No one can accuse Seether of being lazy. Monday’s Lazer 103.3 Halloweenie Roast is one of 300 shows the South African band is on course to play this year.
“We’ve always been a hard-working band, but I’d say this is the most touring we’ve done in a while,” bassist Dale Stewart said during a phone interview. “We’re looking forward to Christmas break when we can catch our breath.”
Seether has been going pretty much nonstop since the release of “Disclaimer” in 2002. The band’s early introduction to touring in America came as it traveled with Ozzfest that year. Stewart called the band “naive and green” in those days, partying hard and adjusting to life on the road.
“We were just kind of thrown in the deep end,” Stewart said. “It was crazy, and we started drinking a lot trying to cope. There are pretty large chunks of my 20s I don’t remember. It was a crazy, giant party. I have some fond memories.”
Recently the band returned to South Africa for its first tour there in years. Stewart said the homecoming resulted in lots of reunions with family and friends. He said the support in their home country, which wasn’t always there, left the group feeling very patriotic.
Seether’s most recent album, “Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray,” saw the band transition from a four-piece to a three-piece. Lead guitarist Troy McLawhorn left Seether to rejoin Evanescence after recording the album. Rather than replace McLawhorn, vocalist Shaun Morgan took over playing lead guitar and the group carried on as a trio.
“I think we prefer it; we started as a three-piece,” Stewart said. “I don’t think we’re lacking anything sonically, and it’s more fun on stage. We have more freedom if we want to break into a jam or whatever. The three of us have played together for so long that we don’t need to incorporate another guy. It’s just the three amigos.”
There was a four-year gap between “Holding Onto Strings” and Seether’s previous album, “Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces.” Stewart said that gap was caused by extensive touring and the need for a break after that. Fans curious about a follow up to “Holding Onto Strings” probably have a bit of a wait ahead of them.
“It’s hard to become inspired on the road when you’re working every day,” Stewart said. “We’ve done it before, but now it’s easier to focus on the touring and then take a break for a bit so we can feel creative and focus on writing and recording. Once this touring cycle is done we’ll take another break before we start working on new stuff.”
Seether
When: 6 p.m. Monday
Where: Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 day of show
Info: ticketweb.com
