grade 8 schools the second stage

The second stage at Ozzfest is a cesspool of everything metal, possibly even more so than the main stage, since the bands are hungrier for the exposure and anxious to perform well in hopes of exploding onto the mainstream. One of the 14 second-stage acts hoping to capitalize on the opportunity given to it by the almighty Ozz is California-based quartet grade 8.

Touring in support of its self-titled debut album, the band performed a jarring 30-minute set on Ozzfest's stop at the White River Amphitheatre Saturday. Comprised of brothers Dustin and Ryan Tooker (one is grade 8's guitarist, the other its vocalist), bassist Guy Couturier from Switzerland and drummer Scotty "Kanikki" Carneghi, the jovial group signed autographs and spoke frankly about the subject matter of its songs, its plans for after the summer and what it's like to be a part of Ozzfest.

"This song is dedicated to everyone who has been touched by alcoholism, by either a family member, boyfriend, girlfriend, anyone -- this song is for you," Ryan said before the opening of "Empire Falls."

"Most of the time, performing the song live is an awesome release," Ryan said backstage after the performance. "That's what the song is about. It's not about letting [alcoholism] overcome you; it's about going through that shit and being stronger because of it."

"The kids that relate to and come up to us after the shows and say 'Hey, I went through the same shit,' mean a lot to us. It just shows that other people go through what you've been through and that you're not alone out there."

The personal subject matter of the song is typical lyrical content on its self-titled album, and Ryan said he hopes his lyrics can have an impact on others.

"I always write like I am giving myself advice," said Ryan, who writes most of the group's lyrics.

"Sometimes it comes real easy and it flows, while other times it's like fighting yourself and fighting your own emotions to get something out on paper. You ask yourself 'Do I want to say that?' and usually if you ask yourself that the answer is always yes."

Grade 8 had all of its material written and ready to go before entering the studio to record its album, which took four months to finish. The album is filled with a nice mixture of rap-metal rhymes and hardcore screams.

"Our shows and our experience on Ozzfest have been the extreme of everything. You wake up extremely early, you go to bed extremely late, you drink an extreme amount of alcohol, you meet a lot of people. It's a real good time to test your limits as a band, test everyone in your crew, and so far everyone has been performing real well," said Dustin.

Ryan and Dustin offered some advice for being in a successful band that includes family members.

"If you don't get along with your siblings in your personal life, don't put them in your band. A band tests relationships on any level. For me and [Ryan], to be in a band together, tour together and live together -- it's tough on our relationship."

"We're the only two in the band who don't fight with each other," adds Ryan.

Having completed a tour with metal gods Anthrax, recording its first album and spending the summer with the Prince of Darkness, what lies ahead for grade 8?

"Right now it seems like people really like this record and we're going to keep touring behind it until we get to and start another one," said Dustin.