The Devil Makes Three - Peter Bernhard inteview with Root Down In The Shadow

The Devil Makes Three give new meaning to the phrase "tour machine" after a fall tour with Brown Bird, they jump back out on the road for a run of dates with Flogging Molly.  They're supporting their newest LP, Stomp and Smash, a live release recorded over two sold out nights in Petaluma, Ca.

The Devil Makes Three -  'Black Irish' from phishbeard's YouTube channel


I had the opportunity to check in with Pete Bernhard of The Devil Makes Three to pick his brain on the band's music and background, and also a few questions about the scene.  I caught up with him en route to NYC for the first show at the famed Hammerstein Ballroom. 

I'm relatively new to the Devil Makes Three phenomena, but I've been hooked like a fish with a barb through the gills.  After letting a brief fan-boy moment slip out, thanking the band for being awesome and also tweeting my review in December, we got down to business regarding all things Devil Makes Three and what to expect for Thursday's show at the Note in West Chester, Pa (Philly area).

ROOT DOWN IN THE SHADOW: Is this your first time through Philly?
PETER BERNHARD: We've been through several times.  Played a bunch of places, most recently Johnny Brenda's last July!  We're looking forward to a bigger crowd at the Note, and are hoping to go larger in Philly the next time through.


ROOT DOWN:  You toured throughout the fall with Brown Bird, and a few shows on this tour including this Thursday, what attracts The Devil Makes Three to Brown Bird?
PETER BERNHARD:  We played a show together in Boston, and really we've become friends and like the way each other sounds. We're excited to play with them again tomorrow and are hoping they will join us for some tunes!


RD.  Brown Bird seems to have some central themes to their music, notably working hard and not being pious.  The anti-"holier than thou" themes come through on TDM3 songs, 'Call That Religion', 'Tow', and 'Help Yourself'', even taking it a step further with "Do Wrong Right."  Is this a connection between the bands?
PB:  That does come through on those songs and the Mississippi Sheiks cover 'Call That Religion', but it's not an over arching them.  Our main focus is telling a really good story.

http://www.thedevilmakesthree.com/photos.php

ROOT DOWN:  Ok, no themes... how 'bout if you had to make a crest what would be on it?

PETER BERNHARD:  We actually have one!  It's got Roosters holding machine guns with a shield and some daggers!




RD: Looking back through the band time line, ‘02 saw the release of The Devil Makes Three on Monkey Wrench, and '03 yielded Long Johns, Boots and a Belt, self released.  What was going on in the next three years before ‘06 A Little Bit Faster and a Little Bit Worse, self released?

PB:  Lot of touring, maybe too much touring prevents us from putting anything out.


ROOT DOWN:  Was there any impetus for the bands growth after that?  It seems like there have been some great things going on for the band with starting in ‘09 with Do Wrong Right on Milan Records and your KEXP Studio session in ‘09, followed by the Daytrotter session in '10 and your most recent release Stomp and Smash?

PETER BERNHARD:  Mainly just tour and gain interest.

RD:  Newport Folk Festival has been a catalyst for the David Wax Museum and Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, how has that effected the Devil Makes Three?
PB: Newport was the first big festival in the North East for us and has been a huge help.  It definitely changed the way we tour!


ROOT DOWN:  Speaking of Newport Folk Festival, did you get to catch any of the shows?
PETER BERNHARD:  I caught, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, Brown Bird, Wanda Jackson, some of Gogol Bordello.  As much as possible really.


RD:  Seeing Telluride Bluegrass Festival sell out so quickly and Newport Folk Festival nearly sold out; do you feel the broader musical scene has awoken to these folks styles?
PB:  I think Telluride is one that did typically sell out, but it's a testament to how these shows are selling out so fast.  The scene is growing quickly.  There is a lot bigger acceptance to these types of bands.  Hardly Strictly in San Francisco was immense, although a free show would attract more.  There were over ten thousand people, the largest show for the Devil Makes Three yet.



ROOT DOWN: Stomp & Smash released in early fall on Milan Records.  Playing in support of a live album, do you tend to stick to that set list?
PETER BERNHARD: Recording the album we nearly stuck to the set list of those nights with many songs coming back to back lifted straight from the show.   As far as live, we don't feel stuck to that set list.  We're certainly not married to it.



RD: This was your second live album now, how was it recording the shows and mastering the album?
PB: Recording the album was an undertaking, but went really smoothly.  It's nothing like recording a studio record.  You're stuck with what you had, rather than re-recording several takes.


ROOT DOWN:  Any plans for an anniversary show now that a decade of the Devil Makes Three has passed?
PETER BERNHARD:  Hadn't thought of that yet.  Great idea we need to think about that!


RD:  What can fans expect from a Devil Makes Three live show?
PB:  Certainly what we're hoping for, but maybe not to expect is some collaborations with other musicians.  We love to have people up on stage with us!

ROOT DOWN:  Thanks for the interview, can't wait until tomorrow night!

Before you head out for this Thursday's show @ The Note in West Chester, check out the locked harmonies and chugging brilliance of their live version of "This Life" and marvel at their consistently tight harmonies on "Do Wrong Right."

For more info head to thedevilmakesthree.com