There is no better way to get to know a band than to watch them performing on stage. Even if that acquaintance is from scratch. That’s what happened with me and DEAD SOUTH DEALERS… love at first sight, as they say. DEAD SOUTH DEALERS is a heavy rock band that has been around for over 10 years, and it’s time to get to know them better!
Metalwar: Good evening, guys. Welcome to metalwar.gr. First, introduce yourselves to our readers. Who are you, what is your background and how did this whole journey begin?
Dead South Dealers: Good evening and thank you for having us. We are Dead South Dealers, or DSD, and our musical journey began in early 2014, driven by our thirst for music and creativity. Over the years, we have released two albums, played a lot of music and experienced unique moments.
Metalwar: How did the band’s name come about?
DSD: It’s a long story (laughs). As you can probably tell, we didn’t think too hard about it. Back then, in the beginning, we wanted something that would reflect the sounds of the south, and that’s how we ended up with this name. We know it’s difficult, but let’s face it, we’re not the only ones with a difficult name. We are happy to be remembered for our music, but because we understand… when also answer to DSD.
Metalwar: You’ve been around for over a decade, but for those who don’t know you, even though I don’t generally like labels, how would you describe the music you play?
DSD: We have indeed been around for over a decade. When we started out, our great desire at that time and what came out of our influences was southern rock and closer to stoner rock. However, because heavy metal has always been a part of us, we have always been drawn to heavier sounds, which ultimately “appeared” in our songs and guide us.
In conclusion, if we had to choose between heavy rock and heavy metal, we would say heavy metal. However, we don’t like labels either.
Metalwar: Which bands or artists do you consider to have influenced your sound?
DSD: That’s a very difficult question. The bands that have influenced us belong to almost the entire spectrum of metal. Each of us has completely different tastes. Vasilis has a great love for Gojira, Mastodon, and similar sounds. Nikos likes bands such as Dark Tranquility, In Flames, and Amorphis. George likes Megadeth, Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath. Vangelis likes Judas Priest, Savatage, and Evergrey. Andreas likes System of a Down, Symphony X, and Disturbed. However, we would say that our common influences are Black Stone Cherry, Nevermore, Alter Bridge, and a list that will never end.
Metalwar: Let’s start chronologically with your last event, which was your live performance at the Piraeus Club Academy at the PASSENGERS IN PANIC release show. To be honest, it was the first time I got in touch with your music and I was impressed. How did you experience that show?
DSD: It’s really nice to hear that someone was impressed by your music, and we’d definitely love to see you at our next live shows. There isn’t a single live show that we haven’t enjoyed. The stage is where we share our music and comments like the ones you mention mean a lot to us, each and every one of them. The night at Piraeus Club Academy was really powerful in every way. Novelty reminded us why we shouldn’t stop, and Passengers in Panic reminded us why we should keep going.
–Metalwar: In general, over the years, is there a live show that stands out or a collaboration on stage?
DSD: They are all unforgettable, but one that definitely stands out is the live show with Anorimous, where all hell broke loose. However, the release show for our second album, together with Black Stone Machine and Lavalanche, will always have a special place in our hearts. It was an unforgettable night in every way.
Metalwar: From what I’ve seen, you guys bring incredible energy to the stage. When asked “Studio or live?”, what is your answer?
DSD: Until now, our answer was studio, but everyone tells us live, and we think we’ll eventually agree.
Metalwar: In 2024, you released your second full-length album, “The Noise, The Sky, The Melody,” following 2017’s “Walk Through The Line.” First, tell me about the meaning behind the album title.
DSD: The concept is deeply personal to Andreas, and we are happy that it was expressed through this album. Each word represents a fundamental foundation of his life: “Noise” refers to his close friends, “Melody” to his music, and “Sky” to a very specific person. Two of the concepts have songs with the same names on the album, while the third runs through the entire album thematically.
Metalwar: In relation to your debut, what differences are there musically?
DSD: We probably let ourselves be more free. As we said above, we tend to go for a heavier sound, and that’s what happened.
Metalwar: What is your creative process? Who writes the music and lyrics, and how do you generally arrive at the final result?
DSD: The idea can come from any member of the band. Either a complete idea from Vangelis, George, or Nikos, or from a moment of jamming where something comes out and we work on an idea. After that, things are easy. We take the raw material and transform it to something complete. The truth is that we are very lucky in this part of the creative process, because everyone adds their own touch and it all comes together effortlessly.
Metalwar: In general, how easy is it for a band today to operate and stand out amid the endless volume of information we receive daily as listeners?
DSD: It’s very difficult and for someone who can’t cope with and ultimately meet the demands of this field, it’s impossible.
Metalwar: You are quite young, so it’s interesting to hear your opinion on new trends in music. First, streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Rokk, etc.).
DSD: They are now essential tools for artists and listeners alike. We have access to infinite music, whenever we want, wherever we want. Unfortunately, however, in practice, the system often works against the creators.
Metalwar: Use of AI throughout the entire process of producing a song or album (from the cover art to the composition of entire songs).
DSD: It is a tool similar to streaming. However, if used incorrectly, it kills creativity and production. We do not use AI at any stage at the moment. We have endless inspiration (laughs).
Metalwar: Reduced demand for physical copies but increased demand for vinyl and, more recently, cassettes.
DSD: The way people listen to music is changing. Nowadays, artists and careers are born even from social media. This inevitably leads to reduced demand for physical products as a means of reproduction. However, as a listener, you always want something from the artist you love, and it makes sense for vinyl records or cassettes to serve as collectibles. And rightly so. We are also participating in this, having released our second album on a collector’s cassette.
Metalwar: In this difficult and competitive environment, what are your dreams for Dead South Dealers?
DSD: We won’t hide the fact that Dead South Dealers play the secret role of psychotherapist for each of us individually. So, a part of our dreams comes true every time we get together to play music, wherever that may be. Beyond that, our dreams are definitely to release many albums, play big venues, make great music and have the desire to create.
Metalwar: Finally, I would like you to tell me your plans for the near future. Is there any new material in the works or any concerts?
DSD: There is a lot of material, but it is still raw. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but that doesn’t scare us—on the contrary, that’s exactly what we want. We don’t have anything confirmed for a concert, but stay tuned…
Metalwar: Thank you very much for your time, and I wish you all the best!
Interview – Text: Kostas Boudoukos
