Dizmas: patron saint of the condemned, criminals, and death row prisoners.
Dizmas: (name meaning) dying
Hailing from the epicenter of the scorching sun and blazing nightlife of Southern California is a raucous band that has adopted the mysterious moniker of this first century namesake. The five-piece outfit known as Dizmas is undoubtedly electrifying in its intense outpourings and unshakably sincere in its lyrical dichotomy, though even with such firm footing, members will be the first to admit there’s much more to their mission.
Ask any one of the guys what’s really on their minds and it stretches beyond making incredibly engaging music that crosses a hybrid of diverse, rabble-rousing influences. Instead they’ll say they’re on a search, one much more deep and profound than the immediate gratification of pop culture pleasantries and alluring advertisements.
They’re searching for the ultimate truth, one that lasts far beyond the carnal and temporary and more towards the vertical or eternal. And no matter what worldview or personal philosophy you adopt, Dizmas is willing to bet you’re searching for it too.
So what exactly is this intangible element alluded to throughout this arsenal’s aptly titled album “On A Search In America”? Some may equate it with whatever can be consumed to fill a void in their lives while others may long for something abstractly supernatural in hopes of satisfying the soul’s core.
Rather than playing the guessing game and dabbling in uninspired decision making, Dizmas will even go so far as to say they’ve found precisely what that inexplicable it is. Indeed it’s a lofty claim for a rock band, but take a listen stripping away any preconceived notions and you just may find what you’re looking for!
Like Rollins Band, System Of A Down or Rage Against the Machine, the lyrical exposition is fearless, focusing on everything from personal struggles and fears to societal issues of varying scopes. But where Dizmas splits from the pack is their fervent desire to impact the world at large with a message that’s not always instantly embraced- that there’s a God who loves them who sent His son to redeem a fallen humanity.
Sonically, the band matches that gut wrenching imagery of their most vivid battles and steadfast convictions with riveting, power surging soundscapes. Such tenacity has translated into the bone crunching, ten track Credential Recordings debut, which combines classic and current influences like Rage, Foo Fighters, Blindside, The Who and Led Zeppelin over the band’s distinctive playing styles. With production by Brian Garcia (Our Lady Peace, Avril Lavigne, King’s X), Dizmas bridges rock, punk, hardcore and metal nuances like no other band today.
“I think early on we understood to make a band happen, we had to up the ante,” says drummer Clayton Hunt of Dizmas’ work ethic and detailed merging of such progressive head pounding. “We’ve always shot for the best we could attain and believe God arranged how everything else has come together.”
Such an unconventional melting pot, along with songwriting openness and subsequently candid on-stage conversations, is likely to rustle some feathers, creating controversy to those uninterested in following the band’s spiritual directive and jostle those already comfortably nestled in their faith.
No matter what side of the fence you’re on, consider equating this record as an alarm ringing out at full volume during an unavoidably vulnerable moment. Are you going to let it keep running to the point of piercing your eardrums or consider it a much-needed wake up call to make a change?
“A lot of people in the world are probably going to be offended by what we say or represent and that’s fine,” lead singer Zach Zegan relates. “[We’re not afraid] to be bold with what we sing about and [we’ll] admit our shortcomings and struggles. Without sounding arrogant, our hope is that listeners would see our passion, and ultimately the source of that passion, which is our God.”
It’s out of such boldness, extreme trust in a higher purpose and the desire to constantly let listeners in on their secret that the quintet settled on this enigmatic misnomer. Besides the aforementioned references, the name also stems from the character scholars cite as the thief (who had a change of heart just before death) crucified next to Jesus Christ. The guys look to that historic figure as a symbol of forgiveness, redemption and hope that governs their life and serves as a primary solution to the search they’ve so diligently embarked upon.
“Some people wait until they are just about to die to try and find happiness,” contends Zach. “We want to let them know sooner that they’ll only find it in Christ.”
Band Professional Life: 2004 - Present
Band Members:
Zach Zegan – lead vocals
Josh Zegan - guitar & vocals
Jon Howard - guitar
Nick Aranda - bass
Clayton Hunt - drums
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