By Jeannette Madden

Adelitas Way plays First Avenue with Theory of a Deadman Monday, January 18, in support of their debut album, released July 14, 2009. What drives this band, named after a Tijuana brothel, and known for anthemic, potent hard modern rock lyrics and live performances?

Rick DeJusus, lead singer and founder of Adelitas Way, describes music as his saving grace. I’m from Philadelphia, he said, and things were getting tough back there. I was going in a bad direction so I got out of there and moved to Las Vegas. That’s where the band got started. I always liked to write songs and that whole process, and when I started music I never thought it was going to get to where it’s at now. It was an escape to stay out of trouble. I love to write songs, play shows and you fall so in love with the music that you want to keep going and it’s a ton of hard work, striving to become what we are now and now we’re striving to become something better…

How did the band achieve it’s current line-up? We were looking for a lot of solid amazing players and it’s hard to find those. It’s hard to find people who are dedicated to music. A lot of people in this industry look to become a rock star and become rich and famous. You have to have warriors, people who love music and love to play. Along the way we were lucky enough to find Keith [Wallen, guitar]. We were told you have to check this guy out. He’s a great songwriter, a great performer. The same with Derek [Johnson, bass]…he’s easygoing, hardworking. It’s been a blessing. We’ve got things going and we put our team together. We’ve got a new guitar player, Creighton [Bibbs], he was the first person we thought of. We’re putting it together and we’re rocking out every night!

As Rick is based out of Las Vegas, has the music business in Vegas had helped the band make it this far…from Rick’s answer, it appears that Las Vegas is not the place for aspiring musicians to try and make their start! I think the music scene in Vegas sucks…and you can even quote that! He says. There’s no support in Vegas outside of the rock station. As far as journalism, as far as the fans out there, people are just too busy with night clubs. But it’s where we started and it’s where I live but it’s why we don’t go back there and play that often.

A few quick highlights about their album’s producer, song writing, musical influences, and playing live. Says Rick, Virgin was the first record label to believe in us…after we got a deal with Virgin, we had quite a buzz going and we were meeting with producers and we and Johnny K (Disturbed, Plain White T’s, 3 Doors Down) got along amazing.

Rick wrote all of the songs for Adelitas Way’s debut album. With hit songs like Invincible, Scream, and Dirty Little Things, where does he get his inspiration? You never know where a song is going to come from, he says, so it really isn’t a process. I can be sitting in a van right now and think of a chorus…but Keith, he’s a phenomenal writer so the second album’s going to be a big step up and I’m really excited.

As far as influences, Rick says that he’s influenced by 90s rock bands…Sound Garden, S.U.P. Our ranges and influences are all over the place. Keith likes Phil Collins and Metallica, Derek likes Minus the Bear, Trevor likes Incubus…we’re all over the place as far as influences but I think that’s a good sign.

And finally, Rick’s take on live shows…Every time we play a live show we walk out of there and we sell 100 or 200 records a night and I think that’s our strength. Going out there and rocking people’s faces off. That’s where we are the tightest. Touring is essential. Touring is how you break a band, how you get out there, how you get your core fan base.

Catch Adelitas Way with Theory of a Deadman at First Avenue in Minneapolis on
Monday, January 18, 2009. They will blow you away and you will be left believing that
these guys truly are Invincible.