Why Jason Moreno Never Thought He'd Get The Drowning Pool Gig

Fresh from releasing Hellelujah, his second LP with the band, vocalist Jasen Moreno now seems well entrenched within the Drowning Pool ranks. Although their core (guitarist CJ Pierce, bassist Stevie Benton and drummer Mike Luce) has remained intact since 2001's mega-selling debut Sinner (propelled by infectious hit Bodies), Moreno is the hard-rockers' fourth singer. Following Dave Williams' death, Jason "Gong" Jones and Ryan McCombs subsequently had tenures fronting the Texans.

"I was not prepared. I had a panic attack and really wondered, 'what have I done?'"

An environment whereby the group had an established following and well honed on and offstage infrastructure likely made the transition easier for Moreno. However, attempting to honour Drowning Pool's past, yet carve a distinctive identity must have been intimidating, especially considering Williams' legacy and presence. The late screamer was given the nickname 'Stage' by Pantera's Dimebag Darrell. "I don't think you can ever really prepare yourself for something like that," Moreno ponders of landing the job. "When I auditioned for the gig I never in a million years thought that I would get it, just because 'Gong' and Ryan and the evolution of the whole approach. I don't sound like those guys. It was more for my peace of mind to know that I had tried everything to crack into the business.

"So when I auditioned it was a long shot to say the least. But by some crazy miracle I got it, so to answer your question, I was not prepared. I had a panic attack and really wondered, 'what have I done?' For a long time it was just about the chase — just chasing the dream and I never really stopped to consider what I would do if I ever got my hands on it. That's not to say I regret it. I'm very grateful to the guys, the fans, the label, the managers. It's just such a mind job to go from working in a warehouse and playing shows on the weekend to travelling all over the world with this band."

While performing with other outfits, Dallas resident Moreno often played alongside Drowning Pool during their formative years. "The scene wasn't so big that you could play in the same town and not see each other," he says. "I've known the guys for years; I knew Dave. In essence I am new in the eyes of the public, but in reality, I've been here since the start."

Perhaps it's that kinship which affords the current frontman an enhanced respect for their catalogue. How does he approach tracks his various predecessors performed? "I try to remain extremely faithful to the way they were recorded. I'm not worried about putting my stamp on the old back catalogue. In my opinion that would be out of line and disrespectful, especially with the Dave material. Not ever am I trying to muscle in on that… That's going to come natural with the new material, the way we've evolved together as a band. That's my stamp, my legacy, when I came in. But anything that came before me, I was a fan of it before I ever got the gig. So you just try to sing the songs the way people love 'em, and the way people want to hear 'em."