Now Hear This: Stereomud

May 22 -- WHO:Stereomud

MEMBERS:Eric Rogers, vocals; Corey Lowery, bass; John Fattoruso, guitar; Joey Z., guitar; Dan Richardson, drums

FORMED:1999 in Atlanta

WHAT'S IN A NAME?:The band was christened by a friend, Billy Milano, from the group S.O.D. (Stormtroopers of Death)

COMPARISONS:Sevendust, Godsmack, Life of Agony

DID YA KNOW?:Corey Lowery, whose brother Clint plays in Sevendust, is an alumnus of Mojo. Dan Richardson and Joey Z. hail from the band Life of Agony.

FIRST IMPRESSION:Perfect Self (Loud/Columbia)

Does singing run in the family?

Rogers: No; I'm a singer with doctors for the majority of my family — my brother, my mother, my sister. My father has a car dealership; the only job I ever had was working there, detailing cars and installing stereos. I actually started singing in the church choir when I was 5 years old and started singing in bands when I was 15. I told 'em no way in hell I was going to college; I was gonna be a rock star. My dad was never supportive of it until a year and a half ago, when he realized, "Hell, he must be taking this serious." Actually, my brother called me on the phone when he heard me on the radio the first time; he was freaking out, "I can't believe you're on the radio!" And I'm like, "I can't believe you dissected a human body — that impresses me.

Popular Reads

Bend, Oregon, shooting: Suspect ID'd, had attended elementary school, police say

• 3 hours ago

Fort Hood survivors speak out on Pentagon's decision to livestream Hasan's execution

• Oct 10

Atlanta school worker dies after falling from Six Flags roller coaster in Georgia

• Oct 13

So when you worked with your dad, did you test drive a lot of hot models?

Rogers: I got to drive a lot of Corvettes; my dad would bring 'em home to me. One time I took out an Iroc-Z when I wasn't supposed to, and I got caught racing by the police. They followed me back to the dealership and made sure I told my father, with speeding ticket in hand. I didn't drive too many cars after that.

Fronting Stereomud must be different from singing in church.

Rogers: Actually, though, I went to a church that was real liberal. Amy Ray from Indigo Girls was in the youth group, and the choir directors were a husband-and-wife team who were always really supportive. They call me every now and then to see how I'm doing out on the road.