They put us out there in front of a really large audience, it was a great experience. I am very thankful for the opportunity we had when we were on Atlantic Records. Mike Dewolf-I’m grateful, happy, and lucky that those albums keep us going and keep us doing what we do. When you look back on those albums now how do you feel about the success you had with them? Now in that time you guys had your share of success with your major label debut Gift in 2000 and Welcome in 2002. If you get knocked 8 times you get up 9, we never back down.Ĭ-That has definitely shown because you guys are still around. There has been lots of peaks and valleys throughout the years. We all understand that and we do whatever we need to make that happen. Mike Dewolf-Any number of things but at the root of it all is we love music and we want to play music, that’s what we do. Tell me what the key to keeping the band going now for the better part of 16 years? Recently we sat down with guitarist Mike DeWolf for a in depth look into the key to longevity, managing success, and the future of Taproot.Ĭ– Taproot has stood the test of time now plugging away since 1997. Together now for the better part of 16 years the guys are still going and writing some of the best music of their career. Flying high from their major success early on Taproot matured over the years weathering the ups and downs of a rock n roll band. The lead single off the album “Poem” was a massive rock hit in various rock formats and to this day still spun on rock radio. Two years later the band followed up with their popular album Welcome. Rating: 2/5 :( (plus one half point in mind for the effort to evolve.Taproot roared onto the nu-metal scene in 2000 with their critically acclaimed debut album Gift. Suggestions (or songs I liked): Poem, Art Im pretty disappointed, as I still like to listen to 'Gift' every now and then. It sounds like a bad 'Make yourself' copy, without a real own unique sound. Normally, I know the lyrics to a song inside out after hearing it about 3 or 4 times. But could not remember one melody of the song, or much worse: one part of the lyrics. Before thinking about doing this review, I tried to remember what songs are on that record. I enjoyed 'Gift', but this a weak record. But on 'Welcome' there is little to no chance to recognise a song by the sound of the vocals IMO. No real variations, what is not that bad if you make music like Hatebreed for example. He sounds pretty much the same all the time. The instruments are not that bad, but Steven Richards vocals are somehow.boring. Or worse, Hoobastank (meaning a copy of a copy). About 95% of the time I'm reminded of Incubus. The downside this is, that this record sounds like a copy of 'Make yourself'. And in that special way, 'Welcome' is a good record. And to be honest: I'm always happy when a band tries something new. Like I mentioned before, the use of strings on 'Art' is not bad either. (Best example: Killswitch engage- Alive or just breathing?) And on some songs on this record, it is done not bad. Generally, I'm a fan of screamed and shouted vocals with melodic vocals. 'Art' has an interesting chorus, which I realy like, as well as experiments with string arrangements. 'Poem' is nothing special, but a solid headbanger. If it wasn't for the voice of Richards, the songs could be mistaken for songs of the bands mentioned above. The heaviness and their own sound has been gone. But this seems like a pathetic attempt to be like them. After that, I'm reminded of Incubus' 'Make yourself' or Hoobastanks 'Self-titled' albums.ĭon't get me wrong, I kinda like both bands. But only for the first couple of seconds. Some songs still remind one of the old days of 'Gift', like 'Myself', 'Fault' or 'Sometimes'. Very early it get's clear that Taproot try to explore different musical territories. no more screaming and shouting (which does not have to be negative). Ok, this was the voice of Stephen Richards, but. Why not?"Īfter listening to the record the first time, I was kinda confused. I heard the first single 'Poem', and thought "Different style, but not bad. I enjoyed 'Gift' actually, but 'Welcome' was pretty poor to me.