Dirtfedd

Dirtfedd is an industrial metal/metalcore band from Lincoln, Nebraska and one of the more popular bands in the Midwestern metal scene.

The band has been noted for vocalist Dustin Travels' diverse vocal range, which includes clean singing, high-pitched screams, and low death growls.

Biography

The band was formed in early 2002 when former guitarist Cameron Ruble and vocalist Dustin Travels were introduced to drummer Brock Wettstead and guitarist Eric Marshall. The four had a similar musical vision and immediately bonded over excessive amounts of heavy music and alcohol.

So the core of Dirtfedd was formed, but the band was not yet complete. A bassist was needed to complete the overall wall of sound. Within a couple of weeks, they came across bassist Will Holmes. Holmes was then in another local rock band called Rent Money Big. After playing several local shows throughout the Omaha-Lincoln, Nebraska area, Jeff Goff was added to the band as a percussionist in April 2003 to give the rhythm section more of a "tribal approach".

Shortly after Goff's arrival, bassist Will Holmes left the band to pursue Rent Money Big full-time. His departure enabled Joe Fowler, a work acquaintance of Ruble's, to join the band. A local buzz was soon created surrounding Dirtfedd's outrageous, and sometimes unpredictable, live show. The group was banned for six months from an Omaha venue called Ranch Bowl, due to "nudity and lewd behavior" during their performance.

In 2005, Cameron Ruble, Jeff Goff, and Joe Fowler left Dirtfedd and were replaced by guitarist Brian Luginbill, keyboardist Travis Wagner, and bassist Scott Root. This full lineup has remained solid ever since. In 2006, Dirtfedd was introduced to M. Shawn Crahan of Slipknot by Sophia John at a local show in Omaha. Shawn approached the band regarding their interest in producing them. Under Shawn's guidance, the band signed to E1 Music in 2007. They released their debut album The American Nightmare, which was produced by M. Shawn Crahan of Slipknot, in July 2008. Since then, Dirtfedd has toured and shared the stage with Slipknot, Korn, DevilDriver, Hatebreed, In Flames, American Head Charge, Sick Of It All, Corrosion of Conformity, All That Remains, The Used, Shadows Fall, Lamb of God, Unearth, and many others.

In the summer of 2012, Dirtfedd was part of the Rockstar Mayhem Festival tour which included Slipknot, Slayer, Motorhead, Anthrax, Asking Alexandria, As I Lay Dying, The Devil Wears Prada, Whitechapel, I The Breather, Betraying The Martyrs, and Upon A Burning Body. In August 2012, Dirtfedd was also the opening act for the first annual Knotfest which featured Slipknot, Lamb Of God, Deftones, Machine Head, Serj Tankian, Prong, and The Urge.

“Dirtfedd is from the Midwest, which gives them a big advantage in how to shape their own vision, rather than get caught up in clichéd scenes. I personally cannot wait until we give this art to the world. It’s time things change.” M. Shawn Crahan

Discography

Album

Midwestern Massacre (2005)

1. "Confrontation"
2. "Push Through"
3. "Another Dose"
4. "Wet Dream"
5. "Leviathan"
6. "Hypnotica"
7. "Love Song"
8. "Stained Red"
9. "Scapegoat"
10. "Choke"
11. "Break Yourself"
12. "Family"
13. "Fuck The Scene (hidden track)"

The American Nightmare (2008)

1. "Salute"
2. "Trained to Kill"
3. "Said the Spider To The Fly"
4. "Cold Ficks and Hot Lix"
5. "The American Nightmare"
6. "Tonight"
7. "Here I Am"
8. "Shotgun Romance"
9. "Ares"
10. "War Criminal"
11. "Wasted"

Singles

• "Salute"
• "...Said The Spider To The Fly"
• "Trained to Kill"
• "Here I Am"

External links

• Dirtfedd's MySpace