Adam Dutkiewicz Refuses to Wear a Cape on Stage With Times of Grace

Comprised of guitarist-producer Adam Dutkiewicz and vocalist Jesse Leach, Times of Grace delivered one of this year's most compelling debut albums in 'The Hymn of a Broken Man.' Both first played together in Killswitch Engage, the wildly popular Roadrunner Records metal act they helped co-found together. Leach left that group after their breakthrough sophomore album, 'Alive or Just Breathing,' due to personal issues.

"I had my second back surgery in 2007 and that was around the time I started writing the Times of Grace album," Dutkiewicz tells Noisecreep. "So the record had been around for about three years before we released the material. We were just waiting on the right time." The wait was worth it. 'The Hymn of a Broken Man' is a layered, deeply moving collection of songs that finds the Massachusetts musicians delivering their most open and honest performances to date.

Since the album's release, Times of Grace has hit the road as part of the Illumina(tour) with Underoath. "The touring for this record has gone great. We've reached a lot of new people and played in front of some crowds that wouldn't have probably known about us. That's been a great thing since that was the entire idea behind going out and playing these shows. It's important that we introduce Times of Grace to everyone," says Dutkiewicz.

Besides Killswitch Engage and his outside production work [Unearth, As I Lay Dying], Dutkiewicz is also known for his lighthearted nature. The guitarist has even taken the stage in various funny costumes through the years. Noisecreep asked him if fans could expect that side of him on tour with Times of Grace. "Well, 'The Hymn of a Broken Man' is a much different record than anything I've done in the past. It's a very personal record for me since the way I wrote it. The lyrics stem from a lot of negative things that have happened in mine and Jesse's life in the last couple of years or so. It would be hard to jump onstage and perform these personal, heavy songs with a cape on [laughs]. I refuse to do it [laughs]. But yeah, we're still having a lot of fun on this tour and we're really enjoy playing these songs live. It's like being in a new band again."

Watch 'Willing' from Times of Grace

Noisecreep asked Dutkiewicz if his ongoing back issues stemmed from years of touring wear and tear. "It has mostly come down to bad genes. I was born with a bunch of health issues. As I get older, it gets worse. Doctors tell you to take it easy, but that's pretty much impossible when you tour as much as I do. They also tell you to exercise. I definitely try and do that as much as I can during the day. I actually just came back from a run. But yeah, my health issue is just something that I have to live and deal with."

"I just want to try and stay positive. I guess you can say that theme of the entire Times of Grace album is about that. Like I said earlier, both Jesse and I have had to deal with a lot of personal issues in the time leading up to the album and the songs on it. In particular, there's a song called 'Willing' that talks about staying positive. Playing the songs live has helped a lot."

Times of Grace's 'Hymn of a Broken Man' is available now via Roadrunner Records.

Tour dates:

08.09.2011 Rocket Town - Nashville, TN

08.10.2011 Orange Peel - Asheville, NC

08.11.2011 The National - Richmond, VA

08.12.2011 Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH

08.13.2011 Birch Run Expo Center - Birch Run, MI

09.10.2011 Firebird Raceway - Chandler, AZ

09.24.2011 RNA Showgrounds - Brisbane, Australia

09.25.2011 Old Kings Park & Surrounds - Sydney, Australia

09.30.2011 Tabcorp Park - Melbourne, Australia

10.01.2011 Adelaide Showground - Adelaide, Australia