DARK BELOW – A CONVERSATION WITH JOSH CAMPBELL
Josh Campbell is the audacious vocalist and guitarist for the hard hitting Missouri power trio, Dark Below. Besides Campbell, the band is comprised of Josh Grove (Bass/Backing Vocals) and Quin Koldan (Drums). Dark Below just released their new single, “Hate Being Human” which delivers a powerful jolt of thunderous music. The song was produced by Malcolm Springer (Matchbox 20, Collective Soul, Fear Factory) and Jason Schrick for JPS Productions at East Iris Studios in Nashville. Noted music manager Jeff Hanson (Creed, Alter Bridge, Paramore, Sevendust) has joined the team to help take the band to the next level.
The band has previously released their self-titled EP in 2017, and the single “Halo” in 2019. They have toured for the past 5 years, opening for Buckcherry, Saliva, Pop Evil, Smile Empty Soul, The Veer Union, and more. 2022 has seen the band rise on the national stage with the release of ‘Tense’, which was supported with playlist placements on Spotify and Apple Music, and charted Top 20 on the BDS Rock indicator chart, and Top 10 on the SMR Active Rock chart.
Both “Hate Being Human” and “Tense” showcase the dynamic direction Dark Below is fostering. The songs are aggressive and full of pulverizing energy. Campbell’s vocals are dramatically intense and his guitar wails with destructive riffs. Grove’s bass lays down a supersized groove and Koldan’s drums hit like sonic grenades The band is firing on all cylinders.. A full length album is scheduled with a release date sometime in the first quarter of 2023.
Josh Campbell was kind enough to give AMP this awesome interview.
AMP: Can you give the AMP readers a brief history of the band?
JOSH: The band started from a Craigslist post I did about ten years ago. We messed around Missouri for a while but things are getting serious now. We have a new production team, JPS Productions. Our new producers, Malcolm Springer and Jason Schrick are based in Nashville. We took a bit of a hiatus but since we have been working on our new material, it’s been picking up.
AMP: How would you describe your sound to someone who’d never heard you before?
JOSH: Aggressive hard rock. As far as bands go, people are always referencing Breaking Benjamin and Chevelle and similar sounding bands. I just say it’s hard rock.
AMP: Describe the band’s creative process?
JOSH: It used to start with some guitar riff I that I’ve written. The newer music is definitely a team collaboration between us and our producers. Jason and Malcolm are outstanding songwriters. We go into the studio with some ideas, maybe a riff or two, and we start from there. Then the team builds on that.
AMP: Your new single, “Hate Being Human”, has some serious connotations. What was the impetus for the song?
JOSH: It ‘s just seeing the things people do. It’s unfortunate but humans do some crappy stuff to each other on a regular basis. Just turn on the TV. I really don’t hate being human. We are what we are. It’s frustrating the shit you see. We can do better.
AMP: “Hate Being Human” was produced by Malcolm Springer and Jason Schrick. How was that experience?
JOSH: The first time we worked with them was in 2015. Back then, I can honestly say it was scary. We didn’t know what the hell we were doing! The two of them worked with some impressive artists. We learned a lot because we were just thrown in the fire. You kind of find out what you are made of. Currently we are more comfortable in the studio. Also, just watching Jason and Malcolm work is an experience. It’s now less stress, more fun.
AMP: You’ve added noted manager, Jeff Hanson, to your team. How did that come about?
JOSH: It basically came through Malcolm. Jeff is his manager also. Malcolm introduced us to Jeff and he liked our sound. We have been working together for a while.
AMP: Who is the one artist, past or present, you would love to support?
JOSH: For me it probably be Ten Years. They’re my favorite band. I’ve always been a fan of their music and everytime I see them live, they blow me away. Their live performances are simply incredible. Everything is perfect.
AMP: On a more personal note, when did you realize you wanted to be a musician?
JOSH: I started playing when I was 11 but at that time I thought I was going to be an NFL quarterback. It took a few more years before that dream to die. So around 14-15 I started to put all my efforts into music.
AMP: What is your favorite activity outside of music?
JOSH: Like i mentioned, I’m a big football fan but I play a lot of video games with my friends and the guys in the band. Football and video games keep me occupied when I’m not engrossed in music
AMP: What’s next for Dark Below?
JOSH: Hopefully playing a bunch of shows. Next year we will be supporting Scotty Austin from Saving Abel. He’s doing his own thing now, Playing shows is our main objective. Now that we are releasing new music at the level we want to, we need to put ourselves out there.
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To learn more about Dark Below, check out their website
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