Posted on May 13, 2007 by Tom

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster are a Christian southern rock/hardcore band on the rise in the States. Not surprising seen their frontman Dallas' former ties with Underoath. In 2005 Maylene and the Sons of Disaster signed to Mono Vs Stereo and released their self-titled debut album, whose success prompted Ferret to sign the band in 2006. A Christian band whose name and concept are stooled upon the legend of the criminal gang of Ma Barker and her sons tickled our interest enough to send a few questions over to the band ...

Please tell us who you are and what your function is in the band!

My name is Joshua Cornutt and I play guitar for Maylene

Of course, much has been said about Dallas’ previous involvement with Underoath, so I was wondering how the constant references and comparisons go down with you guys?

Well really we don’t have any similarities musically with Underoath. The only real similarity is Dallas. There isn’t any problems between either band, we are all friends contrary to some things that I have heard, we are even doing a two week tour together in America in May.

A Christian band with a name referencing to an infamous murdering family from the 1920’s hardly `seems like a coincidence. It’s pretty obvious where the name came from, but what made you guys decide to go with it in the end? Do we have to look deeper for a specific meaning behind it? And do you remember any other options of band names that were on the list in the very beginning?

It just worked, it was interesting and it seemed to just fit, I don’t remember any other names that were even on the table, that was just it really.

You just released “II“ on Ferret. How did you get in touch with the label and why did you decide to side with them in the end? Must have been other candidates to put out the album?

They contacted us and they seemed like the best fit. There were other options but in the end we liked what they wanted to do with the band, and we felt comfortable with them.

The album debuted at #156 on the Billboard 200, selling 6,000 units in the first week. Surprised?

Very, surprised is an understatement. That was amazing.

How did you tackle the recording process for “II“ differently than with your debut?

Well we had more time, another month to be exact, so we had more time to get in the middle of the songs and to really think about it, instead of being rushed to just track the songs and get the record finished.

Do you mostly go in the studio with a finished product all lain out?

Mostly, Darkest of Kin was written in the studio, as was the last song, so it was nice to have that kind of time and freedom to think about things.

How did producer Jason Elgin fit into the equation? Did he put his own stamp on the album (if so in what aspects?)?

He is a smart guy, he has an incredible ear for what is supposed to be there or not. So he really just pushed us to come up with the best parts that we could. He really has a way of getting behind you and pushing you to the point that you didn’t know that you could make it to. I don’t think that the record would have turned out as good if he wasn’t involved.

The label has myspace.com/mayleneandthesonsofdisaster listed as your official website …, a thing I find particularly annoying as a lot of bands don’t even do the effort of making a ‘proper’ site anymore these days and just chuck some things up on Myspace. So I was wondering: how much of a factor has the internet played in the rise of Maylene?

We actually have a website on the way, the one we had expired somehow, and it was a little out of date, so we are waiting on it to be completed. Myspace is defiantly a force to be reckoned with, I don’t have one myself, but the band has defiantly prospered from it. It is a very good thing for bands if nothing else.

Do you follow much of what’s been said and written about the band?

I try no to. Most of it isn’t true or exactly right. It is interesting to see, and I do read some of it, but I try to take it all with a grain of salt, I just want to make the music, but unfortunately that isn’t the way it works.

“II “ has been named as one of Alternative Press' 2007 "Most Anticipated Albums" and the band as one of AP's 2007 "Bands You Need to Know!" while Metal Hammer magazine added the band to "Hot 100: Metal's Most Important Troops for 2007". How does all that attention make you feel as an artist? Just the promotional wheel churning or does it add extra value to what you’re doing as a musician?

It is definitely cool to see all of that attention, and I don’t really know what it means in the big picture for us, but I would be lying if it doesn’t make me feel like we are doing something right.

Maylene borrows a bit from all genres, appealing to a broad audience. Would you say that is one of the greatest strengths of the band?

I think it is that we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We just want to have a good time and enjoy this as much as we can, and everyone that pays their hard earned money to see us or hear us to have a great time to.

Major corporations are running today's music industry. Morales like artistic freedom; originality and flair seem to be a very indecisive factor for a band to be successful. We were wondering that if the chance presented itself to sign to a major, would you take up on that offer and why (not)?

Right now, no. We were talked to about it before and we knew it wasn’t the right move. There are so many bands on major labels that if you aren’t selling millions of records then you will just get lost in the fold and that obviously isn’t what we wanted, so it may happen but not for awhile.

You recently toured the UK for the first time. How was the reception in Europe?

It was awesome, we had a blast. The shows were great and everyone we met was awesome.

How different is the reception as a band here as compared to the US?

Well the language barrier tends to be an issue, but overall there aren’t a lot of differences

Any concrete plans for a full mainland Europe tour yet?

We may be back over around September, but it isn’t for sure yet. Not sure if I can talk about it or not, but it will be a good tour if it happens.

Reports say that you guys are a bit “Goofy” on stage. What’s that all about?

Like I said before we don’t take ourselves too seriously we have a good time on stage, and whatever happens, happens. We just had more fun when we were in Europe on stage than we normally do.

Being in a touring band takes a lot out of a person, as it requires a lot of sacrifices. Do you sometimes feel like you are missing out on certain aspects of life? It speaks for itself that touring, meeting lots of new people and making new friends all the time is very gratifying in itself …

Yeah I am getting married on June 2nd, and Dallas has a son who is a year and a half old almost, and he is married, and almost all of the other guys, crew and all are in relationships so it is hard being away from the ones you love so much, but we believe in what we are doing, and hopefully it will pay off for us and our families.

Where do you want to be as a band in let’s say like 5 years?

Hopefully a few levels up from where we are at. We have grown fast being as new as we are, and I am pleased with the progress we have made, hopefully we will continue to grow even through the next five years.

Time to get a bit acquainted with your personal preferences then: What song that is currently on the radio do you shamefully admit to liking?

Probably any single that Hinder puts out. I get a lot of crap, but I really like that band. Something about them interests me, I don’t know what it is, but I like them.

What’s playing in your stereo at the moment? Definatly the new Kings of Leon. That is an amazing record, everyone should go pick that up. I am a big Ryan Adams fan and he has a new record coming out so I am pumped about that. But, mostly Kings Of Leon.

Everyone has this one CD they listen to when they want to get away from everyday life's worries. Which record would that be for you?

Wow, that is tough, probably Ryan Adams, and the record would be Heartbreaker. It is well written and the songs are deep, makes you think about what he really means, so I guess that would make you take your mind off of problems.

Anything left you want to get off your chest? Famous last words? Not really, just check out the record, and we will be over again soon, and thanks for the interview. You guys in Europe ask way better questions than they do over here. So, thanks!

Taken On:

April 18th, 2007

Interviewees:

Joshua Cornutt - Guitar

Related Links:

• www.mayleneandthesonsofdisaste...

Interviews

Apr 18, 2007