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Originally from Medesto, California, the Depswa
began with music fanatic and guitar player, Jeremy
Penick who put together a progressive instrumental group
called Carcinogen. The new band released a four track
EP, Cleansing, to the delight of bands small
but growing following. In 1996 bassist and vocalist
Ryan Burchfield was recruited. The decision to add Ryan
proved to be a smart move as Jeremy’s focus shifted
from writing six-minute instrumentals to tackling lyrics
as well.
By 1998, Carcinogen were amassing a large local fan
base in Northern California with their energetic live
performances and the release of the groups self-titled
six-song EP. Finding their most notable success in L.A.,
the band decided to settle in the City of Angels later
that year and in 1999 the band added another guitar;
Dan Noonan who had been in a band with Penick prior
to Carcinogen. “When we move to L.A. with Dan, we knew
what we wanted to do. Says Penick. “It came to a point,
maybe it was a maturing process but I realized I didn’t
want to be like everyone else. For so long, I was trying
to sing in a way that wasn’t me, trying to emulate other
people. Eventually, I had to get real. That meant getting
over my fear of singing, really singing. When that happen,
it opened up our music overall and everything just started
to feel really good.”
 With
Jeremy’s new found confidence coupled with Dan’s heavy
and extensive guitar work, Carcinogen became Depswa,
a Swahili word meaning “deep behind the moon”. With
the name change, came a new EP, Faithless. In 2001 two
new members joined the band, drummer Gordon Heckaman
and guitarist James Mills. Depswa were now considered
the heaviest bands in the LA area, playing sold out
shows at the legendary Whisky as well as the Roxy and
the Viper Room. The bands local success caught the eyes
of Geffen Record execs. “We had a friend that knew some
people over there, and he passed them our “Faithless"
demo. Apparently, the girl he knew really liked it and
called him that night to get a hold of us. We did a
showcase for them at the Viper room in L.A. and soon
after they made an offer. We showcased for a bunch of
other labels and even had offers on the table from a
few of them, but Geffen's offer made the most sense.
We are really excited to have such a great label behind
us, and we love everyone over there” said Dan.
Depswa’s major debut release, Two Angels and a Dream,
is straight ahead rock and roll. Jeremy’s vocals fluctuate
from a whisper to a primal scream while Dan’s guitar
work is comprehensive as it expands way beyond power
chords. Produced by Howard Benson who has worked with
such artists as P.O.D. and Motorhead, Two Angels has
an edgy and in your face quality but at the same time
it is polished and unpolluted by anything unnecessary.
Lyrically, Penick explores self-doubt and self-confidence,
relationships gone wrong and right and even throws in
a little spirituality for a nice balance. “I would say
that we go from super heavy to super melodic at the
same time. Kind of a Deftones meets Radiohead or something
weird like that. I'd definitely say that melody plays
a big part in this band especially in the vocals and
guitars. The vocals are unique and heartfelt and I feel
that because we are true to our emotions, it comes through
in our music” Dan explains. “All of the songs are very
close to the heart,” clarifies Jeremy, “but the motivations
change all the time.”
The band is steadily gaining national recognition as
they have shared the stage with the likes of Nickleback,
Down, Rob Zombie, and Danzig but will now find international
exposure as they join OZZFEST 2003 beginning in June.
“We're all really excited about it. Since it started,
playing Ozzfest someday was always one of the things
we've wanted to do and be able to say we've done” exclaims
Noonan.
Depswa are clearly making their presence known and fans
are responding. Even before they were offered a spot
on the traveling metal circus, the quintet were major
contenders for the international spotlight as they embarked
on their 1st major tour with Madvayne and Taproot. “On
that tour,” says Ryan, “every night we got out on stage
we just looked at each other as if to say, ‘Wow! We’re
really getting the chance to have a chance.’ It’s already
been an amazing experience and nobody out there has
even heard the record yet.”
With major label support, a rock steady debut, and a
slot on OZZFEST, Depswa is most certainly a band to
watch in 2003 and beyond.
Tony Engelhart
Photos By Ken Hart For RiskyPictures.net
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