DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band originating from Santa Barbara, California. Established in 2002, the ensemble comprises vocalist Dez Fafara, bassist Jon Miller, guitarist Alex Lee, and drummer Davier Pérez. The band was initially known as Deathride; however, due to copyright complications and the preexistence of the name among other musical groups, the members opted to rebrand under the name DevilDriver.

On Touring the States and Hometown Pride

Nebraska is killer for shows. Honestly, I love the U.S. in general. Someone asked me in an interview recently if I lean left or right, and I said, “I lean toward the flag and the United States of America.” That’s the truth. Wherever we go—Nebraska, Ohio, California—the crowds are great.

I’m born and raised in Cali. It means a lot to me. I’ve even got “Southern California” tattooed on my right hand. I literally can’t brush my teeth without seeing it.

Living in California: The Good, The Bad, and the Fires

Capital Chaos TV:
California really is beautiful. Sure, there are wildfires, but the scenery is unreal.

Dez:
Yeah, man, you guys are going through a lot right now. I’m no stranger to it either. Last year, my wife, my family, two dogs, and four cats—we all had to evacuate. A guy on a bullhorn was shouting for everyone to get out. I looked up and saw the whole mountain behind my house on fire—1,000-foot flames. When I came back, firefighters were sleeping on my lawn. We brought them water and food—I wanted to hug those dudes.

We’ve got earthquakes, fires, the whole deal. But there’s something about the California vibe that’s irreplaceable. People ask how I live here with the taxes. But if you’re born and raised here, it’s in your blood.

On Halloween & Haunted Vibes

Capital Chaos TV:
It’s Halloween season! Do you go all out?

Dez:
Totally. My house looks like Nightmare Before Christmas exploded. We’ve got a black Halloween tree with 20 years’ worth of ornaments, purple and yellow lights, and about 40 collectible haunted village houses. I’m even planning to post some of them on Instagram tonight.

Halloween’s always been special to my wife and me. We got married right after Day of the Dead, when the veil between this world and the spirit world is thinnest. I live for that eerie energy.

Horror Movies: Ghosts Over Gore

Capital Chaos TV:
Top three horror films?

Dez:
Let’s clear something up—I’m not into slasher films. I think they’re glorified snuff films. I don’t need to see 12 women getting murdered with knives. Horror for me is the classics: Dracula with Bela Lugosi is number one. The Mummy comes second. And there’s a Russian fairytale film called Viy from the ’60s—super underrated.

I like atmospheric, psychological horror—ghosts, shadows, what’s behind the door. That’s what gets under my skin.

Music Industry Real Talk

Capital Chaos TV:
Your latest album Dealing with Demons Vol. 1 is out now. How’s the reception?

Dez:
Amazing, man. Two weeks in and we just found out we’re #1 in radio adds. We debuted at #4 on the Hard Rock chart—right up there with Corey Taylor and Deftones. It’s wild.

A lot of bands pulled their records due to the pandemic, but I wanted to give people something. Music saved my life, and I wanted to put something real out there, even if it wasn’t a good financial move.

Capital Chaos TV:
Is it weird seeing chart success but lower album sales?

Dez:
Totally. It’s the streaming age. I’ve got three sons in their twenties—they don’t even remember the last time they bought a record. I stream too. I love Spotify, but artists need a better cut. You can have millions of plays and see pennies. That’s not sustainable for new bands.

Paranormal Encounters & Witchcraft

Capital Chaos TV:
Ever had a paranormal experience?

Dez:
Hundreds. Some were terrifying. My wife and I are both practicing witches. We’ve had to move out of homes due to supernatural activity.

I also photograph haunted locations around the world—old asylums, abandoned buildings, you name it. I started this about 20 years ago in an 1800s mental institution in Italy. The stuff I captured there? Unreal. I’m putting together a collection to release soon—photos, EVPs, the works.

Politics, Freedom, and the Constitution

Capital Chaos TV:
You seem like a Second Amendment guy.

Dez:
Definitely. I believe in the Constitution 100%. Everyone in my house is trained and registered. The Constitution was written for people who might not even believe we need one—let that sink in.

As for militias? The real kind protects people from government overreach. Of course, I don’t condone the extreme white supremacist groups claiming that label. But a well-regulated, lawful militia? That’s part of our roots.

Advice for Aspiring Musicians

Capital Chaos TV:
Any advice for up-and-coming musicians?

Dez:
Stick with it. Stay clean. Don’t let drugs or drama wreck your band. When you start gaining traction, get a serious lawyer. Early on, I got burned because I didn’t understand the business. Don’t make that mistake.

Capital Chaos TV:
Tell me something you’ve never shared in an interview.

Dez:
I picked the wrong job. I’m agoraphobic and socially awkward. My career forces me to do things that are tough for me—be around crowds, strangers, travel constantly. But it’s part of the path I chose.

Final Thoughts

Dez:
We were in a good place before the pandemic—economy, music scene, all of it. I hope we can return to that and open our eyes to how fear is used to control. I’m a critical thinker. I wear a mask and take precautions—my wife had cancer—but I question the way things are being handled.

We’ve got to think deeper, act smarter, and hold onto our humanity through all this.

Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.

 Want more? Follow DevilDriver on Facebook & Spotify and catch them live this summer.

Categories: DEVILDRIVER, Interviews

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