Sunflower Dead is an aggressive hard rock/metal band formed by lead vocalist and accordionist Michael Del Pizzo and his lead guitarist who just goes by the name Jaboo. Michael and Jaboo met when they were just 5 and 6 at the pool in Pennsylvania where they grew up.  They went to their first concert together (Dio and Yngwie Malmsteen) when they were in middle school.  They moved west together to start SFD  and are now based out of Southern California.

Now on tour now in North American with Scott Stapp and Messer, Michael has been a Creed fan since they started so he loves being able to see Scott Stapp (voice of Creed) perform those songs every night, along with the new songs. Their latest album is called C O M A and it’s out now along with two videos.  One for Victim, and one for Turn Away. Turn Away two versions the original and the radio edit. The “Turn Away” (Radio Edit) single was featured in over 3800 HealthClubs worldwide for the month of July, including more than 2400 in the US.  It’s also being displayed in more than 3000 Bars/Clubs/Restaurants in North America and 100 Brunswick Bowling Centers in the US in June as well, creating millions of impressions for the single.

“Turn Away” (Radio Edit) Listening Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K2PWINPoUM

“Turn Away” (Radio Edit) video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K2PWINPoUM

Album was produced by Dave Fortman (Godsmack, Evanescence, Slipknot) and is released on Dave Ellefson’s EMP Label Group.  Response has been great for the new single.  Another great week with radio “Turn Away” is moving up!

#39 Mediabase

#38 Billboard

#13 Foundations

Michael’s intensity is in full swing, his voice sounds insane.  He puts his whole body into the act, only it’s not really an act.  Michael says the lyrics are 100 percent real. It’s all personal and exactly what he was feeling at the time and there is no fantasy.   The only song he took liberty with was Savior.  That song was him expressing people he had met that are dealing with things like addiction or enjoy being treated badly.  Savior is one of the heaviest songs off of C O M A and it was awesome to see it live.   SFD was the first band on and they went on at 7pm.  The place was already packed and SFD performed to a full house.  Turn Away was the first song played and of course they played the full unedited version live.  Radio edits are necessary for radio and promotional plays, but live only the full version will do.   Followed by “The Biggest Mistake” “Savior” “Counting All My Failures  “Through Fire”, “You’re Dead to Me” and “Victim”.

Sunflower Dead shows are always entertaining. Music is heavy and aggressive with clear vocals that are extreme.  Their set was short about 30 minutes while satisfying, another 30 minutes would’ve been even better.  A double dose would have been awesome but that’s all the time opening bands usually get. Lead guitarist Jaboo rips it up on stage, playing his white Jackson flying V to the hilt. His passion for playing comes though.  I was able to snag Jaboo for a few minutes before the show.  In this video tape interview, we joke around and Jaboo tells his side of the story on the last minute writing of Turn Away among other things.  Check it out!

Michael’s voice sounded great which was a relief because he was experiencing some laryngitis for a few days.  Tour life presents obstacles and SFD is not immune and experienced and survived a few on this tour.  Before the tour started, but was already confirmed two members of the band were unable to commit to the tour schedule and opted out of the tour.  The band scrambled and found suitable players to fill in so they could still take the show on the road.  Tour was going great, playing to full and mostly sold out crowds, when injury struck.  The bassist broke his knee and for this had to perform sitting on top of his amp with a leg brace on.  Michael tells the crowd the story which is the bassist was jumping on a trampoline and did a back flip, first one was near perfect, but second one was devastating. Another replacement was found and will be joining the remainder of the tour.

Jaboo was the sole guitar player on this tour, Jamie Teissere who has been with the band since it’s conception in 2012 did not join the tour in order to take care of his young son.  It is unclear if he will be back or not or if they will add another guitarist in the future.  I was happy to see that the accordion was still part of the show.  Michael even played accordion on the song Savior live which was rad.

What is clear is that whatever happens, Jaboo and Michael are two metal musketeers that won’t be “Kept Down” and will walk “Through Fire” to get to a stage near you.  These two are determined and will not be your “Victim”.   Get your tickets ahead of time and don’t be late because they go on early and shows have been selling out.  Then you have to “Turn Away” or scream “Let Me in”, which probably won’t help and nobody will be your “Savior” and you’ll be left “Torn in Two”. So don’t let that happen to you, it would be “The Biggest Mistake”.  You don’t want to have to add that you your “Counting All My Failures” list!

Brenda Starr / BackStage360

Left to Right – Michael, Jaboo, Jaboo’s Brother Daniel

JaBoo with Brenda Starr