Theory of a Deadman unplugging for Paramount concert in Cedar Rapids

Information flows freely thanks to the internet but bands while on the road sometimes live in a vacuum. While touring Russia a decade ago Theory of a Deadman failed to understand what the capacity crowd was chanting in English at the hard rock band.

“We asked what they were saying,” vocalist-guitarist Tyler Connelly said while calling from his Los Angeles home. “We were told they’re saying ‘Say Goodbye.’ It turns out that ‘Say Goodbye’ was a big hit in Russia. We had no idea. It wasn’t on our set list.”

Theory of a Deadman didn’t play the deep cut with the big riff in Russia. “That song is in an open tuning,” Connelly said. “None of us could pull it off. Now I’ll ask what our most popular songs are when we go to other countries like Australia. It’s a good feeling when you have a hit anywhere. We’ve been very fortunate.”

The hard rock band, which formed in Vancouver a quarter century ago, has its share of hits in America. Such tunes as “Bad Girlfriend,” “Lowlife,” “Rx (Medicate)” and “History of Violence,” have charted. Theory of a Deadman has a tough time putting a set list together after releasing eight albums.

“It’s really difficult for us,” Connelly said. “We now look for feedback. To know what the fans want is always a good thing.”

However, when it comes to creating tunes Theory of a Deadman, which will perform an unplugged set Saturday at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, goes with its collective gut when it comes to songwriting.

“Every album is different,” Connelly said. “Some bands write the same song over and over again. After we had success with ‘RX,’ which is our biggest song, we never thought for a moment to make another song just like it. When it comes to creating music, we don’t listen to anybody. Who would ever think that I would ever get to this point? It’s been a great run with our band.”

Connelly, 49, picked up a guitar after he turned 15. “I was this introverted kid who had no charisma,” Connelly said. “But things changed after I started playing guitar. I discovered that girls liked guys that play guitar. I became really good quickly. I remember playing this bluegrass song and this super hot girl stopped and looked at me and that was a super impactful moment.”

Connelly formed bands but there wasn’t much of a rock scene in Vancouver during the mid ‘90s but then Nickelback broke. After forming Theory of a Deadman, Connelly slipped Nickelback singer-songwriter Chad Kroeger a demo. Shortly thereafter Theory of a Deadman was signed to Nickelback’s label, 604 Records.

“It was a kismet thing with Chad,” Connelly said “Our band wasn’t doing anything but playing local bars and Nickelback was selling out venues the size of (Vancouver’s) Commodore (Ballroom with a capacity of 990). We would watch them play and then we connected with them and everything happened so quickly. We vibed with those guys really well.”

A quarter century after forming, Theory of a Deadman, which also includes guitarist Dave Brenner, bassist Dean Back and drummer Joey Dandeneau, is pleased that their audience is getting younger.

“It’s so cool to see that kids are coming out to the shows with their dads,” Connelly said. “It’s nice seeing dads have that kind of impact on their kids. My dad had that effect on me. I remember being 14 and going through my dad’s vinyl collection and then I started listening to the Beatles, the Doors and Supertramp. Parents pass along the music, and I love that our music has been passed on to another generation.”

That’s as cool as having unknown hits behind the Iron Curtain. “That really blew me away that we had a big hit in Russia,” Connelly said. “That kind of stuff is amazing.”

When the Theory of a Deadman’s Unplugged tour concludes in November, the band will get together and work on its next album.

“We’re definitely going to record some new stuff,” Connelly said. “We’re always trying to find the time but we’ll get to it once we’re off the road.”