Messer means “knife” in German, and the Dallas, Texas, band expects to cut a memorable swath through the rock world in 2018, starting with new single “Make This Life.” The song is off to a fast start at Active Rock Radio with SiriusXM Octane “Test Drive” rotation and an early add at Music Choice Rock, Spotify’s Rock Hard Playlist, Amazon Music’s Fresh Rock Playlist; Google Play Music’s Today’s Heavy Rock Radio, Slacker Radio’s New Rock Now channel and 35 more Active Rock adds in the first three weeks. “Make This Life” is available everywhere for streaming and download. The band is supporting the release initially with a tour of Texas that started Jan. 31.
The band’s modern rock sound was born through serendipitous connections in the thriving Deep Ellum music scene of Dallas, an area that has given rise to hard rock and metal bands such as Pantera, Drowning Pool, Hell Yeah and King’s X. Dereak Messer knew he wanted to pursue singing as a career while in high school in Iowa and started honing his chops with local bands. After high school, he moved to Dallas to pursue his music career professionally. His first contact was with Dallas native Javier Contreras (guitar), who was making a name for himself playing in Jagermeister-sponsored bands Mudflap and Pimpadelic. The two bonded at a show and became the genesis of Messer. While looking for a place to get his hair cut, Dereak walked into Maddox Messer’s (bass) hair salon on a whim. The two struck up a conversation about music and another connection was made. Kenny Youngar (drums) was traveling from his home in Canada to an audition in Phoenix when his car broke down in Dallas. He ended up staying in town and found success playing with the band Strangleweed, which made an appearance on the nationally televised courtroom show “Eye for an Eye.” That caught the attention of the members of Messer, and Kenny became part of the family. Donnie Deville was playing in various Dallas bands and gaining attention as an award-winning tattoo artist. Maddox would play Donnie tracks the band was working on, and in turn, Donnie would play music he was recording at his own home studio. As Messer continued to develop as a band, they knew they wanted to add an additional guitar player, and they all agreed that Donnie was a great fit. The lineup for Messer was solidified.
The band grew its fan base locally, and began to branch out regionally and nationally, opening for notable bands such as Sick Puppies, Candlebox, Hinder, Vince Neil, Black Stone Cherry, Lynch Mob, Drowning Pool, Local H, Trapt, Metallica, Dokken, Scott Stapp of Creed, Avenged Sevenfold and Buckcherry. On one of these tours, the band caught the attention of Los Angeles-based writer/producer Chad Gendason. The band felt an immediate camaraderie with Chad, and a lasting bond was made. Messer started writing with Chad, and their first collaboration became “Simple Man.” Fan favorite “Whiskey” soon followed, and the songs started to flow into what has become the band’s self-titled debut album, “Messer,” which will be released April 20 on Maddpants Records. The album was mixed by Ben Grosse (Marilyn Manson, Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed) and mastered by Tom Baker (Papa Roach, David Bowie, Motley Crue).
Tour dates:
Feb 02 – Curtain Club – Dallas, Texas
Feb 03 – My Place – Abilene, Texas
Feb 09 – Whiskey River – Amarillo, Texas
Feb 10 – Backstage Depot – Lubbock, Texas
Connect with Messer
Official website: https://www.messerband.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/messerband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messerband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/messerband
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/messerband
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7qNZ1MXOnu60GMYoZPLoRT
iTunes/Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1330811425?ls=1&app=itunes
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/messerband
Slacker: https://www.slacker.com/song/messer/make-this-life/60068016
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