Theory (formerly known as Theory of a Deadman) started out in 2001. Originally based out of Canada, the rock band was signed to Nickelback‘s frontman Chad Kroeger‘s record label and their self-titled debut album released in 2002. I was immediately grabbed by their hard rock music and great songwriting. “Invisible Man” was one of my favorite songs and the followup singles from that debut album were just as good. I looked forward to their next album and when Gasoline was released in 2005, I knew in my heart this band was going to make it big. “Santa Monica” is still my all-time favorite single from Theory from its songwriting, chilling music, and the fact it made it onto the soundtrack of one of my favorite video games Indigo Prophecy. Now, nearly two decades later, Theory has produced several singles that were certified Gold and Platinum, one Platinum album, had two Top 10 album debuts on the Billboard 200, and eight Top Ten singles on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. Their single “Rx (Medicate)” from their album Wake Up Call had 250 million streams by itself AND was the band’s third #1 single on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. The band is hotter than ever and continuing on their successful path.
When I was offered the opportunity to chat with Dean Back (bass) of Theory, I absolutely said “Yes!”. When we got on the phone, Dean was very cordial and happy that day. You could hear his smile through the phone. I immediately thanked him for the opportunity to sit down to chat, as the first attempt encountered some technical issues. Dean was all laughs about it saying he was happy to get together again to talk. The first thing buzzing on my mind was name change. I’ve known them for so long as Theory of a Deadman, so why the cut down to just Theory?
“We’ve progressed quite a bit after Savages,” Dean explained. “Tyler bought a piano and he usually writes all his songs on guitar. There was a bit of a change for him where the piano he taught himself to play and it sparked this whole new creativity from him. And from the demos of Wake Up Call we could feel there’s a bit of shift and a progression in the band that I think was a newer sound more relevant today. The name Theory of a Deadman had been our whole career. It’s long and we think it sort of painted a picture. It sounds really dark and heavy and metally. That was never really our band.” He continued telling us a story of people seeing their name on posters at venues and saying “No that’s not for me”. Dean added, “And with the growth of our music it was the perfect timing to shorten it.” He also told us radio stations offered referred to them as Theory before they officially shortened their name. I also reminded him how fans referred to bands as T.O.A.D. to shorten the long name, which he agreed it wasn’t the name they wanted to us.
When Theory was ready to produce Wake Up Call they took a new approach they hadn’t done before. They moved out to London, England for a few weeks working with producer Martin Terefe. The results were astonishing and Wake Up Call was a great success. “I think getting away from L.A. and moving to London for 6 weeks gave us a reset button and being able to focus on the record with no distractions with family and friends. As hard as it was to be away from my family I’m on the West Coast it was a 9-hour difference. So they were waking up when I was going to bed I really didn’t get to talk to them for 6 weeks. It was necessary for us to focus on the record and it was such a great experience with Martin on Wake Up Call. We felt the band was heading in the right direction something that we were really excited about and that’s why we went back with Martin with the second record with him for Say Nothing.” This is the band’s seventh studio album and will be released via Atlantic Records on January 31st.
The first single, “The History of Violence” tackled a too common issue in our world; domestic violence. “Rx created a conversation, it took away a stigma, it…created a community of people that are going through the same thing, created a support structure. So with a song like “History of Violence,” we hope that it can do something similar that people that maybe are in an abusive relationship can have the strength to seek help, to know that they’re not alone, that other people are dealing with this. We’ve actually partnered with different charities that are helping people with domestic abuse. And to try to raise awareness for the National Hotline.” That hotline Deanmentions is the National Domestic Violence Hotline who can be reached at 1-800-799-7233. For those who are victims of domestic violence, or if you know someone who is a victim, and needs help, please call the hotline for help.
You can see the video for “The History of Violence” HERE.
The next single from Say Nothing is “Strangers” which focuses on the division of stances on politics worldwide. “People are divided and it’s very you’re on this side or that side and people forget that we’re all in this together and we all want the same thing. We want everybody to be safe and feel safe and happy. Everything feels pitted against each other. People are forgetting to be good neighbors and to look out for one another. It’s kind of a scary time.” You can clearly see this happening in America today and Dean even said this is happening in Canada as well. “I think the song might help people to look in the mirror and [say] am I doing all I can do to be a good neighbor and be my best person…and to raise awareness for what’s happening.” It’s certainly a tough subject to tackle in a song, but Theory wasn’t afraid to tackle tough subjects. “Rx (Medicate)” focused on the opioid epidemic and Dean said, “It was a nerve-wracking chance to tackle a subject that wasn’t relationship-driven. We had many sleepless nights on this was going to be received.”
You can see the video for “Strangers” HERE.
Theory‘s most recent single is the title track “Say Nothing”. The song goes back to the focus of relationships and sometimes the lack of communication between partners. “This is Tyler pouring his heart out about issues that he had in his past relationship and what maybe caused that relationship to end. I think that’s just him spilling his guts.” And Dean applauds this single greatly. “That’s one of my favorites on the record. It’s super emotional…that’s definitely a personal story for him that he’s sharing.”
You can see the video for “Say Nothing” HERE.
With the new album coming out, Theory will be once again going on U.S. headlining tour with one of my other personal favorite bands 10 Years. The tour starts on April 10thand wraps up on May 16th. On this tour, the band will be making some festival appearances including WXTB 98 Rockfest at Amalie Arena on April 17th in Tampa, FL, WJRR Earthday Birthday at Central Florida Fairground on April 18th in Orlando, FL, WDHA’s Rock the Rock Fest at Prudential Center on April 24th in Newark, NJ, and WAAF Big Gig at DCU Center on April 25th in Worcester, MA. I pleased to hear Dean say, “I can’t wait to play Earthday Birthday. It’s been a number of years since we’ve been able to do that.” And with regards to their tourmates 10 Years, “Having a chance to go through with those guys is going to be a lot of fun. We’ve always crossed paths at these festivals for years and years but never ever really toured with them. I’m looking forward to getting to know those guys better and having a lot of fun.” When I asked him which are his favorite songs to play live, Dean called out “The History of Violence”, “Rx (Medicate)”, and one of my personal favorites “Lowlife”, whose video was filmed in Florida.
Also for this tour, Theory partnered up with an organization known as PLUS1 to donate to them $1 from every ticket sold on this U.S. tour to organizations dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and building a community free of abuse. On prior tours, Dean explained how they’ve worked with other organizations. During the Savages tour they sold bracelets at their merch booth where that money went to Habitat for Humanity and they raised enough money selling bracelets they were able to do two builds on location. On the Wake Up Call tour they sold pins for an organization called Shatterproof to help families dealing with opioid addictions. He also said pins would be sold again at their merch booth to donate to various organizations dedicated to preventing domestic violence.
When I asked Dean what final words he had for our readers and listeners he said, “Get ready for January 31st when the record Say Nothing comes out. We’re hitting the road and we’ll be through all the different towns, we feel we’re going to be really busy, and hitting the road hard and getting some travel and mileage in! If you have a chance to see us, come out to a show as we love performing and it’s always a good time.” I will second that notion to absolutely go see Theory live. They are phenomenal on stage with a great catalog of music and love having fun with the fans. It was an absolute pleasure to speak with Dean and he caught me off guard as we wrapped up as we briefly discussed the Galaxy’s Edge: Smuggler’s Run ride at Disney World. He’s hoping to get a chance to come to Florida to ride it himself.
You can listen to the full interview below:
If you’re looking to pre-order Say Nothing you can do so HERE. You can also get all the information on the band and their tour dates HERE.
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