Brian Dugan – drummer of Candlelight Red

I recently had the chance to sit down with Brian Dugan, drummer of Candlelight Red after their show here in Destin, FL.  While I missed part of Nonpoint’s set as a result, I had the opportunity to chat with Brian on board their tour bus and ask a few questions.  Popping my tour bus cherry was pretty exciting, even if there weren’t a bunch of naked groupies lounging about.

Brian came across as a very genuine person; he shared openly about his  passion for drumming, necessary qualities of successful bands and mistakes he’s made on stage.  His truly is a story of years of hard work finally paying off, as we can all see Candlelight Red’s burgeoning success begins to unfold.

 

Below is the interview with Brian Dugan.  Since all I had again was a pen and paper I’ve rewritten his answers as best as I could.  Given that I scribble like a child with a giant crayon and I was a few beers deep at the time I think this to be a decent regurgitation of what was said.  So, in short, this is non-verbatim.

 

How did you get started with CLR and what were you doing before them?  

Back in 2011 I got a call to come play with them.  They had a different drummer who recorded Wreckage with them but I’m the one you hear on Demons.  At the time I was a production manager, a job that I had for 18 years.  It’s an amazing thing to become part of a band but it’s a little scary to leave a good job that pays well too.

 

What was it like working with Morgan Rose of Sevendust to produce your album?

 It was great working with Morgan, it really felt like he was part of the team.  He brought so much experience with him that it really felt like he had a vision for how our record was supposed to be.  Additionally, being a drummer himself, when he wanted to give me an idea he could just sit down and play it.

 

You’re on Imagine Records, what’s it like being with them?

 It’s really great, we are only one of two bands total that are on the label which means a lot of personal attention and a great amount of focus on us as a band.  If we need money for something spontaneously, we can simply call and talk directly with the people in charge and work things out.

 

What does it take these days for a band to “make it”?

You definitely need a good stage performance, without that and you won’t really make it at all.  Besides that you need money, someone supporting you financially so that the band has enough time to prove itself and start being profitable.

 

How would you describe your drumming style and stage presence?

 I spread my kit out, putting my cymbals farther apart than you might otherwise so that I create more space.  I’m also not a real technical type of drummer, I play more with the feel of the music than anything. Kind of like Picasso, his paintings aren’t impressive because they’re technical, but he still creates great art.

 

Candlelight Red has just finished its tour with Nonpoint and Digital Summer and will not be touring with Sevendust through the US.  For more dates check them out here.