Corrosion of Conformity’s Mike Dean Talks Band’s Upcoming Album + More

Corrosion of Conformity singer-bassist Mike Dean was a guest on Full Metal Jackie's radio show over the weekend. Dean talked about the band's upcoming album, playing with Danzig and the possibility of singer-guitarist Pepper Keenan rejoining the C.O.C. at some point in the near future. If you missed Full Metal Jackie's show, read the full interview with Mike Dean here:

How’s it goin’?

It’s goin’ very well. Thank you.

Thanks for being here with us. We’re obviously here to talk about a brand new record that’s going to be coming out from Corrosion of Conformity on Candlelight; it’s the three piece lineup from 'Animosity' correct?

That’s correct.

Tell us about what prompted you guys to get back together again?

Well, I’m gonna tell you what we were tryin’ to do some stuff with Pepper and get that ‘Deliverance’ lineup back together which seemed like a good idea, but Down is a very busy, busy, busy sort of group of individuals so that wasn’t happening and you know we wanted to make some rock so we thought we’d get out there and play some shows and if we were gonna get out there and play some shows it would be lame to now have new material because then you’ll just be like some old nostalgia act.

Mike, in terms of what makes C.O.C. special, what are the differences in the three and four person lineups?

I think originally with three people we started that at a very young age in high school and we kinda learned to play music together and so we go way back and I think we have kind of our own type of musical communication. We didn’t have formal musical training so we communicated in drum language and we kind of ripped off this Black Flag thing, this hardcore band Black Flag from way back, where they would anticipate a stop or starting a part just for dramatic effect and we started rippin’ that off a lot and that’s become one of our little signature communication things, messin’ with the time. Then you know the four piece that evolved into more of a rock band, you know, in a good way.

Corrosion of Conformity recently opened up some Danzig dates. What was that like?

That was interesting 'cause they weren’t just Danzig shows; they performed Misfits songs which people were excited about and I was excited about and that was pretty crazy. I never thought I’d see that stuff live when I missed it so many years ago, so it was entertaining. We did it in New York which was in the midst of an early blizzard, a Nor'easter, somehow the show went on and somehow we flew in there and also beautiful Universal Amphitheater, excuse me Gibson Amphitheater.

It’s been a long time since you were the singer Mike; what did you have to do to get back in the groove of singing?

Well, not suck, yeah it took a little bit of practice, a little bit of dusting that off and sort of the approach I had on 'Animosity' was a little fatiguing in terms of being able to perform every night, so I had to approach it in a new way and if you have something to say on some level it comes pretty naturally.

Is there an exact release date yet, I know it’s coming out early 2012

I think we’re lookin’ at Feb. 27, 28, somewhere near the end of February.

How does it feel, in terms of where you guys are at with the record?

We’re still finishing up the mixes, we have a couple days left in the studio and we’re listening to things in the rented mini van and saying “no, the guitar must be louder, everything must be louder than everything else” and you know just making a few adjustments and we’re pretty pleased with the results.

What’s the plans for a full on Corrosion of Conformity tour for next year?

Oh yeah, that’s mandatory I think we’re gonna get started in the United States, do some festivals in Europe during the spring and summer and yeah just make a year of it at least.

What can we expect in terms of changes in the band’s sound?

It’s always evolving a little bit; when we started this out we were looking to use 'Animosity' as a starting point since that’s really the last time we were a three piece band and it quickly evolved from that even though we were doing some pretty quick tempos and some aggressive stuff. It really became a group of songs that reflected every era of the band’s career, kind of cast in a new light, where we’re comin’ from now basically. It’s heavy.

So it’s heavier.

Yeah, it’s got some ugliness juxtaposed against a little melody and yeah it’s heavy, it’s fun.

You had mentioned that there had been conversations with Pepper prior to the three of you guys getting together to play these shows and even record, had he not been doing everything he was doing with Down do you think he would’ve been part of it this time around?

Yeah, we were really lookin’ to get Pepper and Reed together for the first time in at least 10 years to play some shows together and I think the natural thing would’ve been to do a record. It probably will happen at some point; it’s a good story to sit here and tell you about the three P’s or whatever but I think in a year or two or 18 months from now, I might be good to sit here and tell you about doing a record with Pepper Keenan if he ain’t too busy.

Mike thank you so much for being on the show. I appreciate it.

You’re very welcome.