www.facebook.com/dreadutopia
From: Charleston, WV
Sounds like: Metal
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name “Dread Utopia” and is there any meaning behind it?
We all come from diverse musical backgrounds, but we all share the same love for playing heavy music. Our sound basically developed out of our different playing styles. The main driver being tuning down our guitars to ensure heavy riffage! Harry is the one that came up with the name. When you think about what a Utopia is and what you have to give up achieve that Utopia (freedoms, liberties, privacy) is it really worth it? No, that’s why we “Dread Utopia”.
2. What do you want listeners to take away from your new music?
The music created by Dread Utopia is driven by the sole purpose to create something special that we can be proud of and to provide the listeners with music they can call their own.
3. What can people expect from your live show?
Loud, heavy riffs, blistering drums, thundering bass, operatic vocals, and plenty of shenanigans!
4. What's your favorite track to play live?
"The Starlord" is our favorite at the moment. He has come to save us all!
5. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Wow, so many to choose from! Right off the bat: Clutch, The Sword, and Red Fang.
6. Any crazy show stories?
Not yet, but to have plenty to tell soon!
7. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
Rock will never die. It always be around in some form. We just have to get it into the hands and ears of our youth!
8. What’s the current music scene like there in West Virginia both locally and state wide?
The music scene in Charleston, WV and all of WV in general has been cyclical over the years. With social media, YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu it is getting harder and harder to convince people to leave their homes and come to shows.
9. What’s your take on legal/illegal music downloading?
That’s a touchy subject because we believe in artists being paid for their creations. We understand why some people do it, but our official stance is we are against illegal downloading. We hope that with more and more people opting to use streaming services that artists will start seeing more revenue through online streaming.
10. What’s next for Dread Utopia?
We are working on our debut EP and plan on releasing it this September.
11. Any shoutouts?
Yeah, to all the bands we have played with (you know who you are) and to our fans and the music venues that support us. We would like to give a special shout out to WTSQ 88.1FM The Status Quo for supporting local music and the arts and for providing our community with an alternative to corporate radio!
