From time-to-time, we're invited to review an artist and their music, someone or a genre who is completely new to us. (For example, that's how Zardonic came to be played on the Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos playlist... see here for more.) There's always something new to hear, and enjoy, and that's also what happened with Yigga Digga, who not only pointed us to their music, but were kind enough to spend some time answering our questions. Take a read and a listen and check them out! (This post written by Jade Hughes)
Released on May 13th, Yigga Digga’s second album, Faded Glory, is a collection of strong, powerful metal anthems, melodic enough for the more hard rock fan, heavy enough for the thrash metaller to enjoy. Yigga Digga is a four piece (Tom Dillon (Guitar/Vocals), Bill Colflesh (Bass/Vocals), Chris Semonik (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Billy Beggs (Drums)), hailing from Pittsburgh with a strong identity and an even stronger voice.
The first single, Slave to the Life, is a great precursor to the rest of the album: full of epic guitar riffs, political stances and topics everyone can relate to. If you are into bands like Corrosion of Conformity, Megadeth, Metallica or Clutch, Yigga Digga will be right up your alley.
You seemed to have been on a long hiatus since the release of your first album. Why such a long time between the two albums?
Tom Dillon: Life got in the way...
There is definitely a sense a musical and personal growth in Faded Glory. Maybe a deeper perspective? How do you create new songs as a band, altogether?
Tom Dillon: Some songs we do write as a collective, other times one guy will have an idea that we run with. Either way, everyone has a voice. We all make sure it’s got the right vibe for Digga. On this one, some of the songs are more political, which is probably based on a political climate change around us. Riff-wise we're definitely learning to play together better so there's growth there.
How did you decide on your album title? (Besides the fact that it is one of the songs on the album!) Tom Dillon: We wanted something we could form an album cover around, and it seemed to be a good image. It happened real quick, once we visualized it, it fell into place.
As a writer I love figures of speech. I’ve seen you describe Yigga Digga as onomatopoeic words – can you give our readers more background on why you decided to call yourselves Yigga Digga?
Tom Dillon: That's easy man, back before we had the ability to record, somebody would be half in the bag writing riffs, and you'd call your brethren, and when they'd ask "well how's it go?" Dun Dun yigga digga dun dun yigga digga
I love how your album is a real melting pot of many types of rock genres. What are your main, collective influences?
Chris Semonik: We're all over the board on influences, and it’s different for each of us. The Beatles, Neil Merryweather, Alice In Chains, Frank Zappa, Cream, COC, Life Of Agony, obviously from a metal perspective, the first three Metallica records, the first three Coronor records, most all the other old school thrash.
Are you planning a tour in the near future to back up the release of Faded Glory?
Chris Semonik: Nothing major on the horizon, we'll probably be doing some short jaunts here and there. You can always check our shows on yiggadigga.com
If you were planning and playing at your own dream music festival who would you want to play alongside?
Chris Semonik: Our influences and contemporaries of course. Bands like Metallica, COC, Clutch, Megadeth, Lamb Of God.
Our pick of stand out tracks from Faded Glory: Slave to the Life, Into Eden, Faded Glory
Website: http://www.yiggadigga.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YiggaDigga/