This week’s featured Meet The Band artist is the Arizona nu-metal crew Dropout Kings. Their debut album is AudioDope. Vocalist Adam Ramey introduces us to his band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Dropout Kings.
Adam Ramey: After my last band The Bad Chapter broke up, I found Eddie on an AZ cypher video and decided to do a Linkin Park cover with him. It got a great reaction so I turned it into a band and the rest is history.
Describe the songwriting and recording process for AudioDope.
It was definitely a full band collaboration. We all throw our two cents in and built on it. Nick Sampson produced it and he’s just a complete beast. You can’t really make a bad song with that guy.
How did Landon Tewers’ (The Plot In You) guest appearance come about?
We actually know him personally because he lived by our bass player and guitarist when they lived in Michigan for a time. The studio was really close to where Landon lived so we asked if he was down, he showed up and beasted it!
How would you describe the album’s style/sound?
I would compare it to modernized Linkin Park mixed with Limp Bizkit with a hint of Beastie Boys.
How did you come to sign with Napalm Records?
Our demos got shopped out to some people and an A&R from Napalm caught wind of it and talked to us for a bit and before we knew it, there was a deal memo on the table!
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
I want to take over the world with this album. I want people to know that we are behind the nü metal revolution right now. I want people to associate this band with nü metal as a whole
What have been some of the highlights of your current tour with Otep?
Meeting new and amazing people every day. Waking up in a new place every morning that I’ve never been to. Adventuring around with everyone in Otep has been super fun. Every day is just a blur at this point and it’s just so fun every day. We all laugh a lot all the time. That’s definitely been a highlight.
What are your tour plans after that wraps up?
We’re currently working on booking another tour. We don’t have anything booked at the moment, but we have full intentions of touring a lot this year. We just got picked up from Artery Global, so I imagine there will be a lot of tours coming up here soon.
How did you get started in music?
Basically, as a kid I had no real hobbies. I liked listening to music and loved learning all the words. I really liked writing. Around high school I started playing drums and learned vocals. I started playing in bands. And after a lot of perseverance I’m here now!
Who were your early influences and inspirations?
100 percent Linkin Park. Mudvayne, Slipknot, and System of a Down. These bands all formed the person I am today. Without all those bands I don’t know where I’d be now.
What was the first concert you attended?
My first concert ever was Slipknot, Shadows Fall and Lamb of God. I was 12. Still one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to!
How’s the heavy music scene in Phoenix these days?
It’s actually super good. The Arizona scene is very tight knit, I feel. It’s a big metal state. The people here love the heavy!
Seen any good movies/DVDs lately?
Yeah, saw Hereditary recently. Movie freaked me the hell out. (laughs) I ate an edible and saw it. Worst idea ever. I felt like I was IN the movie so it definitely messed with me!
What’s currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Right now, it’s Spite, Volumes, Crucible, Wage War and Plot In You.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
We have our debut album AudioDope out now. It’s availbale for order on all major outlets. It’d be amazing if you could pick that bad boy up! Promise you won’t regret it!
(interview published August 11, 2018)
