RYAN MCCOMBS OF DROWNING POOL

 Here we are, after a long time without any interviews, bringing you this great piece with Ryan McCombs of Drowning Pool. A lot of people know Ryan from SOiL, which he fronted before joining Drowning Pool. We gave one of our new writers, FoundryMusicPhil, a shot at this and he did a great job for his first interview. So, enough babbling from me, read on!

 FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: I noticed you spend an extreme amount of time touring, and you play in all sorts of venues which vary from rock clubs to the greatest extreme, Ozzfest.   With the exception of Ozzfest, because that has to be one of the greatest environments to play live a band could have bestowed upon them, what type of venue do you prefer to play:  clubs, theaters, coliseums, or amphitheaters?

RYAN MCCOMBS:  I would have to say that I enjoy larger Theatre best. Amphitheaters least. A large Theatre usually has a large enough stage to allow all the bands on the bill to bring their show to life and it still has the personal feel of being able to reach out and touch the people out in the crowd that allows us to do what we do. Amphitheaters suck to me. Typically the crowd, though much much larger, is a good 10 feet away. On top of that, for whatever reason my throat is a different animal outside. I think it has a lot to do w/ being an allergy wussy.

FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: When you are traveling between from show to show, and imprisoned on the road in a bus, what do you do to pass the time?   

RYAN MCCOMBS:  XBOX 360. Was a diehard PS2 guy through the SOiL days but I got kids and a mortgage. I can't afford to chuck out $5 billion on a game system. Although to anyone out there in Sony-land I will pimp your stuff once again for some sort of hook-up. Until then XBOX kicks PS3's ass. Word is the graphics for XBOX 360 are superior. And I will be forced to pimp that FACT until proven otherwise. That's just me though. Mike sleeps a lot and tools around on the web. CJ and Stevie both workout daily. CJ also writes a lot of music and Stevie keeps the Mom and Pop coffee shops profitable.

FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: In regards to your next album, I am curious about how the development process works.  Are you currently in a phase where you are writing new songs as you are inspired, or do you set aside chunks of time devoted mainly to writing?

RYAN MCCOMBS:  CJ has been writing A LOT on the road lately. Pretty much every day. We will be hitting the studio as soon as we come off the road from our next run so we have been getting ready for it. We seem to be picking up right where we left off when the songs were really clicking so we're all excited and geared up for the next album.

FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: I admire you for supporting the troops through USO shows in Iraq and Kuwait.   About how long does it take everyone to prepare for such an event, and what is involved?

RYAN MCCOMBS:  The first 2 USO and 1 MWR tours we did pretty much took care of themselves. We have been trying to get back over though for over a year now with no luck. The USO wants us to and we want to but lining schedules, missions and red tape bullshit up has been a mess I guess.

FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: I am guessing you have had a lot of positive feedback regarding "Soldiers".  I'm just curious, do you get a lot of fan mail from soldiers overseas?  Have you had any responses to that song that greatly surprised you?

RYAN MCCOMBS:  We have gotten a lot of response from serving military personnel as well as their families. It's been amazing to read their responses to the song as well as their thankfulness for the work we do on behalf of our troops returning home. It's been a humbling experience to be involved in all of it.

FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: Earlier this year, you toured with Saliva, another band from the South.  Of all the bands you have toured with, who is the most compatible to travel with?

RYAN MCCOMBS:  We just got done doing several shows with Nonpoint, which was a good time. We (band/crew) mesh so well with them (band/crew) that it was fun. We all had our grills out cooking out whenever we could. It was a good family vibe. There are a lot of bands out there that we are close to though. Couldn't begin to name them all w/o forgetting someone.

FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: I have not seen Drowning Pool play live, so this question is because I honestly don't know the answer.  When performing songs off the earlier Drowning Pool albums, do you attempt to emulate the vocals from the original recording, or do you recreate them with your own vocal style?

RYAN MCCOMBS:  I just try to do them justice. Dave and I vocally are 2 different animals so it's gonna be different. I just try and do my bro justice as he would have done for me.

FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: "37 Stitches" is one of my three favorite songs on Full Circle.  My other two favorites are "Soldiers", and "Duet".  I caught a video of you performing "37 Stitches" acoustically.   I really enjoyed that.   Have you guys thought about or discussed any 'unplugged' type projects for the future? 

RYAN MCCOMBS:  CJ and I have tossed around that idea from day 1. I don't know if it would happen but we're both big fans of Alice In Chains' "Sap" and "Jar Of Flies".

FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: I have to say, your cover of Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell", was very entertaining.   Most people would probably ask you what songs you plan on covering next.   I want to know what 5 songs, if recorded by Drowning Pool, would cause Hell to freeze over.

RYAN MCCOMBS:  
#1 Don't Worry Be Happy
#2 Happy Smiling Faces
#3 Somewhere Over the Rainbow
#4 the 5$ foot-long jingle
#5 Anything by Abba

FOUNDRYMUSICPHIL: I really appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions.   I have one more though.  When it's 'shot time', what's your poison?

RYAN MCCOMBS:  I drink a bottle of Capt. Morgan every night, so after that it doesn't matter much. I used to be a Patron guy but I am all about the Jager Bombs now. Redbull gives ya more drinking time. I'll drink anything at some point though. After a bottle of the Capt. and about 6 - 7 bombs the other 15 - 20 shots can be anything. Regretfully this isn't a fishing story. I have a problem and my liver hates me for it.

That's it, hope you enjoyed it! Check out Drowning Pool's Official Website for all of your Drowning Pool needs.