Injected likes to keep its heavy metal pure

By Shana DinesDaily Bruin Contributor

In a refreshing change from current shock-rockers, rap-rockers,
dancing rockers and every other kind of rocker-with-an-angle, the
band Injected offers fans a clear-cut, yet timeless hard rock metal
sound. The men of Injected don’t rely on flashy, perfectly
choreographed dance moves to sell themselves.

“We’re just a straightforward rock band ““ no
gimmicks, no tricks, just good songs,” said Danny Grady, lead
vocalist and guitarist for the band.

Embarking on a tour with fellow metal-heads Fu Manchu this
Tuesday, Injected is incredibly excited to be performing at the
Troubadour in L.A. The show promises to be a heavy metal rock
‘n’ roll extravaganza as both bands have been
successfully making names for themselves in the hard rock
world.

With their maiden album, “Burn it Black,” scheduled
for a Feb. 26 release, the high school buddies of Injected are
rapidly spreading their wings from their modest roots in the
Atlanta music scene. Since signing with Island Records, they have
been catapulted into the national spotlight. In addition to being
part of Music Midtown 2001, the biggest three-day music festival in
the South, last May, they have toured with Local H, Oleander,
Hoobastank, Marvelous 3 and Seven Marry Three, to name a few.

As the first major release for Injected, “Burn it
Black” features a wide array of styles in each of its 11
tracks. Injected cites their as its main influences the Beatles,
Led Zeppelin, the Who and other British Invasion rockers. Grady and
company are capable of playing any style from Black Sabbath to
AC/DC to a ’70s AM radio classic.

“It’s very different all the way through, no two
songs are alike really,” said Grady. “The thing
that’s fun and liberating about this band is that we can play
any style of hard rock or heavy metal that we want to.”

Grady hopes that fans will appreciate the collective efforts of
the four friends, who have been playing together for over a decade.
He stresses that songwriting is the band’s main emphasis.

“It’s nice to have virtuosity, but you know, a good
song is ultimately what people like about a band,” said
Grady. “I hope it’s the songs, that people really dig
the songs. You know, the songs are put together really well,
they’re just enjoyable to listen to.”

Just as any artist battles with creative blocks, Grady noted
that there are only certain times of the day in which he can write.
There are also only so many topics that he feels deserve to be
immortalized in song.

Avoiding the mundane topic of relationships, which he realizes
has been done to death in the history of the music world, Grady
notes that as long as some experience or situation has moved him,
it is worthy of being transformed into a lyrical arrangement.

“The whole songwriting process is a total mystery to
me,” Grady said. Based on the band’s success, though,
he certainly seems to know what he’s doing.

In addition to Grady, Injected includes bassist Steve Slovisky,
drummer Chris Wojtal and guitarist Jade Lemons. The fact that the
guys are friends above all else and have been for a long time adds
a very positive dimension to the group’s dynamic. They are
able to explore new ground creatively without stepping on each
others’ toes.

They have also learned to recognize the difference between
artistic and personal differences and know how to keep such things
from interfering with their music. Furthermore, the longstanding
friendship makes touring and performing even more enjoyable for the
group.

“We have too much fun, we definitely have more fun than
most of the bands we tour with, cause we’re a bunch of
idiots, we act like bozos, make each other laugh all the
time,” said Grady.

All joking aside, Injected is strictly business when it comes to
their music and performances. They consistently stick to the basics
of no-nonsense heavy metal and to an emphasis on songwriting for
straight-forward hard rock.

MUSIC: Injected is playing with Fu Manchu
tonight at the Troubadour.