I have known the guys in Theory of a Deadman for 24 years, and to me, they are one of the most underrated bands in the rock format.
Why? Because Theory tunes tell stories. There are fun stories like “Bad Girlfriend” and “Low Life,” and serious, relatable stories like “RX Medicate” and “History of Violence.” Theory frontman Tyler Connolly joins me for an episode of my Carr Stereo Podcast this week. We discuss his songs’ characters, the stories having an “arc,” and how lyrics still matter.
Over the years, I’ve had personal interactions with the band. I’ve put them on multiple radio shows, hosted studio hangs, and had them be part of my animal rescue endeavors. Additionally, they surprised me by raising close to $10,000 in one day for one of my New Jersey shelter partners. They called to tell me about it. We named the pups the Theory litter after the guys, and they got to meet them. Yeah, the guys are aces — good friends!
New Music and Tour Announcements
Their first EP ever (after 8 full-length albums) drops on September 4th on ONErpm. It’s called “Pt. 1 Funeral Songs.” Their current single “Winnebago” (Lay Low) is an earworm banger. It’s relatable to everyone getting a little older and not disappointed when plans get cancelled.
Currently, the band is out with the amazing Sevendust as part of the DEAD/SEVEN tour. If you have a ticket, consider yourself lucky!
*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*
Tyler Time: Full Interview
Terrie Carr: I’m thrilled to have Tyler Connolly on The Carr Stereo Podcast. Ty, will you be pissed if I cut away in the video version to some fun vintage photos of us?
Tyler Connolly: NO! Do it.
Terrie Carr: I’m always grateful to have you on, and even more grateful when we have new music. You have 8 full albums out, right? Eight? And 9 by next year because we’re getting “Pt. 1 Funeral Songs” on September 4th on ONErpm. You guys decided: “Hey, we’re going to do 6, and then 6 more.” You’re not the first, and I’ve spoken to those who want to release songs as inspirations come. People’s attention span blows these days. Everything is moving at a faster pace. You already have the next 6 songs ready to go, right?
Tyler Connolly: Yes, we just finished recording three more last week. We’re going out on tour now. Then we’ll go back in October and do the other 3. That will be the full album — two EPs, a full 12 songs. Later, we’ll put together a full LP and add even MORE songs in 2027! Another 3 or 5 songs. Just keep giving people music. People always say “You guys put out music every three years,” and I’m like “Yeah, not anymore!” It’s almost like music has become content!
Terrie Carr: OMG — everything is content now! We have “Barricade,” “Funeral Song,” “Winnebago,” “Lay Low,” “Monster Truck,” “Deep End,” and “Prenup.” I’m hoping “Prenup” is gonna be the third single!
Tyler Connolly: It’s exactly what you think it is. (laughs)
The Art of Storytelling Through Lyrics
Terrie Carr: This is a very interesting group of songs. What Theory always has in mind is the lyrical content, which is incredible. It’s whether it’s fun and quirky or has a heavier meaning. You guys have the feel to write songs that stick. They stay with us. You aren’t afraid to take a chance either. People have wanted you to make the same record, and you guys were like “Forget this — we’re not doing this.” We’re taking a twist this way, a turn that way. You’re a brave current-based rock band to do that. How did this record evolve?
Tyler Connolly: It’s a return to our old sound. We did a full off-ramp when we did our sixth album, “Wake Up Call.” What came out of that was our biggest song ever: “RX Medicate.” It was HUGE — like country, rap, or something. I don’t know, but it worked! Now we return to the old sound. There’s no other motive than that. That’s just how we feel. It’s the same as on our sixth record when we said “I want to do some more alternative music” and “I want to do something different.” Now we’re going back.
Terrie Carr: There’s some bangin’! “Barricade” is a banger, and we love when Theory bangs! “Winnebago” (Lay Low) is kind of a summer theme song for me! There are so many days when I’m like “I’m goin’ out!” and then I’m like “Forget it! I don’t think I’m going.” It’s an earworm too — a great, fun song.
Tyler Connolly: It’s so relatable. I went to my ex-wife’s house and was like “Do you want to write a song? I have this idea — it’s called ‘Drunk AF’.” And she’s like “What’s that?” And I’m like “When you get so messed up.” She’s like “Ew, no way.”
We’re getting older, right? I remembered last New Year’s Eve going out with friends. We had dinner at 8 p.m., and my friends said “We’re gonna call it a night.” We’re like “What?! It’s New Year’s Eve! This is the night!” They went home, and we were devastated. Eventually, I realized from that point on it was a blessing in disguise. That’s what “Winnebago” is about. When someone cancels your plans and you’re like “YES! Now I can just go home and go to bed!” It’s the ANTI BAR SONG — tired of going to bars, why you should have stayed home, why the hell you agreed to go out.
I think that’s the way we all feel now!
Creative Freedom and the Role of Fans
Terrie Carr: There are pluses and minuses of being part of the music machine. The plus is people give you money to do stuff. The downside is you can’t have creativity. People giving you money tell you “Hey, we’re giving you this,” so you tend to veer toward what someone else wants. You guys are now developing more freedom as a band, and that’s a GOOD thing!
Tyler Connolly: Oh, it’s great. The years of the A&R machine, I lost sleep from time to time. I remember me, Dave, and Howard Benson — our producer at the time — flew to New York so we could plead with our record company. We wanted to record 6 songs. We had to sit there while he listened, and our A&R guy was like “I don’t even like the title.” I’m like “Who cares about the title?” It was just nasty.
Now our A&R are our fans. They’ve always been our A&R people. They’re always the people who decide if they like a song. The best fan story is “Bad Girlfriend.” Not only did the label not want that song because they said “it’s cheesy,” and I agree — it is cheesy! We kind of forced them. They didn’t want it on the record. It was the fans. We would go out and play that song, and the fans would go nuts. We brought our president of the label to the show and said “Just watch the fans.” He watched and was like “Ok, ok — we will release it as a single.” Then it blew up! That was history — it was the fans.
Tyler is also producing horror movies, and we delve into that and more. Check out the video version for the full conversation.
Listen On Spotify To Tylers Carr Stereo Episode
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