Hi! Can you give a brief history of Deviation, including the music style and the members?
- Deviation is a thrash / groove metal band formed in August of 2020 after guitarist Erik Steeves and guitarist Austyn Brewer found a bassist and a drummer for their band. However, this lineup didn't last too long, as both the bassist and the drummer would leave in February 2021. Weeks later in March of 2021, Bassist Chris Corpus would join the band, and a new drummer would join a few months later. With the band back together, the four wrote several original songs. Unfortunately, in late 2022, their drummer decided it was time to move on. However, Erik, Austyn, and Chris kept moving forwards while looking for a new drummer. In September of 2023, Erik, Austyn, and Chris would begin recording songs on their debut ep, 'The Broken Beginning". Although they didn't have a drummer, this didn't stop the three, utilizing programmed drums instead. Their debut ep was released January 5th of 2024. After nearly two years without a drummer, in July of 2024, Daniel Prada would join as the drummer for the band, and In November of 2024, the band would finally start playing live.
Could you provide more detailed information about The Broken Beginning and its sales performance?
- The Broken Beginning is Deviations debut EP, featuring 4 songs; The Broken Beginning, In Cold Blood, A New Death, and Brownleaf. It was released independently on January 5th, 2024. Due to the inactivity of the band's social media presence, the popularity of the EP was almost nothing, but the band didn't care, since this was their first release.
Deviation has signed with no label. Could you tell us more about that?
- Deviation is still currently unsigned, but we've been looking to get picked up by a reputable label. The biggest challenges of being unsigned in my opinion is less promotion and less money for studio time.
What is the difference between The Broken Beginning and the band's very first rehearsal?
- The difference between TBB and the first rehearsal, well half of the band was different. But even all the way back then in late 2020, we were working on the song A New Death. We also had bits and pieces of The Broken Beginning and In Cold Blood. After the lineup change, our sound got tighter and those three songs were finished. Then we added Brownleaf one day, and after adding that, we knew those four songs were the EP. Then yet another line up change happened. Eventually boredom led me to trying out programmed drums, and it worked for the time being. We then just decided to go ahead and record our parts, and just keep the programmed drums.
What inspires Deviation's music and lyric writing? What do Deviation's lyrics talk about?
- The main things I usually write about are death and corruption. On The Broken Beginning, the lyrics mostly are about death. The lyrics on the ep somewhat reflect how the world around us was at the time of writing. For newer songs I have brought in lyrics about war and corruption in government.
Do you play live often? Do you enjoy performing abroad?
- We've only been playing live since November of 2024, due to the fact we didn't have a drummer for so long. We have been playing a decent amount in the Dallas TX area, and we've been looking to play outside of the Dallas metroplex. We haven't gotten the chance to play out of the area, but we're looking forward to eventually getting out of the area, and eventually out of the state and out of the country.
How often does the band practice and work on new material?
- We tend to practice once a week, usually every Saturday for a few hours. We've been working on material for a full length album for a couple of months now, we're almost done with it. After that we'll move on to working on the album after this upcoming one.
How did the band come up with the name Deviation? What does it mean to you?
- The band was originally called "Defiance", but I didn't really like the name. So one day I was talking with my dad about a potential new band name, and he suggested "Deviation", and it just stuck. One definition for Deviation is the action of departing from an established course or accepted standard, which in my opinion kind of fits us, since we're a metal band and all.
What are the band's plans for the near future?
- Our plans for the near future are to release an album this year called "Southern Aggression". Then hopefully go on a small tour around the southern parts of the United States in support of the album. Then after that, we'll move on to a new album, which we already have songs that we can work on for that next album.
Do you have a message for Iron Backstage readers?
- To the Iron Backstage readers, if you're at this point, I just want to say thank you for reading all of this. Keep your eyes out around late August for Southern Aggression. Go stream The Broken Beginning wherever you can. And if you're still reading... enjoy this little message: Beef Stroganoff.