The word “DEFAULT” has a lot of different meanings, but when it comes to the Canadian rock sensation from Vancouver, Canada — it should mean that their music is pre-selected automatically, without reverting to any other options. That has been the case with many radio stations & fans across the continent, because the group’s guitar-driven riffs & superb melodies are widely received on the airwaves today. Initially formed in 1999, & assisted into the “musical mainstream” by Nickelback front man, Chad Kroeger – Default has successfully released four albums, & built themselves a SOLID FOUNDATION on both the Canadian & American charts.

In 2008, the band’s career experienced an unwelcomed interlude when their label “TVT Records” filed for bankruptcy. Their fourth record (Comes & Goes) would later be released with EMI Canada, proving to be an arduous task, but a fulfilling partnership. The band is FINALLY getting the support & recognition that they so richly deserve, & although FOUR YEARS is a long time to wait for new material…Default’s music speaks for itself! Their no-nonsense & timeless approach to “radio rock” is a paradigm of what many bands try to accomplish.

I had the opportunity to catch up with Dallas Smith (lead vocalist) to talk about the group’s latest release, what they’ve learned throughout their changing role in the music industry, as well as their twenty-date Canadian tour with “Three Days Grace” & “The Used”. Funny & extremely approachable, Dallas & I had a fantastic time discussing everything that encompasses Default…from the good, to the bad…even golf balls & praying mantises.

Boe: The first question I’m gonna’ ask is…how did you come by the name “Default”?

Dallas Smith: We were originally called “The Fallout”…which we ended up calling the first record that. But, ah…it was just like brainstorming…just came up with a bunch of names, & I think Jeremy came up with that one. Not that there’s any real story behind the name, except for that. That’s pretty much it. We just went, “Ah…sure, that works.” (LAUGHS)

Boe: What’s the best aspect about being a Canadian based band?

Dallas Smith: Basically, in our home country, we get an advantage…radio-wise.

Boe: So, who are the band’s influences?

Dallas Smith: Ah…we all have different influences. But they were all essentially like Beatles, Zeppelin…growing up, you know, listening to Pearl Jam…Alice In Chains & Soundgarden. Those kind of bands we all like, collectively. So, we find that “medium ground” in there & then just individually add our own style…something we like to bring into that.

Boe: Sometimes you guys are classified as being “post grunge”.

Dallas Smith: Yeah. We consider ourselves more “classic rock” based. Um…we’re not afraid to have guitar solos. And, you know…I mean, of course I listened to grunge & stuff like that…when I was younger. But basically, you know, the Pearl Jams & stuff like that…a lot of it is classic rock based anyways. Maybe, we take more after the “classic rock” sort of structure of songs…& enjoy melody.

Boe: What inspired the four of you to make music together? How did you come to find one another?

Dallas Smith: I went to high school with Jeremy & Danny, the guitar player & drummer…&, ah…they were in an old band that I used to go check out & watch. We were friends & stuff…used to drink after the shows, &…me & Jeremy used to joke about forming our own band, cause he wasn’t happy where he was. So, Jeremy left the band…Danny went with him…&, um…we just started writing songs, & that was it! A year later we had a record deal.

Boe: WOW! And, uh…working with Chad Kroeger…that was a real “BIG” blessing in the band’s career, because he was able to give you a lot of input on those first two albums.

Dallas Smith: Chad’s just such a great songwriter. When we first worked with Chad, he was still playing small clubs…um…so, I mean, Nickelback was not “Nickelback” at that time. But he had radio-play in Vancouver & across Canada a bit, & we knew who he was, & we liked what he was doin’. So…yeah, he just came in & helped us write some of the songs, & produced our first little “demo stuff” that we ended up shuffling around to get the deal.

Boe: All your albums…all four of the albums, have been just brilliant.

Dallas Smith: Thank you, very much. Appreciate it.

Boe: You’ve received extensive radio-play, even before “OFFICIAL” album releases. What do you think it is about your music that appeals to radio stations & their listeners?

Dallas Smith: Well, I don’t know…we’re understanding that the “radio structure” is…I mean, you can’t be writing four minute songs…four or five minute, six minute songs…you just can’t be doin’ that if you wanna’ be on radio. We are a radio band. Um…but we just kept the sound consistent, & when they hear a Default record’s comin’ out, they know what to expect…um…as far as “sonically”. And, you know, just doin’ acoustic stuff for radio stations & doin’ all the interviews & stuff like that, um…all the requests the DJs put out. I think we’ve developed a lot of fans, actually, hitting radio stations. Really, right from the very beginning, that was one of the things Chad mentioned to us…“You never know when you’re gonna’ need somebody, so NEVER EVER burn a bridge.” So, you know…we’ve just been easy going, trying to accommodate the radio stations, & thanking them for puttin’ our songs out…& I think it paid off over our career.

Boe: Yeah, & “approachability” too. You’ve gotta’ have that element of approachability. Cause I’ve heard of bands coming out that are cover bands or new bands, & they have all this attitude…& it’s pretty much a steadfast way to kill your career before it’s even started. (LAUGHS)

Dallas Smith: Well, yeah. I’ve come across bands like that, & yeah…they’re “ROCKSTARS” before they have any taste of success. And, yeah…it ends up killin’ em. You know what??? Go ahead…it’s more room for us. They can all be d*cks, I don’t care. (LAUGHS)

“WE ARE A RADIO BAND.”

Boe: Yep, for sure! Now, this album…you had some challenges with it, when it came to the releasing of it…with the bankruptcy of “TVT Records”. Do you feel it built more anticipation amongst your fans, because they were waiting for something new from Default?

Dallas Smith: Ah…yeah. But it was so long, that I think we’ve fallen off a lot of our old fans radar a little bit. And, you know, people’s musical tastes……I mean, FOUR YEARS is a long time between records. I know my musical taste is quite a bit different from what it was four years ago. Bands that I used to love, I don’t really listen to anymore. So, it had just fallen off a lot of people’s radar. Um…yes, the diehard fans that have been waiting, & waiting, & waiting – YES, the anticipation was there. But, I think, it still was detrimental to us as a whole…in the end. BUT, the whole situation was that we hated the label we were on…hated em…hated em. We did not get much attention…ah…we knew how much money they were putting into promo & stuff, & it just was not adequate…& we were not getting a fair “kick at the can”, right? So the tradeoff was, with this four year wait, we actually get to land on a label that…you know, the president is very “hands on” & he’s a huge fan of the band…ah, so that’s the tradeoff. So I think in the end, with promotion & stuff, I think we’ll be able to gain back a lot of fans &…you know, hopefully get some new fans as well.

Boe: Especially with this tour, with Three Days Grace.

Dallas Smith: Oh, yeah! You’re playin’ in front of a lot of people across Canada.

Boe: Yeah. So, the main themes I hear in your music are “Love & Relationships”, “Heartbreak/Loss”…“Triumph Over Adversity”. Do these elements come from personal experience?

Dallas Smith: Ah…some of them do, some of them don’t. I mean, some songs just start off…& then they end up developing into what they are. But, there are a couple songs. Well, there’s one song that I wrote for my son…um…about his mom’s & my divorce. I wrote it while it was happening, & I wanted something he could listen back to ten/fifteen years from now…& kind of understand what was going on a little bit. And, ah…there’s a couple like “Show Me”, & I think it’s called…it used to be called just “Forever”, but it’s called “Supposed To Be” – they’re definitely not break-up songs or heartache songs, they’re more on a positive aspect of meeting somebody & falling in love.

Boe: Um hmm, yeah…that “triumph” sort of thing.

Dallas Smith: Yeah, yeah…exactly.

Boe: So, the song you were referring to…that’s “Caught In The Moment”, right?

Dallas Smith: Yep.

Boe: You know what? That is actually my favorite off of the album, & I specifically was set out to ask you that tonight…about that song, & where that very striking personal message came from. It really touched me…moved me very deeply, when I heard it for the first time.

Dallas Smith: Yeah. Honestly, I can’t listen to it & I probably won’t ever play it. Um, it’s obviously…it’s the most personal song…that I’ve ever been a part of. So yeah, I mean, even our bass player…he said to me, “Dallas, I can’t even listen to this song. Like, I can’t even do it.” I know…I can’t do it either. Hopefully, anybody in that situation…I don’t know if it can be used as something they can play to their kids later, but that one is a very personal song…& I probably won’t ever play it.

Boe: I think it’s good that you are able to take that very personal side & put it on an album. Not everybody could do that.

Dallas Smith: Yes.

Boe: Next question…where’d the idea come from for the video “All Over Me”?

Dallas Smith: It’s actually directed by our drummer’s brother-in-law. He’s a filmmaker in Utah, & he put forward this treatment for the video, using all the explosions & everything from that movie “Bitch Slap”. Ah…we thought it was very interesting. He’s put forward treatments before, & we’ve never really gone out on a limb & used somebody that doesn’t do strictly music videos. It’s his first music video…he’s never done em. It makes it a little more cinematic, & our next video “A Little Too Late” will be serviced…I think…in a couple weeks. It’s very cinematic, as well.

Boe: So, is it going to be the “continuance” of the story?

Dallas Smith: It is. It’s the same girl in the video. Um…storyline doesn’t really, between the two songs…it doesn’t really line up. But, we use the same girl, & it continues on. At the end of “All Over Me”, where we’re driving into the city…the first bit of “Little Too Late” is gonna’ be me singing to her, continuing on in the car…same car. The story continues on from there. There’s no more explosions. (LAUGHS) That’s it for the explosions…yep.

Boe: Yeah, well…I seen you doin’ those military-rolls & I was thinking, “Gawd! I hope he had a mat under him or something.” (LAUGHS)

Dallas Smith: Well, yeah…I did. But, the funny thing was…um…there was a stunt guy there, & he showed me how to do the roll, & I did it a couple times. Well, the one time I did it, I rolled…& I came face-to-face with a praying mantis right on the mat! (LAUGHS) I nearly wet myself. I hate those things…I hate em! Don’t know what it is about them…I can’t stand them. I just…I scream like a little girl, I’m sure.

Boe: (LAUGHS) You know…it’d be a little bit shocking, wouldn’t it?!?

Dallas Smith: Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that at all. (LAUGHS)

Boe: Well, it looked brilliant on the film…it looked awesome!

Dallas Smith: Yeah.

Boe: Default has one of the most naturally flowing lyrical styles. Is it a combined effort when you write the lyrics, or who’s responsible for writing most of them?

Dallas Smith: Well…for the last few records it’s been me, & I’ve been going down to L.A. to work with a guy named Marti Frederiksen. He’s done a lot of work with Steven Tyler, & um…a lot of other bands. Lyrically & melodically…he’s very, very gifted…&, ah…I come in with a song idea, or I come in with nothing…by the end of the day, we’ve got three great songs banged off. He’s just a really great guy to work with, & he’s pretty much our “secret weapon”, as far as writing. And, ah…we used a guy named Zack Maloy from a band called ‘The Nixons’, back in the nineties. He’s been doing a lot of outside writing, so Jeremy & I went down there & wrote some songs with him. You know, lyrically, I think it’s very important to collaborate. I mean…music, in general, I think it’s a great idea to collaborate – because, as a band, you can become stale. But, if you can always inject that little bit of different…ah…view, & different approach to songs…yeah, I think it’s a great thing to use…outside writers. Bands, nowadays…you have to own the majority of your songs to make any money through publishing. But, um…I still think it’s very important to have somebody else in the mix, as well.

Boe: Um hmm, &…I don’t know, I would think that lyrics would be the hardest part.

Dallas Smith: It’s pretty tough. I mean…not only storyline, but it has to sing well too. Just like, ah…all the technical use of vowels & what sounds good coming out of your mouth. You can sing certain words & have it sound “natural” & some people can’t sing the same words. I find that a lot, with different artists & stuff. I try to sing something & it just doesn’t “flow” right for me…you know? So, you just kinda’ have to learn your own style…& it’s the same thing with the writers too. They have to kinda’ know what you’re doing, & know what your weaknesses are, & know what your strengths are.

Boe: Absolutely!

Dallas Smith: It has to sing very well. And that’s another thing Chad taught us, too…is it has to have that “singability”. It has to have that nice flow, roll off your tongue…so it doesn’t sound awkward, right?

“Lyrically, I think it’s very important

to collaborate.” – Dallas Smith

Boe: Yeah. I (very much) hear that in your music. So, whatever this guy is doin’ – it just naturally melds with your voice.

Dallas Smith: Yeah. I mean, him & I…we’re just spittin’ out words, & he knows what words to avoid with me. So, we just sit down & bang songs together.

Boe: Well, that’s awesome. So, what are some of the hobbies of the band members?

Dallas Smith: (UNINSPIRED) Golf.

Boe: Golf??? (STRIKINGLY INQUISITIVE)

Dallas Smith: Golf…we golf a lot, yeah.

Boe: All of you…all four of you? (AGAIN, SURPRISINGLY INQUISITIVE)

Dallas Smith: No, not really. (BOTH LAUGH) Just me & Jeremy do…the guitar player.

Boe: Okay. I was gonna’ ask, “Do your hobbies help to inspire your music?”

Dallas Smith: Aahhh…no. My hobby really just gets my frustrations out on the music business, actually. Go hammer balls around…that’s pretty much it.

Boe: What’s surprised you most about the music industry?

Dallas Smith: Um…I don’t really know. We came out of the gate & had a lot of success, right away. So…we got all the good stuff. But now, over the last couple records, you realize just how tough it is out there…how much competition there is out there. And you can have some great stuff, & it just might not get on the radio, or get to people…you know? It’s very tough…very tough. So, that’s been the one thing that we’ve learned over the last three, four…five years.

Boe: Do you think that’s been your biggest challenge, as a band?

Dallas Smith: I think, just generally, getting off that label. That was our biggest challenge as a band.

Boe: And the face of music is changing, you know? With the internet…just the way that songs can be recorded & the way that they can be distributed.

Dallas Smith: There’s always gonna’ be records, but…it’s gonna’ come to the point, where it’ll be like “The Fifties”. Where, you know…The Beatles put out a single, or Elvis put out singles. That’s just the way it’s gonna’ be eventually. And, I think, you’ll find bands just releasing songs…just like maybe two, three…maybe even just ONE at a time. They’ll just continuously have these new songs come out, instead of there being a waiting period while they record. I think, that’s the way it’s gonna’ be. The “ALBUM” is, unfortunately, dead. There’s been too many records, & too many artists that have a record coming out, & it’s got one or two good songs on it…& the rest is just crap. I think people have picked up on that, & they’ve just stopped buying records. You know, I find the same thing with a bunch of bands. I will just buy the single that I like on “iTunes”, cause I’ve lost faith in the tangibility to write great records…for the most part. There’s the odd few that do.

Boe: Well, you know what? That’s just it. I think you guys have had a pretty good “stronghold”. You know, you’ve had four successful albums. Nowadays, we’re living in a music industry where it’s…a lot of times, like you say…a “Flavor of the Month”. So, to even come out with four solid albums…that are getting radio-play…I think, that is an accomplishment in itself.

Dallas Smith: Well, we didn’t even think we would be here at this point…that’s for sure.

Boe: So, let’s talk about the tour with “Three Days Grace”.

Dallas Smith: We haven’t started it, yet. It starts, I think, the 16^th…& Victoria’s the first show. We’re just lookin’ forward to playin’ these big places, & gettin’ our music out to a lot of people, & playin’ in front of a lot of people, & gettin’ back on the bus. It’s a lot of fun. It’s pretty tough being away for that long, but it’s definitely got its “perks”.

“We’ve always been a band that prides

itself on sounding like THE RECORD.”

Boe: What can fans expect from Default, if they’re seeing you “LIVE” for the first time?

Dallas Smith: Ah…we use our albums as an advertisement for the live show. We’ve always been a band that prides itself on “sounding like the record”. So, you won’t be disappointed sonically. We pull off all the stuff “LIVE”, as best as we can. Um…you know, we just try to be a straight-ahead rock band. We try to bring energy, & just have a good time…& let everybody else have a good time too. We’re not pretentious. We don’t stand up there & go, “Oh, my Gawd…you guys are blessed to hear us!” (LAUGHS) But, we try to be entertaining.

Boe: What’s your biggest “Pet Peeve” about bein’ on the road?

Dallas Smith: Bein’ away from home…just the “family” & stuff. It’s pretty tough.

Boe: It’s twenty dates, right?

Dallas Smith: Well, it’s gonna’ be 43 days away from home…yeah.

Boe: Yeah, that would be very difficult.

Dallas Smith: Yep. But, like I said, it does have its perks. It’s a lot of fun! You know, you do what you gotta’ do. Going out for 43 days…allows me to be at home for a month, or a couple months…or in between records, I’m home for six months. So, it’s definitely a tradeoff.

Boe: For sure. Have you ever had an “awkward moment” on stage, as a group…that you’d be willing to talk about?

Dallas Smith: Ah, well… (LAUGHS) Jeremy got a golf ball thrown at him once. (STILL LAUGHING) And then, ah…you know, just stuff going wrong. Like some of the equipment going down & you’re just standing there going, “Okay…awesome.”

Boe: How do you deal with it?

Dallas Smith: Ah…it depends on what goes down. I mean, if it’s something like the guitar amp goes down, you just try to continue playing it on…& hopefully they can get the amp back on, right away. But sometimes you just have to completely stop, & then it’s a little awkward.

Boe: Can you tell jokes? (LAUGHS)

Dallas Smith: Yeah…no. “Please tip your server.” (BOTH LAUGHING)

Boe: So, do you have any advice for young bands trying to break into the music scene?

Dallas Smith: Um…don’t worry too much about your image, just concentrate on the songs. That’s what it comes down to. People don’t care what you look like. If you write a song that they wanna’ hear, they’ll like the band. A lot of bands, they just try too much on the image…& who cares?!? Really, that should come last. You have to look the part, but…you know, you gotta’ make sure you sound the part as well. That’s what it is. It’s music business, not the cover of “Vogue” or somethin’.

Boe: Yeah. It’s good to be “polished”, but to an extent.

Dallas Smith: Yeah, well…there’s a time when that comes into play, right? Just concentrate more on the songs & be into that.

Boe: And that’s what you guys tend to do?

Dallas Smith: Yep. Rewrite & rewrite.

Boe: Yeah…I hear ya’ about rewritin’ & rewritin’. Story of my life!?! (BOTH LAUGH) Do you guys have a favorite track off the new album?

Dallas Smith: I like the song called “Show Me”. I really like that one a lot. Um…favorite song “LIVE” to play is probably the first song on the record. I love playin’ that one.

Boe: How do you think you’ve evolved, as a band, since the release of your first album?

Dallas Smith: We’ve just become better at what we do. I mean, that’s just strictly it. You’re not supposed to get worse, right? So…better singer, better guitar player…you know, able to write better songs. Hopefully, that’s the case. And that’s pretty much what we’ve done, I think.

Boe: Where did you guys do a majority of your recording?

Dallas Smith: Down in L.A. – on the last couple records.

Boe: So, you guys use an actual “in studio” process?

Dallas Smith: Well, yeah. We use the Jim Henson Studios for drums, & then we actually record at Bob Marlette’s house. He’s got a studio in his house. It’s pretty low-key. I can do vocal takes, & jump in the pool, & then come back. You know…some of the vocal takes I did, I was still drippin’ on a towel with my shorts on. Pretty tough life! (LAUGHS)

Boe: Well, a lot of these musicians now…they’ve got in-home studios. I just talked to Kim Mitchell not too long ago, & he was tellin’ me that his whole last album was done via the internet. Um…they laid tracks down, emailed them back & forth, & just used their in-home studios until the album was completed.

Dallas Smith: Yep. That’s the technology now. There’s no need for big studios. The only thing you can’t really replicate is micing drums, & a lot of people still use drum rooms in studios. But, the studio itself, it costs too much money…& there’s just no need. The technology’s there, where everything’s compact & recorded at home.

Upon watching Default from the frontlines, I can assure you that they ARE every bit of what they promise to be during their “LIVE SHOW”. Their synergy is boundless…from Dave Benedict’s boot-stompin’, dread-floppin’ bass routine to Jeremy Hora’s grounded (yet aggressive) rhythm on lead guitar. Danny Craig completes the musical foundation with his concrete drumming style, so that Dallas Smith can entice the audience with well-structured vocal expression. Default achieves a RICH & HARMONIOUS blend of “rock energy” – something that I definitely would not consider to be post-grunge. The only complaint, in Regina, was that the group’s set list was NOT long enough. What an outstanding compliment, when you’re the opener for a high-calibre act like “Three Days Grace”.

Default’s perseverance in the music world, & embodiment to deliver ONLY straightforward, honest rock & roll, is what has kept their name alive & well – even after a four year hiatus. But, those aren’t the only two factors to consider. The group’s willingness to work with media, radio, & support community efforts gives them incredible substance as well. On December 18^th, they headlined a “Toy Drive” Charity Concert hosted by Rock95 – KoolFM in Barrie, Ontario. This past May, they found themselves playing a gig in South Korea…honoring American troops stationed there.

In 2002, Default received a Juno Award for “Best New Group”. As a follow-up to that, their first album (The Fallout) was certified platinum in the United States in 2003. The band’s “traditionally modern” approach to making catchy, chorus-friendly songs will keep them in airplay for the long term. Whether they have to take an “unwanted” break or not, it’ll be irrelevant…because you can always trust these guys to resurface with a genuine form of rock music which will keep fans flocking to the stage.