DED Joe Cotela and Matt Reinhard Interview with Scotty J at Chicago Open Air – 2017
A Mannequin Idol (Lullaby)
Story and Interviews by Scotty J
Photo Credit: Travis Shinn
A few years ago, some publicist reaches out to me about a new band in the metal scene. Now this guy had to be one of the most cocky, obnoxious, arrogant, egotistical blowhards I’d ever come across. But, I’m always about checking out some new music. This first song I get to check out is called “FMFY”. In a Butthead like exclamation, I’m like “Whoah! This is cool.”. Immediately after hearing that most hostile track, I listened to “Anti-Everything” and I was hooked! The band we’re talking about here is DED! Joe Cotela, David Ludlow, Matt Reinhard, and Kyle Koelsch are an ensemble I was confident would stand the test of time.
Fast forward a few years, and now DED has the follow up to their debut album Mis•an•thrope with a micro EP called Mannequin Eyes. As with my introduction to DED, “A Mannequin Idol (Lullaby)” and “Eyes Sewn Shut” prove that years on the road have honed their craft. Joe Cotela and his DED crew are true road warriors. If you’ve been to a DWP festival in the last few years there’s absolutely no chance you missed them.
One of the coolest things to me is that I can say I’ve been a fan of theirs from the beginning. It’s been a privilege to watch them evolve and succeed as musicians. Looking at Joe now with his Zakk Wylde facial mane is something to behold. When we first met his face was as youthful and smooth as a babies butt! Just check out our previous interviews from the Rock Titan archive and you’ll see what I’m talking about. My reunion with DED is LONG overdue, but I suspect we’ll be catching up this year for sure! For More information on what’s in store for DED, see the Official press release below. Be sure to check these guys out on YouTube and Spotify!
– Scotty J
New York, NY – [March 12, 2020] – After taking the rock world by storm with their 2017 debut album Mis-An-Thrope, DED has returned with the release of their new micro EP Mannequin Eyes out now via Suretone Records, featuring the roaring and explosive lead radio single “A Mannequin Idol (Lullaby)” and anthemic new song “Eyes Sewn Shut.” PRESS HERE to listen to Mannequin Eyes and check out the accompanying visuals for the songs – PRESS HERE to watch the lyric video for “A Mannequin Idol (Lullaby)” and HERE to watch the visualizer for “Eyes Sewn Shut.” Mannequin Eyes displays DED’s bold and dynamic songcraft and offers an early taste of the band’s forthcoming sophomore studio album due out later this year, helmed by powerhouse rock producer Kevin Churko (Five Finger Death Punch, Ozzy Osbourne, Disturbed). Suretone Records has renewed its multiple-year deal with ADA Worldwide for exclusive distribution and DED’s forthcoming 2020 album will be the first release under this deal.
DED’s new music takes on the fury of their debut and deepens the emotions with a compassion for humanity and a thought-provoking consciousness. “A Mannequin Idol (Lullaby)” takes aim at the conveyor-belt music machine and takes on the fake, surface level, vein aspects of our society that have infiltrated our lives and influence our perception of what’s real. The stark vocal-and-piano open on “Eyes Sewn Shut,” an anthemic track that dares to challenge the things that we so readily accept to be true, swells into a wall of soaring guitars and driving percussion.
“Eyes Sewn Shut”
“The new music is about clarity through suffering and the frustration that comes with knowing that everyone can be better than they are – that I can be better than I am, because change starts with yourself. We want people to strive and try and be conscious of the things they consume, the way they act, the things they share and celebrate, and the way they live their life – to understand how that all affects their soul and what their legacy is going to be,” shares front man Joe Cotela.
Originating from Phoenix, AZ, DED – who are quickly becoming one of rock’s most exciting torchbearers – embodies elements of rock, alternative and metal, with pop melodies, cloaked in some of the most histrionic, headbanging music on the planet. But when you dig beneath the surface, DED’s unexpectedly soulful music is about bringing hope, relief and self-awareness, proving that there’s a way to live through the struggle and come out stronger and happier so that we can better look after ourselves and each other. Joe Cotela (vocals), David Ludlow (guitar), Kyle Koelsch (bass), and Matt Reinhard (drums) are building a community by offering comfort in times of despair and positivity by exposing negativity.
The band will bring their high-octane live show to audiences across the country this Spring when they join In This Moment on tour as a special guest, along with Black Veil Brides and Raven Black. The extensive tour kicks off March 24th in Orlando at House of Blues and wraps May 17th in Morrison, CO at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Full routing below. For all ticketing details, please visit www.dedband.com.
Mis-An-Thrope generated over 25 million streams making several Billboard chart appearances including #1 on the Alternative New Artist chart and #3 on the Top New Artist Albums chart. Singles “Anti-Everything”” and “Remember the Enemy” reached Top 20 at Active Rock Radio with SiriusXM’s Octane naming DED “Artist Discovery of the Year” and “Anti-Everything” landing in the station’s Top 10 for 2017. The band were also nominated by Loudwire for Best New Artist. “Anti-Everything” also made impressive strides at services appearing on Spotify’s U.S. Viral 50 twice and various playlists across Apple Music, Amazon and Pandora. Touring-wise, DED were featured as specials guest on KoRn and Stone Sour’s “Serenity of Summer” tour and lit up festival stages including Aftershock, Louder Than Life, Rocklahoma, Carolina Rebellion, Rock on the Range and Ship Rocked.
Under Suretone Records’ renewed multiple-year deal with exclusive distribution partner ADA Worldwide, the companies will continue to work closely together on a cohesive, collaborative effort to propel Suretone’s artists to continued success with a focus on driving revenue and breaking emerging artists. Suretone Entertainment Chairman/CEO Jordan Schur and President of Independent Music & Creator Services at Warner Music Group Eliah Seton look forward combining forces once again for this newly expanded chapter.
DED Joe Cotella David Ludlow Matt Reinhard Interview with Scotty J – 2017
“Suretone Records is pleased to be deepening its relationship with ADA, who have proven themselves to be excellent partners in all areas,” says Schur. “Suretone Entertainment wishes to continue its focused agenda of finding and breaking tomorrow’s best new artists today, and with DED‘s sophomore LP as our first new release in this next chapter, we continue to herald an important new movement in rock. DED is a band that we believe can change the musical landscape of rock’s culture. Rock’s fans and community are more powerful than ever, and history proves in the music cycles of our industry over time that when the right rock band comes along it can change everything. This initiative to champion the important culture of rock is an enduring part of our Suretone legacy and we believe DED is the next band ready to change the world. Suretone as well will continue to work with some of the most widely regarded established legacy artists in our industry. With ADA helping to bodyguard Suretone’s overall agenda, we believe together our company’s brightest days lay in front.”
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Jordan and the Suretone Entertainment team,” says Seton. “Their repertoire of independent talent speaks to the heart of our business and the community we serve. DED is a great example of this, and we’re looking forward to helping bring their forthcoming album to fans all over the world.”
DED TOUR DATES
*all dates with In This Moment, Black Veil Brides, and Raven Black
DED Tour Updates!
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