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PEOPLE & ARTSThursday 4 February 2016
20 years later, metal band Sevendust relishes Grammy nod
MARK KENNEDY it’s going to push us to work
AP Entertainment Writer even harder,” said Lajon
NEW YORK (AP) — If Gram- Witherspoon, the band’s
mys were handed out for lead singer and co-song-
sheer persistence, the met- writer. “I think we’re on the
al band Sevendust would right avenue right now.”
have a bunch by now. Sevendust, known for its
The quintet from Atlanta is melodic approach to
celebrating two decades metal, has put many miles
together this year with its on the road, supporting
first Grammy nomination. everyone from Metallica
The nomination is for a to Creed. The band finally
song that is, appropriately, got the attention of the
named “Thank You.” Recording Academy for
“This is a big deal. I feel like last year’s “Kill the Flaw,” its
In this Jan. 27, 2016 photo, Lajon Witherspoon, lead singer of Sevendust, poses for a portrait in New
York. The Atlanta band is celebrating two decades together with their very first Grammy nomina-
tion for their song, “Thank You.”
Associated Press
11th studio album. also includes Clint Lowery Witherspoon was born and
The music has elements of on lead guitar, John Con- raised in Nashville, Tennes-
classic metal, thrash, south- nolly on rhythm guitar, see, and sang in his church
ern rock and even some Vince Hornsby on bass and choir. Even his grand-
soul, led by the fearsome Morgan Rose on drums — mother sensed there was a
instrument of Witherspoon’s has been remarkably sta- showman in the youngster.
voice, one of the most flex- ble over the years, with the “I wanted to perform,” he
ible and exciting in music exception of Lowery step- said, laughing. “I was rock-
today. ping away for a few years. ing my gown.”
“Music is music. I never put “We don’t really ever fight. Though he sang in R&B
a label on it. I just feel I’m a There’s no reason to. We’re bands, by high school he
rocker,” said Witherspoon, grown men,” said Wither- was hanging out with the
who also recently sang with spoon, long-haired kids listening to
the Moscow Studio Sym- who welcomed his third Guns N’ Roses and Black
phony Orchestra for a side child in December and just Sabbath.
project and who has em- celebrated his 12th wed- Able to wail and growl, he
braced Sevendust’s acous- ding anniversary. He is well gravitated toward metal,
tic side. versed on car seats and an often rare genre for an
“I’m sure there are peo- diapers, African-American.
ple out there that would yet onstage can deliver Witherspoon says he
say Sevendust isn’t heavy the lyric “All the things we doesn’t see racism at Sev-
enough, but I don’t be- loathe, we become it” with endust gigs these days, but
lieve everything has to full-throated power. years ago on tour with Slip-
be always breaking walls At the Grammys, Seven- knot he saw “a couple of
down,” he said. dust faces off against Slip- knuckleheads” in the mosh
“I’ve been onstage and knot, Lamb of God, August pit give the Hitler salute,
felt like Britney Spears com- Burns Red and Ghost. oblivious to what it meant.
pared to some of the bands Though the winner won’t In melancholy moments,
that we’ve played with. But be televised, Witherspoon he suspects his race might
we still get out there and and his family will proudly have slowed the band’s
rock it.” be on the red carpet. rise.
Sevendust hits the road as For a guy who watched the “I’ve always wondered if I
a headliner this spring start- ceremonies as a boy, he had not been a black man
ing April 26 in Baton Rouge, wouldn’t miss it, especially in Sevendust, would it have
Louisiana, and wrapping as a way to thank his wife even gotten bigger?” he
up May 28 at the Rockla- for all her sacrifices while he asks. “At the end of the
homa festival in Pryor, Okla- and his band crisscrossed day, I’m glad that it took
homa. the country. “This is for the this long because we’re still
Sevendust’s lineup — which wives,” he said. here.”q
