Former Death Metal Rockstars are Trying Something New- Incognito Theory

The music industry is a funny place, but sometimes no one is laughing. Nothing about music is stable, and just because you love a sound- doesn't mean every one else will. It is these people who realize that sometimes change is good, and essential to prolong the life of their dreams. This is what happened to New Jersey rockers, Dave Incognito and Jay Prussack, founders of Metal band, Incognito Theory.

The two best friends have played together throughout countless bands over the years. Prior to Incognito Theory, they had mostly played death metal. There last band was called, Dying Eyes of Sloth, but it became evident that they needed to throw their death metal roots behind them. "When you play for the death metal scene, you play for a certain group of people. We want to broaden our horizons, be universal, and be more well known," said frontman Dave. Guitarist, Jay sees this transition as something different, "I'm still into the heavy stuff. This is something different, like a challenge."

Dave Incognito

So what exactly is this new sound like? Upon listening, it is easy to hear hints of Disturbed and Godsmack intertwined. "It's a melting pot of a lot of stuff...powerful metal overtones with melodic vocals," Jay said. It's all the grunge nu metal goodness you like with influences of their roots. "We are trying to reinvent the wheel...[we have] great showmanship, talent, and honesty," Dave said excitedly.

As previously stated, the music industry is a tricky place. Perhaps Jay says it the best when referring to the new goals of the band, "You just have to stand out from the crowd. Grab bits and pieces of stuff, and be unique enough." Another theme for the band is originality. This is what Incognito Theory is looking to bring to the table- a little bit of the old, and a little bit of the new.

But before they could set up any goals, Incognito Theory originally started as a solo project by Dave. He put out one album called, Forsaken. Flash forward about a year or so, and now Incognito Theory consists of Dave and Jay, and most recently; bassist, Erik Reynolds and drummer, Rob Goellner. Upon joining the band, Dave and Jay immediately penned their first single, "This Present."

For these two the collaboration wasn't too difficult because of their passion and love for music, and the like-minded-ness they have in taste. Dave's influences include an all-star lineup of vocalists like: Dave Williams, Scott Weiland, Gene Simmons, Bret Michaels, and Dani Filth for his metal vocals. Jay is really into old school thrash and power metal like: Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Metallica, and Cannibal Corspe.

Some of their biggest moments as musicians have occured together. They played a 40 Below Summer, reunion show with God forbid and Ashes for your Enemy. It was a huge show because these bands where big locally. "We knew a lot of people at that show," Dave said. As far as capacity wise and venue wise, the biggest show they have played was at Starland to a crowd of about 1000. They had about 140 people there, and only had two weeks to sell tickets. Jay says one of his biggest rock star moments was "...going into a solo I dropped the pic. I played the rest of the song with my fingers, and nobody even noticed...that's rock and roll," he said laughing.

Jay Prussack

The writing process for Incognito Theory varies with the moment. "Sometimes I write the lyrics and show Jay, and he just figures it out," Dave said. "It's a progressive thing. Dave pieces lyrics to what I've written, or I construct around what he has written," said Jay.

For the immediate future, they plan on taking a break in December and then finishing up the EP this winter. Jay does all the recording himself, and says "There is still a lot to do." The EP is scheduled to be released in early 2011 and it will be called, Silent Pain.

"We plan on taking this to the next level. It's all about the music, this is Dave, Jay, Rob, and Erik- complete," said Dave. "I play music for the love and everything that goes into it. The band has promise, so lets achieve something," said Jay. "Let's build a following and not stand still."

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(L to R) Rob, Jay, Dave, Erik