OC Music Magazine

Star Christian Aherns

Making light of dark lyrics is an innate Dommin specialty, reflective of the members’ individual personalities. In an audio epoch where run of the mill music is prized over experimental albums the band Dommin reaches across the light spectrum of emotion. The quartet rock band is as unusual as the name most people stutter upon attempting to accurately pronounce. The intensity listeners hear from the current available EP to the highly anticipated full length album is further facilitated on stage at any venue. Day or night, club or festival, these gentlemen are going to draw you in. For many newcomers they do not know what to expect from the band because they embryonic ensemble is still in the beginning stages of their development as career musicians allowing a great flexibility not often seen by seasoned artist. Dommin is willing to try whatever feels natural and most of all cater to the crowd without pausing to factor in their egos. The front man Kristofer  Dommin elaborates on the blend of dark and light lyrics, “…it is whatever is an honest expression of what is coming out of the songwriter, that is not something I consciously do. A natural expression that is probably revealing stuff to me as much as anyone else. Probably that everybody has a dark side but you try to make the best of. You try to find the light in the darkness I guess.” Audience members are allowed to call shot gun on Kristofer Dommin’s musical journey of self-discovery as he gallantly glides from town to town.

When fans relay their personal experiences to members of Dommin they feel humbled and grateful. The lead singer asserts, “I know what it is like to write music and play music so for us to have that affect on anyone else is an honor.” Kristofer is humbled by basically anyone out there willing to do what they feel driven to do onstage and placing passion on their records that is also seen on stage. “You realize that it’s a gift that you got, that it is a blessing, not something you are owed or are entitled to you know,” Dommin asserts. Keeping a tone and mood throughout each album will be the tie that binds the bands catalogue together. Kristofer avows, “When it comes to themes I use to always be against having themes as it was kind of hindering or enclosing yourself in a box. I found over the years the albums I really liked to listen to are the ones that have a common theme. You are in the mood to listen to it from beginning to end. I definitely have grown to like that idea so I think the same thing is going to happen from album to album.”

For the most part the band has yet to experience any major musical changes from their formation. Their musical motivations, what they want to do with the music they create, and their goals have not changed in the slightest. Kristofer reveals, “The only thing that maybe has really changed is what we expected. You never really know when you are on the outside. I think all of us kind of want to keep having the ability to have the platform to put our music out there.” One factor relating to their altered expectations is being away from home far more then they originally anticipated. By being out on the road their record label, Road Runner has helped them promote their album. The majority of the current year has been spent touring and they will soon be taking off with the 69 Eyes starting October 5th kicking off the trip in San Francisco. Traveling across the country to a several major markets will give the group great exposure by the time they finish their journey in Virginia. Their American dates will prepare them for the European expedition set for next February. Dommin realizes, “It seems people are coming away from our shows fans when they have not heard of us before.” If the band had a chance to tour with one of their label mates they would be ecstatic to travel with The Cult who is now with the company or fellow theatrical vibe performers such as the Dresden Dolls would also be a “cool group to out with as well.” What they have learned from festivals such as Bamboozle or Warped Tour is there is a lot more of intensive work for them to complete before they even perform. Playing clubs and shows where they show up at seven and play two hours later is the opposite of what occurs at such gatherings with built in crowds. Kristofer explains, “The festivals are an all day thing where you get there in the morning and start promoting yourself, putting up your flyers, stickers and everything else. It almost seems with those types of shows playing is the smallest part of the day. The biggest part of the day is everything that happens before you play.” Putting a band out there means more then the meeting the fans and talk to other bands as there is a lot of other footwork before the show starts.

The band as a whole identifies with the German Rock band Rammstein due to their extraordinary ability to have an indescribable stage vibe with their auspicious presence. Dommin is a fan of the band to the point, “sometimes we even watch their videos before we get pumped up for our shows,” not that they would necessarily want to have pyromaniacs integrated into their own sets. Kristofer on the fan side of Rammstein’s music articulates, “They can just stand there, be still and stone cold, yet there is something that attracts your eyes and ears to their whole presence.” The bands tastes and influences go in many divergent directions and each band member would gladly share the stage with a resurrected musician Kristofer agrees. Konstantine would probably have Beethoven to take the stage with playing his keyboard or something to that effect. Kristofer Dommin himself personally admires, Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, and would share the stage with the musician he felt best fit the mood of the night alongside the songs to be performed.

The balancing acts of music and business responsibilities are all dependant on timing. What goes into the harmonizing the act is determined by what time they go on stage that night. Getting set-up, changing guitar strings, back lining equipment, and all the other tasks reminds the lead singer there really are only so many hours in a single day especially when they are traveling far away to the next venue. Needless to say even if the band only has an hour prior to the doors opening they are putting up flyers and not complaining one bit. The band and their street team’s presence are intricately linked for posting purposes. Like any organization as the band grows so does the street team Kristofer gratefully testifies, “Sometimes like tonight someone showed up and they have their flyers they are posting everywhere which is really helpful to us.” There is never a character to get into for the only change is the alteration of clothes to get ready. The stoic singer is to a certain extent peaceful taking the entire experience of his musical journey one beat at a time. The relaxed foursome can be seen playing hacky sack, practicing on a drum kit, running through riffs, or socially interacting with other members of bands playing the bill. The front man elucidates, “Who I am as a person is the same off stage as I am on stage. The only difference is that when I am on stage I know people are there to see me and so I will have that kind of confidence when I am going out there, but I never assume that off stage.”

Planning a live set require a great deal of rehearsing to discover what song succession is best for the evening making each night dissimilar from the past one. The final impact is utmost importance for the band thereby organizing songs in a particular order allows them to put on a show they are proud of. The collective build of songs progress throughout the entire set starting off with a low inviting energy that is not intense nor necessarily upbeat for that particular show reflecting the preferences of the front man who factors in who they are opening for and the majority of the crowd. The fast and heavy beginning is essential as explained by the band’s founder, “Chain Reaction is geared towards more punk rock type music so we will end up playing songs that those patrons of this club will appreciate. Sometimes it’s a better introduction to us to kind of find what they might be into instead of ‘well this is what we might be doing no matter what.’ We want to make sure we are giving people a good show so that they are getting their money’s worth.” Catering to concert goers is important to the band who finds the song “Dark Holiday” essential for getting the crowd pumped into a mood. Dommin believes, “It’s just got that campy vibe. It’s different then what most people play nowadays so when somebody hears that live it immediately catches their ears and it perks their eyes and you know gets their attention, it the one that probably has gotten the biggest live reaction to.” What Kristofer Dommin feels regarding Rammstein’s musical affect on him can be inadvertently said concerning his own music’s affect on audiences. Having your strongest senses enveloped by the act on stage is a directly results from cautious planning not mention consideration for the bands who play before and after the group as well as the type of music being played.

Enjoying the fellow acts of the evening is a perk for Dommin for he asserts adjusting to the other musicians and crowd does not hurt him especially since the majority of the audience will not have heard of who they are. Posed with the inquiry of the best song to vent while on stage from what is going on off stage Mr. Dommin laughs sighing and maintaining they are tame without too much drama occurring. Being able to keep all matters under control is essential, but the song “Awake” from their EP and Hot Topic release would likely be the best audio chimney. Being able to be oneself in a business where people are constantly being told to change a component of their appearance to how to put on a public persona is most definitely a luxury. The lead singer verbalizes, “Obviously when you are on stage people are paying money to come see you and hear your music. You have the freedom and the courage to be up there and do what you do. But, when you are off stage you never think anybody wants to hear what you have to say, maybe I am a little bolder when I am on stage.” The considerate crooner ensures others are accounted for while in his presence. The level of respect he demonstrates when no one is looking proves you can be a kind gentleman in a business where far too many clichés are taken for granted concerning egotistically driven musicians. Never assuming anyone would want to hear him speak much less talk to him begs the question of who he really is. Kristofer affirms, “I am kind of quiet and reserved off stage maybe that is the biggest difference. Either way its still me both off and on.”

Kristofer Dommin has many sides of his personality much like his bands well known rose skull. The rose skull is half a rose and half a skull displaying how he is both on stage and off as well as personally/professionally-a dual man. He can bring the intensity that fortifies a crowd who have never seen him or heard of him before on stage and off stage be absolutely charming while displaying reverence to everyone he interacts with. Red roses are specifically used for some shows to reflect a balanced image on stage. Kristofer explains, “The things that seem beautiful can also be dangerous and what may seem attractive may harm you. Roses in themselves are beautiful. Roses have thorns and things that are dangerous about them…the black and white. That balance between beauty and danger just really seems fitting for what we do musically.”

The rock band Dommin balances splendor with sound magnifying their desire to connect with strangers whom have never heard of them. Most concertgoers walk away fans awaiting the ensembles next appearance where the medley of dark and light come to pass in a single show. The musical menu is planned according to the evening, other performers, the type of crowd, and most of all what will reach the majority of the individuals present. Dommin may confess Love is Gone though any spectator in their presence will see their love for music sustains their existence.