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Dope Biography
Review The Artist (6)
Source: http://www.dopeweb.com/
Edsel Dope, vocals
Simon Dope, keyboard and sampler
Acey Slade, guitar
Virus, guitar
Sloane “Mosey” Jentry, bass
Sketchy Shay, drums
I started out playing drums when I was four. Animal from the Muppet Show was my hero until I saw Tommy Lee of Motley Crue,” says Edsel Dope, singer and songwriter for the New York-based six-piece that shares his surname. Edsel ditched the drum kit when he was 16, but never lost his love for Reagan-era hard rock. You can hear its influence on “Life” (Flip/Epic) - Dope’s sophomore effort co-produced by Edsel and Josh Abraham (Staind, Limp Bizkit, Orgy).
The follow-up to Dope’s debut, “Felons and Revolutionaires” (1999), features Edsel on several instruments, his brother Simon Dope on keyboards and sampler, guitarists Acey Slade and Virus, bassist Sloane “Mosey” Jentry and drummer Sketchy Shay. Dope embraces the melodic hooks and vocal harmonies that made metal a hit in the ‘80s, but update that sound with an aggressive streak that a modern generation weaned on Adidas-rock and rapcore can relate to. Dope succeeds in creating a new sound that is also strangely familiar.
It was essential, Edsel says, for Dope to set itself apart musically and lyrically from its contemporaries. “I’m sick of listening to music that’s all energy and no substance. We set out to make music that has energy, but also makes people feel something on an emotional level.”
“Now Or Never” – the first single from “Life” – finds Edsel reflecting on hard lessons he’s learned. “It’s a song about relationships, new beginnings and taking risks, but it’s not necessarily directed toward one person or situation. It’s about watching everything fall down around you, but not letting everything around you fall apart. The title says it all.” That theme of self-empowerment runs through many of the songs on “Life.” It’s a reaction, Edsel says, to music that is quick to place blame, but slow to accept responsibility. “It’s so easy to sit back and bitch about everything that’s wrong, but it’s hard to keep trying. I hate people who give up. My motto is “Die Trying,’ and a lot of our songs reflect that attitude.”
On “Take Your Best Shot,” the rhythm gallops like the cavalry riding to the emotional rescue while Edsel shouts his battle cry: ”Don’t let them say that you can’t be the things that you want. Just believe in yourself and take your best shot.” New songs “Slipping Away” and “What About…” cover more emotional territory than previous Dope efforts, but “Life” doesn’t sacrifice any of the intensity the group established on its debut. “Die MF Die” and “March of Hope” rank as some of the band’s heaviest work.
Edsel says both of Dope’s albums accurately reflect his state of mind when the music was written. “The first album was devoted to a two-year period of my life and only deals with a few emotions – mainly anger and frustration. With the new album, I wanted to tap into the 22 years and 52 emotions I didn’t explore the first time around. I called this record “Life,” because it deals with everything people go through in a day.”
GOING LEGIT
Dope has definitely matured since its debut, which featured Edsel railing like a foaming lunatic about the world’s hypocrisy while buzzsaw guitars and abrasive beats coalesce in a punishing industrial grind. The old songs illuminated a paranoid period of Edsel’s life when he and his brother ran a drug delivery service to finance their musical aspirations.
“It was a smooth operation,” Edsel says with a grin. “Most of the time, I stayed home, worked on our demo and took orders over the phone. I dispatched my brother and Mosey, who made the deliveries. Knowing that 10 guys wearing camouflage with M-16s can bust through your window any second definitely messes with your head. But my biggest fear during that time was that my brother would get nailed and I would spend the rest of my life looking at him through a cage.”
Selling drugs for two years convinced Edsel the government’s war on drugs is a monumental waste of the country’s resources. “It’s ridiculous how much money is spent combating what is essentially a victimless crime,” Edsel says getting worked up. “When you do the math, the only option that makes sense is legalization. Then the government could use the money it saves from interdiction and incarceration on much more worthwhile things.”
“Most politicians are old and know they have the support of other old farts who still think marijuana and masturbation will make you go blind,” Edsel continues. “I guess we’ll have to wait for those old idiots to die before we can actually be free.”
HISTORY
Born in Melbourne, Fla. Edsel and Simon were young when their parents split up. Edsel was four years old when he moved with his mother to West Palm Beach. Simon was seven years old and stayed with his father in Melbourne. At 16, Edsel dropped out of school and moved to Miami to play drums in a band. He lived in the band’s rehearsal space, and taught himself to play guitar when everyone went home. A year later, he quit the band, began writing songs and started bouncing around the country.
Simon took a more traditional path growing up. He finished high school and attended the University of Florida, but left after earning a scholarship to study chemistry at Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, N.Y. Then a phone call from Edsel changed Simon’s life. Edsel asked to crash on Simon’s couch while he put a band together and Simon agreed. After hearing his little brother’s music, Simon dropped out of college a year before graduating and joined Edsel’s band. It was a risky move considering Simon’s only musical experience at that point was DJing at the nightclub he managed. "Dope’s music requires a lot of weird sounds and strange tones. I knew computers and loved the songs so it was natural for me to become the guy in the band who played those bizarre noises,” says Simon.
When Dope’s six-song demo was finished, the brothers began a grassroots campaign to build a buzz about the group. The band hit every hard rock show in New York to pass out copies of its demo. “We had our girlfriends dress in slutty outfits, go to the shows and hand out our tapes and stickers,” Edsel says. “They would walk up and down the line asking people if they wanted free dope, while were around the corner tagging everything in sight with stickers and spray paint. How can you fail with a marketing campaign like that?”
Indeed, the buzz grew even though Dope had not played a single show. In 1998, the group performed for the first time – in front of a sold out crowd no less – at the Elbow Room in New York. A year later, they signed a record contract, the Dope Brothers retired the drug delivery service and the band recorded its first album. Then Dope hit the road for almost two years opening for Slipknot, Kid Rock, Sevendust, Staind and Fear Factory, including a special Halloween show with Alice Cooper in New York.
After the tour, Dope’s membership began to evolve. Sketchy Shay, Edsel’s friend from his Florida days, replaced the band’s touring drummer. Bassist Acey Slade replaced the touring guitarist, which cleared the way for Mosey, a member of the original Dope line-up, to return to the band. Tired of playing guitar in concert, but still wanting to retain the band’s double guitar-attack, Edsel recruited Virus and expanded the band to a six-piece.
“This line-up feels right and sounds right,” Edsel says. “All the changes have improved the band’s musical and personal dynamics. Before, it felt like playing with a couple of mercenaries. Now, it feels like family.”
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Review about Dope
wicked | Reviewer: outlaws360 | 6/29/09
goes to show a small idea and a mindset of what you love can do dope is wicked beyond belief i haven't found another band that sounds like them unlike 80% of others another band that we mustn't forget is Full Devil Jacket if these 2 would have ever toured together it would have been one for the history books Full Devil Jacket put out 2 albums 1 EP 1 LP and then it was over lead singer OD'D on heroin and now plays in christian rock but as i said had the 2 ever toured together it would have been one of the best venues ever booked so this drinks to both Dope and Full Devil Jacket the 2 best bands that are and were cheers
wow | Reviewer: Anonymous | 5/23/09
i heard about dope when a friend told me about them told me they were an amazing kisk ass band. i looked them up and heard there song die M.F die and i was addicted then i heard they were going to be in san antonio at a local vinue, an hours from where i live and i just had too go. there performance was amazing, they were really down to earth and f***n funny as hell i love their music!there new CD ' no regrets' is amazing
Kick Ass | Reviewer: Metal Man | 11/20/08
One day I was surfing the web, and came upon D.MF.D, ever since then I can't stop listening to these guys. Every song kicks ass, lyrics are well thought out also the instruments bring out those emotions. It's the best pump up music around! Furthermore, from all that I read about these guys, they don't do it for the money but for the music. Which every other band in the world fails to see! You guys are my favorite band! Keep on doing what your doing! (Also I hear there's a new C.D on way)... Please tour central CANADA)!!! ROCK ON SIRS!
Dope | Reviewer: Justin | 5/3/08
The band is made up of very talented musicians and when I hung out with them, they were really cool and down to earth and not a bunch of people with huge egos like a lot of the musicians out there today. These guys know how to put on an amazing stage show.
Love it | Reviewer: Tisha | 1/8/08
I've been listening to Dope for almost two years and they're my favorite band. I've got to meet their ex-drummer but I haven't seen them live yet. I so wish they would come here! I love Dope!
keep it going | Reviewer: SFC Gregerson | 6/25/07
I just wanted to say thanks to Dope. I am a 30 year old, old school West side punk. However when i heard Dope live at a small pub in North Carolina I was hooked. Here is a great bad playiing in this little spot we call Jesters Pub. They played hard like they were plating for 1000s when it was a few 100 if that. The Few 100 that were there we all paratroopers of that 82nd Airborne Div. The Army's only Paratrooper division. Dope Played hard, they kept it real and they made a fan out of me. Now i have see them 3 times in there returns to Jesters and live off their music as I am now on my 5th combate Tour. nothing says soldier like DFMD and another day. Thanks Dope For supporting the troops even if the situation itself sucks.
Tony, see you at Jesters in 08
Review the Artist Dope
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