Guitarist Matt Roberts said the current tour is the last U.S. dates before 3 Doors Down heads back into the studio. "We're only 1 1/2 weeks into it, but so far, so good," Roberts said during a phone interview from Milwaukee. "We're already about three-quarters of the way done writing our new album."
Still, 3DD fans will have to wait at least another six months before anything new is released. In the meantime, fans can see the band at the E Center on Tuesday, July 17. The music will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tantric and Lifehouse will also be on the bill. Tickets available through all Smith'sTix outlets.
Three Doors Down — Roberts, vocalist Brad Arnold, bassist Todd Harrell, guitarist Chris Henderson and drummer Richard Lyles — have been riding the crest of success with the band's multi-platinum debut album "The Better Life." "When we wrote that album, we were still in high school," said Roberts. "And our goal back then was to get on the radio."
After numerous calls to the local radio station in the band's hometown of Biloxi, Miss., Three Doors Down broke through. "We were lucky to have that happen," said Roberts. "Since then, things have been building and things have been happening. It's been a pretty smooth ride for us."
The next goal to set was to get a gold album, selling more than 500,000, copies. "That's been done many times over," Roberts said with a laugh. "It was way past our expectations."
"The Better Life" has sold more than 5 million copies and was on the Billboard music charts for more than 67 weeks. The singles "Kryptonite," "Loser" and "Duck & Run" all hit No. 1 on the Rock Tracks lists, and the fourth single, "Be Like That," will also appear on the soundtrack to "American Pie 2."
With the success, however, comes a responsibility, said Roberts. "We are amazed at how many kids look up to us. We read our mail and realize just how much influential power we have on our fans. It's very cool to me, and it's something we always have to keep in mind when we write songs."
That's why Roberts is excited to start working on the new album. "Our writing has matured since we last wrote a song," the guitarist said. "All the songs on 'Better Life' are more than 5 years old. So we have a lot more to sing about."
E-mail: scott@desnews.com