Deaf Rhino Interview

Deaf Rhino Promo 1

New Jersey outfit Deaf Rhino burst onto the alternative rock scene with their latest release Dirt, Rust, Chaos. The album encompasses their distinct musical style through unique tracks around a core sound similar to Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters. Deaf Rhino’s release rivals billboard chart toppers with an overwhelming sense of personality and eclectic tracks. By the Barricade reached out to vocalist and guitarist Adam Schlett to learn more about Deaf Rhino and Dirt, Rust, Chaos. Check out the full interview below!

Adam, I heard you first got into music when a Beatles cover band played Epcot. That may have gotten you into Rock-N-Roll, but what sent you down the path of Deaf Rhino?

Adam Schlett: Being a kid in the 90’s had its perks when it came to rock music with so many great guitar bands. I met Bobby (lead guitar) in college and after we got into a fight at a keg party over $5 we bonded over music and started playing. That was in 2008….

Originally called Easy Company, the band’s name was changed to Deaf Rhino midway through the recording process. Was there a particular point where you thought to yourself “This isn’t an Easy Company record?”

Adam Schlett: We knew before we started recording we wanted to leave Easy Company behind. Our sound evolved, our band evolved and Deaf Rhino revealed itself after the record was complete. This marks the first complete piece of work we feel is at the par we’ve been working towards out of all our releases to date. The next one is going to be more dynamic and better but no name change next time.

Deaf Rhino AlbumDirt, Rust, Chaos was produced with Brett Romnes of I am the Avalanche at The Barbershop Studios in New Jersey. What was the recording process like?

Adam Schlett: We recorded in 5 straight 18 hour days. Pure execution and efficient partying and playing. We did a ton of preproduction in advance of the studio time. We don’t have the luxury of time at this point in our careers so you need to go in and slay or else the record wouldn’t be done.

Were there any technical aspects that you learned while recording your previous EPs that you incorporated into Dirt, Rust, and Chaos?

Adam Schlett: We featured the keys with our good friend Annabel Lee out of Boston much more than we ever have. We also took some liberties with her singing (no..its not me singing the high parts). Recording at Barbershop Studios in NJ we had access to things like rotary speakers, some vintage amps and a million dollar mixing board, all of these things make the finished product sound better. Jason Corsaro who engineered the record also has done every Soundgarden record to date so he was great in crafting sounds and pushing us to get different tones.

Deaf Rhino recorded the album in 5 days after 3 months of writing and preproduction. Was that speed intentional, or just a race against the clock to get it finished?

Adam Schlett: It costs a lot of money to get a record recorded, printed, promoted and heard. The week in the studio was out of necessity, I do think having limited means forced some decisions and pushes you creatively; not always a bad thing.

I’ve also heard to keep the band’s personality you wore Hawaiian shirts. Were there any other quirky things Deaf Rhino did in the studio that fans might not know about?

Adam Schlett: You need to keep the mood light because it can be tense, not so much at each other but just with the seriousness we bring to making music together. We have friends come in for a day or two at a time, a steady supply of beer and other goodies to keep the atmosphere light, when your relaxed you play your best and your mind (at least my mind) is not playing tricks on itself.

Deaf Rhino Promo 1I’m glad to hear the band has such a DIY attitude. Were there any learning experiences along the way that new bands should hear about?

Adam Schett: Save your money, work hard at your craft, get a producer you trust because an outside ear to call you on the things you go deaf to is not a bad thing. It took us 3 years to get to point we are at now, listen back to practices and demo’s and work on the things that aren’t good.

How did Deaf Rhino celebrate Cinco De Rhino, the album release day?

Adam Schett: We hosted our second sold out show at the famous Maxwell’s Tavern in Hoboken NJ. We decided if we aren’t known in our hometown for being a great band, why would anyone out of NJ care about us? We have amazing support and love locally.

Deaf Rhino Started working on new music two weeks after finishing Dirt, Rust, Chaos and are planning on heading back to the studio in the fall. Is there a new direction you hope to take the release?

Adam Schlett: That depends on what day of the week you ask us! The big thing for us is writing great songs and not writing the same song over and over again.

According to Music Is Immortal you are also vigilante Crime fighters when you’re not recording. Do the band members have names to fit these personas?

Jack Biamonte – Shirtless Savage, Bobby Weir – Cuddles, Adam Schlett – XARY, Tommy Scerbo – Daddy’s Game

Is there anything else you want to say to the readers of By the Barricade?

Adam Schlett: Check out our record, go on Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes or buy it from us – if you like it please do share it with your friends. Turn that shit up and keep on rocking and rolling.

Keep it on Bythebarricade.com for tons of punk rock interviews, reviews, articles, and photos! Also, “Like” By the Barricade on Facebook to never miss a post. If you liked this article check out:

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