Xander Demos has toured with Ripper Owens, the former lead singer of Judas Priest, and opened for bands like Nelson, Winger and Steelheart locally, “but I am hoping that the best is yet to come.”
Demos’ band, XDB, will be releasing a new single “When the Love Is Gone” on April 11.
“It’s a new direction for the songwriting style I used to have,” Demos said. “When I was writing material for ‘Guitarcadia,’ I focused on instrumental songs that could end up as vocal tunes. In starting to write the follow-up, I was focusing more on vocal-type arrangements. So, even though this new song has been penned by our vocalist Rob Kane, we all have performed on it and added our own touch to it. It’s catchy, melodic and easy to relate to.”
Demos filled TribLive in on what else we should know about XDB:
Band: XDB
Band members: Xander Demos (lead guitar and vocals); Rob Kane (lead vocals and rhythm guitar); Emily Stroup (bass and lead vocals); Guy Cole (drums and vocals); Brendan Callahan (keyboards, guitar and vocals)
Founding story: XDB was founded in 2009 as a solo project for myself just going out with my name the same way my idols like Steve Vai and Eric Johnson did as solo artists with a focus on instrumental guitar and progressive rock/metal. After the release of “Guitarcadia,” I wanted to to have more of a “band” setting and not just focusing on guitar instrumentals since that is a very niche market.
Origin of band’s name: XDB used to stand for the Xander Demos Band, but we have since just wanted to go by a simpler title. We had considered a name change but there was a lot of work put in to market myself as a solo artist and the name just stuck at that point. But this band is bigger than me — so I want everyone to be equal partners in it. I have been fortunate to play with a lot of amazing musicians over the course of 16 years.
We also have two “alter egos” for this band. One is VoX Acoustic (VoX stands for Voices of XDB), and we do classic arena rock hits and flex our vocal muscles since everyone in the band sings. Another is called XDB: Under the Covers, where we do arena rock hits in a full-blown production show.
For fans of: Eclipse, Journey, H.E.A.T, Racer X, Dream Theater
Influences: Jason Becker, Steve Vai, Shawn Lane, Eric Johnson, Eddie Van Halen
Releases: “Portals of Illusions” (with Stronghold in 2003); Xander Demos solo album: “Guitarcadia” (2012); “Guitar Wizards Volume 4” and “Liberty N Justice: The Cigar Chronicles;” plus I have lent my abilities to other artists by doing a solo on some records
Next shows: April 22 at Jergel’s, opening for L.A. Guns. There are going to be some VoX Acoustic shows and private events as well.
How to find them: XDB can be found on their website, Facebook and Instagram.
Three other Pittsburgh area bands to check out: Chip and the Charge Ups, A Common Crown and Half Wheel
Favorite pizza shop: Large Plain in North Hills