Southern Goodness With Maylene and the Sons of Disaster

There's an old saying that one is American by birth, but Southern by the grace of God. In 2009, the South remains in vogue, musically-speaking. Maylene and the Sons of Disaster vocalist Dallas Taylor, who has the distinction of being the original singer of a little band you may have heard of called Underoath. The Birmingham, Alabama band is about unleash "III" via Ferret Music this summer and when prodded, Taylor told Noisecreep his top three things about being Southern. He said, "The hospitality is one. Being able to feel at home talking to a stranger and growing up saying 'Ma'am' and 'Sir.'" Taylor also stated that the "laid back life and letting the stress of daily life take a back seat while just enjoying life" is another of the things he likes about being from the South. Last, but certainly not least, the food is another reason Southern-ness reigns supreme. "Southern cooking and soul food is where it's at," Taylor said.

Southern-flavored rock started taking off in the metal scene about two years ago, with bands who weren't even from anywhere close to the region flavoring their screamy songs with guitar twang. Maylene, who definitely bring the ruckus in their music, don't think too much about it, though. Taylor said, "We take influences from so many different types of music. Being southern is a way of life and it's about where you came from and how you grew up, not the style of music you play. People just need to play from their hearts and be themselves and not try to follow in someone else's footsteps."

On "III," Maylene are playing from their big, bursting hearts and forge their own hellacious rawk path. "I think it's going to win over people, young and old," Taylor said. "It's a very honest record that I hope will connect with people in a way that they feel we're ordinary people like them, making the music they love."