Edsel of Dope

Over the past 4 years Dope has grown from Edsel Dope, the singular force who recorded the majority of Dope’s debut album “Felons and Revolutionaries” in his bedroom, into a finely tuned hard rock outfit. “I recorded the entire first album by myself” says Edsel, who wrote and produced Dope’s hard-hitting debut that has since gone on to sell over 300 thousand copies. “I did it from a one man band stand point. I would track each instrument one at a time and then put it all together giving the illusion of an entire band.” After completing the record, he assembled a live band complete with his signature dread locked Dope image and set out to promote the album on tour. It has been 3 years since Dope hit the scene and a few dread heads have passed through the Dope ranks. It appears that Edsel has finally perfected the line up of Dope outside of himself and his brother Simon, who also oonlights as a video game producer for Activision. With “Virus” on Lead Guitar, Racci Shay on drums and original Dope guitarist Sloane Jentry now playing bass, Dope has never been more menacing.

The band released its 2nd album “Life” in October of 2002 only a couple of weeks after the tragic events of 9/11. “Being a NYC band and witnessing those buildings fall before my very eyes was sickening” says Edsel. Critics and fans alike received the Life record with praise. It was a huge step both musically and melodically for the band and showed a much more mature side of Dope that was not exploited on the previous album. More importantly it showed the world that on top of his attitude and voice for destruction, Edsel Dope could sing. And sing he did.

The first single “Now or Never” was a melodic rocker that resonated a message of hope. Released the same week as the World Trade Center attack, its title alone seemed as if it were written post 9/11. It captured the emotions that many Americans were feeling in the aftermath. The album also included the most brutal work Dope has completed to date with songs like “Die Mother F**ker Die” and “Take Your Best Shot.” Dope reassured audiences that along with the melodic growth of the band they had no intentions of going soft.

Despite the success of Now or Never and the loyal fan base, Dope’s record label chose not to tour the band heavily, thereby removing the bands number one source of promotion. “I felt like I was in an ass kicking contest and the label cut off one of my legs,” says Edsel. “Dope is a live band and in order to create awareness for our new music we need to tour. Our label didn’t want to spend the money to put us out there where we belong.”

Dope has since parted ways with Epic and is in the process of recording their 3rd album to be released on a label that has yet to be disclosed. In the meantime they have seized their own destiny and have been touring regularly.

“It’s important for us to get out there again and show people that we are still around and better than ever” says Virus.

“We hated that our record company wouldn’t tour us and that they were charging 17 dollars for our record in the stores. That F**ks the fans. We are in control now and we are touring again and selling our records for 10 bucks at the shows.”

Dope has toured with the likes of Slipknot, Fear Factory, Kid Rock, Staind, Alice Cooper, and Powerman 5000. Their live show has always been one of the bands strongest points. Edsel’s ability to control the crowed and include them in every aspect of the show has given them a reputation for being one of the best live acts on the circuit.

“Dope is pure energy. If we could bottle up the power that we put out on stage, you could launch the F**king space shuttle.” says bassist Sloane Jentry.

Edsel and his band are loud, sometimes obnoxious and quite often misunderstood.

Controversy has surrounded the band since its beginning. The brothers and bassist Sloane funded themselves and the band by selling drugs on the N.Y.C. streets. “We were willing to risk everything to make this band happen. We needed to record and promote and it takes a lot of cash to do it right. We took the ultimate pledge to ourselves for our music and we saw it through.”

These times inspired many of the lyrics on “Felons and Revolutionaries” and prompted Edsel to do a vicious remake of the legendary gangster rap song “F**k Tha Police” by N.W.A.

The Dope boys have come a long way from there dope pedaling days. Over the last 3 years Dope has built an army of fans that identify with Edsel and his band’s “F**k you, take it or leave it” attitude. “I’ve never really been concerned with what other people think about me or the things I do. “I am what I am and I won’t apologizefor that.” says Edsel. “The majority of the people who dislike me are the exact people that I want to dislike me.It means that everything is working out just fine.”

“If you support what we do, then you are part of our family and we will do anything for you. We’ll kill or die for you. If you don’t then you can kiss our ass!!!” Adds drummer Racci Shay.

In the past it has been this attitude coupled with a lifestyle of excess that has gotten Edsel and his band quite a bit of attention. “I think it has a lot to do with our image and our vibe.” Says Edsel “ The fact that we look like a rock band and we party our asses off and indulge in the sleaziest side of what rock n roll has to offer seems to separate us from the newer bands.

We ARE sex, drugs, and rock n F**king roll.” Dope has been featured in several adult entertainment mediums ranging from spreads in Revolver magazine on the site of porno films to staring in Matt Zanes Backstage Sluts 3. Incidentally, Edsel seemed to be quite comfortable. Dope was also featured in the VH—1 special “The Secret life of Groupies” along with Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock, documenting the evolution of the groupie scene through the years.

“It’s a sick perverted world,” says Edsel with a mischievous smirk. “In this day and age we somehow represent all that is twisted and perverted in rock. We have been labeled that band and I am that guy”.

The band’s music ranges from the heaviest nastiest grooves with lyrics that would make your mother burn your cd’s to some of the most pure melodic rock to be produced in recent years. Somehow Dope has set themselves apart from their contemperaries by having a sound all there own. It is as refreshing as anything out there while feeling very familiar in the purest sense of Rock N Roll.

Whether you prefer the hard and heavy side of the band or their more melodic polished songs, there is no mistaking the Dope sound.

The band is currently working on its 3rd album. It should be released sometime in 2003. Look for Dope this fall as they headline the Jagermeister sponsored “12 Dollar Riot Tour” along with Primer 55, and Skinlab.

“This tour is our way of giving back to our fans. Its four kick ass bands for twelve bucks. The shirts are 12 bucks and so are the cd’s. It’s our way of trying to make up for the fact that we haven’t been able to tour as often as our fans would like. We are proving that you can keep the prices down if you put the fans first.”