Theory of a Deadman to get Rock the Lake off to stomping start

When Theory of a Deadman takes the stage on the opening night of Rock the Lake, Friday July 12, the Kelowna audience can expect a barrage of hits.

B.C.’s very own will put on their biggest show to date in the city and the grunge-alt trio is ready and excited to transport the crowd to the prime of their 2000s grunge rock hits.

“What you can expect from us is the hits,” drummer Joe Dandeneau told Sarah from 104.7 The LIZARD. “From front to back, everything you’ve heard on the radio or streaming, all the singles, it’s all the same, everything. It’s all the hits.”

T.O.A.D. have had nine singles in the top ten of the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, including four that reached number one: "Bad Girlfriend", "Lowlife", "Rx (Medicate)" and "History of Violence".

Reflecting on the wild ride the band has had since its formation in 1999, Dandeneau said things really got going seven years after they became the first act to sign with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger's 604 Records in 2001.

“We didn’t have any major clout in the United States [until] our third album, Scars and Souvenirs, came out. In ‘08 is when we started getting major tours in the U.S.”

And that’s when they hit the road touring with the likes of Chris Doughtry (who is also performing at Rock the Lake), and none other than heavy metal mega band Mötley Crüe, featuring the irrepressible Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee.

“I don’t know what I’m allowed to say [in this interview], but that being said, you can kind of imagine what that was like,” Dandeneau said with a wry smile. Mötley Crüe were famous for their backstage antics and near constant use of alcohol and drugs.

“When we toured with them, Nikkie Sixx, I think he was sober. He would stay in his dressing room a lot during the day and work. But Tommy, that’s a different story. All the stories about him are factual.”

Dandeneau said T.O.A.D. are not on a major touring cycle at the moment so it won’t be a full onstage production in Kelowna, but there will still be plenty to get excited about.

“We’re definitely going to be carrying some stuff [equipment/props] so we’ll still have some of our fun production stuff and gimmicks,” he explained.

The three-day Rock the Lake festival runs July 12-14 at Prospera Place.

For passes and more info click here.