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Down with Disturbed
By Sheena Barnett
Daily Journal

In a fickle economy and even more fickle music industry, many bands and labels are feeling the crunch. Not Disturbed.

Since forming in 1996, the hard rock/metal band continues to thrive. Three of the band's albums, including its latest, "Indestructible," have reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. Disturbed has had a slew of hit singles since breaking on the scene with "Down with the Sickness" and "Stupify" in 2000.

The men of Disturbed, guitarist Dan Donegan, bass player John Moyer, drummer Mike Wengren and lead singer David Draiman, are now on tour with Sevendust and Skindred.

"So far the shows have been sold out, and the crowds have been amazing. We've got fantastic company, so it's been really good," Draiman said in an interview with the Daily Journal.

Disturbed's live shows are as intense as its music, Draiman said.

"It's not a spectator sport - this is full contact. We push people, and we drive them to get a reaction out of them, to get them to release their burdens, which is why they're there in the first place," Draiman said. "It's powerful, it's invigorating. You leave the building feeling stronger than you did when you came in."

Disturbed fans can expect to hear new songs as well as old favorites.

"We're never going to be one of those bands that only ram new material down people's throats. We definitely respect people's allegiances to the classics," Draiman said.

Staying busy
Disturbed has a busy year planned.

The group is already thinking about a follow-up to "Indestructible."

"I think with every record we are consciously trying to raise the bar, in terms of intensity, in terms of complexity, in terms of catchiness," Draiman said. "It never ceases to amaze me where we end up going with things on each record."

The band is also hosting its Music as a Weapon tour again in 2009, featuring Killswitch Engage and Lacuna Coil.

Of course, the guys have to have a break from all that work.

"I love riding motorcycles - I'm a motorcycle guy," Draiman said. "I'm also a fairly avid scooba diver. I love going somewhere tropical and going on aquatic safari. I'm addicted to it."

Draiman can't forget this first love, though - rock n' roll and touring. He said he loves how Disturbed's music and live shows can help their fans.

"Everybody comes to these performances to leave their burdens at the door," he said. "You're looking to feel powerful and strong in an age where a lot of people need that, now, in the frightening times economically and globally. This will help."