Under The Radar: Dredg (Sept. 2007)

Originally published for the Bismarck State College Mystician back in September, 2007.

 

Genre: Progressive/Alternative/Ambient

Dredg is a progressive alternative band from California with a strong cult following but is virtually unknown in mainstream media. Many have tried to classify them, some comparing their sound to Tool or Deftones but fail as their unique sound defies any comparison.
The band's early work was influenced by early nu metal, but since their record debut with Leitmotif back in 1999, they've developed a sound all their own.

Since then, Dredg has been steadily changing, remaining ever evolving. The band's focus has been on experimentation and eclectic, ambient melodies and is known for many innovations – implementing "noise-making" techniques to create a variety of atmospheric effects.

One of the most well known examples is lead singer Gavin Hayes' use of a slide guitar – particularly in the song "The Canyon Behind Her." In this piece, Hayes slides a screwdriver across his guitar strings, harmonizing with the song's melody to create an atmospheric soundscape that almost sounds computer-driven.

With each album, their sound has expanded and changed, all the while keeping an underlying theme to their music. Their albums are conceptual and explore complex, abstract and philosophical themes. The band appears to be influenced by surrealism and has often created surrealist-inspired artwork (usually done by either Hayes or bassist Drew Roulette) alongside their music and is usually implemented into their album's cover art and linear notes.

Their album El Cielo was influenced by surrealist painter Salvador Dali and his painting Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bumblebee Around a Pomegranate One Second Before Awakening. The album was focused around sleep paralysis, a disorder Dali's wife suffered from. Band members had also interpreted the aforementioned painting to be a literal representation of the disorder. The band received letters from people who have suffered from sleep paralysis and had them describe the bizarre dreams and hallucinations that accompanied their condition. These dreams were used for the basis of many of their songs.

In their newest album, Catch Without Arms, Dredg's music has become less complex and focuses more on melody than the experimentation seen in El Cielo. Their themes, however, remain as abstract as ever. The album as explores aesthetic realism, focusing on duality and presents the contrasts seen in an array of arguments.

Notable Albums:
Leitmotif
El Cielo
Catch Without Arms

Notable Tracks:
"The Canyon Behind Her"
"Whoa Is Me"
"Ode To The Sun"
"Planting Seeds"