Job For A Cowboy are an American death Metal band from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003 by vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Ravi Bhadriraju and Andrew Arcurio, bassist Chad Staples, and drummer Andy Rysdam while the band members were no older than 15 and 16.

In 2004, they created a MySpace profile, posted songs online, and immediately began to connect with several worldwide fans. Including Metal Blade Records owner and founder Brian Slagel. Slagel, the man known for releasing the first recordings by Metallica in 1982 and signing Slayer the very next year, welcomed the band to his labels in 2006.

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The band's debut album 'Genesis' was released in 2007, peaking at No. 54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009s 'Ruination', sold 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week to debut at position No. 42 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band comprises vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Tony Sannicandro and Al Glassman, bassist Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Jon 'The Charn' Rice, with Davy being the only remaining founding member.

They mix a high level of musicianship with a brutal, hardcore sound which leaves no prisoners. I asked vocalist and founding member Jonny Davy where the band's influences came from.

"Each band member has varying influences from across a wide spread of music. Johnny's key influences are bands like Misery Index, Cattle Decapitation, Decapitation and Napalm Death."

As a band they have taken their influences and moved onto a sound that is very much their own.



Their first full length album, 'Genesis', was released in 2007 and is a concept album and based on possible consequences of the VeriChip, along with the Book Of Revelation and apocalyptic theories. The follow up, 'Ruination', was released in 2009 and it branched off a little from 'Genesis' and was a more politically influenced album addressing things like police states, world governments and human rights.

The band released their third full album 'Demonocracy', in 2012 and when asked about the content of this latest album Johnny said that "it is still a branch off from 'Genesis' but the lyrical content is still more politically driven."

It is their third album in just over four years with some very well thought out content and some bands struggle with this level of output. Not Job For A Cowboy - they have had a few line-up changes over the years and this has helped keep things moving and focused. As Johnny put it: "The new line-up definitely lights a fire under everyone's ass and the record came together pretty quickly and smoothly."

Earlier this year the band came to the UK for a series of dates as part of the Metal Hammer Destroyers Of Faith tour (along with Cannibal Corpse, Triptykon and Enslaved). As you can imagine the crowds at these gigs were pretty die-hard fans. I missed the local date so I asked Johnny how they felt the tour had gone.

"The tour went well for the band and we changed quite a few people's opinions."

I suspect they also increased their fan base as once you hear these guys it hard not to like them! There is also a road story relating to their driver getting arrested but Johhny didn't give the details. If I get the chance to speak to these guys again I will ask for the full story...

Looking at the sales and charting of the first two albums they sold and charted very well. I wondered if this was a focus for the band and if it influenced their writing at all. Johnny and the band's view is that CD sales are dropping fast and they don't really focus on that side of being in a band.

First and foremost they want to progress and make music that keeps themselves happy within the band. I for one hope they keep producing fantastic music and continue to gain fans and recognition for their hard work.

Finally I asked if the band had any plans to come back to Europe in support of the new album and it looks like they are hoping to come back after the Summer, so keep your eyes on MetalTalk.net for the dates.

24.7.12