Soil lead singer honored to perform at ROTR

Soil lead singer and front man Ryan McCombs said Columbus’ annual Rock on the Range festival set for May 18-20 at Columbus Crew Stadium is a chance for him to see old friends from the music business.

“I’ve been around a lot and worked with a lot of the same people time and time again,” McCombs said in a telephone interview while in Indianapolis, Ind. “Performing at a festival like this is neat because you see some of the same people you used to work with in the past.”

Incubus, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Megadeth and more will be at event which is now in its sixth year. Reunited arena rockers The Darkness, rap veterans Cypress Hill, “American Idol” finalist James Durbin and guitar hero Slash are also on tap to rock the Range Tickets for the events are still available through Ticketmaster.

Soil formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1997. After some independent releases, the band was the first rock group signed to J Records and achieved mainstream success with their major label debut, “Scars” in 2001.

After the J Records sophomore release “” in 2004, Soil was released from the label and, shortly after, front man Ryan McCombs left the group. He would go on to become the new vocalist of Drowning Pool the following year.

The band recruited AJ Cavalier as its new singer and released two more studio albums “True Self” and” Picture Perfect” through independent labels in 2006 and 2009 respectively. Soil continued to tour worldwide and met with strong independent success. In 2007, longtime guitarist Shaun Glass parted ways with the group. In 2010, both Cavalier and drummer Tom Schofield announced their departure as well. McCombs came back to Soil last fall and for a tour and has not left.

In the fall 2011, Soil reunited with McCombs for a tour commemorating the tenth anniversary of their landmark album, “Scars.”

When the band reunited with McCombs it was for a 12-date co-headlining UK tour with Puddle of Mudd. Former Staind drummer Jon Wysocki also joined Soil for the 2011 UK Tour. Sony Music UK has announced that “Scars” has been certified silver in the UK with sales in excess of over 60,000 units.

Soil’s first ever DVD entitled “Re-LIVE-ing The Scars” will be released May 8, 2012. The DVD/CD combo was recorded live in London, England during the bands sold out 2011 UK tour and features the first live show with McCombs in 7 years. The DVD also includes bonus footage and a photo gallery. units.

The line-up is currently completed with fellow original members Tim King (Bass) and Adam Zadel (Guitar), along with drummer Jon Wysocki (formerly of Staind). The band has sold over one million records worldwide.

McCombs said the group is honored to play at such a prestigious summer rock festival as Rock on the Range.

“When we (Soil) were asked we were really honored,” he said. “I mean I just got back with the band last fall for a tour commemorating our first album.”

McCombs said he is looking forward to getting out on stage and “feeling” that passion for performing in front of a live audience.

“When you get on stage, it’s all about feeling that vibe from the crowd,” he said.

He said playing at a festival like Rock in the Range is a little different too than headlining a tour with another band.

“During a tour, you can go out there and play for at least 90 minutes, at most of the rock festivals you usually perform 30-45 minutes tops,” he said.

With McCombs back in the fold, Soil is looking forward to more dates and a great future.

Soil added several US tour dates throughout 2012. The trek will be the band’s first in the US since original McCombs rejoined the group.

McCombs said he is eager to get going and has even started trying social media to connect with Soil fans.

“I like Facebook, but I don’t tweet or whatever,” he said. “My history with social media is kind of a love hate/relationship.”

Mark A. Claffey/Columbus Wired