This past October I had the humbling experience to chat with Sammy from DRAIN. We talked about DRAIN’s growing success, their influences, signing to Rev Records, as well as touring, making music, and being with friends. I want to take a moment and just talk about Sammy’s character. In the few minutes that we talked, and the initial introduction, I was thoroughly impressed with his demeanor and genuine kindness. I felt immediately comfortable talking. It was easy to tell that he felt confidence and comfortable in his skin and in his music. He talked about the adventures Drain, Gulch, and Hands of God have had and just how much of a blast it's been seeing the music have an impact on people.
What happened that caused the Rev Deal?
“Honestly, a buddy of ours introduced us to one of their friends that had just started working at rev. So anytime we recorded something we’d send it to him, but it wasn’t until Sound and Fury that it clicked. After our set I was selling some shirts and he ran over frantic and said ‘That’s it, I’m in! Let’s do it!’ So we signed to rev.”
What do you want people to get out of Drain?
“Honestly, I want them to feel [the music] in their fucking belly, in their gut. I just want people to feel free and feel energized. Just get into it… Anybody can do whatever they want with a little can-do attitude.”
What have you read, watched, or listened to recently that you think people should be checking out?
“Check out bands from the Bay Area. Jawstruck just put out an ep that I love, they have a message- a lot to say. There's just so much!”
What influences or sound were you looking for with DRAIN?
“Honestly, so the thing with DRAIN is that when the band started I wasn’t even an original member. Instead, it was kind of like the band that you and your buddies make in high school and then things kinda change and you meet new people and start a second band. That was this band. We started out trying to [do] a sleazy Motörhead, but then we kinda decided to start [doing] some more heavy hardcore with solid cross over...it’s mostly about doing something fun, something new, and something we haven’t done before.”
What’s the best part of touring?
“For real, the best part isn’t the drive, the food, the shows- I love all of that!- but it’s the chance I have to be with my brothers, my best friends. Honestly it wouldn’t work if it were any other way. We just want to have fun! We’ll sleep in the van, someone on the floor, on the seat, on the roof, doors open under the stars. It’s like camping but so much more fun.”
How has this blow-up made the band feel?
“It’s so surreal, it doesn’t feel like reality. Like you dreamt about it, thought about it, and wanted things to happen as a kid. That’s kind of what it’s like now, and now we get a chance to see this all come to be.”
“Seeing how the music impacts people is crazy.We have kids dancing, singing along, coming and telling us about how our music influenced them to start getting better at their music. It’s so cool, and it’s really emotional-like it makes me feel so happy.”
Being given the chance to speak with Sam about music, touring, and life was a really cool experience. He is honestly one of the nicest, humblest, and most genuine people I’ve spoken to. His love and interest for hardcore in both his local scene and the worldwide community of hardcore has shown me, even more, that this is more than music and lyrics.
Sam mentioned that DRAIN would be dropping some new stuff at some point. So pay attention and keep a lookout for it. I typically have nothing but positive feeling for bands that I speak to, and DRAIN and Sammy are no different. I urge everyone to listen to the 2018 Promo and the other music they’ve put out. It’s fun, ass shaking, blisteringly fast, heavy hardcore.
Follow the Band on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drain831/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drain831
Bandcamp: https://drain831.bandcamp.com/
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