Wednesday, October 26, 2011

James Durbin: How I discovered heavy metal

For the time being, he’ll be referred to as the “American Idol rocker,” but James Durbin was rocking long before he hit the Idol stage.

"I just remember being a kid, driving around with my mom, and then Dio's 'Holy Diver' came on the radio and it changed everything," Durbin tells Noisecreep. "It was the first time I had ever heard a metal song. I loved it right away. From there, I just wanted to learn as much about music as I could. Eventually, I found the artists that I liked more and stuck with those. I'm talking about Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Motley Crue — you know, the classics.”

At some point, James morphed from being a fan to starting a band.

"I've always showed an interest for music of all kinds, so they might have thought that the metal thing was just a phase,” he laughs. “When I was a teenager, I even started a metal band called Leviathan. I've always wanted to be a professional musician. Look, metal isn't the kind of music my mom would listen to, but she's always been supportive nonetheless."

In order to learn his craft, Durbin spent time soaking up his surroundings.

"I learned so much from listening to Steelheart,” says the rocker. “They were a band that just missed the hair scene of the '80s and merged the thrash look with a glam sound. Steelheart’s singer is a guy named Michael Matijevic and man, can he f**king wail! I would watch all of their videos on YouTube and listen to their records and try and hit the notes he was nailing. I always wanted to see how far I could take my voice and listening to that band helped me out a lot. Michael actually did some of the vocals for the Mark Wahlberg movie 'Rock Star'...that's how I first discovered him."

Durbin’s debut, “Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster,” sees its release November 21.

In the meantime, fans can soak up Durbin’s first single, “Stand Up,” an anthem he recorded for the NFL. The track is part of volume 2 of the Official Gameday Music of the NFL EP, which features songs by Jordin Sparks, Darius Rucker, Hinder and Sammy Hagar. Material from the EP will be used by the NFL throughout the season.



Stand Up - Official Gameday Music of the NFL - EP James Durbin - Stand Up - Official Gameday Music of the NFL - EP

James Durbin – Stand Up (2011)


See also:

James Durbin: Debut album details released
VIDEO: Motley Crue guitarist in studio with James Durbin
James Durbin to appear on Rockline next month
AUDIO: New James Durbin single rocks NFL
Motley Crue guitarist recording with James Durbin
James Durbin signs record deal, album due this fall
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Guns N’ Roses, Muse on American Idol tour
James Durbin tops the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: James Durbin covers Skid Row
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Journey classic with Steel Panther
Judas Priest: James Durbin is our hero
Judas Priest talk about American Idol experience with James Durbin
VIDEO: Judas Priest rock American Idol finale with James Durbin
Judas Priest to play American Idol finale tonight with James Durbin?
James Durbin tops the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Live! With Regis & Kelly
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks The Tonight Show
James Durbin gone from American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin weeps while rocking American Idol Top 5
James Durbin tops the hennemusic Hot 10 for 2nd week
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Carole King on American Idol
James Durbin tops the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Muse on American Idol
How Zakk Wylde wound up on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin, Zakk Wylde rock Sammy Hagar on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks The Beatles on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Elton John on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Stevie Wonder on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Bon Jovi on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Paul McCartney classic on American Idol
James Durbin to bring AC/DC, Ozzy, Iron Maiden to American Idol
VIDEO: American Idol rocks with Judas Priest cover