BEATROUTE MAGAZINE AB EDITION JANUARY 2019

SHRAPNEL
WEEDEATER
long live cave metal!
Grow it, roll with it.
America’s other favourite string trimmers,
the indomitable Weedeater, is North
Carolina’s answer to that persistent mental
overgrowth that’s been hampering your pit
game. Whip-snapping spines and ears since
1998, the outfit was sparked by Dave “Dixie”
Collins who drove the project forward with
the same sludgy basslines and swamp-holler
vocals that helps launch his thrashier, noisier
outfit Buzzoven back 1990.
“The formula for what we do is quite
simple. It’s cave metal. We’re not trying
to reinvent the wheel,” explains Dixie. “It’s
easy to play and hard to write. We’ve got a
bunch of new riffs now that sound just like
Weedeater, so I imagine we will put them to
tape as soon as we can.”
It fits their pattern. Having signed to
Berserker Records, Weedeater emerged with
their debut album, ... And Justice For Y’all
in 2001 with their second LP, Sixteen Tons,
following in in 2003. Both releases established
Weedeater as a powerful force to be reckoned
with. Their strafing vocals and punishingly
heavy downstrokes were well-aligned with
tourmates like Down, Arch Enemy and Gwar
that saw festivals unfurled the green carpet
for Dixie, guitarist Dave “Shep” Shepherd and
drummer Keith “Keko” Kirkum. By 2009 Weedeater
was conquering the world and moving
on to Southern Lord Records. Their third
album, God Luck and Good Speed, which appeared
later that year and 2011’s Jason… The
Dragon shared the distinction of having been
produced by punk-producer guru Steve Albini
(Big Black, Shellac, Pegboy).
“Yeah, we’re gonna plan on getting in there
(the studio) in 2019 after this run of shows
with C.O.C. (Corrosion of Conformity),” Dixie
confirms. “We might be doing it before or
after we tour Europe this summer. I’ve gotta
talk to the guys, Steve Albini and everybody
at Electrical Audio and find out what their
availability is.”
2013 saw more shake-ups for Weedeater
as Travis Owen took over drumming duties
PHOTO: SCOTT KINKADE
and the group migrated to the French
record company Season of Mist. Their new
label subsequently reissued the band’s
back-catalogue and their latest doom metal
meets southern rock offering, Goliathan,
which dropped in 2015.
“We’ve never been much of a political
band. Even though there are some political
songs, but their meanings are hidden. Like
the song ‘Weed Monkeys’ people think it’s
about weed monkeys, but it’s about government.
The Goliathan record had a lot of
weird Biblical themes to it. The next record
is going to have some themes, as well. Possibly
plant based.”
Naturally, given their name, receiving treats
from fans is an occupational hazard for Dixie
and the pot diners in Weedeater.
“We get them given to us all the time, I guess
that’s built into the name. I like ‘em! Especially
for long rides, they’re great. We’ve got a driver
on tour now, so they definitely help pass the
time and make you feel good! There’s lots of
BY CHRISTINE LEONARD
places in the U.S. where you can buy edibles
that have been regulated and packaged up
and everything. They tell you what you’re
dealing with, so you know not to overdo it.
Or to overdo it, if that’s what you’re trying to
do. The people that bring us their homemade
gifts like that are forthright about telling us
what’s in it and how much. One time, years
ago, our old drummer ate a whole cookie that
was supposed to be a four-way and that about
ruined him for a couple of days. But he knew
better, and he was told not to do it. He said
‘Whatever, I’ll eat the whole damn thing! I’m a
grown man!’ and sure enough he was curled up
in the corner whimpering.”
Looking out for each other on the road
meant that it was easy for Dixie and Shep
to bond with incoming drummer Carlos
Denogean who replaced an ailing Owen in
2017. The rapport Denogean shared with his
bandmates and his passion for performing live
clearly evident and heartfelt, as is the impact
of his sudden death in August of 2018.
“That was very rough. It was very surprising.
He was a super healthy dude. He was
young. I mean, he was 30 years-old. I was in
a band when he was born! Pretty crazy. He
didn’t smoke. Barely drank. Jogged on the
beach every day. In fact, he did that morning.
I guess with brain aneurisms it’s not something
you see coming. He didn’t. And we
certainly didn’t.”
Faced with terrible grief, impending tour
obligations and the aftermath of Hurricane
Florence, Dixie and Shep had to make some
hard decisions about continuing to thrive on
adversity as a band.
“It was difficult. I tried to back out of it several
times. But Pepper (Keenan) from C.O.C.
is a good buddy of mine and he really wanted
us to do it. So, we eventually capitulated like
‘Fine! We’ll do it.’ The guy that’s gonna play
drums with us now is Ramzi Ateyeh. I’ve
played in bands with him before. He was in
Sourvein for a bit with my cousin T-Roy (Troy
Medlin),” Dixie elaborates. “I’ve played with
him for years, so I know he’s a damn good
drummer. It’s cave metal, once again. So, as
long as he keeps his elbows above his earlobes
and beats the shit out of them drums that’s all
we need, and we’ll roll with it.”
Weedeater performs with Corrosion of Conformity
and Crowbar at Starlite Room (Edmonton) on
Feb. 4 with Corrosion of Conformity; Marquee Beer
Market and Stage (Calgary) on Feb. 5; and with
Crowbar at Park Theatre (Winnipeg) on Feb. 7.
SHRAPNEL BEATROUTE • JANUARY 2019 | 33