For People Who Make Music, and For People Who Love Music
Serving the Pennsylvania Music Industry since 1982
Dream Device is Ready to Rock the World
By Rachel Rocks Photos By: Meredith Kaminek
Dream Device is a five man original, hard rock, alternative band from central PA. They originally formed their band in 2008, recently they took a little break to spend some time with family, regroup, and get back into their writing mentality. Now after their hiatus, and acquiring a new drummer, they are back and ready to rock the world.
I’ve only ever heard these guys once before on our Millennium Music Conference acoustic stage. I was told at the time they are a “hard rock” band and not an acoustic act, and to please not judge them according to their acoustic set. I can tell you though that even acoustically I was impressed. David Trageser is their lead singer, his voice is so clear and amazing. He has great range and his voice is crystal clear in all the recordings that I’ve heard. I’ve checked them out on You Tube and their website, www.dreamdevicemusic.com and no matter what I listen to I’m impressed. They have hard driving riffs, intelligent clear lyrics, and some very unique stage antics, and that only begins to describe them. Some day soon I hope to catch a live show. They have been selected once again to perform at the MMC. They will be playing at Johnny Joe’s on February 18th at 10:30pm.
David Trageser is an amazing vocalist. He knew from the time he was four years old that he was meant to make music. His Mom always made sure music was part of his life. Early on he discovered a love for diverse acts from White Zombie and Metallica to Tupac. You can tell in the different originals that I’ve heard that Dream Device has also carried that diversity into their music. His main influences also range from Tool’s Maynard James Keenan to Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, he really feels that they are being true to themselves and their art, and he hopes to be able to continue to do the same. Dream Device has two great guitar players that know how to shred on their guitars. The first one is Adam Grieger. Since being introduced to Guns N’ Roses and Skid Row way back in 5th grade, Adam knew he wanted to be in a band and create awesome music. He formed a garage band with his friends at a
young age that unfortunately never got a chance to perform. He took his love of music on to college and studied at the Berklee College of Music. While going to college he had many different music related jobs that has really helped him connect with the music industry as a whole. His influences have been Steve Vai, but he strongly feels that there is no one comparable to Tool. He feels that as long as you truly love and believe in the music you are creating, you will always have integrity. That is definitely something to strive for.
young age that unfortunately never got a chance to perform. He took his love of music on to college and studied at the Berklee College of Music. While going to college he had many different music related jobs that has really helped him connect with the music industry as a whole. His influences have been Steve Vai, but he strongly feels that there is no one comparable to Tool. He feels that as long as you truly love and believe in the music you are creating, you will always have integrity. That is definitely something to strive for. The other great guitar player is Kem Hess. He remembers specifically the day he decided to pursue music. It was back in 1986 when he saw Steve Vai’s performance on David Lee 
Roth’s “Eat ‘Em and Smile” CD. He was hooked, it started him on the path of playing and eventually performing. He has developed a love for shredders like Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen, and they’ve been a big influence on his abilities as a guitar player.
Roth’s “Eat ‘Em and Smile” CD. He was hooked, it started him on the path of playing and eventually performing. He has developed a love for shredders like Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen, and they’ve been a big influence on his abilities as a guitar player. On the bass guitar they have Shaun Hinks. Shaun first picked up the guitar at nine years old, but by 19, he made one of his smartest choices in life and picked up the bass. Shaun has had many different influences ranging from Flea in Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Megadeth, Metallica, and many more. He comes to the band with the most experience. He has performed with four different bands. While in the band 11’s Edge, he even had the privilege of opening for Yngwie Malmsteen and George Lynch. Even though he’s already had some great opportunities in his life, he feels that being in Dream Device is his best opportunity yet. Every performance he strives to leave the audience awed and excited to spread the world about their experience to others. It makes it pretty easy being in a band with the great guys of Dream Device.
Their newest member on drums, is Nick Mills. Nick was smart and placed a classified in this magazine, and Dream Device called him for an audition. Nick has always been into drumming. His Dad played drums so it’s always just been a part of his life. He first picked up the sticks when he was three
years old, and hasn’t put them down yet. When he went to a Rush concert it even gave him more inspiration to want to perform live, playing the drums. He took lessons from Michael O’Connell who really has helped him become an amazing drummer. Nick wanted to make sure and also thank Dale’s Drum Shop for always being there and having everything he could ever possibly need. It’s nice to have a drum shop you know you can depend on.
years old, and hasn’t put them down yet. When he went to a Rush concert it even gave him more inspiration to want to perform live, playing the drums. He took lessons from Michael O’Connell who really has helped him become an amazing drummer. Nick wanted to make sure and also thank Dale’s Drum Shop for always being there and having everything he could ever possibly need. It’s nice to have a drum shop you know you can depend on. Even though it seems like Dream Device has been on hiatus, they have been busy. They did release their first CD, Dream Device back in February of 2011. Their CD was recorded at Atrium Audio in Lancaster with Carson Slovak. They signed up with the label Canadian American Records and Caprice International Recording. With the help of Joey Welz, they got a Grammy Nomination for the Best Indie Rock Album of the Year. It was a new category for the Grammys this year. They had their CD at the MMC, sharing it with everyone they could. Thanks to their band consultant, Ken Cavalier from Allure Media Entertainment Group, they had the privilege of meeting David Ivory last year at the Millennium Music Conference. After meeting them there, they were contacted for another meeting with David Ivory to talk about writing a single. It was a very educational meeting to discuss their single before they even wrote it. He gave them some great ideas and suggestions and Ivory Productions helped create their new single “Still Young” from start to finish. This brand new single will be being released this month (January)! Keep an eye on their different websites, and check it out for yourself, or better yet come out to one of their shows and grab a download card from one of the guys. I’m told it’s a great love song with a hard rock feel. Most recently they found out that they have been nominated by the 717 Music Awards as the Best Live Act of 2011. The voting has officially ended, and they won’t know the results until the official 717 Music Awards Show. So like I said, they’ve had a lot of things going on that we just couldn’t see.
Since their 2008 debut Dream Device has been busy. They’ve played a lot of cool shows, as far North as Copperfields in Boston, MA, thanks to Onslaught Promotions in Boston, and as far South as Secrets in OCMD during Bike Week of 2011. To help promote the show they had a live on-air interview with Ocean 98.1 FM. They had the opportunity to play five tracks live and they even spun their single which was all an amazing experience. They’ve also enjoyed playing all of their different local clubs like the Chameleon, Tourist Inn, Silo, Red Rose, Harley Bike Shows, and many other fun gigs. They had the privilege of opening for Jimmie’s Chicken Shack and Janus. It’s already been quite the adventure and they’ve been enjoying the ride.
Dream Device wanted to make sure and thank Mary and Joe Lapinski for helping to manage the band, Chris Mills for all of his help and their new practice space, Peter Greiger, Heather Umholtz and all of their girlfriends and wives for all of their support. Scott Waltz for being their original drummer that got them to where they are today. They wish you the best with your future endeavors. They also wanted to thank Carson at 105.7 the X, they will definitely hand deliver you their single as soon as they have it. Obviously Ken Cavalier, their promoter, Carson Slovak, their engineer and David Ivory, their producer. Plus of course the Pennsylvania Musician Magazine for giving them an outlet to let people know who they are and what they are up to. Last but not least, their fans. They are well aware of the significant role the fans play in a band’s success. It’s important to them that their music makes their fans feel good and picks them up when they need it. They want them to feel an excitement to return and feel the rush all over again.
For more information about Dream Device, check out their ad in this issue. You can also check them out online at www.dreamdevicemusic.com, or look for them on Facebook. Get out there and see them locally before it’s too late and they will be off conquering the world, one rock show at a time.