Ditchwater has been a huge fixture in the Chicago music scene since 1993. Having endured all the changes in the music scene, they have weathered the storm and come out stronger each time. Always a band for the people, they have continued to build their brand of Heavy Rock and over the course of their career, released 6 independent albums. All completely on their own and without hardly any outside help or influence.
Interview conducted on Aug. 13, 2020
By Dan Locke
In April of 2018 guitarist Mark Anderson and vocalist Mike Meadows began writing a new album. Leaving behind all past influences and concentrating on creating something unique yet true to the Ditchwater sound. 10 new blistering tracks (including a faithful yet modern take on the Motörhead classic “Iron Fist”) mixing heavy grooves blending emotional melodies with dramatic harmonic passages. The result: a guitar and vocal driven slab of pure energy and ambition.
Mike Meadows – Vocals
Mark Anderson – Lead Guitar
Mason Brown – Bass
Mike Tignino – Drums
How did you start the band?
Mark Anderson: 1993 was when the band first came about but nothing really happened for a few years as it wasn’t until 1996 that I actually started finding people who were serious. We did a collection of recordings with a singer (who went on to sing in the band Skullview, a Power Metal group with a few albums out) and those recordings became what is now considered our first album “Adrenaline”. I went through a few different versions of the band from 1996 until 2002 when Mike Meadows joined and we’ve been together since. We’ve been able to create the sound that is most identifiable as Ditchwater.
How the band did get its name?
Around 1993 my band at the time was in the studio and we were going by the band Clutch. We saw a new band on MTV (so long ago, they played videos still) and obviously we needed to change it up. A friend suggested Ditchwater as a joke but it fit my sense of humor so I went with it. That’s how the name was born. As time went on the music started to define the name as opposed to the other way around which I always liked.
Your band has been around since 1993. How has the music industry changed in the Chicago land area?
It really hit its peak in Chicagoland between 2000 to 2004. Bands were getting deals, there was a bunch of us Chicago bands headlining big venues and the scene was thriving. Honestly since then we’ve been a bit on the outside looking in and we preferred to let our music do the talking for us. We focused more globally and presenting ourselves that way in our approach and eventually gave up caring how we fit into the industry, our genre being dated and the idea of image above all. Nowadays I think there is a spot for every style. I couldn’t even tell you what’s popular today in Rock music, I have no idea. I’m still listening to 80’s Metal.
How did you start to write music?
My entire family was musicians so it was kind of in my blood from the get-go. The first memory I have of playing guitar was writing a song when I was 9 with my best friend at the time Eric (who is now in the band Pale Horseman). I was never interested in learning anyone else’s songs. Obviously, you pick up tricks from influences as you go but I was completely self-taught.
What was your first performance at like?
When I was 12 my thrash band opened for my brother’s band called Quick Change (who were on Roadrunner Records). This was in 1988. We did 4 songs and we used my brother’s gear so we went from playing on these little practice Crate amps to Laney full stacks. It was a blur lol.
What was the title of your first original song?
Kings of the Red Sea. Iron Maiden was king and again I was 9. Lol
funny thing is I can still play the riffs.
Did you record it?
Na didn’t get studio experience until 1993 with the first Ditchwater demo. We were a thrash band then but never could find a singer so a friend did his best Henry Rollins impersonation over the music. Luckily this recording has not found its way to YouTube yet.
Tell me about your Album “Never Say Never”. How did you come up with the title of the cd?
Our singer Mike came up with the title. His titles are drastically different than mine but he was able to convince me of it. At this point, we really didn’t expect to still be around as we had some lean years there but we persevered and somehow came up with what we believe to be our best record yet. I think in his mind he’s been “done” with music a few times so actually completing this album is literally him saying “Never Say Never”.
Tell me about the single “This Pain”?
This was actually the last song to be submitted for the album. We knew we needed one more song so I went looking through my files and found my demo of this track just sitting there, waiting… it was unique to the album as being in a different time signature and tuning and was one of those songs that jumped out to us after it was done. It’s a bit more progressive than the other songs. One of my favorites for sure. The chorus is emotional and sounds huge, very relatable subject wise.
Why did you decide to record the Motorhead song “Iron Fist”?
This was one of the first videos I saw on MTV and the song always stuck with me. We had never done a cover before and i think it brings a raw energy to the album that I think we have in us but doesn’t always come across in our original songs. I don’t like total reworks of cover songs unless it is of a different genre so we kept it close just with some modern upgrades that basically made the song make sense arrangement wise to me.
What is your favorite track on the album?
This Pain I’d say. Against My Better Emotional Reason has my favorite guitar solo in it.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
I need to do a better job of being healthy! Lol I’m the big guy right now in the band haha
What are you’re feeling about streaming music? Digital vs. vinyl?
Streaming is so convenient but I’ll always miss the physical presentation of an album. I collect vinyl and CDs for that reason. Most of my listening comes from streaming I must admit.
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
I think the political parties are just two sides of the same coin personally. I respect people’s passion about it though but politicians and the media use cause from all sides to divide and sensationalize. The media is extremely bias and reports opinion as fact and news stories are about ratings. I think true news journalism is dead. I wrote the lyrics to the song Enemy of the People from the new album and that sums up my views on it really. The meaning to any issue is lost so quickly.
What is the mental health situation of the United State? How can public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?
Myself being a high-risk person health wise for COVID among with a number of people I know who’ve had it, I’m in the camp of taking it seriously. I also tracked this thing on Twitter when it first started and to me it seemed different then what’s become normal outbreaks over the years. I also know a lot of people who don’t believe it’s serious and refuse to take any precautions. Like everything else it’s become a political issue now and getting info on what’s actually real is a hard thing. Best way to help front line medical workers is be responsible, it’s not hard to follow guidelines that might prevent someone from getting sick. You never know who has someone high risk at home and where they’ll carry it to.
Do you thinks kids should go back to school his fall?
I really only can speak for what’s right for me and my family, we’re doing remote learning for the first school quarter.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
I just listened to I’m Eighteen by Alice Cooper. It’d my 45 bday today and I’m thinking, to be 18 again…
The last show you play was back in Feb. with HED Pe. At the Hobert Art Theater. How was the show. And did you think that the virus would affect live music the way it did?
Those type of shows is good and bad. You like to be able to play, always, but those types of shows are short sets with a limited-stage room.
Once the NBA canceled their season, I knew everything was coming to a stop. That was a lot of money to lose and if corporations are willing to lose like that there’s something to it. I know the rest of the guys thought we’d be playing after like a 2-week delay but I just had a sense this pandemic was different. I’m not surprised live shows haven’t returned yet.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I’m hoping we get some kind of normalcy again. If shows as we knew them are over that would be a huge shame. Hopefully being able to see live music won’t be taken for granted going forward.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Just prepping for this album release. It’s a bummer we can’t tour behind it right away since this is our first release under Pavement. Everything has its reasons…
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I’ve spent way too much on food delivery, that’s become my family’s thing to do. Not good!
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
We watch both Netflix and Hulu. Disney ruined Star Wars with the sequel trilogy so I’m kind of boycotting them. There’s going to be too many streaming services very soon.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. What are you planning to do?
We are working on setting up a live stream show. Clubs around us have started doing live concerts again with limited capacity but when you watch videos if these shows it doesn’t appear there are any precautions being taken. I find it a bit irresponsible for myself to take part so the Live Stream sounds best right now.
Live Nations just started Live Nation from Home. Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
I think already established bigger bands will find a way to keep making money. It’s the smaller bands like us where there isn’t much of an opportunity. I’m interested to see how it rolls out.
For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?
This will make it harder to tour, to get connecting dates and cover essentials. honestly, I don’t see why younger people would even give it a go as a touring rock band. At my age and years in music, it’s in my blood and I can’t force myself to stop torturing myself lol
With the virus hitting everything. And clubs like the Metro just waiting for help. Do you think that the government should help bid them out alone with other industries? You have things like photographer, recording studios, tour companies, record companies and management companies.
It’s a loaded question because honestly, it’s not an essential business. Those should be taken care of first but it’s something important that I feel shouldn’t be lost either.
In addition, at the present time for a band to go on tour from one state to another they may need to self-quarantine for 14 days. How is that going to work?
I don’t think it can. You’re seeing these issues in the mlb right now.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it maybe the end of music fest for the next couple of years?
If it becomes the norm then rock/metal shows would lose what makes them great. The interactive nature of the crowds is part of what makes them great.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I saw the Dio hologram Online and I’d have to say no on that lol
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
Alive hopefully, would like to get another album out and God willing play some normal style shows.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Hopefully, people take the time to check out our new album. I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Appreciate it!
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