if you had to choose)?Black Sabbath
Doobies or Boobies (if you had to pick one)?Boobies
Waffles
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?Star Wars
Favorite band t-shirt you own?Sumac
Favorite meal?Teriyaki Chicken
Favorite book?Blood Meridian
Favorite movie?
WATERWORLD
Favorite album?Townes Van Zandt Self-Titled
Favorite video game?The closest pinball machine to me.
Favorite Professional Wrestler?Andre The Giant
Massive thank you to Bradley for taking the time to answer my questions.I appreciate you!As for the rest of you, please click on the link so generously provided below and wrap your ears around the musical stylings of Dryland.~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle Jameson from the Fistful of DOOM show)
https://drylandheavyband.bandcamp.com/album/weekend-in-the-swamp
