Craig: Thank you, yes we are proud to be part of the Willpower artist roster. We are, without a doubt, prepping for a very busy touring schedule for 2015. We also have plans to return to the studio and put out some new killer tracks.
DDR: That’s awesome! I know that we always look forward to hearing your music and seeing your shows. It will be great to have you out there getting the music out to more and more people.
The Defiant has a phenomenal polished sound and you guys really seem to have a lot of fun when you are performing. What do you think helps with that cohesiveness and overall energy that you exude during a show?
Craig: The polish comes from practice; the fun is because we really are good friends. It's real, it's that simple.
DDR: Very simply put and to the point. Couldn’t be any clearer than that.
If given the opportunity, what band would you love to share the stage with?
Craig: We have already been very fortunate to have played with so many great national and local bands in our few years. Everyone in the band would answer this differently; since I am the one answering I would say Black Label Society. I'm sure all the guys would love that too.
DDR: Black Label Society…..hell yeah! Can’t imagine that anyone wouldn’t want to play with them. That would be pretty kick ass.
Furthermore, who or what bands have been the greatest influences for you?
Craig: God there are so many bands, individuals and genres that influence the four of us. If I had to give a few from our list: Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, C.O.C. and Beastie Boys.
DDR: That’s quite the gamut of groups. A little bit of everything. All excellent choices, by the way.
Have you always had good support from friends and family during your endeavor to become The Defiant that you are today?
Craig: Family supports us because they love us; fans support us because they believe in us. We came out of nowhere and hit the scene upside the head, we gained fans/friends day one and we've been lucky to keep gaining support each time we take the stage.
DDR: That’s phenomenal. We were instant fans from the first show we saw. You are truly engaging and passionate and that is what really draws the people in, in our opinion.
So now you guys are really going to be busy with being signed and all. Are you guys involved with any other projects?
Craig: No, we all agree that if we are going to be successful and be full time paid touring musicians, our focus has to be on only this brand.
DDR: Totally understandable.
I know that you guys have played many venues since you began. Do you have a favorite venue that you guys play?
Craig: I know you'll think I'm full of shit but Voodoo is where we consider home. It has nothing to do with size or money, but everything to do with how welcomed we've felt since the first time we played there. The Voodoo Crew is family!
DDR: I hear that! Voodoo does have an air about it that just tends to be welcoming. The vision that Greg Pope and the Voodoo Crew have really does mean something to many people who play there and those who go there to enjoy the music and support local and national musicians. It is a very supportive environment to new and experienced musicians alike.
Being that the music business is such an erratic industry, I’m sure you have had your fair share of crazy things happen when you are performing or traveling to perform. Do you have any stories that stand out to you and were really “out there” kind of situations?