Shinedown’s drummer Barry Kerch and guitarist Zach Myers have revealed an amusing behind-the-scenes touring habit, as reported by Rock Feed.
The band members explained why they go out of their way to avoid staying near frontman Brent Smith’s hotel room during tours — all because of how loud his voice carries through the walls and hallways.
“The three of us have made sure that we don’t have a hotel room next to him because we can hear him down the hallway,” drummer Barry Kerch said. “His voice is very loud.”
Guitarist Zach Myers then elaborated on just how far he takes the precaution, sharing a specific example from a recent trip.
“This is a true story. You can ask our travel agent this. I will not stay on the same floor as Brent Smith,” Myers said. “I took a video the other day when we were in Nashville doing the signings. I was in room 410 and Brent was in room 438. I’m in my room. I can hear him on the phone in his room. That’s why I don’t stay on the same floor for hours.”
The lighthearted admission offers a glimpse into the day-to-day dynamics of life on the road for one of rock’s most active touring bands.
The anecdote is a fitting one for a band whose entire identity has been built around the power of Smith’s voice — both on stage and, apparently, off it.
Shinedown was formed in 2001 in Jacksonville, Florida, when Smith founded the group following the dissolution of his previous project, Dreve. Smith has been the driving force behind the band since its inception, shaping its sound and direction from the very beginning, as noted by Wikipedia.
That foundation has paid off in a major way. Shinedown is now the #1 artist on Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Artists Chart, having notched more No. 1 hits than any other act in the chart’s history, per The Factory STL. It is a record that speaks directly to the band’s relentless work ethic and years of consistent touring and recording.
That touring lifestyle, while clearly demanding, has also come with its share of humor. The hotel room story is not the first time the band has offered candid glimpses into what it takes to keep four strong personalities functioning on the road together. For Kerch and Myers, the solution has been simple: put as much distance between themselves and their frontman’s phone calls as possible.
For a band that has spent over two decades on the road, small adjustments like these are part of what keeps the chemistry intact. And if that means booking rooms on a different floor, it seems Shinedown’s members are more than happy to make that call.
