Initially raised by his Jehovah’s Witness mother in Indiana, Riggs began to question her beliefs and instead moved in with his father in Louisiana. After a few unsuccessful bands, he struck a chord with Acid Bath. Together with guitarists Sammy Duet and Mike Sanchez, bassist Audie Pitre, and drummer Jimmy Kyle, Riggs and the band made an impact in a short time. Though Acid Bath only released two full-length records between 1991 and 1997, the band left a significant imprint as sludge metal pioneers in the music world.
With his next exploration into the realm of musical madness, Riggs took a drastic new direction trading in his love of thrash for dark ballads and blues infused metal with Agents of Oblivion. The band, like most of his earlier projects, was sadly short-lived with a self-titled album released in 2000 and a short tour before calling it quits.
Deadboy & the Elephantmen had more of a lasting impression on Riggs spanning seven years and set more of a representation of the sound that would come from the musician in the future. Keeping the blues inspiration Riggs sported with his previous effort, Deadboy & the Elephantmen stripped down the walls even more. During the recording of the band’s third album, things began to fall apart at the seams leaving Riggs to branch out on his own. The tracks from the recording session would lead to “We Sing of Only Blood or Love” his first first album officially has simply Dax Riggs.
Last year, Riggs released his second album “Say Goodnight to the World.” The album was record in Austin, Texas and was released by Fat Possum Records.
While some may find the latest incarnation of Dax Riggs a dramatic move from what has come before it, he believes what was to come was inevitable and that followers of his previous work should appreciate the new material.
“It was time for a change,” Riggs said. “It’s still a band thing, just under my name.”
According to Riggs, seeing him live is like soul-throwing rapture and has to be experienced by anyone who has an appreciation for creative music or as he likes to put it “ a primal, poetic, punk blues, folk metal, rock ‘n’ roll implosion.”
Riggs is grateful of what the road has to offer, but admits that sometimes it can be a bit exhausting. While he enjoys touring just as much as the next guy, things can be a little tough at times. Suffice it to say it has its moments.
“The long drives kinda suck but meeting people from all over the country is inspiring,” he said.
Though a lengthy time has passed since his days as a sludge metal juggernaut, Riggs time in the scene has taught him well. He has learned a lot over the past 20 years including how to cope with the changes in both life and music over the years. Out of everything Riggs has experienced, the freedom he has as a musician is what he admires the most.
“You get more comfortable in your own skin as time appears to pass,” he said.
With the new year comes more of the same that Riggs has grown accustom to over the last two decades and counting. Followers can expect more touring from the talented musician along with his third record.
When it comes to inspiration for his most recent work, Riggs digs a bit deeper. “It comes from life in modern darkness,” he said.
For those interested in making a leap of faith in the music scene, Riggs has some words of advice.
“Listen to your soul and hear what it’s saying,” Riggs said. “It’s what the universe is telling you.”
Catch Dax Riggs in all his glory at two stops in northeast Ohio – The Outpost in Kent on Dec 6 and at Cleveland’s Grog Shop on Dec 7.
