kearneyhub

Disturbed fueled by passion for music, fans
By RICK BROWN, Hub Staff Writer
12/09/2008

KEARNEY — Guitarist Don Donegan has more to learn about rock.

After selling more than 10 million albums worldwide, releasing three consecutive No. 1 albums and receiving a nomination for a Grammy, one of the founding members of Disturbed said his musical education isn’t over.

“We still do learn,” he said. “Obviously, the bands we grew up on that inspired us had an effect. While touring or at festivals, we see certain bands that continue to inspire.”

Donegan, along with David Draiman, vocals, John Moyer, bass, and Mike Wengren, drums, will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at FirsTier Event Center. Opening the concert will be Art of Dying and Egypt Central.

“We’ve always been about the fans and having that live connection,” Donegan said. “We never were one of those bands who went up on stage and just played the songs, going through the motions and getting off stage. We look in people’s faces. We want to see them, make that contact and feel the passion they’re feeling.”

The current lineup of Disturbed came together in Chicago in 1996. Before that, Donegan and his band were called Brawl. After its lead singer left, the group advertised for a new vocalist. It picked up Draiman after his first audition with the group. Donegan knew right away it was a good fit.

Since then, the band has focused on its live performances.

“That’s where our passion is — on the stage,” Donegan said. “The constant touring and being on stage has helped build this organic growth and this fan base.”

The group has had a lot of success in the recording studio. Donegan sees himself as the member of the group most likely to enjoy studio time. But it is the pull of performing that they most love.

“I like switching gears every now and then,” he said of time spent recording. “Ultimately, the biggest passion for all of us is being on stage and performing. The interaction and the feeling of power, just getting up there and hitting that first guitar note, for me, is massive. To hear the roar of the crowd when they hear that first opening note, it makes me feel so powerful. I love that, but I also love creating music while being in the studio.”

Donegan said part of the thrill of studio work is developing a small idea into something bigger.

“For everybody to put their stamp on it and get that final outcome of a great song,” he said, “to us, that’s another great feeling.”

Donegan had another career before Disturbed.

“I was a union carpenter,” he said. “I was building and framing houses for quite a few years. Doing that in Chicago during those cold winters, that was no fun. I’m glad I learned a trade, but I did it long enough and finally got to a point in my life where I said, ‘This sucks and something has to change.’”

The members of the band finally had to make a decision to walk away from their jobs to focus completely on Disturbed. This happened before they landed a record deal.

“I can always be a carpenter, and I can always go and frame a house,” Donegan said. “We said this is it. We have to put 110 percent into the band. It’s got to be 24/7. We had to live it and not just do it part time.”

Less than a year later, they signed with Giant Records and released their debut album, “The Sickness,” in 2000. The recording has sold more than 4 million copies in the United States.