Interveiw with Dustin Schultz (Zerk) of Dividing the Masses
I had the chance to ask Dustin Schultz of Cedar Falls, Iowa based band, Dividing the Masses some questions about DTM, his nicknames. This was probably one of my favorite interviews to do. Dustin has always be a positive person within my life, I haven’t known him all that long but for the time that I have, he’s always been the most caring, genuine and down to earth guy I’ve ever met. Wherever he goes, he’s always has a smile on his face, and the positive vibes that uplift everybody around him. I’m humbled to know him. Check out DTM’s new EP, My Roots Will Remain, the link is below!
Q: How long has Dividing the Masses been around? Have you had any member changes? What made you want to start DTM?
A: Dividing the Masses started in 2008,with our first show lineup consisting of Tyler Wright (current member), Kyle Flickinger (current member aka Flick), Jeramie Anderson, Mikey Thayer, Zach Fulton, and myself (Dustin Schultz). The band actually began as a continuation of a previous band, known as Asyria, based in the quad cities. Mikey and Zach were members of Asyria, along with another former member Nate Davis, and they wanted to combine and make music with Tyler, Flick, and I. The three of us had been jammin’ in a band we called Curse Not the King since late 2005. Since forming, the three other band members that have been a part of the band are Jake Will, Sam Vance (current member) and Drew Hemesath (current member). All of the previous members of DTM are all extremely cool guys, and we still all get along well.
From the beginning, forming DTM was all about brotherhood, and friendship, combining into heavy jams. There were some hard obstacles to face along the way, and separating with all of the former members was extremely difficult due to the friendship bonds that we shared. I’ll never forget all the memories we made together over the years, and I cherish them all. If they ever read this, I hope they know that DTM will always be a band of brothers, and the best friends I could have ever asked for. Sure we wanted to express ourselves through the art of heavy music, but nothing compares to doing so while sharing the stage with such an amazing crew.
Q: Why is your nickname, “Zerk”?
A: Well, it all started back in 7th grade actually, which means it would’ve been around 2002. One of my best friends, who’s nickname is Skippy, was giving everyone in our “crew” nicknames. Mine just so happened to be Berzerker the Construction Worker, or Zerk for short. Most of the nicknames only stuck within our crew, but for some reason mine stuck (probably because I liked it so much) and actually became so big that during my undergrad years at UNI, I would say that over 60% of the people that I knew called me Zerk. Pretty fun, huh? I still roll hard with that crew. 563 Brew Crew for life.
Q: You released your 4th EP titled, “My Roots Will Remain”, what exactly is this about? How is it different from your EP, “More Than This?” or even your oldest EP with your song, “Unworthy” on it. Which one do you like more, or has more meaning to you?
A: See, some of these questions are difficult to answer, because they come from such different perspectives in my life. Each EP meant EVERYTHING to me when it was released. I think if anything, my writing style and depth has matured, but I can honestly say that when I wrote the songs on all of the three EPs mentioned (A Need For Change, More Than This, and My Roots Will Remain) they meant the world to me. I’m someone who writes from the heart. I want to be transparent, and allow anyone listening to take a look into my life, and at who I am. Do I think that My Roots Will Remain is the most real and genuine writing I’ve ever done? Yes. But that’s because I’ve grown and matured as both an individual and as a writer. That doesn’t mean I don’t place a lot of value in the early writing that I did. The song 65 Geneva Drive still means the world to me, and the song Chug Norris was based on a song that I wrote all the way back in 2005 about my first girlfriend! It all still matters.
As far as what the new EP is about, I would say it has quite a bit of meaning to it… but first off, the album title itself comes from the imagery of attempting to uproot from a place that I called home, but instead cutting myself off at the stump. Even though I move on, a piece of me still is dug deep into everything, and everyone I used to love. I am someone who struggles heavily with moving on. I have a very attachable heart, and I feel like life has been teaching me a lot of lessons lately when it comes to learning how to cope with leaving, or moving on, or life changes. Those never were my strong suit. The EP is entirely about a year long internal struggle that I went through, beginning with my ex girlfriend leaving me for Oklahoma, and ending with me leaving Cedar Falls to begin a new life down in Iowa City. Both of these occurrences were monumental in my life, and including a lot of change. I went through some extreme emotional darkness during that timeframe, struggling between letting go and discovering who I was supposed to be. It was during that time that I wrote most of the songs on the EP.
Q: What is DTM’s plans for the rest of 2014?
A: We’re not really the type of band to make big plans, haha. We pretty much go with the flow. We’re hoping to really capitalize on this summer, and branch out beyond our normal comfort zone here in Iowa, but we’re really not sure if we’ll be able to tour again. Our drummer is really committed to his workout schedule for crossfit, and that seems to be something that will keep us from and substantial distance traveled with the band. Either way, plenty more shows and fun left to be had with this band. We love what we do, or we would’ve quite a while ago.
Q: What are some funny things that has happened at show? Craziest fan? Haha shoot… another tough question to answer. I’m going to come at this from a different perspective and talk about two of the craziest things that have happened at our shows. Back in 2008, when we were a really fresh band, we played a venue called Music at the Mall down in Keokuk, Iowa. There was a huge Burlington straight edge crew at the time that would roll out to shows around there, and they had our backs. These guys were usually out for blood at shows, which mean things would escalate very quickly. During this one particular show, the place was packed with at least 150 kids, and we were super excited to be playing in front of that many new faces. However, around 20 seconds into our first song, one of the straight edge guys spin kicked another guy in the face and knocked him out, and a HUGE brawl errupted. By the time our first song was over, over 40 kids had been kicked out of the venue, with another 40-50 or so following because they were friends or a part of a different crew, what have you. Suddenly playing to a crowd of over 150 turned into a crowd of 60 people, just like that, and the police arrive after a few more songs.
The second crazy story happened at a place called La Vida in Cedar Falls in 2012. We were playing a PACKED show alongside some of our best buds, and during our set, we have some crazy bouncing occurring. All of a sudden, someone came running up during our set and told us to tell everyone to stop jumping. Sure enough, downstairs there was a crack growing in the ceiling, until it was a few feet long. Our set went so hard that we had broken through the floor to the point of cracking the ceiling downstairs. Talk about bringin’ the mosh.
I’m also not going to write about our craziest fan, because that’s near impossible to think of, but I WILL however write briefly about Jonny Gorman. I know I’ve said it before, but that dude supports the local scene like NO ONE else. The first time he was ever at one of our shows, he was up in the front screaming along to every word. He’s been with us from the beginning, along with so many other bands. I love the dude to death and can’t say enough about his undying devotion to the local scene. Big props, man.
Q: What’s your favorite town to play in around Iowa? Favorite venue?
A: Cedar Falls will always have a special place in my heart, especially because of shows like the one I just wrote about ^. I think that CF is the home to our most memorable shows, including both of our last two EP release shows, A Past Unknown’s final show, and so on. That place was like out home base, full of extremely awesome and supportive kids that really gave us momentum to be the band we are nowadays. I love so many people that I met in that town, it’s incredible. We really do love playing Des Moines as well though. That place is like a home away from home, with a true family environment. It’s been great to see the scene change and grow around us over the years, and it’s been very humbling to have so many people want to come out and support us whenever we are in town. We are always very gracious for all the support we’ve been given here in Iowa, and wouldn’t trade these experiences for anything.
Q: What was your favorite show DTM has played to date?
A: Honestly, I think that the show where we broke through the floor, that I wrote about in question 5, would be my favorite show. It’s so hard to pick from so many fantastic memories though………… I have loved so many of the opportunities we’ve had. When we opened for Suicide Silence many years ago, that was an amazing gig. SO many of the shows we’ve played since releasing More Than This have been incredible, with great crowd interaction and support. We just played our EP release show in CF this last weekend, and that would definitely be near the top as well. I just can’t get over how much I love playing shows and getting that emotional intensity out. Nothing compares.
Q: What lyric means the most to you?
A: This is probably the most difficult question to answer in this interview. I feel as though most every lyric I’ve written has been a genuine reflection of who I am and what I was going through at the time, so it’s hard to say a particular line that means the most to me. I feel like what it has always come down to is relatability, and how much my words can impact others. I’m someone who loves the conversations that being a lyricist can bring out of others. I love, and am honored to have the opportunity to share my words with everyone an effort to connect. Nothing hits me harder than a kid coming to me and telling me that my lyrics helped him or her through a hard time. Or telling me that my lyrics hit the feels in their life. To this day, I still tear up occasionally when i hear all the people screaming along to the words of my songs. I can never say enough about what that means to me. To know that people want to go out of their way to read my lyrics, and take a look into my life, and cling onto those experiences. Whenever we play a show, that emotion is all there. We’re in it together, man. Like I said before, nothing compares to that feeling. I am forever grateful.
Q: Who would say to look out, or watch for in the Iowa scene?
A: Shoot man, Iowa is looking good nowadays. I’m excited to see some sick bands popping up. Anyone who has been reading my words, and values them, aughta take the time to check out some of these bands. Ghosthive (so heavy), Growing Cold (so pissed), Porch Swing (such feels) Sundance Kid (many emos), and Peer Pressure ( much skater xpunkx). Those are some of the new guys that I’m excited about. Also check out the new jams from Cliffdiving once they’re done recording. Beyond that, our best buds and Iowa legends GREG THE HERO are a must for any fan of Dividing the Masses. We love those guys even though their bassist is an idiot. Remiss is another band that I absolutely love that has been doing great things from Iowa. Don’t ever sleep on a great band like that. I could go on and on about all the bands I love to support and that have supported us though… Kings (kind of from Iowa), Submerged, Strike 3, Lovers Speed, Devilz Advocate, EEEEETTTCCC. Throw it back to some of our old friends in Of Flesh Unseen, A Past Unknown, Such Creatures Exist, Senseless Beauty, this list goes on and on. The local scene in Iowa has always treated us well. We love it here and will always be happy to say that this is home.
As a final word I’d just like to thank everyone who has ever supported us, in any possible way. We are a band that thrives off community, and the love we’ve received over the years continues to press us forward. Also, thanks to Sam B for wanting this insight and knowledge. Hopefully it helps paint a clear picture of who we are as a band. Keep the heavy jams alive.
Love always, Zerk.
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