B7

By Jamie Ross

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SUSSEX - Jeremy Goddard's philosophy on success consists of two things: Trial and error. The front man for the Sussex area, four-piece metal band, Rusted Dawn, has had members coming in and out of the band for the past three years.

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Mike Erb photo

Rusted Dawn: Drummer Luke Vautour, guitarist Justin Goddard, singer/guitarist Jeremy Goddard and bassist Chad McMillan.

Now on their second guitar player, second bass player, and third drummer, the Sussex Regional High School grad says Rusted Dawn has finally found a recipe for success.

"It comes down to commitment," Goddard said. "Are you working with people who are willing to take it as far are you? Now, with this current lineup, we are firing on all cylinders."

Making it in a band isn't an easy feat. Goddard said getting started is the hardest part. It requires time and money, two things past members haven't been willing to shell out to make it to the next level.

Goddard, the only original member of Rusted Dawn, said commitments to school have been the main factor in the member turnover the band has gone through.

"The biggest thing that's gotten in the way with every past member has been commitment to university," he said. "Now three of us don't go to school, and the one member who does still makes it work."

Three-fourths of the band's now solidified lineup are from Kings County and graduated from Sussex Regional High School.

Rusted Dawn features Goddard on vocals and guitar; his older brother, Justin, as lead guitarist; bassist Chad McMillan and Moncton drummer Luke Vautour.

They just completed their second tour in May, which took them to St. Catharines, Ont., and back, and will be hitting the road again next month for another eastern Canadian tour.

Touring is the only way a band can show people they are the real deal, and Justin said being on tour is a constant learning experience that brings out the best and the worst in people. He said people often come out to shows and generously offer the band a plate of food and a place to rest for the night, a sentiment not uncommon in the underground music scene.

"We've been fortunate on our last two tours for accommodations and eating. Its been good," said Justin. "We slept and ate like we were at home. It was like a vacation."

But, he added, things can get bad just as easily as they are good when the band has to deal with show promoters. Justin described an incident at their Quebec City date: "Money was promised that was never given to us. We were supposed to sleep at (the promoter's) house, and he almost made us sleep at a truck stop, in the van. A lot of promoters are hit or miss."

Rusted Dawn pride themselves on a delivering an intense live performance every time they take the stage, and Jeremy said whenever they are on tour, they're out there to turn heads.

"There's not many bands that take it for all it's worth on stage," said Jeremy. "So when you're on tour in Quebec and Ontario, it's a bit of a competition. You're out to impress."

After temporary relocating to Fredericton, they've returned home to work on their up coming full-length album, expected for release early next year.

The band has had two EP releases since 2003, The Toxic Shock and Red Collar, both independently recorded.

Rusted Dawn's roots are in Sussex, where they've played at the high school and more recently, Jubilee Hall.

Jeremy said the music scene in Sussex has been kind to his band, proof of which can be found around town, with kids sporting Rusted Dawn T-shirts. But he thinks the local scene lacks initiative, something that would help other Sussex area bands get off the ground.

As for their music, Jeremy acknowledges the loud, guitar-driven songs that Rusted Dawn are known for aren't for everyone. But he said Rusted Dawn always welcomes open-minded people to come out and give the band a try.

"What we are doing certainly isn't for everyone," said Jeremy "but we are trying to transgress musical boundaries because we are huge fans of all different types of music."

The band will be hitting the road for a 16-date Quebec and Ontario tour beginning Aug. 1 with a kick-off show at Jubilee Hall.