About this interview
In a 2009 interview with Ryan Minic of Ryan’s Rock Show, DevilDriver guitarist Mike Spreitzer dives into everything from UFO sightings and touring mayhem to the realities of being in a metal band in the late 2000s. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the band’s intense recording process, relentless touring, and Mike’s personal journey from Santa Barbara to Southern California’s surf scene.
The interview kicks off with Mike sharing wild stories from the road—most notably two UFO encounters. One happened during Ozzfest 2004, where the entire second stage camp watched mysterious synchronized lights in the sky. Another was during a road trip home from a tour with Opeth, when his drummer, a notorious skeptic, spotted a flying saucer hovering just off the freeway in Northern Florida. Mike missed it by mere seconds and still kicks himself for not staying in the front seat longer.
From there, the conversation shifts to DevilDriver’s die-hard fan base, with Mike reflecting on the intense loyalty of fans across the globe—like the guy in Scotland who broke his femur at a show, but still comes back every time, now sporting a massive DevilDriver tattoo. The band’s ability to get a circle pit going in San Diego without even playing a note underscores the raw energy they bring, night after night.
Mike details the band’s writing and recording process, explaining how he handles pre-production in his home studio, cutting the fat from riffs during long car rides to his girlfriend’s place. Once the music’s dialed in, Dez Fafara takes over to craft lyrics, resulting in a streamlined studio process that typically wraps recording in about three weeks.
He also talks about the band members moving away from their Santa Barbara roots. Mike now lives in Torrance, close to the beach for surfing and kiteboarding, while Dez is near Temecula and other members are spread across the country—even as far as Albany, New York.
The conversation hits a nostalgic note when they talk about the Santa Barbara metal scene of the early 2000s, with bands like Pressure 4-5 and Snot. Mike recalls his college days at UCSB, where the girls were stunning, but metalheads like him didn’t stand a chance against the frat boys.
As they discuss the evolution of metal, Mike shares how he was reinvigorated by bands like Opeth, In Flames, and At the Gates, moving away from the nu-metal era when solos and melodic riffs weren’t cool. He praises Mastodon, Lamb of God, and Gojira, while acknowledging that American metal still has fewer standouts compared to its Swedish and Norwegian counterparts.
When it comes to marketing and PR, Mike acknowledges its role in DevilDriver’s success. From magazine covers to the impact of Guitar Hero on DragonForce, visibility matters. Yet, he credits much of their global following—like playing to 1,000 rabid fans in Moscow—to the internet and word of mouth, even if file sharing has impacted record sales.